Wow! Advanced EXCEL 16 is in its last few days already! We have learned, cried, and laughed so much together that it would be impossible to tell it all. Even if I did it would never compare to being here and experiencing it yourself. It's hard to believe that things are coming to a close.

On Sunday we went to PCPC (Park Cities Presbyterian Church) for the last time, Monday was our last leftovers day and our last speech class. (Some of us were relieved about that part!) Although endings have always made me kinda sad, I look forward to graduation in July when we will be one big happy family again. I'm thankful that even after we leave here, through the friendships we made, the principles we learned, and the ways God revealed Himself to each of us will continue to grow roots into our lives and we will be better people for having come to Advanced EXCEL!

-Dana Trigger

The days keep going by faster and faster. We can all hardly believe we’re in the last third of our time here, but it’s true. We are still enjoying every moment of being here, but have also started anticipating going home and putting into practice all we’ve been learning.

Today was our “academic day”. We had two tests, one for writing and one for public speaking. Then we each gave a speech on what we learned about teamwork at our time in Big Sandy last weekend. I personally love just sitting and listening to the other girls’ hearts as they speak. We talk a lot, (of course!) but we don’t get to hear from each other for a whole undivided 10 minutes about what God has been showing us except for our weekly speeches. I love how we all open up and share the things that we may not talk about as naturally. But it’s all deep, good stuff about lessons learned and steps taken in our individual journeys. There are some amazing women here. I am so privileged to be a part of this group and this AE.

-Rachel May

Photo Update

A few images from our recent adventures...
Grace and Lauren prepping the bathroom for the interior design class Paige and Meridian Rachel Christy AE 16 dream team
Chrissy on the low ropes confidence course Team 1 with Major Farr
Team 2 with Mrs. Farr
Dana and Paige
Meredith and Katie Stress hike Lauren the Great Waiting for the organ concert at Park Cities Presbyterian Church to start A day out!

Week 3

We have had a good, busy week here at AE 16 so far. On Tuesday and Wednesday a lady named Kristen Spilker came and shared with us. She is short, spunky, and endeared herself to us all. We learned from her, in sessions and by example, about being a woman of influence, specifically in the political arena. She also shared on interior design. I enjoyed seeing other girls’ eyes light up as their interest in this subject was renewed. As we looked through design magazines, you could hear “oohs” and “aahs” from all over the room. We had so much fun starting our own file for ideas and finding pictures that perfectly expressed our individual styles.

On Thursday, Mandy Novotny taught us about computers and graphic design. We learned how to use different programs practically in everyday life and also how to have fun with them and create beautiful artwork. She covered so much information and we caught a vision of how to use modern technology with excellence to communicate our message of hope to the world.

For Friday and Saturday, Mandy will be leading us through Prizewinning Photography Lite. There will more than likely be some photos from our course posted here, so be sure to look next week for our favorites. It’s so much fun to learn from Mandy; she is obviously passionate and excited about what she shares.

God had been working in all our lives individually and corporately since we’ve been here in amazing ways. We’ve talked about how God perfectly planned each one of us to be here for specific reasons, and how every one of us is contributing something special to make AE 16 unique. On my part, I have been so blessed to learn from each of the girls here. Our different perspectives give the truths we discuss meaning and depth. Some things are so good, you know only God could have planned them.

One theme that seems to run through this class is brokenness. As each of us share our testimonies, we can all point to a recent time where God has been breaking us, that His power and glory might shine all the brighter through our weaknesses. It reminds me of a quote we have printed on our bulletin board: “God only creates out of nothing. It is only when a man becomes nothing that God can make anything out of him.” We are becoming nothing that God may be shown to be everything. It’s a beautiful process.

That’s a small view of our life here at AE 16. We are learning and growing and changing. God is good.


-Rachel May

Date with God

Sarah Orne Jewett said, “Don’t try to write about things: write the things themselves just as they are.” Ok!

This afternoon I found myself standing in the food line, my stomach growling and my mouth watering to dig in the delicacies of the food line. I take in the high-frequency giggles and squeals I thought only dogs could hear; the noise level is deafening. If you were here, you would see girls, everywhere. Girls from all different backgrounds and walks of life; some look confident, others shy. Trust me, they can be sugar and spice and everything nice, or your worst nightmare!

There are eight girls on my team—Advanced Excel that is. We are here for a bit of a different purpose than the rest of the girls here. We too come from all kinds of backgrounds and walks of life, but we have all already been through Excel and we have come back for more of the God we savored there.

One of my favorite times of the day is something we call a “Date with God.” This date takes place right after lunch, and it normally lasts for about an hour where we just spend time alone with the Lord. This differs from what is commonly known as a “devotional time” because as is with a date, I am to enjoy myself and enjoy the company of my “significant other” without any pressure to be someone I am not, or do anything at all!

Sometimes I have spent the hour just sitting on the pine green park benches out in the courtyard, watching the sunshine and clouds roll by in the distant blue sky. I might ask God a question that is on my mind that day—any question, not necessarily something deeply spiritual. The other day I found out that one of His favorite colors is pink! Yes, He paints the sky several shades of it almost every evening and we don’t even notice.

I could tell you many more sweet things He has told me, but I won’t. It is our secret. “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him…” Psalm 25:14

I want to know God’s secrets—all of them. But for now I am happy just relaxing, rejuvenating, and thanking God for His gifts to me—this place being a huge one of those.

Cristina Rodriguez

A Well Kept Secret

Advanced EXCEL has to be the best kept secret in IBLP. After going through EXCEL 21, I didn’t think my path would cross with any EXCEL department ever again. But here I am in AE16 almost five years later, finding that I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

The AE program is for serious minded women. It is for those who are either desperately trying to put down a well defined life objective or those who want to better know how to implement their life goals.

From January 21 to February 29, our basic weekly schedule at the Dallas Ministry Center is set, though the routines vary some from day to day. For example, we had afternoon sessions on public speaking during the first week. But during the second week, our afternoon sessions switched from business proposals on Wednesday to remodeling a room through the weekend. Our agenda becomes dependent on the week’s main focus. The morning hours stay pretty regular, however. Exercising, personal devotions, team devotions, and breakfast keep us busy.

I have valued the efforts of the leadership spent on structuring the teaching format in a way that incorporates real time learning. By using all five senses, we begin to grasp the step by step processes of our class topics versus only looking at a handout and wondering how we would take this new found knowledge and apply it back home. Sit-in sessions do take place, but they are usually followed up with field trips and hands on practice. Only last week, we spent three days remodeling a room and then took a field trip to a well known interior design store to spark new ideas.

One of the requirements for coming to Advanced EXCEL is that you complete the original EXCEL program. Incidentally, the two programs occur simultaneously for the first six weeks. They each have two different purposes and goals for their participants, and it’s been interesting to see EXCEL from a different perspective. Each night during team meeting, we pray for the girls and smile as we know exactly what they are going through. Interacting with DMC staff and other EXCELites has proven itself to be just as fun as ever.

For this season in my life, my keyword is --contentment. I am exactly where I am supposed to be. Normally, pressure builds quickly within an intensive course such as this. One that’s designed to hone in on your relationship with God can effectively bring out the worst and the best in you. God has timed the course in such a way that I feel like, over the ensuing six weeks, I have time to privately internalize His lessons before I head into the last hectic three and a half months. I am truly content to be where I am and extremely grateful for my teammates.Abba Father, teach me to be a King David and not a Saul or Absalom. Broken before You and fully content with where You lead. Be my One, All-consuming Thought and Lover.
Dominique Coffing