Wow. Now that the summer is over I'm not sure where it went.. I had an amazing summer! Filled with ups and downs, tears, sobbing, and laughing until I cried. Late, late nights and early mornings. Drama, drama, drama. Many easy questions and some simple, hard questions too. I learned so much about myself, about the Lord that I serve, and about His children who are so innocent, fragile, and in need of love. And I wouldn't have experienced any of this if it weren't for the overwhelming call of the Lord that I felt earlier this year! I have had the opportunity to thank all of the people who spent the summer with me and made it the amazing experience that it was. And I want to thank all of you who took the time to read these posts and who were praying for me as I went through all of the experiences this summer brought me.
Looking back I know that it was worth every tear and frustration, and I knew it would be as I was going through it but not wholeheartedly. I had my doubts and I learned that the Lord is faithful even when I am not. His faithfulness continues forever and is there even when you are doubting.
I will carry the memories and lessons of this summer with me wherever the Lord takes me in my life. I know He has taught me more than I currently realize and I can't wait to see what He will continue to open my eyes to!!
In Him.
Ephesians 1:15-19
Monday, August 11, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Lamp Unto My Feet
Wow. Two more weeks. The end is in sight! This session has brought me some amazing girls, amazing friends, and amazing opportunities; it has also brought me a most welcomed and more difficult challenge.
I have always struggled with people of the Jewish faith and their place in the spiritual world. They are "God's chosen people" and I feel that with this title they should be permitted to spend eternity with Him, but the Word we read says otherwise, and thus begins my struggle. I have accepted that the answer to this question is one that I will not begin to know or understand until I have had at least a day next to the Man Himself. But until then I have felt led to learn as much about the Jewish faith as I can and also to minister to those practicing it. And now I have my chance.
Yesterday, we got our new campers and a new friend up here told me she's amazing. When she arrived she told me she's Jewish. My first thought was "then what are you doing here", but she's a returning camper so I guess she likes it. Through more conversation I learned that her father is Catholic and by tradition she goes to a Catholic school but she is a practicing Jew.
Anyway, I could feel that we would have an awesome cluster and we do! They're absolutely amazing! But I'm nervous about the devotionals that we do each night. About the conversations/questions that will be brought up. And about how to lead the devotionals, which to do, and in what order. I feel really challenged, but I know the Lord will light my path as I walk it and show me what to do when.
I ask you all to please pray for me over the next two weeks! Pray for the Lord to calm me and give me a peace about where to lead these girls, or even better, just for me to let Him lead them through me. It's time to get to work, thank you all for your prayers!! I hope to see you all soon! And PLEASE let me know if there is anything I can be praying for!!
In Him.
I have always struggled with people of the Jewish faith and their place in the spiritual world. They are "God's chosen people" and I feel that with this title they should be permitted to spend eternity with Him, but the Word we read says otherwise, and thus begins my struggle. I have accepted that the answer to this question is one that I will not begin to know or understand until I have had at least a day next to the Man Himself. But until then I have felt led to learn as much about the Jewish faith as I can and also to minister to those practicing it. And now I have my chance.
Yesterday, we got our new campers and a new friend up here told me she's amazing. When she arrived she told me she's Jewish. My first thought was "then what are you doing here", but she's a returning camper so I guess she likes it. Through more conversation I learned that her father is Catholic and by tradition she goes to a Catholic school but she is a practicing Jew.
Anyway, I could feel that we would have an awesome cluster and we do! They're absolutely amazing! But I'm nervous about the devotionals that we do each night. About the conversations/questions that will be brought up. And about how to lead the devotionals, which to do, and in what order. I feel really challenged, but I know the Lord will light my path as I walk it and show me what to do when.
I ask you all to please pray for me over the next two weeks! Pray for the Lord to calm me and give me a peace about where to lead these girls, or even better, just for me to let Him lead them through me. It's time to get to work, thank you all for your prayers!! I hope to see you all soon! And PLEASE let me know if there is anything I can be praying for!!
In Him.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Cloudy Days
It's amazing the difference in my attitude and the attitudes of those around us when the weather is good. It has been so hot here which just takes energy and patience out of us, but today it's cool and cloudy and threatening rain, which we are all praying for. There has been much drama here lately. I hate drama. I don't know if this is a good or bad thing, but with all of the drama I have just become care-free and relaxed. My campers are happier with this, and I have less stress on me which is wonderful! I was reading back on bits and pieces of what I have read and it's really encouraging to me to know how focused I was and then I look at myself now and that's not where I am, but it's where I need to be. So I ask you again to pray for me to focus first on God, then on my girls, and last on me. It's been about the opposite lately and have been feeling so weak. I have been feeling myself say that my body is weak and my spirit is hungry. God is feeding me some because He feels my desire but I would absolutely love to sit in a church and listen to a pastor give a sermon. Just to relax and be truly fed by our Lord, even to the point of tears, that would be so unbelievable relaxing and uplifting.
I have a little more than two weeks until I go home to see family and friends and brothers and sisters in Christ, those of you who have been there for me through this endeavor. I am so encouraged by you all and I love the relationships that have grown stronger over this time.
In the past two weeks a couple of girls have arrived that I have been able to form decent friendships with. I'm really excited about that and I hope that those relationships will last. It's encouraging to me to see God proving to me that I'm hear for a reason, even in the toughest times.
I have a lot to do before classes start and I am very behind in my sign language, but hopefully I have kept to most of it and will be able to remember and catch up quickly.
Thank you all for everything and please keep me and all the girls in your thoughts and prayers throughout the next two weeks.
I love you all.
Philippians 2:3
In Him.
I have a little more than two weeks until I go home to see family and friends and brothers and sisters in Christ, those of you who have been there for me through this endeavor. I am so encouraged by you all and I love the relationships that have grown stronger over this time.
In the past two weeks a couple of girls have arrived that I have been able to form decent friendships with. I'm really excited about that and I hope that those relationships will last. It's encouraging to me to see God proving to me that I'm hear for a reason, even in the toughest times.
I have a lot to do before classes start and I am very behind in my sign language, but hopefully I have kept to most of it and will be able to remember and catch up quickly.
Thank you all for everything and please keep me and all the girls in your thoughts and prayers throughout the next two weeks.
I love you all.
Philippians 2:3
In Him.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Jesus, Bring The Rain
http://youtube.com/watch?v=e8HgAVenbUU
Holy, Holy, Holy
I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray
Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain
I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain
So I pray
Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
I heard that song as I was pulling onto campus this morning. One of the first lines caught me. "Can circumstances possibly change who I forever am in you?" It's definitely something to think about. Or to do a Bible study on. I feel like that's the mode my mind is in now. I have had an absolute blast coming up with Bible studies for the high school girls here. I feel like doing that, coming up with and giving Bible studies is what I want to do forever. I have learned so much about God's word, His love, His excitement about what the coming generation is going to do in this world, what they are capable of, and more importantly what He is capable of doing through them. It's so empowering to see these girls, going into their third of fourth year in high school and their faith is so strong. It's amazing.
Anyway. I go home in three weeks. I feel like it's going to be a bit of culture shock. Ha. But I'm looking forward to it. And not long after that football starts, which is super exciting.
Well, I will close this short message with some prayer requests. Please pray for my mindset as I finish my last three weeks with campers and go into a world where there is grocery shopping, gas to buy, classes to take, people who need our Lord, and boys. Please pray for the hearts in Athens that will be changed this summer and for those of us whom God will use to change them. This is going to be an amazing year but it's going to take much prayer. Please pray for me to be sustained. I am dragging right now, and I know I'm not the only one.
I love you all and thank you for your love and your prayers! I can't wait to see you all and hope it is soon! Please let me know if there is anything that I can be doing or praying for!
In Him,
Philippians 1:3-6
Holy, Holy, Holy
I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray
Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain
I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain
So I pray
Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
I heard that song as I was pulling onto campus this morning. One of the first lines caught me. "Can circumstances possibly change who I forever am in you?" It's definitely something to think about. Or to do a Bible study on. I feel like that's the mode my mind is in now. I have had an absolute blast coming up with Bible studies for the high school girls here. I feel like doing that, coming up with and giving Bible studies is what I want to do forever. I have learned so much about God's word, His love, His excitement about what the coming generation is going to do in this world, what they are capable of, and more importantly what He is capable of doing through them. It's so empowering to see these girls, going into their third of fourth year in high school and their faith is so strong. It's amazing.
Anyway. I go home in three weeks. I feel like it's going to be a bit of culture shock. Ha. But I'm looking forward to it. And not long after that football starts, which is super exciting.
Well, I will close this short message with some prayer requests. Please pray for my mindset as I finish my last three weeks with campers and go into a world where there is grocery shopping, gas to buy, classes to take, people who need our Lord, and boys. Please pray for the hearts in Athens that will be changed this summer and for those of us whom God will use to change them. This is going to be an amazing year but it's going to take much prayer. Please pray for me to be sustained. I am dragging right now, and I know I'm not the only one.
I love you all and thank you for your love and your prayers! I can't wait to see you all and hope it is soon! Please let me know if there is anything that I can be doing or praying for!
In Him,
Philippians 1:3-6
Monday, July 14, 2008
He Is Worthy
Wow. It really has been a while. I have been super busy! Last session was great but I realized Saturday night that I still am not here. I'm at home, and that's not where I should be so I have been trying to really make the best of these last four weeks which I can only do if I'm focusing on being here.
Oh! My co-counselor and roommate left Friday so I figured I would get a CIT (Counselor in training) and maybe another co, but instead I got two CITs, and they both seem to be pretty cool thus far. My girls are a little older now, 11-12 most of them going into 6th or 7th grade, which is really fun and the age that I desired to begin with, so hopefully that will be a nice change. However, it's kinda intimidating to be the only counselor among 2 CITs and 8 campers, but it'll be a nice challenge.
Last night also posed a nice challenge. One of my bosses pulled a aside and, well, the best way I can say it without over-exaggerating is that she tactlessly brought up a subject with me of which she had misunderstood. I felt very demeaned and, honestly, I felt as though she was getting-on to me. It was a very frustrating situation to be in. But to counteract that I have a great story! =)
Since I have two CITs (which is unheard-of), I thought that it would be good to do a devotional with them separate from what I do with the campers. And in talking about it all 12 CITs found out and were all in my room last night. It was quite intimidating since I had never done it before, but I really felt led to do it so I knew God was behind me. I asked one of my girls, Kathryn, if there was anything she would like to hear about. She said that she was Presbyterian and that she felt most of what she heard in church was about the theology and such and she never really understood why we praise God. So I searched, and I found many verses specifically about what we should praise God for. It really was great and after all the girls left Kathryn was crying and said that was exactly what she needed. Of everything I have participated in this summer, that has been the coolest thing so far. It really helps me see that I am here for a reason and to serve Him and He is graceful enough to show me that I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing, and that it's making a difference. I know that I didn't say anything to her to make her feel better, that it was all God. But it's nice to be able to visibly recognize that I'm in the right place.
Well I think that's about it. Keaton, Clint, and Polly will be up here next Friday night to celebrate Keaton's birthday, so I'm really looking forward to that. And then there will only be 2 more weeks until I'm home.
I hope that this reaches all of you well and I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you in about a month!
Love in Him.
Psalm 18:24-50
Oh! My co-counselor and roommate left Friday so I figured I would get a CIT (Counselor in training) and maybe another co, but instead I got two CITs, and they both seem to be pretty cool thus far. My girls are a little older now, 11-12 most of them going into 6th or 7th grade, which is really fun and the age that I desired to begin with, so hopefully that will be a nice change. However, it's kinda intimidating to be the only counselor among 2 CITs and 8 campers, but it'll be a nice challenge.
Last night also posed a nice challenge. One of my bosses pulled a aside and, well, the best way I can say it without over-exaggerating is that she tactlessly brought up a subject with me of which she had misunderstood. I felt very demeaned and, honestly, I felt as though she was getting-on to me. It was a very frustrating situation to be in. But to counteract that I have a great story! =)
Since I have two CITs (which is unheard-of), I thought that it would be good to do a devotional with them separate from what I do with the campers. And in talking about it all 12 CITs found out and were all in my room last night. It was quite intimidating since I had never done it before, but I really felt led to do it so I knew God was behind me. I asked one of my girls, Kathryn, if there was anything she would like to hear about. She said that she was Presbyterian and that she felt most of what she heard in church was about the theology and such and she never really understood why we praise God. So I searched, and I found many verses specifically about what we should praise God for. It really was great and after all the girls left Kathryn was crying and said that was exactly what she needed. Of everything I have participated in this summer, that has been the coolest thing so far. It really helps me see that I am here for a reason and to serve Him and He is graceful enough to show me that I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing, and that it's making a difference. I know that I didn't say anything to her to make her feel better, that it was all God. But it's nice to be able to visibly recognize that I'm in the right place.
Well I think that's about it. Keaton, Clint, and Polly will be up here next Friday night to celebrate Keaton's birthday, so I'm really looking forward to that. And then there will only be 2 more weeks until I'm home.
I hope that this reaches all of you well and I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you in about a month!
Love in Him.
Psalm 18:24-50
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Tears Of Pain
Man. Monday night was an amazing blessing from God. After the girls were asleep I came downt to the staff lounge craving the applesauce I bought this past weekend. While eating it and chillin on facebook one of the CIT's was on the couch and mentioned her battle with OCD. And I told her that I wanted to hear her story because, as some of you may know, I have had a brief but intense struggle with depression and OCD. I thought I would take this opportunity to share about God's healing. She told her story and by the time it was over me, her, and about 5 other CIT's were sitting around her crying. It was beautiful. I shared my story and other girls put it tidbits from their lives as well.. then we prayed over her and each other and continued sheding tears. Tears of worry; tears of stress; tears of the quiet smile that accompanies the fear of vulnerability; tears of being without anyone to go home to share these things with; tears of misunderstanding; tears of death; tears of pain.
Afterwards the lady in charge of the CIT's had been called out of bed and was downstairs worried about why all of her girls were crying. By then we were all laughing and joking and agreeing that none of us were coming down here for what we thought we were, and we were so happy about that.
I'm being blessed and encouraged constantly while I'm up here! I may have told you this but a couple of months ago a friend came to me ready to go back to God and needed encouragement and... idk.. maybe guidance. Last night he shared with me some struggles and excitement about being back with God. (Huge Praise!) It's things like that and my night of tears with the CIT's that keeps me going around here.
My only request is prayers of sustainment. The girls this session are great but it's still exhausting!
Colossians 3:16 - awesome encouragement.
1 John 4:7-12 - what I learned about in our Power Time this morning.
In Him.
Afterwards the lady in charge of the CIT's had been called out of bed and was downstairs worried about why all of her girls were crying. By then we were all laughing and joking and agreeing that none of us were coming down here for what we thought we were, and we were so happy about that.
I'm being blessed and encouraged constantly while I'm up here! I may have told you this but a couple of months ago a friend came to me ready to go back to God and needed encouragement and... idk.. maybe guidance. Last night he shared with me some struggles and excitement about being back with God. (Huge Praise!) It's things like that and my night of tears with the CIT's that keeps me going around here.
My only request is prayers of sustainment. The girls this session are great but it's still exhausting!
Colossians 3:16 - awesome encouragement.
1 John 4:7-12 - what I learned about in our Power Time this morning.
In Him.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
The Fruit Of The Spirit
Wow!
The first two week session is over and the campers are gone. And the second group is here. The up side is there are 6 more girls for me to teach about our Lord and His Kingdom, the down side: there are 6 more girls that will leave in 13 days and that I will miss and love terribly. But I'm STOKED! I have learned SO much and I have been tried and stretched and encouraged and loved and everything in between. I wish that I had the words in my tiny brain to tell you everything that I have learned here but I don't. The encouragement and love that you all are sending me and that I am recieving here not only from the girls but also from our Father is sustaining me and will continue to sustain me throughout these last 6 weeks.
I am constantly having the desire to be home, not now, in the fall. When I know the Lord will move like never before. Not that He isn't moving in Athens now, becuase I know and have stories that He is, but I want to be there to experience it. And I will in 6-7 short, yet fulfilling weeks.
Last night, in preparation for the campers we had a time of praise and worship out side then heard an excerpt from Galatians and from a Max Lucado book. These passages were about the Fruit of the Spirit and it's nine parts. Yes, I said that correctly: the fruit (with no "s" on the end) and it's nine parts. I had never known that it was singular. That all nine parts are one and God does not give us an option as to which of them we want/ need to follow. I think that is beautiful and frightening. Recently the fruits of the spirit have been put on my heart. I have been passively thinking about them, and now I feel that I have more of an incentive (sp?) to seek them and learn about them.
I apologize for how short I am being but we only have a short period of time until supper and I want to be on time as I am quite hungry.
I want to thank each of you who have actively kept in touch with me. It really means a lot to hear the voice/words/encouragement of my friends and brothers and sisters back home. I miss you all and am praying for you daily. Please feel free to send any prayer requests! I would love to pray for you all!!
Praises: One of our counselors got some terrible poison ivy and is healing well and back working at camp. God is moving and working hard here. I now have an hour each day that we call "g-watch" which is where you sit outside and make sure everyone gets where they're going and while they are in skill it is your time. Thus God has provided me with the perfect time to sit outside and enjoy Him and prayer and His Word and to listen to Him. Thank you for those prayers! I got a new Bible this past weekend (along with quite a few other, less imprortant things)! It's very small, not much bigger than my hand, and convienent enough for me to have with me at all times. I'm super excited about it!
Prayer requests: Daily rejuvination (sp?) -- it's tough having to be the same smiling face everyday for these girls, but they need it. Love, Patience, and the other Fruit of the Spirit. Focus -- first on Christ, and second on the girls, and last on me and the sleep I need. Direction -- in future plans, in what I should be seeking because I really have no specific desires right now, in what I should be reading both in the Word and out. I ask that you pray each of these things not only for me but for our counselors, head counselors, and central staff, we are all being tried!
I will leave you all with Philippians 1:3-6. It's beautiful and it's the verse I sent the girls from the last session home with. I encourage you all to look it up and remember it.
Thank you again, and I love you!
In Him.
The first two week session is over and the campers are gone. And the second group is here. The up side is there are 6 more girls for me to teach about our Lord and His Kingdom, the down side: there are 6 more girls that will leave in 13 days and that I will miss and love terribly. But I'm STOKED! I have learned SO much and I have been tried and stretched and encouraged and loved and everything in between. I wish that I had the words in my tiny brain to tell you everything that I have learned here but I don't. The encouragement and love that you all are sending me and that I am recieving here not only from the girls but also from our Father is sustaining me and will continue to sustain me throughout these last 6 weeks.
I am constantly having the desire to be home, not now, in the fall. When I know the Lord will move like never before. Not that He isn't moving in Athens now, becuase I know and have stories that He is, but I want to be there to experience it. And I will in 6-7 short, yet fulfilling weeks.
Last night, in preparation for the campers we had a time of praise and worship out side then heard an excerpt from Galatians and from a Max Lucado book. These passages were about the Fruit of the Spirit and it's nine parts. Yes, I said that correctly: the fruit (with no "s" on the end) and it's nine parts. I had never known that it was singular. That all nine parts are one and God does not give us an option as to which of them we want/ need to follow. I think that is beautiful and frightening. Recently the fruits of the spirit have been put on my heart. I have been passively thinking about them, and now I feel that I have more of an incentive (sp?) to seek them and learn about them.
I apologize for how short I am being but we only have a short period of time until supper and I want to be on time as I am quite hungry.
I want to thank each of you who have actively kept in touch with me. It really means a lot to hear the voice/words/encouragement of my friends and brothers and sisters back home. I miss you all and am praying for you daily. Please feel free to send any prayer requests! I would love to pray for you all!!
Praises: One of our counselors got some terrible poison ivy and is healing well and back working at camp. God is moving and working hard here. I now have an hour each day that we call "g-watch" which is where you sit outside and make sure everyone gets where they're going and while they are in skill it is your time. Thus God has provided me with the perfect time to sit outside and enjoy Him and prayer and His Word and to listen to Him. Thank you for those prayers! I got a new Bible this past weekend (along with quite a few other, less imprortant things)! It's very small, not much bigger than my hand, and convienent enough for me to have with me at all times. I'm super excited about it!
Prayer requests: Daily rejuvination (sp?) -- it's tough having to be the same smiling face everyday for these girls, but they need it. Love, Patience, and the other Fruit of the Spirit. Focus -- first on Christ, and second on the girls, and last on me and the sleep I need. Direction -- in future plans, in what I should be seeking because I really have no specific desires right now, in what I should be reading both in the Word and out. I ask that you pray each of these things not only for me but for our counselors, head counselors, and central staff, we are all being tried!
I will leave you all with Philippians 1:3-6. It's beautiful and it's the verse I sent the girls from the last session home with. I encourage you all to look it up and remember it.
Thank you again, and I love you!
In Him.
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