Summer travels and good times.

So we're into week 3 out of 7 doing Wellspring, and it's been such an interesting journey thus far. I'd like to be able to share all of my feelings and emotions and what not, but there is no way to put all I have experienced into words...or words that people can understand. The first week we were at Manton Christian Camp in Manton, MI. That place was sweet, and I'll be honest I wasn't sure about it at first, but the people I met there (councilors and campers) I won't ever forget. That was the first week that we were councilors ourselves so I know that most of us were kind of apprehensive about having kids in our care. We worked a highschool week first and the very first night Lindsey and I were already experiencing some camper tiffs...it was fun and we thought that the kids hated us. However, we gave it a few days and things got so much better. We realized that they only way we were going to get through anything through the upcoming summer was to just be crazy and have fun in everything. It worked. Those few days flew by, and then next few days, with junior high campers this time (same camp) was so much better. I loved my girls so much. They were tight with eachother, and crazy right along with me so we all just had such an awesome time!

The second camp was Scioto Youth Camp in Ohio. When we pulled up to this camp my first thought was...are you kidding me? This camp was in the side of a hill, the buildings were held up by cement bricks, the walls were full of cracks so the ventilation was purely from God, no air conditioning, the only entertainment was basketball...and the list goes on. I had such a bad attitude about this place. It was a free camp where kids from any home backgrounds came because it was free. There were two other groups there as well, one from Ohio Christian University, and one from Campbellsville...something or other. those kids were great. Anyway, the first 3 days there were sooooo hard for all of us. Not only was it humid, but the kids were just not responding to anything so it was kinda discouraging for us as the band. I know that things shouldn't depend on how kids respond because it's not about us, but that wasn't my mindset at all. Then Wednesday hit. And it hit hard. That's when God started to prick my heart and speak to me. After chapel that night I can't explain what happened...but it was awesome. From then on till the end of the week, I was constantly being reminded to soften my heard towards the campers, to have faith that God WOULD move in his time and work when HE wanted to work. But looking back I can vividly see him moving all throughout the camp in those kids and to be able to see that is incredible. All I know is that I started to read my Bible more, I started to look to Christ for my comfort instead of going to others, my faith increased so much in letting God take over...and that list goes on as well. It was soooo awesome. :]

Now we're at the 3rd camp in Burton, OH, and it's the jibb. Totally unlike last week, but you know? It's nice to have some down time where we can catch up and relax, and yet STILL get to know the other campers and staff. I know it's only wednesday and who knows what can happen, but God has everything in control, and right now, that's completely enough for me. :]

On to the next thing

So, it's been forever. I feel kinda bad. oh well. :] School is done with for the summer, in the fall I'm headed to Bethel College to finish out the last 2 years of my college career. I'm pretty excited to have a fresh start at some of the things in my life, and I can't wait to see what's in store! There are so many opportunities there for me to get going with my life and to really start going out and making a name for myself.

For now, however, I'm patiently waiting for June 7th, when I'm heading out to travel around to different camps around Michigan, and I think Ohio...not 100% sure. Going into it, I have, absolutely no idea what's in store. I've heard so many things from a lot of different people, so my feelings toward this journey are totally twisted. However, I know that whatever happens, it's where God wanted me this summer. I remember a few months ago just hating the thought of doing this this summer. I wanted to work at home, and have a life, but now, as it's getting closer to leaving, I'll admit I'm pretty excited about it! I'm excited to get to know the people on my team, I'm excited to see what happens at the camps, I'm excited to see the ways in which God stretches me. ohhhhh boy it's going to be a good 7 weeks. I think all I have to remember is to keep my heart open for anythinig God has to pour in. All in all, I'm so excited. :] Who knows if I'll be able to keep up on here about my thoughts as I go along. I don't know anything I'll be able to do this summer. Every day is a new day in which I'll experience something totally different than the day before.

With so many other things besides this weighing on my heart, the rest of life has been interesting. Being home is good though. It really is.

This time around

So I figured it's time to write down some of my thoughts, few and far between they may be. It's almost Spring Break, and where as many of my friends are traveling to awesomely warm places, I'm trying to be content with the thought of spending a week at home by myself. What's there to do at home with no one around? I've been trying so hard to think of what to do that would make the best use of my time. However, I've come to realize that the more I think about it, the less content and discouraged I am about the whole thing. That word is popping up more and more these days in my life everywhere I go. Content. Be content. Am I content? Paul was content in every situation in life, and I really can't use the excuse that life then is sooo drastically different than now. What is stopping me from being content with the way things are going/turning out? That's exactly it. The way things are going/turning out. Looking around I see those who have things so wonderfully handed to them, and then things are always a tad bit off for me and my life. I've found that I'm turning to God and asking why me, what did I do to deserve what I'm getting, what did I do to deserve getting pushed back down to the ground? BUT, are these things happening because God wants to teach me how to be content in every situation, no matter how well off others are? This is hard...... I guess I'll have a lot of time to think about it over Spring Break, among other things that are going on right now. I think a quiet heart and a willing spirit would be good right about now. That's all.