NEW BLOG

From here on out, I will be posting at http://thepilgrimjourneys.blogspot.com.

Hope to see you there!

so, i decided to work at camp

I decided to work at a Christian summer camp because I wanted to change lives, but God changed mine.

Having happened to hear about it from a friend, I had never been to Camp War Eagle before, but I decided to go ahead and apply. I filled out the application, had an interview over Skype, and so began the process of something that would change my life forever.

Before the kids ever arrived, we had Pre-orientation and Orientation (basically training sessions on how to have a blast and be safe and share the gospel with kids). After those two weeks, I felt so prepared to be a camp counselor. I also understood that, while Camp War Eagle is the best stinkin' job ever, it was also going to be difficult and exhausting and would require every ounce of strength I possessed. (And yes, it did.)

So, I show up to the first day of camp scared to death, but ready to be used by God. It's pretty scary to be completely responsible for 10-12 kids 24/7, and that's why I knew that anything good that came out of the weeks I worked at camp was going to be ALL God.

Once the front gates open and the kids start arriving, I can barely contain my excitement. With each new cabin of campers I had, I absolutely fell in love with those girls. There are some pretty awesome and fun activities to do at camp, but it's those campers, those sweet girls that make my summer so worthwhile. There's no greater feeling than knowing that you're investing your life into so many precious little children and young people.

First few days of working at camp: I was loving it. I had an awesome cabin of girls, we were having fun, things were going great.

Then I got sick.

It was pretty much miserable. My head hurt, I was exhausted, and I had no energy whatsoever. There was even one night I broke down crying because I seriously thought I couldn't do anymore. It was so frustrating not having the energy to completely focus on my campers and their needs. I mean, that's why I came to camp: to serve them, not to be drained by a stupid cold. I was also frustrated that God would let this happen to me.

But you know what? Something I saw over and over again was God's faithfulness. He always gave me just what I needed at the right time. Whether it was encouragement from a friend, a hug from one of my campers, or some rare moments of solitude. God is faithful and God is enough. "God is Enough" — that was our theme for the summer. Not only were the kids learning about God's sufficiency, but I was also learning firsthand how "God will supply all your(my) needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).

God additionally grew me through my personal time spent in His Word. It is so challenging to find a quiet moment to spend alone with God at camp, but it's so important when He's the only one sustaining you.

As I made my way through 2 Timothy while I was there, here are a few things that stuck out to me.

Because we share the gospel at camp, I was particularly drawn to the last part of 2 Timothy 3 where Paul is talking about the role that Scripture played in young Timothy's faith. From childhood, he says that Timothy was "acquainted with the sacred writings" which are "able to make you wise for salvation through faith" (3:15). This encouraged me so much because even though none of my campers may have made a specific decision to accept Jesus' gift of salvation at camp, I have had the opportunity to share the Bible with them. It's those small seeds of Scripture that God will use and grow in those kids' lives...and someday it could lead to their saving knowledge of Christ.

My calling is simply to plant those seeds of Scripture and "preach the word," as 2 Timothy 4:2 says. "Be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort..."As God reminded me of the power of His Word, I became more intentional about using Scripture as I interacted with my campers. My words will not last when those campers go home, but the God-breathed Word of God is more than powerful enough to save—even after camp is over.

The letter continues as Paul describes how he is being "poured out as a drink offering" and how he has "fought the good fight, kept the faith, and finished the race" (4:6-7). As an exhausted camp counselor, this is exactly the kind of challenge I need to hear to keep pressing on and to completely pour myself out for my campers.

Okay. Okay. OK OK OK. Oooooooh Kaaaaaaay!
Porch Parties.
Blob.
Firework shows.
A super-cool-T-shirt.
Devos.
C. C-A. C-A-D-D-O go Caddo!
1-10.
Rainy Ultimate Solution.
Mish Mash.
Ropes course.
G-O-O-D-M-O-R-N-I-N-G good morning, good morning!
Tournament!
Opportunities!
Shark.
Constant dancing.
F.I.T
Cookie cake.
God is a nuff nuff, God is a nuff nuff.
Star cabin.
DUTY.
Eagle Tales (what what what).
Tch, tch tch!
Tribal Initiation.
Pharaoh, Pharaoh, OH baby let my people go...

You know how some of the hardest/toughest times of your life become the most memorable times of your life? That's because the moments that are most difficult are the moments you grow the most. Camp War Eagle is one of those difficult, challenging experiences that leaves you utterly spent, but abundantly rewarded. It's service, ministry, challenging, life-changing, memorable, incredible, FUN, and you get paid for it. Best job ever. Boom.

dealing with disappointment

I gave up my dream college.

I had searched for months after my high school graduation and finally settled on a college towards the end of the summer. I applied. I visited. I was ready to enroll. Despite the fact that it was a 15 hour drive from home, I felt like it was the perfect college for me, exactly what I was looking for.

Several weeks later, however, God opened up another college opportunity. Now I had a big decision to make: I could either choose to attend the college that my heart was set on, or I could pick the college that was I knew was a wiser choice (as far as distance and finances were concerned). The choice was mine to make. After much prayer and discussion with my family over my decision, I decided to give up my dream college and trust that God would not disappoint me for making a decision I felt best aligned with his will.

But I'll be honest—it was a tough decision that initially left me desperately disappointed. I felt like I was giving up the greatest thing in the world and that I'd never fully be satisfied with the decision I was making. (Since then God has showed me how my school fits my needs better than I could have ever imagined, and I can now say that I love my school. He is indeed faithful!)

However, I have discovered that life is full of disappointments. College, friendships, jobs, injuries, relationships, family, illnesses—there are just so many things that never work out like we want them to. "Disappointment" is a reoccurring word in my journal; I've had to deal with it often. And I hate it. It hurts, and it never makes sense.

Yet through it all, disappointment shows me how much more I need to cling to Jesus. He is the one thing that will never disappoint. Instead of wallowing in the unfairness of my dashed dreams or failed expectations, I need to let disappointments drive me to Jesus. Maybe I've been treasuring something too dearly; maybe it's God's way of bringing my attention back to him. Regardless of the circumstances, God is showing me (often very painfully) that Jesus is worth more than every disappointment life could bring my way.

Counting everything as loss for Christ's sake isn't easy, but it is worth it. He will never disappoint.

summer lovin'

blogging
I do, in fact, love blogging; but you probably wouldn't know because I hardly do it anymore. (And I'm not even sure who "you" is supposed to be because I don't even think anyone reads this old blog anymore.) Well here's to changing my stagnant writing habits!

books
Two down...124 more to go. Oh well. Although I'll eventually have to come to grips with the fact that there doesn't appear to be any human means of me ever completing my reading list; yet, I continue to try. Most recently I have completed Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton and Peace Like a River by Leif Enger.

Cry, the Beloved Country is an excellently written book, dealing with the themes of reconciliation, injustice, and the power of faith in God. I read this book because it was highly recommended to me as "a book that every Christian should read." While this is a book I certainly recommend to every Christian reader, I think I would have benefited (and enjoyed it) more had I read it in a study group or taken the time to study its powerful themes more deeply. Not my favorite book, but one that I certainly appreciated, especially for its literary value. Paton's lyrical, poetic prose is beautiful and is worth reading simply for that reason alone. It's a more challenging read, but I would agree with other literary critics that this is one of the best novels of all time.

Peace Like a River may just make it onto my list of all-time favorite novels. A richly dynamic and powerful book, Peace Like a River enthralled me with its gripping narration of the tragedies and miracles of the Land family, all the while employing lyrical imagery and captivating prose. Yes, I am envious of the way Enger can create such fresh and evocative metaphors and descriptions. Personally, I think this novel is literarily stunning. Rueben, Swede, and Mr. Land have become some of my favorite characters, so unique and fascinating! I'm very glad I got around to reading this one.

twitter
@ChristianHipster, the source of my daily laughs.
@UrbanaMissions, encouragement from the Word and excellent articles and tools for global-minded Christians.
@EricMetaxas, keeps me aware about pertinent issues regarding human trafficking, abortion, and politics.

camp war eagle
That's right. I'm working as a counselor there this year, and it's a blast. I'm so excited to see what God does through camp and how he works in the lives of the kids there! It is seriously crazy that I get paid to have so much fun and have such an incredible impact on the lives of kids. Loving kids and loving God. Can't get much better than that.

nike shorts
I love 'em, I wear them all the time. Especially since I've started running quite a bit... they are my favorite kind of running shorts. Well, can I help that they're so cute???

food
This guacamole!!!
And maybe some cauliflower poppers.
Not to mention this granola.
And this Monterey Chicken that I haven't made yet, but am going to soon.
And just because it's WRONG to forget dessert, cinnamon roll cake.

music
"Look So Easy" - Dave Barns
"Blood and Bones" - Elenowen
"Welcome Home" - Dutton
"Half of my Heart" - John Mayer
"Army of Two" Olly Murs
"Let Go" - Safetysuit
"Start Over" - The Afters
"Between the Raindrops" - Lifehouse

meet my school

Hey seniors and college-searchers—you should check out one of my favorite places on earth! Yep. I've nearly finished one year here, and I've fallen in love with this place.

I love OKWU's commitment to Truth and Scripture, practiced not only in the classroom but also as a way of life. I have grown so much and have been so encouraged by the Christ-centered community and friendships here on campus. And—I kid you not—after one year I know practically everyone here! I can honestly say that I could name every person in this video right here!!! Watch it:



(No biggie, but if you pause at 0:54, I'm the girl sitting in the library.)

What can I say? I love my school. =)

www.okwu.edu

twelve years

Twelve years ago, God made me his child and a co-heir with Christ. Twelve years ago, I was rescued from darkness to marvelous light. Twelve years ago, Christ's righteousness was imputed to me and I was justified in God's sight. For twelve years, God has been faithful and faithful again.

You never change 

You're still the same

You are the Everlasting God

You will remain 

After the day is gone 

And the things of earth have passed

Everlasting God

Thank you, Lord.

solitude

In the quiet, in the stillness 

I know that you are God

In the secret of your presence

I know there I am restored

The never ending cycle of going, doing, rushing, serving, being, working, giving....

And I like it.

I like having activities to be involved in, places to be, things to do. There's a sense in which I enjoy being busy. Yes, I usually bite off more than I can chew, and I usually end up a little overwhelmed; but there's a part of me that drives me to do as much as I can with the time that I have.

While making the most of my time is a worthy ambition, I sometimes forget that I was not made only for putting forth and giving out. I am a finite creature, and I was made to need rest. (It's just another way of God reminding us that we can't do it on our own. We need him.)

But in my constantly filled schedule and busy life, I don't have "time" to take a break. Sometimes, I don't even think I need it. I get so caught up in doing, doing, doing, that I don't even have a chance to realize that I'm tired, that I don't have anything left in me to give. Of course, I "know" I'm supposed to set aside a little time for God's Word and prayer; but when I did, it was a little rushed as well... just like the rest of my life.

Until I was required to slow down.

It was an assignment: I had to spend 30 minutes in solitude without any distractions or technology. Complete solitude, where I would not be interrupted. The goal was to learn the spiritual "discipline" of solitude, setting aside a certain amount of time to be silent before God, listen to him, reflect on his word, meditate, pray, even journal. This was more than just having a devotion in the mornings. This was practicing solitude.

Oddly enough, it was actually hard for me to find time for me to spend a complete 30 minutes in absolute solitude. It started out great as I calmed my mind and got my heart right before the Lord. I began praying about several thing that were on my heart, and then I read a Psalm. But as I sat there, knowing I could not do anything else for 30 minutes, I had no choice but to look deeper into my soul. I discovered something that I had never taken the time to discover before. There were things I didn't even realize were weighing me down, things I was anxious about, burdens I had not surrendered.

In that moment, a flood a emotions came over me that I had not slowed down enough to realize were even there. As the tears streamed down, I was brought to the utter realization that I desperately needed God. I was trying to do so much on my own, and I was worn down. I was worried. And I was too busy to know it. But as God brought me to see my need to completely rely on his strength, I felt a refreshing peace as my anxieties and burdens were lifted.

Solitude is different than loneliness. In loneliness, we feel isolated—even in crowds. In solitude, we feel communion—even in seclusion. God meets us in the places where we take the time to "be still and know that he is God." The goal of solitude is not to "be emptied" or discover our "authentic self," like in Eastern meditation. The goal is to be filled with God's Spirit and to conform our authentic self into Christ's likeness.

I needed to be humbled that day. It's often the times when I think I have it all together that I actually need God the most. In solitude, I came face to face with the presence of God; and he restored me.

"The great danger is not that we will renounce our faith. It is that we will become so rushed and preoccupied that we settle for a mediocre version of it." – John Ortberg

54,559,615

Yesterday we celebrated that all men were created equal on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Today is the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade where the rights of the unborn have been stripped away.

54,559,615. That is the sickening number of estimated abortions since the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision in 1973 (lifesitenews.com). Take time to let that number sink in. That's over 3,000 abortions per day, nearly 137 dead per hour, or one baby dead every thirty seconds. According to this article on breitbart.com, Planned Parenthood released that 333,964 babies were aborted in 2011 alone (and they're making big bucks on it too).


Be Informed

This "abortion counter" is an interesting website that clocks the estimated number of abortions based on statistics-- in the U.S., worldwide, by Planned Parenthood, today, and even more.

R.C. Sproul's Abortion is available for free on Kindle.

9 Things You Should Know About Roe vs. Wade

Is the Pro-Life Cause Winning?

Get Involved

I've had several friends who have been to the Justice for All training "camp" in Texas. They told me all about how after the training they would set up booths on college campuses with graphic pictures about the reality of abortion. From the JFA website:

Training continues on a public university campus where JFA, at the invitation of a campus club, uses one or more of its visual tools to create a debate about abortion on campus.  These tools include a museum-quality exhibit that’s two stories high, an 8-foot version of the same exhibit, free speech boards, and poll tables (“Should Abortion Remain Legal?”). As seminar participants, you become volunteers at the outreach, and you have one job: Turn the debate about abortion into a dialogue.

My friends told me so many stories about the people they were able to talk to, how so many students changed their minds about the Bible, and (even more importantly) how they were able to share the gospel  throughout their conversations!

Sign up for their newsletter, find a date when you can attend the training, and go to the website to browse their videos.


Also, you can share the 180 Video with your friends:

expectantly

One thing I've definitely learned this past year is that life is full of disappointments. No matter how hard I try not to, I will always have expectations and make assumptions that are incorrect.  Consequently, there will always be those things which I eagerly anticipate, yet in reality they just turn out to disappoint me. As wonderful as high expectations are, I've come to realize that they won't always be met.

Sometimes, I have high expectations for myself.

I expect to get good grades, to get along with those around me, to get in better shape, to prioritize my schedule, to succeed in things I attempt, to be a good friend, to make the right decisions, to respect my parents, to be bold and courageous, to encourage those around me, to grow in my relationship with God and to faithfully follow Christ. But frankly, I fall short of my expectations. Often. I get frustrated when I fail and discouraged when my good intentions fall through. Sometimes, I disappoint myself.

Sometimes, I have high expectations for others.

I expect others to be considerate, to be friendly, to understand my feelings, to show compassion, to include others in their activities, to give their best effort, to be honest, and to be faithful and keep their promises. Unfortunately, people fall short of my expectations too. People are sinners just like I am. Because no one is perfect, including myself, sometimes people disappoint me.

In a world where people fail me or betray me, and where my shortcomings consistently disappoint me, it's easy to lower my expectations and let my standards down. It's safer to expect less when expecting more means risking the chance of disappointment.

But unlike imperfect human beings who constantly fail and fall short, God never falls short; in fact, he consistently exceeds any expectations we could ever have for him! In the midst of my failings and disappointments, Ephesians 3:20-21 is full of hope and anticipation: "him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." God is faithful, he does not fail. We should never put limitations on what God can do. God desires to magnify himself and glorify his name, and he will always succeed in what he does. Although we may not always know God's purpose or intentions, we can always expect that they are greater than we could ever ask for or imagine! 

 Always, we should expect great things of God.

This new year, 2013, you and I both have goals, expectations for what this year holds and what it will be like. While there are sure to be joys and successes, there are certain to be disappointments as well. However, no matter the circumstances, no matter the situation, let's make this a year where we expect great things of God. Let's not put limits on what he can do in our lives and in the lives around us. God doesn't always move like we expect him to, but he certainly never disappoints. Don't you think he would delight in doing far more abundantly than anything we could ask or think this year?!

 A new season, a new year, and a faithful God.

Lord, we wait expectantly.