Winter Blast

I just got back from the first Winter Blast weekend and it was amazing. God showed up in so many ways I could go on for hours, but I will tell you a few highlights of the weekend. I was put with the oldest girl's cabin, the Polar Bears, and had 5 wonderful girls ages 12-15. I usually work with the younger girls so I was surprised and a little nervous to find that I had been put with the oldest group. But God gave me just what I needed. The girls listened great and having only 5 helped a lot. I also had a LIT (leader in training) with me most of the time who was great as well. One of the reasons I don't prefer to work with the older girls is because I feel like I can't relate to them as well as the younger ones. Mostly because the older girls are dealing with sometimes heavy stuff and I feel like I never know what to say. But apparently God has something for me to say.

One of my girls, who is 15, we'll call her A, really opened up to me about her life and past experiences. She has been into drugs, alcohol and was pressured into sex. She was saved this past summer at camp and wants to be an LIT next summer. I was surprised by the fact that A opened up so much of her life to me but even more surprised by what came out of my mouth when she did. God gave me the words to say to her before I even had time to worry about what I was going to say. I would ask that you pray for A with me, that she can make wise decisions and find some new friends. She is very open to God and wants to do the right thing but is having a hard time not giving into temptation. A is a wonderful girl and God could use her in amazing ways if she can only break free from her sins. Will you join me in praying for her?

God also blessed me in many other ways this weekend. Some personal things I have been praying about for awhile were answered this weekend. God brought peace into my life and really made it clear to me that He has a special plan for my life and that I am in the midst of His plan. I have a new joy in my life because of this certainty that God has a plan. This is something I have been praying about for a long time and it is a great feeling when a prayer has been answered.

It was also great to see my amazing friend Elizabeth, pictured above with me (I look horrible from being out in the cold and wearing a hat). She lives in Chicago and I only get to see her every so often but she is always a blessing to me when I do. This weekend was just the pick me up I needed to make it through this semester which has not been off to that great a start. And...I get to do it all again (with different kids of course) in a few weeks!

"Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong: for like the grass they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good: dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him, do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes."
-Psalm 37:1-7

Disclaimer: These pictures don't really go with the verse but I thought that they were cool. They are from an ice storm last winter.

Camp Beechpoint

My thoughts are somewhat consumed with Camp Beechpoint at the moment. I'm applying to work there again, this will be my fourth summer as a TL. I took last summer off and it was super hard to be away from the atmosphere that I've come to love. These photos are from the past summers I've been there and just looking at them makes me excited for this summer. Winterblast (winter camp that lasts for a weekend) is also only 2 weeks away. My prayer is that Winterblast will reignite my passion for camp and the kids we serve there.

The new year has been going well so far. I can tell that God has a lot in store for me and its only been a week of 2009. I am excited to see how He grows me and molds me into the woman he wants me to be this year. I also have expectations of my own but I am trying to give them to God and have Him make my expectations. I want to do His will and I am praying that He reveals that to me.