Stephen

About two weeks ago, I was helping my dad with a basketball camp here at the church. It was so much fun and I can't tell you how great it was to be around kids again :) However, one of the "huddle times" we had, where my dad shares a little devotional with the campers, he had another coach and myself read through about 10 verses. Each verse had an emphasis on some form of the word "sit." Here are a few of those verses that I could find:

"The Lord says to my Lord: 'Sit at my right hand until I make enemies a footstool for your feet." Psalm 110:1

"...I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple."
Isaiah 6:1

"...After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven."
Hebrews 1:3

"...which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms"
Ephesians 1:20

Then my dad read this verse...

"But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus, standing at the right hand of God."
Acts 7:55

The Lord gave Stephen a standing ovation...

I don't know what it was about this devotional my dad gave but I haven't been able to get it off my mind. Stephen lived in such a way that the Lord stood up out of His throne. Stephen saw Jesus Christ standing...for him. I think this is absolutely incredible. I know I've read the story of Stephen before...but not good enough. I want to know what made this man "full of the Holy Spirit" and I want to know what caused our Savior to be that pleased with someone. God knows I shouldn't be expecting anything like what Stephen received...but I have this inner desire to try and be better.

Although I go through most days simply thankful for the Lord's mercies because I screw up all the time, maybe someday I'll begin to understand what Stephen understood; because all I know, is that he "got it." He understood something that was so great that even Jesus Christ, Stephen's own creator, had to stand up.

home..

Well, camp is officially over..and I hate it! I miss the people, the place, the mountain view in the morning and the most beautiful starry sky I've ever seen at night. I can't describe how much this summer has changed my life...I'm a different person but I can't exactly put it into words.

These are the girls that I poured my heart out to all summer...they made up my small group and I couldn't miss them any more than I do.

This is just one picture of some lifelong friends that I have made and became a better person because of. One of the biggest lessons that I learned, that I will try to put into words, is the lesson of loving the day I was given.

I can't say there was one situation or one particular circumstance that led me to this huge lesson the Lord taught me..but it was more of a gradual one. I realized over this summer while I was in Estes, that each day is a day that I "get" to do; it's not something I deserve. The Lord blesses me each and every day with another opportunity to get up and love Him and others the best way I can. I remember sitting in the office one day a few weeks ago and thinking, "I need to love today because the Lord didn't give it to me to waste." I seriously can't explain how much this has changed my out look on life.

No matter what comes my way, no matter what great place I have to leave, and no matter what I might have to say goodbye to; it's up to me to set the tone for my day. If I get up every day choosing that it will be a good day and choosing to work on being like Christ just for the next 24 hours, the day will be better because of it. Again, it's hard to put this totally into words but I can say that I have become a much more content person because of this. I didn't want to leave camp...but I know and am so excited to see what the Lord has planned. There are always going to be places I don't want to go or things I'm too tired to do, but because the day was a gift anyway...my attitude has changed..

I'm not living in the future anymore...I just live one day at a time and try and follow His lead. Not sure if this rambling makes much sense but I'm just trying to write out just one of the many things on my heart. Basically, camp was great and I'm not sure I'll ever be able to thank the Lord enough for giving me this summer and these memories.

Almost home.

I'll finally be home tomorrow...not quite sure how I feel about it.

Today was a struggle for several reasons but mostly for reasons of confusion. I'm looking forward to so much and can't wait to get there but trying hard to figure out where the Lord is taking me and what He is trying to say.

Sometimes I feel so lost and have absolutely no idea where to take my next step. I'm not quite sure that makes sense, but that's what I've got.  I feel like my ideas of my future are being confirmed and shifted all at the same time...I guess it's just a matter of waiting and discerning. Not that this is a bad place to be in...just frustrating at times. 

Anyways, the past few days have been incredible. I have absolutely loved hanging out with my family and we have had some much needed family time. It was my first time in Iowa and can't say I hated it :) 

The Lord is good...even when I'm in one of those places where His timing does not match up to mine; He is still so good to me.

Praying for guidance and following blindly.

Almost over.

My parents are on their way here.
It's July 8th.
I can't believe Camp T is over in about 24 hours. I'm a little numb to it right now...more to come about all of this but I honestly can't believe that my parents roll in tomorrow evening to pick me up. What the junk?!

I couldn't be happier with where I am right now but couldn't be more sad to leave...

I am excited to go home and process all of this...and so thankful for what the Lord has already taught me.
I have made lifelong friends, memories that will last, and have experienced once again, how sovereign the Lord is.

The last five weeks went a bit fast..but I'm ready for whatever He has :)

i LOVE today.

...

Sometimes I am just completely lost at what the Lord is doing...

too confused.

No words..

Today was incredible..

This week was the beginning of teen weeks at Camp T and I have never been more impressed and more excited about a group of 15-17 year old girls. We had devotions tonight for over 1 1/2 hours and can tell that these girls are searching and genuinely excited about finding a freedom in Christ. My heart broke tonight for these young women and can not even explain to you how excited I am that the Lord is using my co-counselor's and I this week.

Beyond the details, however, I have been confirmed over and over again about my passion for kids and this generation. I know, without a doubt, that I am in love with what this summer has been all about. I'm in love with pouring into kids and believing in their potential. More importantly, I'm in love with places like Camp T that are all about being yourself and tearing off the masks that we all place. I've never been somewhere where I felt like being vulnerable is 100% accepted and asked for. There is something about this place that shouts to kids that it's okay to be who you were created to be. I love it.

I am in such a bittersweet state right now. Knowing that the end of my time here is coming completely breaks my heart...seriously, it feels like I'm breaking up with camp. However, there is something exciting about going home and heading back to school for one more great year with my friends. Either way, today is where I am, and I can't stop smiling! The Lord has done some amazing things...and I'm ready and waiting for what's next. I can say, however, that coming back next summer is exactly what I'm hoping for..

still loving today.

There is NO ONE like You.

This past week has been absolutely incredible when it comes to my cabin. I have loved every single minute of hanging out with my girls and figuring out the best ways to make them understand God's love for them.

Last night was the high of my week as I got to hang out with them without their "full-time" counselors. We sat in our room and talked about what it really means to be beautiful and how being yourself and being confident in that is the most beautiful thing ever. These girls are 8 and 9 years old and were seriously understanding that Jesus looks on the inside and not the outside. If only I would have grasped that when I was 8 years old...

I have never been more blessed and can not wait to see what the next few weeks look like now that the teenagers are coming. I am super excited and a little nervous as this brings a whole new dynamic to camp. Either way, I know the Lord is here and ready to move in the hearts of these teens as well as my own. Camp Timberline is honestly an anointed place. The Lord is working and it is so exciting to be used.


As far as I go...Not sure where the Lord is taking me personally right now, but I have never been more ready to follow blindly.

loving today.