June 24, 2005
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June 9, 2005
I am now back from a beautiful wedding with my memories and a bright red sunburn. It was an incredible week that we had. Anna and I went down with a friend, driving 11 hours through Illinois and up through Wisconsin to get to the Upper Peninsula. We enjoyed all the green trees, pine trees, and abundant lakes that seem to be everywhere. the mosquitoes are not full size yet, so we were not completely swallowed whole. It was a great honor to set up and run around like crazy, following the bride–to–be and all her ideas. Karianne is incredible, and normally, even though everything looks crazily insane, things always end up going just the way she planned it. and this was no exception. it was alot of work, and I think everyone has decided that plasticware (they used all fine china) is a gift from God, but I am so happy for her. I really enjoyed the Christian fellowship. it is so deep and pure. and it makes me feel so special to be a part of it…to know that these are my brothers and sisters in CHrist. I felt inspired and I woke up every morning wondering how I could pick people’s brains to learn some of their great wisdom. you can imagine me sitting in the corner, rubbing my hands together in glee, crackling “who will be my next victim?”
j/k.
It is my second time being a bridesmaid (what is that saying about never a bride?) and my second very close friend that I have given away. But I have found that the most beautiful things that you give away always return. here is a quote someone copied, so I have no idea who the original author is: “if you love something, let it go, if it comes back to you, it is yours, if it doesn’t, it never was.” The wedding was outside, on the deck next to the lapping lake layered with pine trees. It was in the middle of nowhere, and I got to see my first bald eagle in the wild.
it has been alittle crazy coming home, with my brain ticking out the moments to the three weeks until I leave for Brasil. I don’t really have any new news–I am going from July 1-Dec.17 and basically everything else is settled. now I just have to finish all my little projects and enjoy my family and the weather and take at least one walk a day to just sigh and say “Yes God, you are God, and I trust you.” that nips my anxiety in the bud.
We are now on the summer schedule at the youth center, meaning I am working 10:30am-5:30pm. Normally I have more hours, but please pray, as they are deep in the red and cannot afford to pay for any more hours. We do not have as many kids as we normally have during the summer, partly because we sent 60 kids (8-12) to the first week of Jr. camp (please pray for them!!!) and because we finally got the air conditioning turned on Wednesday. We now have about 50 kids that come and go during the day, with as many as 30 at one time, or as low as 5. so that makes for some really interesting times.
Please pray for Vickie and Michelle O. I really have grown to love them so much. Vickie has been hanging out with some wrong friends who have been doing weed. she used it alot in the past in L.A., and has some again. she has repented and asked for our prayers to continue to say no. Vickie is so fun to watch. she has a very expressive face and she jumps around from one thing to another–like today getting soaking wet and giving everyone hugs. my back was drenched when she finished.
I am really excited about the opportunities with camp. Jr.camp is this and next week, and teen camp (13-18) is the next two weeks. I received a call from a lady that is fostering some of the kids that went to camp last year. even though I have not heard from them since they got taken from home by the CPS, they loved camp so much that they got this lady to get them registered so that they can come to camp again this year. when I think of all they have been through this year…I am so glad they will be able to get away to this haven of forest where God always seems so close to.
Memorial day I got to have my kids–the Patterson’s–over for barbeque chicken and fried potatoes–my favorite. we had a great time laughing and jumping and giggling and chasing. When I picked them up there was a guy there, and I asked them who it was. they flatly said they did not know, and it killed me that strange men would sleep on their couch and it be such a common occurrence that they did not even care to ask his name.
I made Erika E. a cake for her last day before she left for basic training in the National Guard, as she made me a cake before I left for Brasil last year. I think my cooking skills are there to humble me, because last time I mixed up the baking powder and soda, and this time I left it in the oven for an extra 20 minutes. but with enough frosting, all the problems were fixed both times:). it was so neat to talk with her and give her a hug knowing we had gotten alot closer than I ever believed we could. Erika is definitely one of those who are much harder to get close to. She did not pass the physical test, so is going to try again tomorrow, but please pray for her, as basic training is no picnic.
Here is the summer schedule:
10-11 pick up kids
11-11:20 eat lunch
11:20-12:00 open assembly and discipleship time
12-3 free time, games…Me trying to find fun things to do
3-4 Bible study
4-4:20 eat dinner
4:20-4:45 “cultural enrichment” (a fancy name we put for when we have special speakers) or free time
4:45-6 closing assembly and taking kids home
I really love discipleship time. we are going through basic doctrines and different passages of Scripture, me just sharing from my heart simple things of God. We went over John 15 and talked about how Jesus was the vine, and how important God holds His Word. I am really going to miss those times. today we had 8 girls (3 new girls the past two days!! pray for them!!) and they are just excited about learning. I am taking the girls on the last activity (before I leave for Brasil) tomorrow. it seems crazy that I won’t be there for so long.
John 16:20-24 “…But your sorrow will be turned into joy. a woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human begin has been born into the world…Ask, and you will receive, that you joy may be full.”
Rachel
This is by MercyMe
Forgive me if I stare
but I am taken back
that you would let me here
regardless of my past
my hands are shaking now
but I catch my breath somehow
I am free at last
unaware of my fears
unaware of my shame
nothing else matters here
but glorifying Your name
unaware of everything
knowing You’re still aware of me
tell me how I got here
couldn’t make it on my own
just tell me I can stay
because it feels so much like home
and I love all track of time
when I look into Your eyes
Your love is all I know
