I am going to post a few pictures from camp, periodically, beginning with these two of Duane and I, just because they happened to be easily accessible. I’ll post ones of my youth soon.
Duane and Lesa at camp, before leading Bible study
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Life has been crazy lately, and I don’t mean crazy as in busy…I have been confronted with so many issues, so many things to deal with in my own life, and it is taking time to deal with them all. And that’s okay! I know that God is working with me, not against me, and that He has a purpose for these struggles and these lessons. I also feel as if I may be at a point in my life where two paths are emerging, and that it is up to me to choose the path…sometimes I believe God does this, where He gives you two equally good choices, and you can choose which one. This is one of those times.
Yesterday was an incredible day…even though I received my first speeding ticket…sad! But I deserved it, and I will pay the fine when it comes. Thankfully, by doing online traffic school, the ticket won’t appear on my record, which is good.
But yeah, yesterday was a great day. It took me 9 hours (of driving) to get back to APU because of holiday traffic…but I had some great worship time, great prayer time…I was able to talk to some of my close friends, and it was just wonderful.
I was reunited with a friend (that I have mentioned before) over breakfast, which was so needed. Just talking with him, listening to him made me realize that I’ve missed his friendship over the past three years, and he realized the same thing. We are going to slowly build a friendship again, but who knows what depth it will have this time. I am trusting the Lord with this one, and I’m not going to worry about it.
I had lunch with Duane–I cooked my “creation”, which I have named “ciotola di pasta”–and once again I was reminded of how blessed I truly am to be friends with this godly man. I was able to see his trunk (he is in the Air Force), where he has every letter I sent to him while he was in the Middle East (I cannot believe he has them ALL!), as well as his souveniers from his excursion.
There is a possibility that I may be an intern at his church next summer, to assist with the incredible youth ministry things that are happening there. Our association (for those who are not familiar with Southern Baptist Convention terminology, each state has a “Convention”, which is composed of “Associations”, which are usually the churches in two counties, and those churches work together to minister more effectively…I think that explains it)has youth who are SO on fire for the Lord and for becoming a “disciple”, that right now is the time for people to jump onboard and minister with them. I can’t wait to see what the Lord does!
Anyway, so yesterday was a great drive…I am back until Friday morning, when I will drive only 270 miles this time, up to Yosemite National Park for 5 days to be with my family (our 40 something reunion…I can’t remember now how many we’ve had). Good ole Los Angeles.
Later I’ll post the devotional I did with my cabin girls last Friday morning…it is a lesson I am learning more each day.
“How great is the love the father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” –I John 3:1
Hello everyone! I just wanted to make a quick post about camp…
It was amazing. God truly did some awesome things in the lives of the youth there, as well as in the lives of those who were serving as staff.
For those who are curious, my friend, Brandon, who I was going to see for the first time in three years this week, was not there because he was unable to get a sub for work. I may see him Monday.
My only complaint is that my allergies to dust and smoke (campfire) have turned into bronchitus, which I hope goes away soon.
It was an awesome week, basically completely away from technology. No cell-phone reception, even.
The girls in my cabin were incredible, and I love each of them so much! We were part of the “Missions” track, which consisted of one boys’ and one girls’ cabin, and my friend Duane and I taught them more “in depth” stuff about being an “On Mission” Christian. We were separate from the rest of the camp for most everything, and it was actually life-changing for all of us. Because there were 11 girls in the cabin, there were two counselors, me and the summer missionary–Brittany. We hit it off and worked together so well! I wish we could have been partners during our summer missions experiences!
It was absolutely amazing to be able to spend 6 days with my best-friend Duane, who is seriously one of the most incredible men I have ever met. We have been friends for nearly 9 years, and we’ve been through a lot together. He is in the Air Force, and was sent to the Middle East last year for a few months. I am only sad that I was able to spend that much time with him because now I’m having “Duane Withdrawals” (and he says the same about me). By the way–no one won the game of “capture the flag”…we did it Lesa vs. Duane, and boys vs. girls. And we were equally matched. I’ll post some pictures later of Duane and I in our attire…let’s just say that we are hard-core about this game! 🙂
Anyway, more reflections later. Must continue resting to get rid of this wretched cough. In summary: God is awesome, and He’s my everything!
I was looking for this list a couple months ago, and I happened to find it this morning!
How true that many of these things can make us smile…it’s all about the little things!
(Ones in italics are especially wonderful to me)
Natural Highs
Falling in love.
Laughing so hard your face hurts.
A hot shower.
No lines at the supermarket
A special glance.
Getting mail
Taking a drive on a pretty road.
Hearing your favorite song on the radio.
Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
Hot towels fresh out of the dryer.
Finding the sweater you want is on sale for half price.
Chocolate milkshake. (or vanilla!) (or strawberry)
A long distance phone call.
A bubble bath.
Giggling.
A good conversation.
The beach
Finding $20 in your coat from last winter.
Laughing at yourself.
Midnight phone calls that last for hours.
Running through sprinklers.
Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.
Having someone tell you that you’re beautiful.
Laughing at an inside joke.
Friends.
Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.
Your first kiss (either the very first or with a new partner).
Making new friends or spending time with old ones.
Playing with a new puppy.
Having someone play with your hair.
Sweet dreams.
Hot chocolate.
Road trips with friends.
Swinging on swings.
Wrapping presents under the Christmas tree while eating cookies and
drinking eggnog.
Song lyrics printed inside your new CD so you can sing along without
feeling stupid.
Going to a really good concert.
Making eye contact with a cute stranger
Winning a really competitive game.
Making chocolate chip cookies..
Having your friends send you homemade cookies.
Spending time with close friends.
Seeing smiles and hearing laughter from your friends.
Holding hands with someone you care about.
Running into an old friend and realizing that some things
(good or bad)never change.
Riding the best roller coasters over and over.
Watching the expression on someone’s face as they open a much desired
present from you.
Watching the sunrise.
Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful
for another beautiful day.
–Author Unknown
This may (or may not) be my last post before I leave for camp, so I’ll try to make this a good one 🙂
The sky is blue today…which may seem normal for most of you, but in Los Angeles it is a rare occasion, especially in the summer, that the sky is actually a beautiful blue. And, of course, I’m stuck inside all day. Oh well, tomorrow (and the next 10 days) I’ll be in beautiful Northern California, where the sky is always that blue.
I decided that I’m going to learn some new languages. Spanish came very easily to me, so I want to expand my horizons and try something new. I got Portuguese and Greek tapes yesterday, to listen to in my car as I drive the long road home, and they teach you conversational skills. I began to look at Latin yesterday, refreshing my memory on the little that I do know, because Latin is the root of so many languages. I am looking into taking an Italian class next semester–which is the language I have longed to learn for so long! So, I figure that soon I’ll be able to travel through Europe and speak wherever I am! I love languages…
It’s hard to believe that I am going to see Brandon in 3 days…after 3 years…thankfully, I have had time to accept this, to process this, and to think about this, because I cannot imagine how much worse it would be were I to be surprised by his presence at camp. I don’t know what it is going to be like when I see him again, after so long, but I trust the Lord’s timing. All I want is closure–well, and some answers might be nice; whatever else happens–whether we become friends again or go our separate ways–is up to God…
Camp is going to be fabulous! I’m pretty much ready as far as my devotions and my decorations go. I have the games planned for our Bible study time, and everything else is coming together. I am really excited about being in the mountains for 6 days…hopefully my allergies will be better for that week!
Some prayer requests for camp:
* For the girls I will be discipling…that they might grow this week, and that they might come away from camp with a deeper relationship with Christ. My group is separating from the camp (along with one boys cabin) with our Bible studies and our emphasis. We are focusing on missions, and what it takes to be a missionary wherever we are. We have the kids who are already “hardcore” about God and about serving Him. I have a feeling that I’m going to learn a great deal this week as well!
* For the camp as a whole…that it might be as great an experience as the camps when I was growing up were. I can honestly say that I would not be where I am today spiritually were it not for the incredible camps that our association put on each year. Amazing times of fellowship and discipleship.
After camp, I’ll be spending Independence Day weekend with my family–including my aunt and two cousins from Alaska, who I haven’t seen for 2 years. I can’t wait to see them! We always go down by the river, right across from where the fire department sets off the fireworks…we curl up under blankets, because the mosquitoes are fierce…and as the sun slips behind the majestic mountains, we enjoy the amazing display of fireworks that our city provides for us each year. It will be a wonderful time!
I’ll be back to the blog on July 5th or 6th, most likely, with plenty to post. 🙂
Have a blessed week, and a wonderful Independence Day…remember the reason for this holiday as you celebrate with those you love.
First of all–CONGRATULATIONS are in order! Michael was accepted to Penn State Dickinson School of Law yesterday! Congratulations! Keep him in your prayers over the next week as he faces this decision now between pursuing a job in Washington, D.C., or attending law school.
This is one crazy week…so much to do in preparation for camp next week…so much to finish before the long drive home on Friday…I have lists, so that I don’t forget to accomplish something…
I have decorations to make…verses to memorize…lesson plans to create…games to learn…etc. (I tend to “go all out” when I am teaching/leading a youth group function…I love to be detailed, and to be as creative as possible…My roommate thinks I should be a teacher–but I definitely couldn’t handle that!)
And though I try to stay on track, things “get in the way”. Unexpected interruptions occur, leaving me distracted for a period of time.
Like last night–my neighbors, who are moving this weekend, decided to come and “serenade” my roommates and I with a harmonica and guitar…then I jammed with them on guitar, teaching them a few things that I have learned over the years.
And like tonight–I’m going out with friends from church, whom I haven’t really spent good quality time with in about six months…we’ll be out for a few hours, and then I have a “meeting” with my partner for camp next week over the phone…
…leaving me with much left to get accomplished still…
But you know what? These things are what life is all about! They really are NOT “getting in the way” by any means.
These are the moments in life that I’ll remember a long time from now…
I won’t remember all the things I had to pack, make, find for camp…
I won’t remember the lack of sleep that will inevitably occur at camp next week…
I won’t remember the stress I experienced when interruptions came as I tried to get everything done after procrastinating for a month…
What I will remember is the time with these precious youth…these children of God…I will treasure the teachable moments that I have…and those when they teach me.
I’ll remember the time with these people who are so dear in my life, these friends with whom God has blessed me…
I’ll remember the smiles on the faces of the girls in my cabin as we grow closer together, and as I try my best to give them the best camp experience that I can give them.
So, you see, I don’t mind the “distractions” at all. Things will get done. I’ll be ready for camp come Sunday. For now, I want to enjoy the little things…the friends…the neighbors…the “social life” of the week…I want to enjoy life fully, whatever that may look like at the moment.
“Receive this moment’s experience with both hands. Don’t waste it.”
–Elizabeth Elliot
“Wherever you are, be all there.” –Jim Elliot
I just wanted to add that I feel SO good today…for the first time in months…I think that this new allergy medicine (#3 or 4 now) is actually working, so I am becoming very excited that my health might begin to be restored! I feel happy today, I can think, I can breathe, and I feel pretty good. I’m not 100% yet, but getting there. 🙂
Just wanted to say that!
There are times when I forget why I am attending a university…why I am seeking to become better educated…
Then, times like last night, remind me very clearly of why I am here.
Our church hosted a discussion on “The DaVinci Code” last night, with a book club from the surrounding area. There were many people there from the book club, including a lady who apparently went to church somewhere, judging by the comments she made throughout the evening.
But one of her comments was unbelieveable (this may not be as funny as it is to hear it explained, but I’ll do my best!).
We were discussing the names of God, because there is mention of these in “The DaVinci Code”. She spoke up and said that when she was reading her Bible a few months ago, God showed her a new name for Himself.
We all looked at her, expectantly, wondering what on earth she was talking about.
She said that she had been reading the Lord’s prayer, and it says “Our Father, who art in heaven, HALLOWED be thy name.”
The room was silent.
I was sitting by two people from my Bible study group, who are also in college, and we just looked at each other incredulously.
Hallowed?!
Hallowed: Consecrated, holy, set-apart.
No one corrected this lady, in part because we were all stunned, and also because I’m sure no one could have said anything without laughing outloud.
Let’s pray to Hallowed today, LOL.
I felt badly for the lady, because I can see why she made that assumption…but it also reminded me that it is so important to be educated in this world, especially when you might open your mouth and say things that are just not accurate.
Anyway, we thought it was so funny.
The discussion was fascinating, over all. Lots of history presented, which I love. I am going to reread “The Case for Christ” by Lee Strobel, which presents all sorts of evidence as to why the Bible is true, etc., (Lee was an athiest who set out to prove that the Bible was false, and ended up going the opposite direction.) because I feel that it is important in this day and age to know your stuff and to be able to use outside historical sources to show others the validity of the Bible.
Have a blessed day!
This has really come to be a burden upon my heart, so here are some recent articles I discovered about the incidents in France.
I also forgot to mention something interesting that Mary (the Messianic Jew I met yesterday) mentioned to us…she said that the Jewish community is wondering if this is one way that God is bringing the people back to Israel. From what she said, in order for “Yeshua” to return, Jews must come from all over the world back to Israel, and she said that they feel that, as horrible as this is, maybe this is one way that God is bringing them back. I don’t know…it’s just something to think about…it’s just so sad! Anyway, like I said, that’s just what she said, I don’t know much more about it…
Nazi graffiti found on French graves (this one disturbed me the most, I think)
Anti-Semitism Rising, Jews in France Ponder Leaving
Increase in Violence Worries French Jews
Time for Jews to leave France? Nazi hunter says it’s best way to fight anti-Semitism
International conference on anti-Semitism, racism on Internet opens in Paris
Vandals ruin French mural painted by concentration camp children
Each generation has had their “tool” for evangelism that worked. In the late eighteenth and early twentieth century, the circuit rider preachers were effective, and revivals were common. In the ’60s and ’70s, during the “Jesus Freak” movement, street evangelism worked. People responded. That was something that really reached people.
However, what is going to be the effective tool for our generation?
(Of course, these are generalizations, because not everyone is like this…just my observations)
* People don’t like to be bothered…they don’t like things to take up their time.
* People don’t talk to other people while walking down the street, and if someone talks to them, it is generally not well-received.
* People don’t mind if you are religious, as long as you don’t talk to them about it.
* There are so many misconceptions of religion, so many stereotypes…hard to defeat them all.
* Society is so individualized; yet, everyone longs to “belong” to something of their choosing.
It goes without saying that society today is a much different place than it was in the ’60s and ’70s…it’s even different than it was in the ’90s. Things are constantly changing in our world, and people are no exception.
Some of my own observations from my two summers as a missionary:
* Backyard Bible Clubs are no longer an effective way to reach children. With technology these days, going back to arts and crafts, Bible stories, and outdoor games are just not things that children are interested in. It was a great day if we had 5 kids at our BYBCs. Also, parents are less apt to allow their children to be somewhere with people they don’t know, because of the crimes that have happened in recent years with children.
* Many people don’t like to be bothered at home. My church always liked to do “visitation”, where one night a week they would go and visit the people who had attended the service the previous Sunday. I had to do “follow-up” visits after Vacation Bible School and BYBCs both summers, and it was–with one exception–unsuccessful.
* People don’t like to be “preached at”…they are less likely to accept the message you are bringing if you have no current relationship with them.
I have found that relationships are key. I’m not saying that I think you should go build relationships JUST so that you can tell them about Jesus…if that is your only motivation, to “win another soul”, then I don’t think I agree with that. But, people are more likely to go to church with a friend, someone they trust, than they are to go with someone who was doing door-to-door evangelism and handed them a tract.
So, what can we do to “reach” out to the world around us? We have to invent new ways…ways that we can reach them where they are. Perhaps we need to look at Christ’s example (heaven forbid, LOL) at how He touched lives…at how He ministered…
What is a “post-modern” church going to look like?
Even So, Joy 