Reflecting on the past year...

Though this year started off rough, God has proven that there will be hard times and there will be times that are so wonderful you never want them to end. There are times I wanted to do everything my way, but it wasn't what God had planned. There were times I did not feel the Lord, but then He taught me that my faith in Him can not be based upon my emotions and feelings, but on my trust in Him no matter what.

At the beginning of the year nothing went as I had planned. I felt like rejection wouldn't end. The semester was not all hard, but it did seem to be one of the most difficult semesters. There were events such as dance marathon and restoration that brought me joy and encouraged me through the hard times.

Dance Marathon was so much fun. Finally being on Morale changed my outlook on the marathon and I was full of even more spunk and energy FTK (for the kids!). Purple team had the honor of being the Color group that had Lucie and Bronte as our wonderful miracle kids. I got to know so many awesome people and it was such a incredible event, as it is each year seeing kids that have been healed by the amazing Lord. Pink Pajamas with Penguins on the bottom: pretty much sums up the FTK party 2010! :)

Nearing the time of Restoration there was one night at Wesley when the Lord captured my heart and filled me with so much of His joy. I was refreshed in the spirit, and was able to praise him fully in dance. By dancing to Awakening we were able to claim awakening over Athens! It was a dance of truth and promises, sharing the story of Ezekiel 37.

I also danced to Candlelight, which was a dance of humility. It was a dance to claim that the glory should always be given to the Lord, we are nothing without Him.

I finally decided that I was going to end up stuck without a job for the summer. I finally remember giving up all of my trying and humbling myself before the Lord. I raised my arms up to him and told Him that he could use me as he wanted and I would be content with whatever happened. The next day I was offered a job at Strong Rock Camp.

That camp experience encouraged me more than I ever even thought it was in the moment. Looking back at the summer showed me how it was so intricately part of God's plan.

I blog a lot about camp so that is all I will say, but I can't wait to see how camp next summer will shape my 2011.

Fall semester 2010 was a challenge. I had to do school work a lot more often than I was used to but I was doing what I enjoyed. I also got to be a part of an amazing 4th grade classroom at Winterville Elementary School on the outskirts of Athens. It was more than I could have asked for for my first placement. Mrs. Gaulden was an incredible mentor teacher and her class was a joy to work with. I'm not saying that they were perfect all of the time, but they are incredible students that changed my life. There are endless stories I could tell about my experience. All in all this semester in the field confirmed what I want to do. Children mean so much to me and I can't wait to influence their lives. I want to be more than a teacher for the kids in my class, I want to influence their future for the better, and I want each of my students to be confident in who they are. This semester confirmed my desire to teach kids, I can't wait to have my own classroom! It was eye opening and I learned so much.

I will continue to reflect about 2010 tomorrow...and will talk about things I look forward to in 2011.

Enjoy the end of 2010!

Places, people and passions

This past weekend I have gotten to experience moments with people from so many different facets of my life. It makes me reflect upon how much the Lord has blessed me. It makes me think of all that I dont deserve, but all He has given me out of his amazing love for me.

 I could ramble on and on about camp, but as I just wrote on my facebook status- when you go somewhere you love and it's just for a brief moment I think it makes you miss that place even more. After getting to spend time with my amazing camp friends for less than 24 hours, it's so weird to think that won't happen for another approximately 6 months with some of those people. I have gained so many lifelong friends from the amazing place of Strong Rock Camp. I can't put into words the welcoming spirit and the encouragement in the Lord that I have found though those people. I also think now about how next summer is going to be so different- but it's ok. I know that the friends I have made there will always be there for me, no matter if we are working together again or not- and I will do the same for them. I hope each fo them know that if they need me they can call me, no matter where they are, no matter how far.... lol.

I love the BCM family. It has been so amazing to see so many of my friends fall in love through  the connections and relationships that this ministry has brought about. It is encouraging to see people walking humbly in the Lord, loving Him and falling in love with each other. I look up to those who have been fostering relationships with each other as they have been seeking after the Father. It's beautiful to see two friends get married that will be glorifying the Lord as they join together to spread his love to the world.



A few amazing QUOTES!

"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why we call it 'The Present'."
— Eleanor Roosevelt

 

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
— Eleanor Roosevelt

 

"Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart"
— Eleanor Roosevelt

 

"When we work for Christ out of obligation, it feels like work. But when we truly love Christ, our work is a manifestation of that love, and it feels like love." -Francis Chan, Crazy Love

 

"The modern-day gospel says, 'God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. Therefore, follow these steps, and you can be saved.' Meanwhile, the biblical gospel says, 'You are an enemy of God, dead in your sin, & in your present state of rebellion, you are not even able to see that you need life, much less to cause yourself to come to life. Therefore, you are radically dependent on God to do something in your life that you could never do." - David Platt, Radical

 

"Give me all of you!!! I don’t want so much of your time, so much of your talents and money, and so much of your work. I want YOU!!! ALL OF YOU!! I have not come to torment or frustrate the natural man or woman, but to KILL IT! No half measures will do. I don’t want to only prune a branch here and a branch there; rather I want the whole tree out! Hand it over to me, the whole outfit, all of your desires, all of your wants and wishes and dreams. Turn them ALL over to me, give yourself to me and I will make of you a new self---in my image. Give me yourself and in exchange I will give you Myself. My will, shall become your will. My heart, shall become your heart."
— C.S. Lewis (Mere Christianity)

 

"...when we love God, we naturally run to Him-frequently and zealously. Jesus didn't command that we have a regular time with Him each day. Rather, He tells us to 'love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' He called this the 'first and greatest commandment' (Matt. 22:37-38). The results are intimate prayer and study of His Word. Our motivation changes from guilt to love."
— Francis Chan (Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God)