When I work the Fostering Success Program at camp, I was blessed to get the older group of girls. These girls started the program back in the summer, where we got to spend an entire week with these girls and begin to get to know them! As they come back each month, the same counselors usually stay with these same girls, so we are able to grow together and truly build a strong relationships. A few days prior to the weekend, my coordinator had texted me and asked if I would be willing to work with the Respite girls. The Respite program is almost identical to Fostering Success, except these girls aren't technically signed on for the entire year, so the months they return vary.
To be honest, I wasn't totally looking forward to moving from my cabin. The connection between us has only begun, and I was excited to continue that process! But, I agreed to move to the other cabin.
To my surprise, there was only 3 campers in my cabin, and another counselor alongside myself. I wasn't sure why I was placed where was.
Then, I met a girl. She was a 10 year old girl with some special needs. I had the incredible opportunity of spending a lot of my weekend working one on one with her. Despite her situation, she was one of the most joyful, inspiring children I have ever met. When really spending some one on one quality time with her, you were able to see past all of her outside appearance and see this sweet, loving soul that just needed to be cared about.
Truly, the smallest things can fill you up. I spent maybe 30 hours with this incredible girl, but those few hours made me feel wanted, cared for, inspired, and fulfilled. I hope to say that God worked THROUGH me, but I know He worked IN me.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose."
-Romans 8:28
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Friday, October 21, 2016
Day 5 and 6: Find your HAPPY place
This weekend, I get to go back to my favorite place in the world, Camp Joy. This site of land in tiny Clarksville, Ohio is where I worked this past summer. During the summer, they host two completely different types of camps concurrently each week. One side is called "specialty", where a different medical disability comes out each week. I had the opportunity to work this side this summer, where I got to work with kids with leukemia, sickle cell, fibromyalgia, and many other things that made these kids special.
The other side of camp is called "agency", where kids with various unfortunate situations come out site. These could be children with the Boys and Girls club, those with juvenile prison backgrounds, and those involved with Child Services. I was asked to work an agency side camp for the entire school year called Fostering Success. These kids are in foster care. One weekend a month, the same group of kids come to camp and we work on things such as self-fulfillment, confidence, and making them feel wanted.
The experiences I have gained from the special place, both from the summer and the time I spend there currently, is what makes Camp Joy my happy place. A happy place is not necessarily extravagant or expensive or excessive, a happy place is one where you truly feel cared for. A place where you feel like you are needed. A place that makes a difference.
So, God, I pray especially hard today that you will work IN me and THROUGH me to make the difference that needs to be made this weekend.
The other side of camp is called "agency", where kids with various unfortunate situations come out site. These could be children with the Boys and Girls club, those with juvenile prison backgrounds, and those involved with Child Services. I was asked to work an agency side camp for the entire school year called Fostering Success. These kids are in foster care. One weekend a month, the same group of kids come to camp and we work on things such as self-fulfillment, confidence, and making them feel wanted.
The experiences I have gained from the special place, both from the summer and the time I spend there currently, is what makes Camp Joy my happy place. A happy place is not necessarily extravagant or expensive or excessive, a happy place is one where you truly feel cared for. A place where you feel like you are needed. A place that makes a difference.
So, God, I pray especially hard today that you will work IN me and THROUGH me to make the difference that needs to be made this weekend.
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Day 4: Moving with the CHANGE
Change is scary.
At this point in life, change is constantly surrounding us. Your home is changing, your goals are changing, people are changing. As a child, and honestly still today, change is one of my biggest fears. I love having a routine with the same people, doing the same things, and being the same person. I feel like all of these changes are taking my place in my life and I'm not totally sure what to do with them.
Yet, things change for a reason. I am such a firm believer that everything does happen for a reason. Your "home" changes because as cliche as this, home is truly where your heart is. While you may have a physical house that has been your living situation for your entire life, like me, my home is here in Lexington with the people that love me for myself. Your goals change because you realize that you thought might be best for you maybe actually isn't in your best interest. People change and relationships distance so others can have the opportunity to experience the love you once did.
And while change is terrifying, there is one thing that remains constant. Your relationship with God and your reliance on Him will never change. He will be there, through the ups and downs, good and bad, highs and lows. He is why you feel comfort, even through the terror.
"Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever."
-Hebrews 13:8
At this point in life, change is constantly surrounding us. Your home is changing, your goals are changing, people are changing. As a child, and honestly still today, change is one of my biggest fears. I love having a routine with the same people, doing the same things, and being the same person. I feel like all of these changes are taking my place in my life and I'm not totally sure what to do with them.
Yet, things change for a reason. I am such a firm believer that everything does happen for a reason. Your "home" changes because as cliche as this, home is truly where your heart is. While you may have a physical house that has been your living situation for your entire life, like me, my home is here in Lexington with the people that love me for myself. Your goals change because you realize that you thought might be best for you maybe actually isn't in your best interest. People change and relationships distance so others can have the opportunity to experience the love you once did.
And while change is terrifying, there is one thing that remains constant. Your relationship with God and your reliance on Him will never change. He will be there, through the ups and downs, good and bad, highs and lows. He is why you feel comfort, even through the terror.
"Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever."
-Hebrews 13:8
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Day 3: Head Vs. HEART
In today's society, logic is the most prominent decision-driving factor for humans. Whether in be in a political decision, a life choice, or even what we're going to have for dinner, we use all of these things that "make sense" to make decisions. We use the resources around us to problem-solve by the process of elimination, group work, and even rational methods to give us the answer we are looking for.
Personally, I feel totally and completely from the heart. I strive to make all my decisions based on the emotions I have and not what my brain or others are saying to me. Doing so makes me feel things so deeply, yet can also have the effect of irrational, sudden moves. Myself, along with those other feelers, make decisions almost on the spot, which can lead to repercussions in the future.
So what is the RIGHT way to make decisions? Dependent on the situation, but to always trust in GOD. He knows what the right answer always is, and can show it in a variety of ways. I like to think he lays things on my heart that I am able to feel and thus gives me that answer, but His ways can also be shown in the outside world. He will bless your heart with the ability to hear an answer and both feel and think with that specific answer.
Matthew 6:21 says,
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Continue to lay Your word on my heart, continue to work IN me. Continue to work THROUGH me.
Personally, I feel totally and completely from the heart. I strive to make all my decisions based on the emotions I have and not what my brain or others are saying to me. Doing so makes me feel things so deeply, yet can also have the effect of irrational, sudden moves. Myself, along with those other feelers, make decisions almost on the spot, which can lead to repercussions in the future.
So what is the RIGHT way to make decisions? Dependent on the situation, but to always trust in GOD. He knows what the right answer always is, and can show it in a variety of ways. I like to think he lays things on my heart that I am able to feel and thus gives me that answer, but His ways can also be shown in the outside world. He will bless your heart with the ability to hear an answer and both feel and think with that specific answer.
Matthew 6:21 says,
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Continue to lay Your word on my heart, continue to work IN me. Continue to work THROUGH me.
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Day 2: Stay TUNED In
This morning, I made the big-girl, life decision to switch my major from Integrated Strategic Communications to the scary world of Social Work. My goal since middle school had been to work in PR for an accredited non-profit, and eventually create my own transformational center for underprivileged people in a community where one did not exist.
I chose to speak the words that I had planned for me, instead of letting God speak through me to His plans.
Going into the serious coursework of ISC, I quickly learned that changing the reputation for a company was not what I wanted to do, even if it was a non-profit corporation. My passion truly lies in working directly with those affected, and that has been apparent my entire life.
I just chose to listen to my personal thoughts that I had thought for myself, instead of letting God portray His thoughts to me.
After my Come-to-Jesus moment of realizing my major wasn't the path for me, I did some serious praying and evaluating. I love working with kids, I feel as though children are able to see the world in a way that most of us now are unable to see. I toyed with the idea of Elementary Ed and working in an inner city school, but I didn't feel right about it. I also considered working in Family Sciences and pursuing work in Child Advocacy and Foster Care Reform, but that didn't feel right, either.
Then the idea of Social Work was introduced to me. When you are able to let go of your own words and thoughts and open your heart to your greater plan, the answer is clear. Social Work feels right.
So, friends, tuning out the thoughts and words of the world and tuning in to the words of the One who knows can bring an overwhelming amount of peace. He blessed us with gifts that pertain to the futures we are promised, and that is so special.
God, continue to work IN me. Continue to work THROUGH me.
I chose to speak the words that I had planned for me, instead of letting God speak through me to His plans.
Going into the serious coursework of ISC, I quickly learned that changing the reputation for a company was not what I wanted to do, even if it was a non-profit corporation. My passion truly lies in working directly with those affected, and that has been apparent my entire life.
I just chose to listen to my personal thoughts that I had thought for myself, instead of letting God portray His thoughts to me.
After my Come-to-Jesus moment of realizing my major wasn't the path for me, I did some serious praying and evaluating. I love working with kids, I feel as though children are able to see the world in a way that most of us now are unable to see. I toyed with the idea of Elementary Ed and working in an inner city school, but I didn't feel right about it. I also considered working in Family Sciences and pursuing work in Child Advocacy and Foster Care Reform, but that didn't feel right, either.
Then the idea of Social Work was introduced to me. When you are able to let go of your own words and thoughts and open your heart to your greater plan, the answer is clear. Social Work feels right.
So, friends, tuning out the thoughts and words of the world and tuning in to the words of the One who knows can bring an overwhelming amount of peace. He blessed us with gifts that pertain to the futures we are promised, and that is so special.
God, continue to work IN me. Continue to work THROUGH me.
Monday, October 17, 2016
Day 1: Choose JOY
Tonight, with a group of some special people, we spoke about the meaning of joy and how that is shown outwards to the world. I feel as I work through these 55 days of prayer, the beginning of having a God to work in and through me is with that formation of joy. Choosing to have joy in each and every day can be a difficult choice, yet is an eternal possession once you have something to be joyful about. Yet, don't we all have something to be overwhelmed with joy for? Life is hard, yet we have someone on our side during it all, moving us through these trials of the world to strengthen a greater relationship with Him.
We, as fearfully and wonderfully made, still make mistakes. I personally make mistakes constantly, some greater than others. It is so easy to detach yourself from the support given to us with our creation and rely on physical relationships to move us through the storm. Those mistakes are made to give us direction on the most important relationship we possess, one that will never be broken.
So, in all honesty, this first day of prayer hasn't "changed" me. My relationship with Him hasn't been completely built thus far, but I am so excited to see what it will do for me. So, God:
Work IN me.
Work THROUGH me.
We, as fearfully and wonderfully made, still make mistakes. I personally make mistakes constantly, some greater than others. It is so easy to detach yourself from the support given to us with our creation and rely on physical relationships to move us through the storm. Those mistakes are made to give us direction on the most important relationship we possess, one that will never be broken.
So, in all honesty, this first day of prayer hasn't "changed" me. My relationship with Him hasn't been completely built thus far, but I am so excited to see what it will do for me. So, God:
Work IN me.
Work THROUGH me.
Sunday, October 16, 2016
55 Day CHALLENGE!!!
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed,
for I am your God. I will strengthen you
and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
-Isaiah 41:10
Trying to maneuver this college lifestyle at 18 years old
peacefully is like getting sick of McDonald's; it just doesn't happen. With all
of these things needing to happen, all these deadlines needed to be met, all
these relationships that need to be upheld, prioritizing is hard. The things
that are important for the long run are blurred by the things that seem to be
do-all end-all at the time.
Tonight at 608, Pastor Jon Weece spoke on the topic of the
joy seen in little ones and elderly. Those ages are so vital to the happiness
of the world, for they see this beautiful Earth we live on in such a positive,
hopeful way. Yet, in that time between, we seem to experience pain. As people,
we deal with that pain in so many different ways. God calls us to to release
that said pain, to Him.
Jon introduced a question: Where do you see your life in 55
days? What do you want to feel, how do you want to act, how are YOU different?
He goes on to challenge us to pray the same sort of prayer for the next 55
days:
"God, work IN me."
"God, work THROUGH me."
We ask of these things because He promised to fill our
emptiness with joy, replace negativity with positivity, and rely on Him for
comfort. I hope to challenge myself to the fullest these next couple months and
see myself differently at the end.
So, friends, where do you see yourself in 55 days? :)
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Comfort Zones are Meant to be SHAKEN
I don't normally do things so far out of my comfort zone such as this. And moving out of my comfort zone is incredibly difficult to accomplish, because I truly am down for pretty much anything. Yet, I feel like taking my writing public is something I have been called to do. I write in a journal as much as I possibly can in this hectic lifestyle. Whether my day has incredible and I am ecstatic or nothing seemed to go right and I have hit a low point, using my journal as an outlet to these feelings allows some super interesting conversation to arise. Not only is it a time for internal conversation, I use this journal to connect with God and allow him to take the lead on all these instances. So, that is what I want to use this blog for! A personal outlet, with the hopes of some insight to all the things happening in this crazy world we all live in. I am so excited to see where the Lord will lead me in this life, and I can't wait to document all the ways my world gets shaken!
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