mis ensueños
(my daydreams)Archive for religion
I Love my Job
One of the many, or one of the few? I love my job. Since May 30, my life has been changing pretty drastically. Yes, I realize it has only been 2 weeks, but if you spend 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week with the same people, you get to know them very well very quickly. My occupation as a camp counselor in the middle-of-no-where-blue-ridge-mountains is an extremely interesting one. It really takes a special kind of person to take on this job. My first week with five 13 and 14 year old girls was one of great learning and adjusting. Not only because my calf muscles are golden from a couple 12 mile hikes and walking around the mountainous campus for hours on end, but from the emotions displayed on the kids’ faces and the words that come out of their mouths. It’s so interesting to see young people interact with each other and get into their own personal “role” in the group so quickly. To watch them accomplish a complicated goal at the ropes course together after knowing each other for less than 24 hrs is both entertaining and fascinating. I love to watch people and learn about their personalities and how well they can mesh with others, and then facilitating a positive atmosphere for them to be themselves. My job is so much fun. I get to hike around the woods, camp out and cook dinner over the fire, swim in a beautiful creek, canoe in a valley where the sun sets over the mountains, sleep under the stars, and help young people grow in their faith and get to know who they really are inside, and who they want to become. What could be greater? However, it comes with a ton of responsibility. Playing mom and dad each week to five or six little girls away from home is not an easy task whatsoever. Getting kids to pay attention, hurry up, be quiet, go to sleep, not forget this or that… not to mention making the group happy when everyone wants to do something different. Compromising is a fine art. It’s stressful, challenging, exhausting, irritating, time-consuming, and confusing, but it’s also rewarding, fun, emotionally touching, amazing, awe-inspiring, and teaches me new things everyday. Yes, I get tired of the food. Yes, I get eaten up by bugs and stung by bees on a regular basis. Yes, my muscles are sore sometimes from running all over the place. But my heart is overflowing with joy. My mind is clogged with thoughts of how to let children know that Jesus loves them because this might be their only chance. And all I want to do is keep going, keep learning, and keep changing lives as mine is being changed. I have not only had an awesome time with my campers, I’ve also had an AMAZING time with my fellow counselors. We are each others’ strength, each others’ laughter, each others’ shoulder to cry on. We hold each other accountable, we give each other breaks, we support each other, and we recognize when one of us needs some reassurance or a smile. One of our chapels over looks the lake and is breath-taking in the evening when all you hear is nature at work. The special service held there once a week is not only refilling and meaningful to the campers, but it is all that and beyond for us staff members. I am so lucky to have a job like this. It is in almost every aspect of my life. Pray for me to continue to feel this way, and to give me strength to do everything I’m able to. Pray for the rest of the staff as we continue our summer trying to touch the lives of children one at a time. We’ll need it.
I was doing some reading today and came across a Bible verse:
“For many are called, but few are chosen.” -Matthew 22:14
Interesting choice for a biblical antithesis, I know. I’ve been contemplating the meaning but I haven’t come up with much. It comes from the “Story of the Great Feast” parable. I’m thinking it’s hinting at our own obligations as Christians, not just accepting Jesus into our hearts but living the way we’re supposed to. Obviously, God doesn’t discriminate and calls everyone to the “Throne of Glory,” but let’s face it, it takes a little work on our part. Are you living in a way that points to God? We’ve heard the call, but will we be the few who are chosen? I like this verse, I think it “sticks it to the man” if you know what I mean. I mean, God did let His only son come down and die so we could have the option of being chosen. I’m also thinking this is appropriate as summer is starting and we’re leaving our Clemson Wesley buddies and FCA get-togethers. My hometown has nothing like the said religious gatherings, so I’ll be depending more on myself to keep on track. But sooner or later I’ll be heading out to Asbury, which will undoubtedly strengthen my relationship with God. I really want to work on myself in that respect – living up to the “obligations” of being a self-proclaimed Christian and growing on my own. My freshman year of college was so amazing, I hate leaving my friends and all our almost-against-the-law shananigans for over 3 months, but somehow I’ll survive.
“Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.”
-Here I Am Lord
I can’t even begin to explain how different my life is than one year ago. It’s like my world has turned a 360, but I like it (not to mention the newest addition, Mr. Wolfe). I’m figuring out what I want to do with my life, what makes me happy, what’s worth my precious time and what’s not. It scares me to think about how time is ticking away every minute of everyday, but then I just close my eyes and slow it down; ask God to wrap around me and take me away for a while. It’s an amazing, comforting feeling. I’ve also recently realized how much I depend on my friends, and how much we can give to each other spiritually and mentally. It’s pretty ridiculous how much my friends make me happy, how much the simpler times are the moments that make me smile before I fall asleep. I can only hope I give my friends as much as they give me. I’m trying to lead a worthy life, and I think I’m doing at least something right, because God is smiling down on me right now. I hate writing about myself, but perhaps others can relate. I could be sleeping right now, but for some reason I’m wide awake.
I have this presistent thought in my head: I wish people were honest with themselves and looked into their hearts and minds and let other people know how they feel. Why would you not want to? You could miss something that would be so awesome. I realize this means putting yourself out on the line, I realize this means risking possible embarrassment, ridicule, sadness, anger… but really, isn’t that a little silly? If you could gain something that will enrich your life, make you happy, give you peace. Enrichment, happiness, and peace. Imagine it for a second. The pros outweigh the cons on this one. Let’s come outside ourselves and leave selfishness behind. We should stop thinking about what could have been, what should have been, and start making it happen. Ask and you shall receive, but you have to believe in it one hundred percent. No ifs, ans, or buts. Wounds will heal, happiness is forever.
I’m sorry for this jumbled, unrelated sort of post. That’s the way my head works.
“Awaken what’s inside of me
Tune my heart to all You are in me
Even though You’re here God come
And may the vision of You
Be the death of me
And even though you’ve given everything
Jesus come”
-Shane & Shane
the missionary in me.
I don’t get filthy for my own desire. I don’t wear out my muscles just to complain about the soreness. I don’t get sunburnt so I can see those awesome tan lines that will undoubtedly be there for months to come. I don’t cover myself in three year old sludge to invite bacteria and disease into my body. I don’t get up at 5:00am because I feel like it. I don’t mud the walls for hours upon hours for the blister on my hand, I don’t ride in a van for 10 hours because I get carsick, and I don’t take 5 minute showers because I’m fast. I don’t even do it for the strawberry cheesecake snowballs.
I do it because Ray had tears in his eyes when he called us angels. I do it because 1 in 25 people in New Orleans are homeless. I do it because Pete bought po boys as payment for a semi-clean pool. I do it so the children will have a home to grow up in. I do it so Pastor Haynes can live and preach with a little more peace. I do it because others have failed to. I do it because we can’t control the weather. I do it because our people are crying out for help. I do it because I am a Christian. I do it for the Glory of God.
Let’s not forget what mission work is all about. Since today is Easter, it’s only right to bring up the fact that Jesus conquered the grave today, but this is not really an Easter-themed post. I just thought we should remember that we don’t go to New Orleans or the Bahamas or Mexico for mission work and take credit for it. It’s for Him who suffered so much for us. It’s the least we could do to serve our neighbors.
Thank you Jesus for saving my life. All my work is in vain if it is not for You.
Hiking is like being a Christian…
So I went hiking up table rock this weekend with Charles and his friend Josh, and Josh came up with a pretty good analogy.
As Christians, our relationship with God is like hiking. Sometimes it’s uphill, sometimes it’s difficult, sometimes it’s rocky, tiring, and uneven… the more you carry, the harder it is to get to the finish. But sometimes it’s easy, straightforward, and a cooling breeze comes along when you most need it. If you run too fast, you get too tired too quickly. Sometimes we take breaks, but they’re distracting and prolong your journey and sometimes just add to the fatigue and make you want to quit. If you don’t have enough water to stay hydrated, things get dangerous. If you wander from the trail you might lose your way and need help to get back. But if you keep up with the trail, fight through the burn and follow directions, the payoff is awesome, it’s all worth it in the end to see the view from the top of a mountain. The food tastes better, the air is fresh and you never want to leave. Once you’ve reached the pinnacle, you see God’s creation, what he’s meant for us to see all along. It’s humbling and encouraging at the same time.
Just a thought from this past weekend, which was action-packed and absolutely amazing. Basically, my friends own.
God bless!
peace in silence
Jeremiah 29:11
“For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.”
Psalms 62:1
mis ensueños 