Reflections

It's hard to believe that it's already the end of this glorious summer. I'm sitting at the Denver airport getting ready to take my final flight home. And sitting here alone, reflecting on the past two months, one thing is for sure. God is awesome.

Let me fill you in on the past two weeks since I didn't have Internet until yesterday. First we served at Boys Camp as kitchen staff. We prepared three meals a day plus two snacks. From someone who isn't all that talented in the kitchen, it was a bit of a challenge. But of course, God is good and provided our team with two passionate cooks! Lara and Katherine kind of led the way with big projects. I learned a lot about cooking... and little boys. On the first night a boy approached me and asked me to cook his crawfish (which he'd caught in the creek) for dinner. I thought he was kidding. Apparently not. It was a fun week, but I missed the spiritual high from youth camp. I missed the amazing worship. However, I had great time bonding with Lara and Joelle and Katherine.

Saturday Lara and Joelle returned home and Katherine and I traveled to Pilot Rock, Oregon to lead Vacation Bible School and a junior high camp. I'll admit, I had a pretty bad attitude when I left for Pilot Rock. I'd already said goodbye to Lara and Joelle and all of the CBBA staff and our hosts. I was getting homesick. And I wasn't really looking forward to VBS AND camp. Isn't one stressful enough?

Well... shame on me for being so negative. Because our week at Pilot Rock turned out to be amazing. They desperately needed someone to fill the music rotation and I was more than happy to do it since I already knew the songs and motions and everything. And they needed someone to lead the 1st and 2nd graders. And Katherine is completely gifted at keeping control of kids. So it worked out perfectly. AND, their normal worship rally leader had spent the entire prior week at a huge Christian festival and was exhausted so we were able to help out by leading worship rally everyday too. After VBS we took about 10 7th and 8th graders to a cabin out in the middle of nowhere and had "camp". We had fun games, Bible study, and great time of bonding. We had different fun activities for everyday. One day we went fishing and swimming at a lake. Another we went to the local aquatic center and swam all afternoon. Last we rode four wheelers out to the scenic views around the cabin. I felt so blessed to be a part of that youth group. It was fairly new and they made such a great group.

So, it's been a great last week. And I can't believe it's over. But I'm ready to go home and see my family and my friends :) Reflecting on everything, I am amazed that the biggest changes I've seen this summer have been in me.

I came reluctantly on this trip, fighting God the whole way. I'm leaving as a slave to Christ, knowing He must become greater and I must become less.

I thought I knew what was best for my life and now I understand that this life is not my own.

I came here with mild expectations and was blown away by the power , the provision and the protection of our mighty God.