Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Church Camp Day 1 of Sr. High...

Howdy Family and Friends! Well, I have survived the first day of Sr. High camp here at The Crossing at Lexington! Overall uneventful other than moving into M 13 where I will spend the next four weeks of my life and of course reconnecting with old friends!
After a yummy supper of pizza, it was time for evening service—a highlight of coming to camp! Worship was definitely louder and more upbeat than what I am used to, but none the less exciting! The speaker drove home a point to me though. He said, “Worship happens when you make a commitment to serve others.” I had never really thought about that side of it. Then on to the preaching of the Word…phenomenal! Don’t get me wrong…I am married to a Pastor, and he can bring the Word, but tonight was just about one little word—“BUT”.
So often times I find myself wanting to push things through quickly so that I can get them marked off my to do list! Although I have good intentions, it may not be God’s timing! The statement was said, “Waiting on God now prevents lots of hurt later.” Once again my thinker started thinking, “How many times have I done something on my own time and not God’s?” I want to pursue my dreams and goals and just go! Go! GO! Instead of waiting on the right time. But yet again the speaker threw another curve ball at my thoughts and said, “Its not about living my dream, its about living God’s dream!” Wow! What is God’s dream for me? Am I doing what He has planned for my life? But then of course the devil wanted to get his two cents worth in and of course said planted thoughts in my head about how this couldn’t happen.
At the end of the service, I just wanted to cry. So many thoughts and emotions had welled inside me and I felt lost! I prayed and just sought the Holy Spirit to move in my life, to restore my passions and breathe fresh energy into my spirit.
After some much needed time alone with God, I felt much more at peace with life—but still wanting to pursue more of God—to touch the throne of His grace and mercy! As the service concluded, Pastor Toby got up and restated an earlier comment the speaker had mentioned and its this, “There’s a big mountain in my life that needs to move and it’s my ‘but’t!” (IF you don’t understand the punctuation, the sermon was titled “BUT” and the extra “t” that is on the last quote is to encourage me (or you) that the only mountain in your way is yourself!
From my first day of camp picture window to yours, have a great week! PS (Get up and do something about your relationship with God!)

Monday, June 6, 2011

Letting Go...


Howdy Family and Friends! It's been 3 days since I put my foreign Busch girl on her plane back home to Sweden and let me tell you, I miss her. Never did I imagine that I would get that close to her. First of all, I have had exchange students before...although they were all boys, it was not this hard. Julia Nielsen came to live with us in Burwell on July 27, 2010. We picked her up in Kearney late at night and her first meal with us was an ice cream treat from Coldstone...I saved the receipt (Why? I don't know!)

Her first weekend was spent with a house full of friends she didn't know for the Rodeo weekend in Burwell. She rode the church float with us and attended Rodeo that weekend. I can only imagine what she thought!

From there, she got involved in school and meeting other friends and branched out a little from our home and soon enough started living a fun filled life! And now, here it is the time has come and she has gone home.

When we arrived at the airport (late of course) at 6:15 a.m., the airline threatened not to let her on the flight. Being the person I am, I kindly (STERNLY) informed the lady that she was a foreign exchange student on her way home and she had to be on the flight. Needless to say, things moved quickly and the next thing we knew, Julia was on her way home. No lengthy goodbyes, nothing. Nothing more than a quick hug goodbye and tears flowing freely from our eyes.

When I got home, I walked into Julia's room and of course her smell was still there, along with a few personal items that she couldn't fit into her bag. With tears still freely flowing down my cheeks, I grabbed her bed and let my frustrations out and moved it before collapsing on it and just crying.

Since she has gone home, I have been able to SKYPE with her twice which has been great but her room echoes and I absolutely don't like it. With each day, it gets easier, but I miss her terribly!

From my teary eyed picture window to yours, have a great week!