camp

summer camp is something that i look forward to every year with my high school students. this year was somewhat of an exception because it snuck up on me. i was so caught up in wedding festivities that there was a list of things i forgot such as a camera, refrigerator, fan, and other little things. i was exhausted going into a week which would be emotionally, mentally, and physically demanding, but from the moment we arrived up the mountain, God just gave me a sense of peace and joy. i saw God working through students to start healing wounds that they never before wanted to acknowledge and brokenness from situations they felt they couldn't forgive themselves. it was such an awesome time to spend with students and leaders to help build a community that truly loves like Christ loved us. God is good and continues to show His faithfulness in my life.

in other news, i leave in less than a month for india. please pray as i apply for my visa and begin to pack and mentally prepare for life in kolkata. i am still short of my financial support goal so pray that God will provide the rest of the support.

weddings

weddings are an interesting thing in american society. there is so much planning, preparation, and money that go into a few hours on one day. the hope is that it only happens once in a person's lifetime. as most of my friends know, my life is a lot like the movie 27 dresses and i have a closet full of dresses to prove it. last weekend not only was i in the wedding party but the wedding reception was also held in my backyard. all week we worked to set it up by clearing out patio furniture, planting flowers, stringing lights and hanging lanterns. there was so much work for only a few hours of festivities and dancing. in the days leading up to the wedding there was so much stress but in those hours during the reception, the bride was able to enjoy the moments with family and freinds and dance the night away....until the cops came to shut it down. all that preparation for a few hours is totally worth it to see a friend start of her married life right in my own backyard....literally.

insecurities

insecurities are funny. everyone has them but no one wants to admit it. when you first meet someone you want to appear put together attempting to hide those quirky things that in a way define you. as you feel more and more comfortable with people walls begin to come down but deep down those pesky insecurities are still hidden in a deep, dark dungeon while you are hoping to keep them hidden forever. insecurities can come in the form of physical features, emotional issues, or just ways of thinking. what i have found is that once someone owns up to an insecurity you realize that you too deal with that issue. once it's out in the open i laugh and then realize that insecurities are normal and i'm not quite as weird as i thought i was. embrace the differences that make you who you are because we aren't robots out of some sci-fi civilization.

Jon Foreman - Your Love Is Strong

i love this song. it is one that i can listen to multiple times and still stand in awe of my Heavenly Father. in the daily grind of life i often feel like things are out of control and i lose focus of a God who loves me. God will provide for my every need according to His will not my own. that is a really humbling thought. i hope today i can let go of all my hopes and dreams and let God work through me and provide for today. why do i worry about things such as money and time and how i never seems to have enough of either when in reality it belongs to an Almighty God that will provide.

those are my random thoughts for today. enjoy this beautiful tuesday and give someone a hug.

exhausted...

so i spent the 4th of july with my family at our beach house in dana point. came home for a day. then left for lake havasu for the family's annual river trip. i was sitting on our pontoon boat just marveling at the beauty God created along the colorado river. my immediate reaction was to worship and praise the Creator. in my normal routine everyday life i rarely pause long enough to notice my surroundings let alone acknowledge the Creator behind the beauty. i just feel so drained with summer school, family vacations, and wedding season but i learned the peace that comes when you pause, take a breath and notice the beauty. it is those little glimpses of Heaven on earth that give me the energy and motivation to take on another day. 

aren't you scared?

this is a question that has actually been asked of me more often in light of my upcoming trip to india. i always think its funny how that question is usually followed by some story they heard of how dangerous things are over there or the extreme poverty they've heard of over there. by nature i am not one to be deterred by danger/fear but that question just increases the excitement i feel about the trip. last sunday the pastor was talking about freedom and a light went on in my head as i put the pieces together. i really have nothing to fear because God has granted me the freedom from fear and if i am doing His will then i really have nothing to worry about. i love these lyrics from "our God" by chris tomlin:

And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us.
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against.
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us.
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against.
What could stand against. 

it reminds me that i really have nothing to fear. what would you do if you truly had nothing to fear?

love

"a new command i give you: love one another. as i have loved you, so you must love one another. by this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." john 13:34-35

this verse has always intrigued me because more often than not, christians are not thought of as loving people by the general population. i am no better than the next person. working with kids had opened my mind to what it would look like if we all came together to help one another. kids (between ages 4-6) generally have compassion for their fellow students. they help those who dont understand things and they try to make everyone feel a part of the group. at what age does this change? when do we start thinking we are better than those around us? what would the world be like if we all loved each other?

what if we were know for joy instead of judgement, hope instead of hypocrisy and more than anything, what if we were known by our love.