HELLOOO World!!
I am home!
I am home!
Actually I got home Sunday but I just couldn't bring myself to the computer to write this post.
How am I suppose to put into words the most amazing 3 weeks of my life?
I can't.
I can't even describe it in my own head because I am still trying to process it all.
Oh how the Lord is GOOD!
I have been simply blown away by him.
Lets start from the beginning.
We all have seasons of harvest and seasons of drought, and to be real honest I was pretty dry going into camp.
I knew that I would have a great time but I just didn't want to leave my home and my loved ones for 3 weeks.
I couldn't bring myself to spend time with the Lord and I was just running on empty.
Little did I know what I had in store [no pun intended].
Jesus met me where I was, sweetly broke my heart and loved on me in such intimate ways!
Whether is was from the community of strong believers that I lived and worked with
(24 girls, 24 boys, 3 coordinators, interns, or assign team),
the beautiful landscape and view of God's creation,
the "get real" talks with the girls,
or just basking in the light of the Lord,
God just wrapped me in his arms.
He did this especially through the sweet girls I worked with in the store.
I have never felt so challenged, encouraged, or loved in my entire life.
We asked each other hard questions and what our hearts really looked like.
We were silly but serious,
Honest but respectful,
we laughed and cried.
We [mainly I] messed up [a lot] but we poured out father's grace over one another.
I really saw how important community was.
There is a difference in living in a growing Christian community and living with someone who only believes.
We need to be challenged and help accountable by our christian friends but we also need to be loved by them and accepted through God's lens of Grace!
Another awesome thing about my time at The Gap was the
Gettin' Juicy 2K11!!
This was the special time I had with all my summer staff sisters.
We had "girl talk" once a week but it also happened constantly throughout the 21 days.
We all jumped in from the very first email**
**yeah ladies you all know which one that was ;)**
and GOT REAL,
or as Jess says it BROUGHT IT!
We opened up and shared the real struggles in our lives and what our heart really looks like.
I often find myself covering up little spots of my heart that I don't want people to know about because I am embarrassed or ashamed of them.
But by me seeking out my sisters in Christ I was able to heal and grow from those things.
A third thing that I loved at camp was my quiet times.
I woke up every morning and just sat with Jesus.
There is something about starting your day off with the peace maker that just gives you a peaceful day!
I was able to read his word and write it on my heart in order to live it better throughout the day.
The hard thing is taking that home with me.
I am a busy person at home and find it hard to spend time with Jesus everyday but I need and WANT to!!!!!!
I love seeing the cool things he points out to me in scripture.
He has a funny way of showing me exactly what I needed to hear.
[and that is on a coincidence].
During my time at Windy Gap I learned a lot of things about...
- surrendering
- making Jesus #1
- my need for the cross
- my need for community
- putting away pride
- trust
- JESUS' ABOUNDING LOVE FOR ME!!
This is only to name a few because I could go on for hours.
I read this really cool quote in Jesus Calling one morning while there and it is the perfect moto and life quote for my right now!
"Do not miss the JOY OF MY PRESENCE by carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders"
Sweet Lord,
Help me to stop trying to carry the world on my shoulders.
Oh how I fail miserably.
Allow me to be filled with your joy and let it completely overflow.
Help me to surrender my doubts, worries and pride in order to be filled with your peace!
You are good My Father! So good to me.
Help me to find my contentment in the one thing that is ALWAYS good and ALWAYS steady.
I praise you for my sweet time at Windy Gap,for my 300 teenage friend's lives that decided to give their lives to you, and the amazing family of summer staff that you blessed me with!
Most importantly, I cannot thank you enough for the cross by which I am made whole and pure.
Thank you my sweet Lord.
Help me to call to your all the day long.
With Love From My Father,
Diane Elizabeth
