Zenith 2008!!!

Well Zenith 2008 has come and gone. Man time flies when you're having fun! For those of you who aren't familiar, Zenith is a week-long Christian high school camp that's held every June on the campus of Oklahoma Christian University. I've been so privelaged and blessed to share in it and serve as a camp counselor every year but one since 2002. I had a great co-counselor this year who really loves the Lord, and we had an awesome bunch of kids we got to hang out with and share Jesus with all week. You guys rock, and I miss you already!

The week was amazing, and God was at work in alot of hearts like He usually is. I will NEVER grow tired of watching that. He also blessed me with the opportunity to share my testimony with my kids the last night of camp, and I was able to leave them with resources that God can continue to use in their lives and maybe even in the lives of their family and friends. For those of you who wanted more materials, they are on the way! Love you guys!

Group pic...

Goofy group pic...

Tanner, Collier, Kyle, Michael, and Jesse

Becca, Rachel, and Leighann

Kellie, Charlie, and Mikaela

My co-counselor Barret and I

Kara and Katie...LOL

Caitlan, Kara, me, Mikaela, and Katie Me and Elisha

Natalie Reed, Kelly, me, Brandi, and Niki Nowell

More fun pics...I miss you Nowells!

Celebrate Recovery

Timing is everything. I mean, God's timing is everything. Several of us from my church had been talking about and praying about whether God would have us to begin a recovery ministry at our church to help reach those in our pews and outside the church who are struggling to stay sober. Since all of us on the leadership team have our roots in a twelve step program, we naturally turned to the idea of Celebrate Recovery, which is a Christ-centered twelve step recovery program. Over a year ago several of us sat down to discuss the possiblitites with one of our pastoral staff, and for one reason or another, nothing ever came of it. I met with that staff member again in Januaray, really to ask what had happened to the idea. He assured me me that we had his support, and I promised to begin e-mailing the two others that I knew were interested in the ministry. Life happened though, and their e-mail addresses laid on my kitchen table for months before I remembered to e-mail them. Not only were they still interested, but they wanted to begin meeting as I did, to brainstorm and begin to really plow through all of the Celebrate Recovrey resources we could. Not even a week after I began e-mailing them, the pastoral staff member we'd been communicating with contacted each of us about a leadership training in Chicago on 6/14. All of us but one were able to go, and many others from the misistry staff at our church came too. I was thrilled to find out that another who had been set free from a sex addiction was coming as well, in hopes of begining a group at the Creek for those who struggle with porn and sex addiction. It is so needed. Much more than many realize.

We had a great time, and I really enjoyed getting to know some of them more. Some I met for the first time. I was pleasantly surprised at the intense focus on leadership at the conference, and was touched time and time again by the founders John and Cheryl Baker and by the countless testimonies of changed lives and marriages that had been a result of God working through a local Celebrate Recovery ministry. It is so much bigger than I thought...not just for addictions. I also heard testimonies of people God had set free from anger problems, co-dependency, eating issues, cutting, and past emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. I know that ours will start out smaller, with probably a focus on alcohol/drug dependency, and maybe co-depency or a men's sexual addiction group. Other Celebrate Recovery groups in our area have started the same. But it's pretty encouraging to see just how much God can make a group grow, rise up leaders for new groups, and bring healing, salvation, and wholeness to so many. We're so excited to see what the future holds!

www.CelebrateRecovery.com

Officially car-less!?!? Until Tuesday...

That's right. I've been taking a Financial Peace University class, and it's been one of the most eye-opening experiences I've had. With as much debt as I have, and as little money I make, I've made some pretty radical decisions to start the hard road of paying off ALL of my debt, in as little time as possible. One of those decisions was to sell my car, something that means so much to me. I've only had my new Vibe since late January, but after really looking into how much money I'd be paying in interest over the next 5 years, and also just how much I had left in principle, the best financial option became clear...sell it. So, on Thursday 6/12, I handed it over to the new owners. I was a little emotional, but I knew that my decision would impact my financial future in a good way. So I started looking for a pretty inexpensive car to pay cash with, which was pretty humbling, but good for me. God is good, and I knew that He'd provide what I needed. I have to admit that I started to get a little panicky though, when several cars I was seriously looking at either got bought out from underneath me or didn't check out well with my mechanic. As scary as it was at first, I knew it was all about trust. Since I decided to put my car up for sale in May, I prayed that if it was God's will for me to do so, that He would provide a buyer and another reliable car for me to drive.

So, without a car, and without one really in sight, I left on 6/13 for Chicago and then Oklahoma for a week, unsure of how I'd get to work the Monday I returned. Not only did I still not have a car, but I was out of town and not even able to look at any for more than a week! God is really something though. There was a guy at a local dealership who knew what I was looking for, how much money I had to spend, and knew that I was out of town. I gave him my father's cell number just in case he were to find anything while I was gone. And he did. He called my father, who came and testdrove the car, and my dad called me to let me know he thought I'd be impressed. I was able to get a deposit to the dealer, my dad was able to get it to my mechanic for a second check, and essentially the car was waiting for me when I got home! I got to close the deal on Tuesday, and drive home an 2001 Saturn SC 3-door coupe that's in EXCELLENT condition, deemed mechanically sound, and with lower mileage than I'd expected. In fact it only has 10K more than the Vibe I sold, and I paid less than half of what I bought my Vibe for! I ended up needing a little more money than I thought, but God provided that too. I've really just been amazed at how He's orchestrated this entire thing, but I shouldn't be surprised. That's the kind of God I serve.

My Vibe...

My new Saturn!

And do you want to know what else came of this? An opportunity to be a witness and plant seeds. When I went in on Monday, after getting back in town, to look at and test drive the car for myself, I was able to spend some time talking with the guy who had found the car for me. We got to talking and found out we had some things in common, and he ended up sharing a pretty neat article with me about a martyr from hundreds of years ago that God really used to make an impact on the world. This guy was impressed by the article, and I was touched that he wanted to share it with me. So, as we're walking across the parking lot to the other building for me to pay and get a receipt for the car, God prompted me to throw out a question. "Jim," I said, "can I ask you a weird question?" "Well, sure!" he said. "Jim, what do you think happens when we die?" He began talking about how some people believe there's nothing, some believe in reincarnation, etc. I said, "but what do you believe?" He said, "Well, I was raised Catholic, but honestly, I'd like to believe there's some kind of glorious afterlife." Reaching the next building, our conversation was promptly cut off, but I had hoped that maybe a seed had been planted to get him to think more about eternity.

Then as we left that building to walk across the parking lot back to the main building, HE began to pick up the converstation where we left off! Wow God is amazing. This guy wanted to talk about eternal things. Quite the opposite of what the Enemy tries to convince us of when he wants us to keep our mouths shut. He started to talk about how he really thought that there was so much more to this life than just working, accumulating stuff, and then dying. Then he said, "you know though, there are alot of scientists that have become atheists through their study." And I followed up with, "Yes, I know unfortunately, Jim. But did you know that there are also scientists who have become believers as a result of their study? You never hear about those, but their stories are just as real." "Really?" he said. "Definately," I said, "even just the fact that the human eye is more complex than any computer on the planet Jim...the deeper they did into the complexity and magnificence of creation and humankind, the more apparent it becomes that it's impossible that this all just happened by accident." "Wow," he agreed. "I know the galaxies are infinate, and it would only make sense that there would be an infinite being behind it all."

I left that day so grateful for our converstation, but God wasn't done. I had to go back the next day to have some scratches touched up, and God laid it on my heart to give Jim a thank you card, a tip, and a copy of One Heartbeat Away. It has answers to the questions that still linger in Jim's heart about what awaits us in eternity. He wasn't there, so I dropped it off for him. The next day he called and left me a voicemail to let me know that he was so thankful for the tip I left and the book, that he was touched that I had taken the time to do that for him, and that he started reading it the night before. He said he's going to finish it and hopes to maybe chat with me afterwards. I can't wait for the call. Please pray for Jim, that he would come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Kinda makes you wonder what was the real reason God convinced me to sell my car!

The Chapman's

Many of you know by now about the tragic death of Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman’s youngest and adopted 5 yr-old daughter that happened several days ago. I’m still in shock, and amazed at their faith and trust in God even through this terrible time of deep grief. My heart will probably never know the intense pain they are feeling as they struggle to come to grips with the loss. And yet the hope and strong faith they have in Christ Jesus reminds them that she is truly home, awaiting them. Click here to read a post from my friend Niki, and here to see the blog that has been created in her memory by the Chapman family. For those of you who are unfamiliar, Steven Curtis Chapman is one of the most well-known and award-winning contemporary Christian music artists of all time, whose music God has used in the lives of many, including my own. You can visit his website here. Please, please, please remember this family in your prayers. Please, please, please remember this family in your prayers.

What's Most Important?

Me, Mark Cahill, and Kelly

I’ve had so much going on. I always do. The more time goes on though, the more apparent it becomes to me that the enemy of our souls has done a fabulous job of distracting me from what’s most important in life. I keep wondering if he’s getting paid for all this overtime. At least what should be most important in the life of every Christian, and that’s sharing the truth about Jesus Christ and talking with others about eternity. It’s the only thing that’s going to matter 100 or even 1000 years from now. It’s not going to matter how much money I made this year, how much weight I did or didn’t lose, or what kind of car I drove. The only thing that will matter is what I did for the kingdom of God, who I told…who I loved.

I spent most of the weekend listening to two different men of God, as they boldly shared about the war for souls in our culture, the importance of being equipped to give an answer for the hope that I have, and having the obedience to do it. Mark Cahill, a brother in Christ that God has used so much in my own walk, to convict me and encourage me to be a bold and faithful woman for Jesus Christ, was one of the speakers. My friend Kelly and I got to talk with him after the conference and catch up. We e-mail him off and on, and he knows about many of the things God has done in our lives and how He’s moved us to get the truth to non-believers and encourage other brothers and sisters in the faith. We were privileged enough to get to chat with him and get a picture with him. There were so many of us who went to the Indy 500 track on Saturday and Sunday to talk with people about eternity and hand out Gospel tracts. We got into some great, interesting conversations! We plant the seeds, but God makes them grow.

I’ve been so moved by his book “One Thing You Can’t Do in Heaven” that I’ve tried to get as many copies as I can into the hands of fellow Christians. Most of us allow fear to get in the way of our compassion and concern for the eternal fate of others, when the reality is that God will give us the words to speak for Him if we simply are obedient and take the time to equip ourselves. The evidence is clear. The truth is there. Know it Christians. I’ve been so amazed and impressed by his book “One Heartbeat Away” that I’ve tried to get as many copies as possible into the hands of those who have questions, those who are unsure, and those who are skeptical about the great God we serve. It never ceases to amaze me how many people hear the truth, see the evidence for themselves, and are forever changed by Jesus Christ. Just as amazing to me as my own conversion, a radical supernatural change from a life riddled with sin and disbelief. I can’t even count the stories we heard this weekend of the many many hearts God is changing. If you’d like either one of these books, shoot me an e-mail, and it’s on me. I’d be privileged to get you one. Or you could click here to check out Mark’s website. He has both books on MP3 too, and it’s all by donation only. He’s not interested in your money. You can’t put a price tag on a soul. And if you could, it was paid 2,000 years ago on a cross.

Just some thoughts

I visited church with my friend Brandi today, and her minister said a few things that really spoke to me. So much so that I immediately scrambled for a pen so that I could jot them done and come back to them later...

"Real spirituality cannot be forced on the outside through rules and regulations. Real spirituality happens on the inside, and that inner change is made manifest on the outside."

This has been so true with me. People have only noticed such a change in me because of what God originated on the inside of me. What people see on the outside is actually an outflow of a new heart that is always being changed and shaped by God. It doesn't always change as fast as I'd like it to, and my self-will often slows down the process, but He is changing me none the less.

"Listening to the Word of God is good, but is not good enough. Reading the Word of God is good, but is still not good enough. It's only by obeying the Word of God that we change."

True again. I love God's Word and know the power that it has in my life when I feed my mind with it. I must confess though that I'm usually more worried about just reading it, and sometimes I miss the more important aspect of obedience. My thoughts automatically go to James 1:21-27. I want to be "doer," and not just a "hearer." That's only possible with God's strength.

Accidents Happen, Right?

Well, I'm sorry to say that I was in my first "real" car accident today. You know how it is, when it's rush hour, cars line up like there's no tomorrow, and sometimes you don't realize the one in front of you is totally stopped until you're a little close. That's what happened, and I really had enough time to stop, but it was cold and rainy...

As soon as I hit my brakes, I went sliding. I tried to swerve off the road into the entrance to a nearby condominium complex, but my wheel totally locked up, and I was heading straight for the car in front of me. I plowed into him going probably 35 mph. Thank goodness it didn't plummet him into the cars in front of him, and THANK GOODNESS the man I hit was very calm and very gracious. God knew I couldn't handle anything else.

What's even more disappointing is that just a little over a week ago, I finally had the repairs done to my front bumper that I'd been putting off. It had been needing it for more than six month, and I got to enjoy my new beautiful bumper and grill for a full 11 days. Ugh!!!

My neck hurts some, so I think I'm going to get it looked at tomorrow. Overall, I'm ok though. I'm so grateful.

The car didn't fare so well though, and I'm a little scared that there's been too much damage done. The thought of car shopping again totally overwhelms me. I guess I'll find out after I hear the estimate. This is the first car I've owned that I've really loved. My little black Vibe.

I know God will provide for my needs. Not always the exact way I'd hoped, but He always provides. All I have to do is trust Him. Trust and obey.

What's in a schedule, anyway?

So I've been away from cyberspace for awhile, so sorry. The truth is that I've been working my brains out with my new job...

I graduated in May from Purdue, a milestone I never thought was possible earlier in life, considering where I came from. It was almost surreal. Such a sense of accomplishment and God's blessing. My job search began shortly after, and I have to admit it was more painstaking than I ever thought it would be. I had 2 job offers and another really good prospect. I had no idea which way God wanted me to go, but after alot of prayer and heartache, I believe He lined everything up to take the opportunity for the job I'm currently working.

I love what I do. I absolutely love working with the developmentally disabled. There are so many blessings that come with something like that, a real sense that I'm actually helping someone's life be just a little bit better. That part of me is so glad to be back in the field working, especially back at the same company I was before. If my job just consisted of working with my clients, things would be alot different. Like, if I could just sit and talk to Bert about when he met his girlfriend and the things they have planned to do together this month even though they're older now, or talk to Chris about how he's so proud that he made macaroni and cheese for himself last week, or talk to Charles about who his favorite preacher is, or talk to Eric about how he loves to go horse-back riding. Those are my highlights.

I have to honest and say the rest of the job has utterly overwhelmed me. I've never been responsible for so much paperwork and so many administrative duties in my life. Whether it's true or in my mind, I feel like there's 60 hours of work that I'm trying to accomplish each week in 40 or 45, and I fail every time. I'm finally starting to believe that the illusion I have of being able to get everything done that I set out to do is just that, an illusion. I'm beginning to realize that my expectations are unrealistic, that there will always be something, and that it will still be there tomorrow when I come in.

I've had some slow but sure realizations lately. One of them is that work has been my priority. I've been allowing my work to totally consume me, even though that's not what I set out to do. It's what I think about all of the time, and it's what I let interfere with my personal life, or lack thereof. It's hard to have a social life when you're at the office until 8:00 pm some nights and you still have to hit the gym on the way home.

My relationships are also suffering, I've realized. I'm so scared sometimes to schedule things with people because I'm always thinking I may have to work on "work stuff" or catch up on personal stuff that's been on the back burner for so long due to "work stuff." I think I really thought that my life would be more laid back, more relaxed after I got out of school, but I'm finding that the real problem is my overcommitment issues and inability to balance. Why do I feel like I have to be busy all the time, anyway?

But God is dealing with my heart, because I really believe that it is a heart issue. Last night a few friends and I went to the Jeremy Camp concert in Bloomington, and Jeremy said something that really got my attention. He asked the audience how we were ever going to go deeper in our relationship with God if we didn't make ourselves available to Him. At first I thought he meant spiritually, because I can be guilty at times of holding on to stuff and not giving God full access to my heart, my dreams, and my hopes. But I think he meant in a literal sense too. When our schedules are so busy that we can't even seem to "pencil" God in on our planners, we don't make ourselves available to Him. I'm more than guilty of this too, often not getting enough sleep and rushing off in my day without taking the time to spend with Him. Or trying to go to Him when I return home from a terribly long day-I end up just giving Him what's left over, which is not much. As much as I hate to admit that, I think it means that my actions demonstrate how much I love Him, or should I say how much I have still to love Him. Sure, I try to serve and honor Him in my life, and I think when my heart is right that He's pleased with that. But my priorities are not where they should be, because He belongs at the top of the list.

I'm tired of living my life, running around like I'm in a rat race, not living in the fullness I know He desires for me. I desire that fullness too. I know enough in my walk with Jesus to know that I can't do anything apart from Him. Without realizing it, I just keep trying to do things on my own, but to no avail. I’m tired. I’ve worn myself out in all aspects of my life. I also know that the only good in me comes from Him, and my heart is deceitful and sinful without Him. Deep down in the depths of my heart, I truly want to serve God, to live in obedience to Him, and to surrender everything to Him. That's who I want to be, that's who He made me to be, that's what He desperately wants from and for me.

World Pulse Fest!

A few Saturdays ago, a couple of friends and a sponsee and I packed up and went to South Bend for the day for Pulse Fest. There were so many good Christian bands there, but some of my favorites were Sanctus Real, Kutless, and Third Day. It's always such a blessing to worship (and rock out) with other believers. It was so awesome, and I got some really good pics of Mack Powell from Third Day and of Michael W. Smith. Most of all, we had some fun girl time! (We all spent the night together the night before, so we were especially giggly because of our lack of sleep) Below are some pics for the weekend...there were probably at least 20-30,000 people there!

Third Day...

Me and Laura

Kelly and Brandi

Me and Brandi

I'm so gratelful for good friends and for the fun I have in recovery and with my sisters in Christ!

Zenith 2007!!!

Well, I had another awesome year counseling at Camp Zenith on the Campus of Oklahoma Christian University in Edmond, Oklahoma. More than 500 teenagers from accross the country are at Zenith each year, most of them with their youth groups. We had a group from Arizona this year, which was awesome. Hope you guys keep coming!

Camp was the third week in June, and because of the rain, we were spared of the usual unbearable humidity! (Thank you God!) This was my fifth year to be a counselor, and every year has a special place in my heart, each with its own set of memories. Every year I have an amazing bunch of teanagers that my male co-counselor and I get to spend the week with. Every year God opens up opportunities to share with them, to love them, and to listen to them.

My co-counselor was a great guy who just graduated from Harding University, where I spent my freshman year in college, so we immediately hit it off. And both of us just graduated with a bachelor's in psychology, so we joked all week that we were the "real" counselors. LOL I'll make another post soon updating everyone on my graduation and job search, among other things. Here are some pictures of my Z-group from camp. Please keep in touch guys and know that I'm praying for you!!!!

Meg and Chelsea

Katie and Katelyn Mae

Goofy group pic!

Group hug! Awww!

Victoria, Kathleen, and Andrea

Paula and Caitlin
Me and my co-counselor Chris

It's always wonderful to see all my friends from from around the country who come out to be part of the staff and youth minister team at Zenith. Miss you guys already!

Me and Liz Gibbs

Me and Benny!!!

Adam Copeland and Chris Robey

Adam Copeland and Niki Nowell

Way to Go Colts!!!

I know it's been over a week now since the Superbowl, but I just wanted to say, "GO COLTS!!!" I'm still excited about the whole thing. Those of you who know me know that I'm not what you would call an avid football watcher, or even an enthusiastic fan. But, with Kelly's help, I've come to actually understand how the game works. (It always helps if you understand! LOL) She made me promise her after last season that if we went to the Superbowl this year, that I would not only watch the game, but watch it with her. So, I did, and I was quite surprised that I had retained some of those Football 101 lessons she gave me last season. :) Not only did I have a fun time watching the game (except for the terrible start), but I'm really proud of the Colts and of our city. I really didn't appreciate Indianapolis until I moved away and came back-now I really love it here! And can it just say, wow was it wonderful to hear God being praised on national television by people whose walk matches their talk! I'm grateful for Dungy especially for his faith, his example, his experience, his excellent coaching skills, and his faithfulness in his walk with Christ.

Wow! The beginning of a new year!

Hi everyone! I can't believe that January of 2007 is nearing its end! Things have been happening so fast I can barely keep up! We had a wonderful time with the Downey's for Christmas in Fort Wayne. I'll post the pictures when I get the chance. Then after the New Year we were able to spend some time with my mother's side of the family, enjoying a late Christmas and remembering my grandfather on his birthday, which was January 2nd. I went to Urbana (a missions conference for Intervarsity Christian Fellowship) in St. Louis with my Intervarsity chapter from IUPUI. The conference was from December 27-31, so I was blessed to bring in the New Year with 22,000 other Christians from around the globe, all praising our King together in the Edward Jones dome in downtown St. Louis! More to come about what God did in my heart while at Urbana and what He has continued to do in me since returning-our God is incredible and He never ceases to amaze me!

Classes started on 1/8/07, so I've been off and running again. I'm taking four classes this semester, which is more than normal. As stressful and chaotic as my life can seem sometimes, I'll have to say that my problems have upgraded drastically. Looking back at where I've come from, only God could get the glory for the transformation and the blessings and responsiblities I'm able to have in my life today! Hope everyone had a safe and wonderful New Years, and I pray that God would direct your paths as your heart submits to Him this year so that you can experience all of the fullness that He has for you in Christ Jesus!

Thanksgiving

I love the holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. I love them because I get to spend time with my family, family I don't get to see very often. Since my grandmother passed away, we've not had Thanksgiving with the Downey's. I understand why, but it makes me sad. Some of my most precious memories as a child are of spending Thanksgiving and Christmas with both sides of the family.

We had Thanksgiving dinner with my mother's side of the family on Thursday. This is the second Thanksgiving without Papa, but we have much to be thankful for. I made a huge pot of green bean (simmered for hours in bacon! Yummmm!) and made my first big batch of candied yams. Both turned out wonderful because the recipies are mother's! My cousin Greg made the best turkey I think I've ever had, and of course all of the food was delicious! Every year I make a conscious effort to eat less, but I still eat too much. :)

I was talking to my mother earlier that day about how we focus so much on food and take each other for granted. We decided that we would attempt to start a new tradition in our family this year by having everyone say some things they are thankful for before we pray over the meal. To my surprise, it went very well. Things got a little deep, and some of us got choked up just vocalizing how grateful we are for each other and for such a wonderful man like Papa who brought our two families together. Some mentioned how grateful they are for the freedoms we enjoy in America, others for the courageous soldiers that fight for our country. Some mentioned their gratitude for their significant other, and many mentioned Jesus Christ.

He's my answer too. So is sobriety. Sobriety is such an awesome gift to be enjoyed here and now. So is the gift of salvation as God continually changes my heart and renews my mind and spirit, but I'm more grateful than anything for the eternal nature of the sacrificial gift of Jesus. With the work of the cross, God met my eternal needs the moment I repented and put my faith in Him. Everything I need for eternity has been provided. How much more then can I trust God to meet my earthy needs?

26

Well, today is my 26th birthday. Birthdays are nice...I always get to spend some time with family and have some fun. As I think about this last year, I see alot of things that God has been doing in my heart. I have to be honest and say that I never expected to still be in school at age 26 (unless it was graduate school!), and I never expected to still be single. But I know that God's plan is so much better than mine, and I can see more and more how He uses some of my "disappointments" to do an even greater work in my heart, calling me to a more intimate relationship with Him and preparing me for what's in store in the next season of my life.

One of the presents that my parents got me was gold circle seating to the Casting Crowns concert last night!!! My mother and father and Kelly went with me. We got such good seats and had just an awesome time of fun and worship. John David Webster opened for them and was great too. I was a big concert goer before I became a believer, and everytime I go to a Christian concert it reminds me of the vast difference between secular and Christian concerts. I've had good times at secular concerts and have seen so many talented bands, but it doesn't really come close the spiritual and usually emotional experience I have when I go to Christian concerts and worship my Creator with the band and everyone else there.

As I thought, the pictures didn't much turn out. I was hoping to get to see them after the concert like I did the last time, but the band had leave right after the show to make it back to their hometown for church this morning. I love that about Casting Crowns. No matter how big their fan base has gotten, no matter how many records they have sold, Mark Hall and the band are still committed to the job they had before this whole thing began-youth ministry. They are at their home church every Sunday, no matter where they tour. What an awesome heart for our youth! I love youth ministers-they are so vital in the body of Christ in shaping our youth (and they're usually pretty fun and goofy to hang out with!). Here's a picture of everyone worshipping at the concert...


 

And here's Kelly and I goofing around after the concert...


 

We had so much fun hanging out afterwards and just sharing what God's been doing with each of us this last week. I'm so grateful for her and her encouragement. It's so awesome to share hearts with brothers and sisters in Christ and have them relate and share on such a deep level. God knew what He was doing-people need people. That's just how He made us.

Today was a good day. The message at church was a good and challenging one, and Kelly and I went out to lunch and picked up some of my favorite ice cream. :) Unfortunately, the evening has been filled with studying since I have an exam tomorrow. I'm optimistic it will pay off though!

Just plain tired

For the last couple of weeks, something has been really wrong. I've been real fatigued, sleeping more than normal, sleeping in, and being exhausted all day on most days. First we suspected mono, then anemia, and so on. For someone who exercises regularly, eats fairly healthy, and takes vitamins, it has been an extremely frustrating and discouraging month. My exhaustion was beginning to interfere with class, school work, exercising, and my performance at work.

After almost a month of it, I finally took my mother's advise and had some lab work done. The doctor ruled out mono and ran some blood tests for anemia and thyroid problems. To my relief and frustration, both came back normal. I was relieved that they were okay, frustrated because I still didn't know what was wrong.

I think I was actually beginning to get somewhat depressed about the whole thing because I felt so helpless. I also began to get really scared that if it continued, it could really effect my class work, and since this is my last year, it's more important to me than ever to stay strong in my academics.

Last Thursday after a good night's rest, I worked out in the morning, ate a healthy lunch, took my vitamins, and went off to class. Half-way through class I became so exhausted that I could barely stay awake. (Sleeping in class is just not something I do) After class was over, I actually went out to my car and slept for a few hours! Intervarsity Christian Fellowship has worship night on Thursdays at 5:00 PM, and I managed to wake up a little after that to make it.

The worship time was extended that night, and it was so powerful. I needed it. I needed to be renewed and refreshed. I had been feeling so bad physically and had been so discouraged that I had used that as an excuse not to be in God's Word as much and not to spend as much time in prayer as I normally do. I had started to listen to the lie of "It's not a big deal." I know better. I know I need to feed on God's Word continually, and that my joy and strength springs forth from the intimate time I spend with Him. After sobbing most of the worship time and listening to our campus minister speak on the importance of personal prayer and worship time and the importance of daily being in the Scriptures (God knows what we need to hear when we need to hear it!), I felt like the Lord was calling me to yield this to Him. To trust Him, to stop being overcome with worry and discouragement, and to praise and honor Him no matter what my circumstance. I asked John, our campus minister to pray over me. Today is Sunday...all day on Friday and Saturday I felt fine. Today I had a headache and took a nap in the evening, but I haven't had anymore overwhelming fatigue since Thursday! Call it coincidence, call it what you want...I call it an answer to prayer!

Zenith 2006...finally!

Hi All! Apologies again everyone about the time it took to finally post this. Anyway, here goes...

Camp Zenith was fabulous this year, like it always is...full of smiles, fun, laughter, new friendships, reunions, awesome worship, funny comedians, relavant and thought-provoking classes, challenging speakers, dedicated camp and ministry staff, and a whole bunch of awesome teens. For some, it's a week of spiritual renewal. For others, it's a week of new beginning with God. For some, it's a week of sharing their faith and spiritual insights. For others, it's a week of listening and watching.

There were several different kinds of entertainment that week, but none impressed me like the band Poor Rich Folk. I couldn't take their CD out of my car CD player for more than a month! It's not normally the kind of music I listen too, but they are so talented and they lyrics keep me reflecting for days! To check them out, click here.

I and my co-counselor had great group of kids this year! It's always a blessing to me to get to know a little bit of each and every one of them. I always pray that they have a good time at camp, that they build new relationships, and that they connect with God. I always pray that I love them like Christ loves me. I always pray that they know how much I care about where they are spiritually. Here are some pics of our group. You guys rock!

Caitlin and Alisha

 

Sam, Shana, and Alice

 

Calley, Molly, Connor, Leighann, and Kellie

 

My co-counselor Dave, Caitlin, Alisha, and Justin

 

Connor, Kolby, and Parker

 

Me and some of the girls

 

We always have an awesome staff of counselors and youth ministers, and it's always a blessing to see some of them again each year. Here are some more pics...

Chris Robey (youth minister from Texas), Niki Nowell (women's head counselor from Colorado), and Matt Lee (youth minister)

 

Hershall, Julie and Mia Craig

 

Me and Natalie (camp counselor from Oklahoma)

 

Me and Liz Gibbs (camp counselor from Texas who was unexpectedly promoted to dorm supervisor this year! LOL)

 

Niki, Angi, and Max picked me up at the airport the night I arrived in Oklahoma City, and we headed to campus for the counselor's orientation meeting, which was the night before camp started. Max is Benny and Niki's oldest son who is six and a half now. I haven't gotten to see him but maybe once or twice since they moved away from Indy. On the way to campus, Max told me all about how Adam and Luke Copeland came to stay with them for a week in Denver and how he was really looking forward to seeing Adam at Zenith. The next day, youth groups started to arrive in the early afternoon and Max was patiently waiting for Adam and his youth group from San Antonio to show up. When I saw Max that afternoon, he said "Sarah, I just keep looking and looking for Adam, and I just keep not seeing him." I assured him that Adam would arrive soon and not to worry. Later on that night after everyone had arrived, I told Angi what Max had said about Adam, and we chuckled. She said that was funny because when she saw Adam, one of the first things she heard him say was..."Has anyone seen Max?" Go figure... :)

After leaving Zenith on Friday, Niki, Max, Angi and I drove to Kansas where we spent the night. They had a huge waterslide in the pool at the hotel, so Max went down the waterslide 328 times the next morning. LOL Max is a cool little dude. The best pics I have of us are on my cell phone though, so I can't post them on here. We sat together in the back seat all the way to Kansas and then to Denver. Hours of playing with fart-puddy, happy meal toys, singing and telling stories, and playing with more fart-puddy. Max kept messing with me, so of course I messed with him. The phrase of the day from the backseat was, "Mommy, Sarah Downey is torturing me!"

Max Nowell

 

Benny and Niki Nowell

 

Me and Benny

 

We arrived in Denver late in the evening. It was so good to see Benny and spend time at the Nowell residence, although we all agreed that one night was not enough. Niki and I had to get up at 5:00 am the next morning to have me to the airport. Too bad we stayed up until 2:30 am talking and catching up!

It was so worth it though-the whole trip. The only thing I didn't like about it was that it was too short. I look forward to Zenith every year-it's just something that goes on my calendar every year until further notice. :) My God is pretty awesome! He allows me to witness so much in the lives of others and has blessed me so much with a network of believers to lean on, laugh with, encourage, confide in, and love. I don't know what I'd do without my sisters in Christ! Praise God for the safe travel that He allowed, the lives He changed (and continues to change), and the friendships rekindled that week!