Great is Thy faithfulness

Can I even put the awesomeness of this summer into words? My words will not do it justice, but I will try to give you a glimpse of what God did in my life.

Let's rewind to the first week of June. When I got back to the US of A from Honduras I experienced a mild case of culture shock. I had to remind myself to follow traffic rules, buckle my seat belt and speak in English. I missed my Honduran friends, jet lag robbed me of sleep for a while, and I missed speaking Spanish. I loved being able to wrap my arms around my little brother and parents for the first time since September. I enjoyed feeling safe again, but I looked for the Spanish on signs and labels just out of habit.

I didn't want to readjust since I would be going back in just two months. I tried to hold onto some of my Honduran habits and way of life so my transition back would be easier. It didn't really work. I lived in the US for 22 years and Honduras for just one. The US won. I know living in Honduras has changed me forever and whenever I move back to the US for good I want to stay changed and not just slip back into life.

I tried for 3 weeks to do everything at once and I got pretty much everything I needed to done before Camp started. I got to visit Carolyn, Erin and Rachel out in Cleveland and had a fantastic time with them! Then Camp started...

I basically dropped of the face of the earth - and loved every minute of it. From the very beginning of staff week we studied the Bible deeply, worshiped together, laughed together and bonded as a staff. Campers arrived and the fun really began. This summer more than ever, our whole staff was dedicated to teaching every camper who the Lord really is, what following and serving the Lord looks like and what the Bible has to say about how we live our lives. God blessed their faithfulness and many campers committed their lives to Him. I was constantly encouraged and challenged by those around me. Living in such close and intentional Christian community makes you grow and change. The theme of the summer was Hebrews 11. Faith is tied to action. You need to be ALL IN to follow Christ. We were blessed with safety and fun each day. Ashley was finally able to work at camp. I got to spend the whole summer with my best friend. Amazing. I also made better friends with some staff members I know from other summer. Camp people are my second family.The summer ended yesterday and I'm still processing it. Suffice it to say, there is no place I would have rather spent my summer.  I miss them already!

Now I'm home - sitting in an armchair in the room that used to belong to me. It's now the office/sewing room. It feels good to be moved out. Weird, but good. I know I won't be back here to live permanently. Not sure what the next step after this year in Honduras is. Grad school? Different teaching job? I do know that this isn't the time to think about it. I'm praying that God helps me give my all and keeps me focused while in Honduras. I am SO excited about my job this year. I will be living and working with good friends and I cannot wait to meet my students and fellow teachers. I leave on August 18th - less than a week now!

I spent a good bit of time memorizing scripture this summer. It's not something I've done much in the past. I enjoyed it so much and it strengthened my relationship with the Lord. May I never go back to my old ways of laziness when it comes to keeping the word of God in mind and in my heart. We also memorized the hymn "Praise to the Lord" this summer. I'd never heard it before this summer. Each verse is fantastic. Here is one of them: "Praise to the Lord who doth prosper thy work and defend thee, surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee. Ponder anew, what the Almighty was do, who with His love doth befriend thee!"

Please pray as I transition from camp to Honduras with these few days in between at home. I've been on a crazy emotional roller coaster. Camp ending, saying bye to friends, being tired/sick/injured, getting excited and a little nervous about this year in Honduras, worrying about money. Ahhhh. Pray for peace - please!

"Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents - which is a sign of destruction for them but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake."
~Philippians 1:27-29

I'll be posting summer and camp pics soon!!