Where I am...

An update on where I am would most likely be something you would like to know.. and just a fair warning on me being transparent.

Well though there have been many blessings and encouraging moments since the last time I posted… I can say there have also been some enduring, straining times as well. As a part of a Walkabout family, like any family, there are brothers and sisters who really push your buttons and test you. Though I love each of them, I have been deeply hurt by a few and have struggled through those times. Moments of not considering others or thinking before speaking have turned into nightly crying sessions and separation from those who have hurt me.

Through these times I have been reminded of the pain and hurt I have caused and endured with my own family. Though I love each of them, OF COURSE.. we have all hurt each other through these same actions. The experiences here have helped me to see how relationships in my own past have not been very loving and encouraging. Through those moments of weakness, I wanted nothing more than to talk with my sisters and just tell them how much I love them and hear them both tell me they love me back. Sappy… I know. But it is the truth.

I have also been experiencing some spiritual warfare as I try to dive deeper into the Word. Satan knows my weakest areas and he continues to use them to try to pull me away from Father. Moments of impatience, annoyance, and pride have led me to bitterness and stubbornness. These then feelings have led me to desiring to be in control, something I expressed last time that I am working on. All in all, I know that Satan is not in control and I will not let him win this battle.

I have since picked up my Beth Moore bible study through James… once I put down about two years ago when my world came crashing down. I just picked it up today, so I don’t have much to say about it, but I do know and am very excited about the things the Lord is going to show me as I pursue Him! Sweet friends I encourage you to be invested in the Word.. some way, somehow.

Beyond the brokenness, hurt, blessing and encouragement.. I can say I am SO happy to be here at Camp Eagle. If I ever imagined what a dream “home” could feel like.. this is it. A location in the wilderness that is away from everyone and all distractions of the world! An area that is so dark at night, no street lights, no city lights, an area that the beauty of creation is demonstrated to me every day and night! A time in my life to grow in my personal walk with Christ and His leading for me to follow His will! Honestly, I can’t express the overall happiness that surpasses all the negative or upsetting feelings I have ever had, all the trials I have ever faced, or anything else I could ever come up with!

My current book read...

Well currently I am reading “Passion and Purity” during my moments of silence. Actually this has been a book that I have been unable to put down and actually plan on finishing today! This book has caused much joy, doubt, happiness, and pain… BUT praise God for redemption and grace. Fair warning, I am about to be transparent..

The message of this book is focused on a sweet couples’ story of courting and waiting for marriage to share with one another. She writes as an encouragement for the reader to be patient in the Lord’s guidance and presents a wonderful message for Christian women to consider in moments of doubt and loneliness before marriage. Many lessons were to be learned by me as I picked up this book.

Several things have stood out to be in this book and have really rocked my boat a bit.. Though I am unable to change the events of my past, I am saddened by the choices I made in past relationships that cause me to doubt the provision of the Lord for my future spouse. The impatience I held in my life to find the “one” and the actions I have taken to fill needs only the Lord can fill right now has been so discouraging to me as I read.

Much doubt has set in previous to this, that the Lord will be unable to provide a loving, forgiving, Christ seeking husband for my life. One will see my story as a story of redemption and mercy, love and God’s grace! Several tears, sad moments, and hard conversations were held during this past week of my reading. But what joy I have found in sharing with others my hurts and pains. As I long for a spouse, this book has continued to show me ways in which I need to be seeking the Lord in this area of my life.

The message of this book has been more of an encouragement than anything. She writes about how we as women need to give our desire for a particular person to the Lord. If and when He chooses to allow that partner to feel the same way, the man needs to be the one in connection with the Lord to express His desire to pursue after me. What a joy and sigh of relief this was for me.. Finally I can understand and give up on finding the man the Lord has for me. My job is to give it to the Lord when these feelings for someone occur. In the past, I have wakened feelings that may have not been present yet, by expressing my desire to get to know someone deeper. Now, I have a greater understanding that in order for me to give Him control… I don’t need to be the one expressing anything BUT trust in my Father.

I will ask for prayers in this though. Some of you may not know this, but I was previously almost engaged… My father had given his blessing to a young man that I was dating; we had picked out the ring and had set a date. But through the guidance and stirring of the Lord, I stepped out of that situation and am no longer in that relationship. Through this book, Passion and Purity, many doubts have flooded my mind about that break up. Was this the “one” the Lord provided? Did I hear from the Lord in leaving that situation or was I being stupid? And the list of questions goes on… basically I ask for prayers of comfort and understanding that He is always in control!

The Lord knows who He has set out for me. Whether we have met before or won’t meet for many more years, I am praying that as I grow closer to the Lord, he also desires to seek the Lord’s will for his life. That his walk with our Father is just as important to him, as it is me. That his heart will be prepared to forgive and love me despite the past decisions I have made in relationships. That we will be able to fulfill similar ideas presented in the book I have been reading, waiting patiently on the Lord until we are rightfully and lawfully one in Him!

SNAIL MAIL

Thank you everyone who has send a card, a letter, or a package during my first month away! I enjoy these encouraging methods of communication more than you will ever know! I have heard from friends I haven’t seen or heard from in years – what a blessing! Some of you, my very best friends, have encouraged me in my hardship and are willing to write back with even more encouraging words! The packages of goodies, games, books, and the list goes on is not only fun to open BUT a huge blessing!

I may have said this before, but I can say it again! I enjoy looking up at night and in the morning when I wake and being able to see the many cards and letters of encouragement. Through my weakest moments, I am reminded of the prayers being lifted up and the many people who believe in me! The brightly colored cards, hand written letters and the cute drawings bring an instant smile to my face.

THANK YOU!!!

Training

A large amount of our time these past few weeks have been spent in training. Before groups arrive and activities begin, we all must be trained on the different elements, different parts of camp, and just the basic run down on how everything is ran down here at Camp Eagle!

I have been encouraged to see how well the staff and families involved at this camp truly take care of the facilities that they have been blessed with. Each element, each building, each trail.. the list goes on as to how much time, effort, and care is put into this place! The Lord is good and so are those training us how to also care for this facility!

Our training mostly started with all of the cleaning and taking care of camp. Each building has specific needs that vary as far as inside and outside. Obviously hotel like facilities are cleaned a different way that hostel style rooms. These details are very important, which is understandable! One thing I enjoyed in our training in the kitchen and the taking care of this area is the positivity that everyone had about taking care of the resources. This 1,400 acre area has reached so many people and has brought so many of those people closer in the walk with Father. It is our duty to take care of such a beautiful place!!!

We have also already been trained on all of the high elements out here! I can now officially run the Zip3000, Zip850, Sherpa, Rock Climbing, Repel, Super Swing, and a fun activity barn we have out on campus! There may be more elements that I am forgetting, but I am sure you get the idea J

During this time of training, I was overwhelmed by the goodness of the Lord. The provision He had through the history of this camp is so amazing! If you don’t know the story of Camp Eagle… maybe I can share with you the goodness of the Lord, the redemption of this beautiful land and the amazing impact it has now on so many!

Okay off of my soap box…

We also endured lifeguard training! For those of you who know me, yall may remember that I was a lifeguard for three years! This training is an intense, information overload filled into just 4 days! Y Walkabout family was broken into two groups. Through this we endured the physical testing and eventually the classroom setting. I must say that I was very encouraged by the importance that Camp Eagle places on having certified lifeguards for our huge waterfront here at camp! The picture above of all the water and the fun equipment is the area in which I am now certified to lifeguard at, as well as the pool of course!

Training is now over, I think! Haha… Walkabout loves surprises.. so we never really know! I am thankful for the knowledge that I have obtained through these weeks. An understanding of the breakdown of how this camp is run and the importance of all the facilities and equipment!

Class time and book study!

CLASS TIME

As some of you may remember, these 9 months is about growth and discipleship. Through that we are enrolled in classes that help us learn and draw into deeper issues of our beliefs. Our first class is over the book “Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know”. So far, we have only begun the class with the study of chapter one – What is the bible? In summary, the bible is God’s word broken down into four categories. These categories include authority, clarity, necessity, and sufficiency.

I am looking forward to a continued study time of these concepts and 20 beliefs! I know that for some they may seem minimal and common sense, but I also know that in my own life I need to be broken down to the very bottom of my faith in order to act out in the way in which I was called. If these “common sense” beliefs were so easy, I would already be radically living my faith out for Him. Unfortunately, I was not there and am blessed by this first class and the opportunity to grow in my understanding of Christianity!

Book Study Session!!!

As a Walkabout family, we have chosen books in which we desired to read and hold a study session over. This time is spent in discussion of the content of the book and the ways in which we as Christians can use what we have learned or read about in our own walks!

The book I am reading and involved in is “Love Does”! I have been truly blown away by the first few chapters we have read and discussed. Though my desire is to read the book all the way through.. I am waiting and only reading the specific chapters that we discuss at our weekly meetings!

This book is about what Love actually DOES and not says. The action that our love is able to show is so much greater than what our love through words can do. I don’t want to give much of the book away because it is definitely one of those I want to encourage each of you to read for yourself! Whether you believe in God or are a firm believer in something else. Your love still plays a huge role on those you influence!

 

Youth Group

WOO HOO! So for those of you who know me well, you already know my heart is in reaching youth aged students! Well during my time as a Walkabout student, the leadership here has given me a weekly responsibility of serving with the youth group in Rocksprings! Through this, I will help lead the Sunday night youth group meetings in Rocksprings! Praise Him for opportunities!

Block party

In order to get started with youth group, the Camp Eagle Walkabout students and leadership held a block party in which we invited all of the Rocksprings community out to join in a fun get-together! We were able to advertise a few days before the event, much of which was spent walking around the small town and having meaningful conversations with those we came into contact with.

One of my favorite conversations was held with a middle aged woman who expressed to me how much she enjoyed hearing about the services of Camp Eagle. She was interested in helping donate to our block party and anything else we might need. She served as such an encouragement to find a fellow sister in Christ and be encouraged by her. After the conversation, she allowed me to leave over 20 handout cards about the block party in her business!

The actual block party had such a great turnout! We had close to 75 people show up and spend time with different Walkabout students and staff that also came along! We all enjoyed kettle popcorn, hotdogs, lemonade, and chips! Activities like Gaga Ball (a big event a Camp Eagle), freeze tag, potato sack races, football, and dancing took place! The event took place from 6 pm to 9 pm and we were all very blessed by the turnout! One of the largest activities was a mini football game that we had later in the evening. Most of the kids were youth aged students that we may be able to have an impact on through our efforts to reach out to this community!

First Youth Group Meeting

The following day after the block party, we held our first youth group session and were very happy about the turnout. We had 13 students who made it out to fellowship and bible study with us that Sunday night! The students enjoyed some awesome food served by a sweet sweet couple who will serve us each week, some fun games and a short introduction to what our time spent with them will be about!

I was encouraged by the number of students who mentioned bringing a friend to the next meeting and their expression of how much fun they were having. I look forward to the opportunities of investment that the Lord is providing for each of us leaders that are involved. An opportunity to help guide these students closer to the Lord and an encouragement to walk out their faith through their daily lives!

I know the Lord has such great things in store for this ministry and I am blessed to be a small part of the greater plans He has for this community!

Events event events!!!

One of the many duties we have out here at Camp Eagle as Walkabout students is walking alongside the staff and serving the many guests that come on the campus. This is actually one of my favorite things so far… the opportunity to get to meet new people, create a connection and just pour into their lives! Over my time here I have had the privilege of working two of three events.

Mountain Bike Festival

One of the largest events Camp Eagle holds is this huge bike festival where people, from all over the state and some outside of Texas, come to compete on the hardest course they have ever had to endure. I know at the beginning of the festival we were expecting 1500 people (adults and kids) to be on our campus, since then I never heard the final count of how many were able to make it out.

My job at this event was the registration table that set outside the entrance of the camp. I was able to welcome the individuals after their journey down the 8 mile road to get to camp! To be able to present them each with a smile, information and any type of service they needed was such a neat job. I definitely was blessed through this assignment and was able to talk to SO many people!

Another perk of my job was the hours that I was assigned to work! My shift included 2 am to 8 am and 2 pm to 8 pm! Yes, you may want to relook at that and consider those hours! They were long hours of work with a little time for a good -3 hour nap, eating some food and hiking out to the front of camp! BUT through these times of deliriousness I was able to truly grow in my relationships with one of my Walkabout brothers and one of the fulltime staff members. We enjoyed many hours of coffee drinking, storytelling, card games, inside jokes, and hilarious moments of deliriousness.

It was through these moments that I was reminded of the importance of the connection with my brothers and sisters in Christ. What a great joy it was to sit and laugh with people that I was able to share my heart with as they were able to encourage me and pour into me! There are many times in my life in which I have taken advantage of the many Christian friends that I do have. Instead of sitting together in happiness and joy of the grace we have all received from our Father – much time has been spent moaning and groaning about the problems in this world.

I left the weekend assignment and was able to really just sit on the ideas of friendship and the time that can easily be wasted in this world. Until we all decide to live for Christ and share about the goodness He has for each of us… our time here will be wasted.

 FAMILY CAMP

Another event I have been involved in was family camp last weekend! How amazing it was to see parents bring their children out to Camp Eagle in order to be able to grow closer as a family in Christ! Such a blessing to know that there are parents in this generation who still find it important to raise their family centered on Christ! Through this retreat we had close to 80 people here on campus, which consisted of around 20 families! I was able to get to know and invest in about 15 of those families and had SUCH a blast doing so! Each family was unique and their desire to follow after the plans of the Lord was inspiring.

My job at this event was to work the activities with the families and be available to each individual at the services, activities, and extra events. I had many conversations throughout this time and enjoyed my time learning about the different families and each of their children! One activity that I was able to work was the “Sherpa”, which is about a 2.5 mile hike that the individuals have to brave as they are each connected to a cable that attaches them to the side of the cliff that we are trekking on. During this time, I not only was able to conquer one of my own fears, but I was able to encourage and get to know several of the families that were close to the back of the line!

The theme of family camp was Communication! Each family had certain activities that they were to work on with one another. The dynamic breakup was different of course for each individual family. As one may have struggled to get the children to participate, another may have struggled with aspects of an absent spouse. Praise God for restoration and growth though! Through the events of the weekend and the closeness (secluded from the world out here) of the family through this time at Camp Eagle… much growth occurred!!!

As I look back on that weekend, I am encouraged by the efforts these parents made to raise their families in such a way. I know that when the Lord blesses me with a family, I would truly enjoy being able to be a part of these family camp events centered on Christ! My favorite mental picture of that weekend was watching the different families worship together during one of the services!

FATHER/DAUGHTER weekend

OHHHH how precious I must say! Though I am not involved this weekend with this event, I wanted to share in my excitement of seeing these relationships grow closer to one another! Praise the one who is responsible for such Godly fathers desiring to show their daughters how much they love and adore them!

The fathers and daughters have fun events like dance lessons, cooking, and more that for some reason I just can’t think recall right this second! How precious right!? Blessings to these fathers who have taken this step to show their daughters the importance of Christ in our lives!