I'm Camp Barnabas Bound!!!

Well I'm back from VCG's 2010 Mission's Trip to Camp Barnabas (CB). What an amazing experience not only for the campers with special needs but for our high school students who served as CIAs for the week at Camp Barnabas. Their job was to be a 1 on 1 counselor for a camper with a cognitive disability or autism. This was a very difficult job as often times their patience was stretched due to the high demands in serving these individuals. The students were on duty 24 hours a day with a one hour break each day in the afternoon. They ate, slept, and lived with the campers for 6 straight days.

As for me, I thought the experience was very interesting and actually pretty easy. I was not nearly as stretched as the youth group students. This was due to the fact that we had a higher functioning cabin and probably my background in special education. My job was a cabin mom, so I pretty much hung out with cabin G4 the whole day and helped where needed. I did laundry, cleaned up, prayed for the campers/CIAs/staff, and just encouraged everyone on a daily basis. (Barnabas' name does mean "encourager" by the way) People often confused me for a high schooler or college student which as times felt a little discouraging. But I was blessed to have an amazing cabin full of people who loved the Lord. I think I was blown away the most with the campers' ability to have such a childlike faith in the Lord. I think we can all learn a few things from them as they trust in the Lord to take care of their every need and desire.


As we walk away from this experience, I hope that our youth will remember the lessons they learned at CB and apply them to their lives each day. Each of our youth made such a personal connection with their campers if they realize it or not. I was amazed by the talents each of them possessed as they created such a loving and fun environment at camp for their camper. It's all about J.O.Y (Jesus, Others, Yourself in that order) as we are called to live out our faith each passing day. The students were so patient, compassionate, and encouraging this week with their camper that I hope they can find this qualities when dealing with their family, friends, and strangers.

I believe this experience has made my passion in life more clear...serving/teaching those with disabilities is what I love best. As talking with another adult volunteer from Wisconsin throughout the trip, we have come to the conclusion that we need to bring Camp Barnabas to Wisconsin! (I'd say IL but Wisconsin has better camping facilities) People in our neck of the woods should be able to experience the wonderful ministry CB provides. As a result, I am hoping the Lord will open doors for this ministry to expand. I would love the opportunity to be a part of starting a Jesus-focused camp for individuals with special needs!


Highs
-laughing our heads off at familytime
-deep conversations during familytime
-the macarena dance during meals
-observing campers worshiping the Lord in their own way (we may not be able to understand their words but the Lord knows exactly what they are saying)
-campers being first and getting what they wanted (always)


Lows
-big/loud bugs
-chiggers
-snake in the road
-high humidity

What I learned about myself this week....

- worshiping God through music takes away my anxieties
-be still and know that I am God. He is present in each moment no matter what!
-my heart continues to be serving individuals with disabilities, I may not be a teacher forever but I know I will always be involved helping those with special needs...who knows where that may be!

Start of Summer

Well it's officially summer vacation! Today was a day of good news, after much anticipation and waiting, I finally got my job back. The weird part was I wasn't as excited as I thought I would be. I have been waiting and waiting and waiting for this day but now that it has come I just don't know anymore. I have been applying and interviewing for other positions and I thought maybe God wanted me to be somewhere else. Maybe He still does.... I feel lost at this point, not knowing how I can trust more in the Lord and his plan for me. As humans we want to take things into our own hands finding the quickest answer and resolution and avoiding hurt and pain the best we can. However, this is not how God has intended it for us. He wants us to trust in his ultimate plan and keep on living for his glory. As I read Isaiah 50:10-11 I know I need to fear the Lord and obey him but to rely on him for everything that's where it becomes more tricky. I need to surrender it all to God but as we surrender it all that means it's no longer ours to have or control. Ultimately, that's what Jesus has called us Christians to do. Give it ALL up, just as he did for us on the cross. The greatest joys and rewards will only come when we totally do give it all up. I started actually giving some rights up this year which in turn brought upon some more difficult circumstances but as I continue to trust in the his faithfulness I will show joy. I must depend of his help and not on my own logic or words of others.

holy, holy, holy

Sometimes we forgot how holy God truly is, well at least I do. We probably will not realize how holy he completely is until we reach heaven however it is nice to get a glimpse of that realization sometimes. In Exodus 19, the Israelites were awaiting communication with God on Mount Sinai but God put many boundaries on them. They had to follow certain regulations before being able to encounter the Holy God we live for, one being purity. As the Lord was present on Mount Sinai, thunder roared, lightening flashed, and a dense cloud came down on the mountain. The mountain was covered in smoke because my Lord had come in the form of fire. These images create such a sense of holiness our Lord encompasses. If it wasn't for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I would never have the ability to even come close to seeing or understanding God's holiness. I am so blessed that he gave His son to die for me so I could one day spend eternity praising the one and only Holy Father in Heaven.

ISATs

Illinois
Standardized
Achievement
Test

or

I'll
Surrender
All
Through Christ

Here I am sick again this school year. Is it my immune system or is it the never-ending stress from the job? Either way my running around in circles will hopefully stop after this week. I'm hoping to have less stress with ISATs and IEPs being done for the year. As I read Exodus 16 and 17 I am reminded that I must depend on everything for the Lord, He is always present. The Isrealites kept complaining to God, they wanted the quickest fix to their problems But the cause of their stress was a lack of trust in God. Lord, help me to more persistant in finding your wisdom to guide me with my stress. What is the cause of my stress and how do you want me to handle it?

Found this Bolg

So I guess I started a blog a few years ago for my grad school class. Can't really remember why I did... Anyways I did. I wanted to follow a few of my friends' blogs and mine came up. Can't assure you guys that I will ever blog again but it's nice to follow my friends.

Spring Break

Well, it hasn't been the most exciting spring break I've had. I have been very busy with writing papers, creating websites, grading papers, and cleaning house. But it has been great to sleep in!!! I think I could sleep all day. Some fun things I did over my spring break was ride my bike and play Wii (try the cow racing game). It was nice to enjoy a few warm days!