Family Camp: W3

* J U N E 1 5  *

Astonishing.
That's a word to describe my God. :) Just one of many.

Weeks one and two of Life Action Family Camp have flown by quicker than a flock of super-chickens at feeding time. (If you've never raised chickens or seen how they dash for their food,  I feel for you.)  The first week I had the immense privilege of being adopted into the Overman family: parents, grandparents, cousins and all. My three-year-old camp brother Eli, who sweetly dubbed me "Miss Angel" from the first day, was a delightful little bundle of energetic intelligence and fun, and I truly miss him and his family dearly. I learned much from observing Mr. Elliot and Miss Beth in their parenting endeavors, and was also able to talk with Grandpa about Imani Milele missions, which I am looking into possibly pursuing! And as a fun bonus, even though the family is from the Carolinas, Cousin Samuel is a classmate and good friend of my fellow actor/previous husband in the musical Peter Pan, John E. (Mr. Darling).
Small world, eh?
Week two. Monday afternoon I met Miss Sarah and her two daughters, who were ages 10 and 11. I can't even begin to describe the emotional trials and triumphs God lovingly upheld me in throughout the week in bonding with, learning from and teaching them. He gave us special times of connection and counseling and I won't ever forget it. There were so many similarities between my camp sisters  and the girls I've taught & mentored back home through my hometown's GEMS girls clubs for about 6 years. My plan this fall is to re-engage with the Tuesday night programs and reconnect with the girls there by either counseling, leading worship or teaching a class of my own, and it was just such a beneficial blessing to have a sort of throwback to that environment and a glimpse of the familiar yet very different life I'll be leading in a few months.
Praise Jesus!
Week three is here already and I am more excited and joy-filled this morning than I've allowed myself to be in quite a while. God has spoken in so many ways to me recently; despite my attempts to be lazy in the fight for my heart and mind, He's been strong and pressed on to win me over, again and again. And I have naught but gratitude. I want to love others more; He reminds me to seek His face and love Him first, and trust that He will fill me with enough love to pour out to them each and every day. I want to delight in Him in all circumstances; He reminds me that peace is mine through the Holy Spirit but I must cut through the doubt sometimes in order to see it. I want direction; He gives passion and hope for change and avenues galore to see His kingdom advancing. I want to make a difference; he shows me both Scriptures that comfort me in the everyday tasks which amazingly bring Him glory and Scriptures that spur me on to bolder, more venturesome work!

"Take a moment to remember
Who God is and who I am
There You go lifting my load again
No longer am I held by
The yoke of this world
Come up under the yoke of Jesus
His yoke is easy and His burden is so light
His burden is so light..."  {{ will reagan }}

Ways to be praying for me:
1. For bravery in taking up challenges with joy
2. For preparing to go home for Father's Day weekend and then transitioning back into Camp life next Monday
3. For loving & gentle communication between me and Andrew, my swain suitor. :)
4. For patience with my camp family this week, consisting of a big family with twin girl toddlers and a 5 year old boy.

Love y'all and so incredibly grateful for your love, encouragement and support!

Michigan Again! :)

Here I am at LifeAction Camp!
Funny. When I look at Road Team members from the other teams, I find myself thinking, "Gee, I'd like to do that myself!"
Road life wasn't what I expected... mainly because I didn't create any expectations. ;) God's surprises are my favorite, though. And He had so many to give in just 9 months! From long travel days to short nights, soulful talks and pun wars, surreal sunsets on southern horizons and countless of glimpses into heaven's beauty through the prayers of children country-wide, being grafted into a family with 10 brothers and 17 sisters (plus a few parents/ aunts and uncles) , random adventures in exotic places like Walmart, Planet Fitness, Goodwill, City Museum in St. Louis, the Barn at Buladean,  and Texas (to name a few :) ) , from being in sickness to being in great health, experiencing exhilaration and encouragement and a thousand moments I'll continue to remember throughout the years :  it's been a wonderful year. God has shown His faithfulness over and over again, reminding me when I need it most that He is Love and loving when I am not and I don't see the purpose in this flash called life. He has been steadfast, empowering, forgiving, compassionate, and giving of lavish mercy and grace every day. All I can say at the end of my travels is praise Jesus. Praise Him for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever. "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable!"
Many people have been asking what I am going to do once I get home. I have two sides of the page for that reply: side one, what I'm planning to do. Side 2, what I'm looking into doing. Side 1, be a GEMS girls club counselor at my hometown Dorr CRC, work as a nanny for the Aalderink family again, plug into children's ministry at my church, Grace Community, set aside time for writing (fiction and non-fiction works) and get involved with the production side of my favorite theater group, Homeschool Performing Arts (yay!). Side 2,  decide whether to pursue college, and if I do, taking classes for A. Massage Therapy, B. Counseling, and C., Missions;  and, most likely going on short-term missions trip or two to help me decide if I'm going to become a full-time, long-term missionary overseas.  Oh! And Side 3  (haha)  is seeking the Lord in prayer, advice and studying the word for wisdom in how to best walk forward in the courtship journey with my best man-friend Andrew.  #soexcited
Prayers would be oh-so-welcome. Ways to be specifically praying:
For energy
endurance
 joy in the continuous, yet amazing work
and an attitude of unconditional love to all the people I get to interact with! 

Love y'all so much, and I'm looking forward to talking with you guys in person when I come home in July!