Week one of camp was a success! Now I am gearing up for a week with the 3rd graders.
There are a bunch of things planned during my evenings this week. I have a dentist appointment, I want to try ZUMBA! (has anyone done this?), and I'm going to Nifty-fifty's with camp people. (it's a really cool diner) It'll be fun and busy all at the same time.
Lately, from my own Bible reading, prayer, church, and conversations I've been realizing that this life is really ALL. ABOUT. GOD. and I need to give myself fully in surrender to Him. I mean, "duh" that seems overly obvious but it's sinking in for me again. I so often get upset about things that don't really matter, but when I have the attitude that Jesus IS my life, that I'm LIVING truly for Him and Him alone, those other things don't seem like quite as big of a deal.
Sometimes I get really easily upset about things and overreact to things that are so fleeting. BUT when I have the attitude that JESUS is my everything, those things can slide much more easily.
I've also been having the revelation..if you will...to be nice, even when you don't feel it and to be super nice when you want to be selfish. (and I'm really speaking for me personally more than anyone else) This can be put into the context of campers, and friends...just having the attitude of putting others before myself. It makes for a much happier world I have noticed, when I am giving of myself more, rather than having a negative attitude and wanting to react in a selfish manner. It goes back to this life being allll about Jesus.
1. This life isn't about me.
2. This life is about Jesus.
3. I will pour out my life for others to glorify HIM.
Sounds like a good plan.
:)
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Some things on my mind...
Today was the first day of camp!
I'm with the 1st grade group and they are a delight :) (MOST of the time...)
I really do appreciate each and everyone one of them. Most of them, out of 19 are returning campers..there are about 3 or 4 who are new. Since a bunch of them are returning I knew a lot of them already!
I love the first day of camp so much, because you get to see kids who you've built relationships with, but who you haven't seen all year long. Most of the time they look older, usually taller, (sometimes MUCH taller, those boys do sprout!) and smarter.
I'm really good at remembering people's names.
You know how some people say "I'm horrible with names..!"? Well I'm the opposite, I really remember names extremely well for some reason. (not to brag...)
Usually on the first day of camp the kids are shy...yes, even the "old pros"! I love greeting each one by their name. That was the best part of my day. You might not think it does a whole lot...but it realllly does. You can see their eyes light up and they smile, and you can tell they feel a little safer, knowing that someone knows them and cares to learn their name. (It's even MORE special when people REMEMBER them!) Returning campers are so excited when you remember them and call them by name!
I was journaling tonight and wouldn't you know God gave me an analogy:)
You can probably see where I'm going with this...
but God knows OUR names...! He remembers us, always. He cares about us and no matter how long we might be away from Him, or how "far" we might stray, He still knows us and He calls us by NAME. HE never forgets our names!!
I feel so much comfort and safety knowing that God knows me and calls me by name. Not only that but He calls me His own!
It's awesome :)
Lately to be honest, I've felt like I'm farther away from God =/ It stinks and it's not intentional. I wish it wasn't this way but I feel like I'm taking steps backwards in a way, of becoming who God wants me to be. I'm frustrated with myself and I want it to change so badly.
I used to be so excited about God and so on fire that I would talk to Him in depth everyday and make sure I had my time with Him.
I want it to be that way again, so badly.
Things aren't too bad, don't take me the wrong way, they just aren't like they used to be.
Father,
I pray that you would change my heart, and open my eyes to see when I'm making this life all about me instead of about You. I pray that you would focus my thoughts to be of you, and point out when they aren't. Help me to act towards others in a way that is pleasing to you. I trust you God, and I pray that you would deepen my trust and confidence in You. Amen <3
I'm with the 1st grade group and they are a delight :) (MOST of the time...)
I really do appreciate each and everyone one of them. Most of them, out of 19 are returning campers..there are about 3 or 4 who are new. Since a bunch of them are returning I knew a lot of them already!
I love the first day of camp so much, because you get to see kids who you've built relationships with, but who you haven't seen all year long. Most of the time they look older, usually taller, (sometimes MUCH taller, those boys do sprout!) and smarter.
I'm really good at remembering people's names.
You know how some people say "I'm horrible with names..!"? Well I'm the opposite, I really remember names extremely well for some reason. (not to brag...)
Usually on the first day of camp the kids are shy...yes, even the "old pros"! I love greeting each one by their name. That was the best part of my day. You might not think it does a whole lot...but it realllly does. You can see their eyes light up and they smile, and you can tell they feel a little safer, knowing that someone knows them and cares to learn their name. (It's even MORE special when people REMEMBER them!) Returning campers are so excited when you remember them and call them by name!
I was journaling tonight and wouldn't you know God gave me an analogy:)
You can probably see where I'm going with this...
but God knows OUR names...! He remembers us, always. He cares about us and no matter how long we might be away from Him, or how "far" we might stray, He still knows us and He calls us by NAME. HE never forgets our names!!
I feel so much comfort and safety knowing that God knows me and calls me by name. Not only that but He calls me His own!
It's awesome :)
Lately to be honest, I've felt like I'm farther away from God =/ It stinks and it's not intentional. I wish it wasn't this way but I feel like I'm taking steps backwards in a way, of becoming who God wants me to be. I'm frustrated with myself and I want it to change so badly.
I used to be so excited about God and so on fire that I would talk to Him in depth everyday and make sure I had my time with Him.
I want it to be that way again, so badly.
Things aren't too bad, don't take me the wrong way, they just aren't like they used to be.
Father,
I pray that you would change my heart, and open my eyes to see when I'm making this life all about me instead of about You. I pray that you would focus my thoughts to be of you, and point out when they aren't. Help me to act towards others in a way that is pleasing to you. I trust you God, and I pray that you would deepen my trust and confidence in You. Amen <3
Friday, June 17, 2011
Busy bee
Hey there friends...:)
I feel really guilty for not posting in my blog very frequently at all lately...
gahh!
I just got back from a lovely week at the beach with the 'rents. :) It was pretty lovely and verrrry relaxing. It was a nice time to be away before the madness of camp starts.
speaking of...CAMP starts next week! As in MONDAY the 20th!
I am really, very excited. :) I love camp.
I also don't think I ever mentioned on here...
but, I got another part time JOB for the summer!!! :)
It's called kids park and it's a really neat place where parents can drop their kids off to be "watched" if they have something to do. (doctors appointments, jury duty...etc) So I'll be working there during the evenings and weekends, starting shortly. Should be interesting... and BUSY.
I'll try to blog more! This is not a good habit I'm getting myself into!
I feel really guilty for not posting in my blog very frequently at all lately...
gahh!
I just got back from a lovely week at the beach with the 'rents. :) It was pretty lovely and verrrry relaxing. It was a nice time to be away before the madness of camp starts.
speaking of...CAMP starts next week! As in MONDAY the 20th!
I am really, very excited. :) I love camp.
I also don't think I ever mentioned on here...
but, I got another part time JOB for the summer!!! :)
It's called kids park and it's a really neat place where parents can drop their kids off to be "watched" if they have something to do. (doctors appointments, jury duty...etc) So I'll be working there during the evenings and weekends, starting shortly. Should be interesting... and BUSY.
I'll try to blog more! This is not a good habit I'm getting myself into!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
David and Goliath
Remember a few weeks ago..(well. I guess about a month ago now) I mentioned something about my commissioning prayer?
Well, last night I finally got around to typing it up and reading the words. It's a whole new feel to read the words as opposed to listening to someone speaking them.
Right in the beginning of the prayer, Keith started out speaking about David and Goliath.
This is what he said in the beginning of the prayer about David and Goliath..
When David faced Goliath, he took with him five smooth stones. He took with him what he was comfortable working with, that which he knew how to handle, rather than Saul’s armor. He was successful because he had those five smooth stones and his sling shot. Something very simple, something very ordinary, but something he had proven. You have several skills that correspond with those five smooth stones.
So, my natural reaction was to want to know basically everything I can about David and Goliath. I've been reading their story repeatedly in 1 Samuel 17.
It's REALLY awesome!
First of all, David had A LOT of brothers... and he was the baby of them all. His older brothers fought in the battles and David? he tended to the flocks of sheep.
One day, he was bringing some food to his brothers and somehow he got caught up in the battle with them.
Some thoughts on David,...he was a shepherd and I'm pretty sure they were considered lowly... he certainly wasn't very highly esteemed by people, let alone his brothers.
Basically, the Israelites were trying to find someone to fight Goliath...and when David heard about him, he volunteered saying "your servant will go out and fight with him" Right away they told him "YOU can't do it! You're just a baby, Goliath has been fighting since he was a kid" But David told them that the Lord would be with him and help him.
In the beginning of 1samuel17 they talk about Goliath. SUPER interesting. They say he is "six cubits and a span" which is almost TEN feet tall, my Bible says. WOW! He wears a coat of mail that is 5,000 shekels, which I looked up to be around 125 pounds! The head of his spear alone weighed 15 pounds!
So he is a BIG, STRONG guy. He's tall, and obviously built to carry all that armor.
When Saul agrees to let David fight Goliath, he gives him armor to wear. but..not surprisingly, David didn't want it. He couldn't go with those on because he wasn't used to all the weight. Inside he picked up five smooth stones and put them in his bag.
Goliath can't believe that scrawny, innocent, little David is there to fight HIM...he speaks some words, and David says "You come with a sword and spear but I come in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the ranks of Israel, whom you have defied."
I think this story shows in an amazing way how when we have God on our side, He really comes through for us, and it's not us "fighting" but Him.
David has SMOOTH stones, he didn't have swords or even sharp rocks, and he was able to conquer a man much, MUCH larger than himself.
What a great testimony.
:)
More thoughts on my prayer to come...
Well, last night I finally got around to typing it up and reading the words. It's a whole new feel to read the words as opposed to listening to someone speaking them.
Right in the beginning of the prayer, Keith started out speaking about David and Goliath.
This is what he said in the beginning of the prayer about David and Goliath..
When David faced Goliath, he took with him five smooth stones. He took with him what he was comfortable working with, that which he knew how to handle, rather than Saul’s armor. He was successful because he had those five smooth stones and his sling shot. Something very simple, something very ordinary, but something he had proven. You have several skills that correspond with those five smooth stones.
So, my natural reaction was to want to know basically everything I can about David and Goliath. I've been reading their story repeatedly in 1 Samuel 17.
It's REALLY awesome!
First of all, David had A LOT of brothers... and he was the baby of them all. His older brothers fought in the battles and David? he tended to the flocks of sheep.
One day, he was bringing some food to his brothers and somehow he got caught up in the battle with them.
Some thoughts on David,...he was a shepherd and I'm pretty sure they were considered lowly... he certainly wasn't very highly esteemed by people, let alone his brothers.
Basically, the Israelites were trying to find someone to fight Goliath...and when David heard about him, he volunteered saying "your servant will go out and fight with him" Right away they told him "YOU can't do it! You're just a baby, Goliath has been fighting since he was a kid" But David told them that the Lord would be with him and help him.
In the beginning of 1samuel17 they talk about Goliath. SUPER interesting. They say he is "six cubits and a span" which is almost TEN feet tall, my Bible says. WOW! He wears a coat of mail that is 5,000 shekels, which I looked up to be around 125 pounds! The head of his spear alone weighed 15 pounds!
So he is a BIG, STRONG guy. He's tall, and obviously built to carry all that armor.
When Saul agrees to let David fight Goliath, he gives him armor to wear. but..not surprisingly, David didn't want it. He couldn't go with those on because he wasn't used to all the weight. Inside he picked up five smooth stones and put them in his bag.
Goliath can't believe that scrawny, innocent, little David is there to fight HIM...he speaks some words, and David says "You come with a sword and spear but I come in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the ranks of Israel, whom you have defied."
I think this story shows in an amazing way how when we have God on our side, He really comes through for us, and it's not us "fighting" but Him.
David has SMOOTH stones, he didn't have swords or even sharp rocks, and he was able to conquer a man much, MUCH larger than himself.
What a great testimony.
:)
More thoughts on my prayer to come...
Monday, June 6, 2011
I'm still here..!
It's been a whole week and a day since I've last blogged...ahh!
I don't know why that happened...it's not that I'm TOO busy exactly..I've just been enjoying my time being home and relishing in it. :)
I'm loving life right now.
Yes. There are still SO many uncertainties and no, I haven't found a job, but I'm still looking and I feel a peace about things and have been able to not think too far ahead.
I've been practicing my photography A LOT with friends, and friends' babies, and at special end of the year/summer occasions. It's a blast! and a half.
I spent alll afternoon editing pictures I took yesterday at a little girls 1st birthday...! Now I can see why people charge money..haa, a lot of time is put into this!
I'm happy with it though. :)
I even created a facebook page, AND a new photo blog! Check it out! It's still not completely finished but it's getting there. :)
www.KariRachelphotography.blogspot.com
Here's a sneak peek at my photos from yesterday...
:) If you want to see the rest, look up my page on facebook! "Kari Rachel Photography" You can also "like" my page right HERE on my sidebar! ------->
:)
I don't know why that happened...it's not that I'm TOO busy exactly..I've just been enjoying my time being home and relishing in it. :)
I'm loving life right now.
Yes. There are still SO many uncertainties and no, I haven't found a job, but I'm still looking and I feel a peace about things and have been able to not think too far ahead.
I've been practicing my photography A LOT with friends, and friends' babies, and at special end of the year/summer occasions. It's a blast! and a half.
I spent alll afternoon editing pictures I took yesterday at a little girls 1st birthday...! Now I can see why people charge money..haa, a lot of time is put into this!
I'm happy with it though. :)
I even created a facebook page, AND a new photo blog! Check it out! It's still not completely finished but it's getting there. :)
www.KariRachelphotography.blogspot.com
Here's a sneak peek at my photos from yesterday...
:) If you want to see the rest, look up my page on facebook! "Kari Rachel Photography" You can also "like" my page right HERE on my sidebar! ------->
:)
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