Birthday

So, tomorrow is my twenty-first birthday. As I sit here going over my plans, thinking about past bdays, and thoughts on another celebration of life, I came to one conclusion. The best birthday present I have ever received was from my Father over thousands of years ago. The gift was like 3 presents in one box. My Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ down to Earth. In His marvelous plan, God chose to have Jesus crucified. God gave me three things during this time and I'll never forget it as long as I live. He gave me forgiveness of all my sins, grace through faith to stand before Him sanctified and redeemed into a relationship with Him, and an opportunity to share in His story, His plan, His glory! Wow!! I bet you can't beat that!! The best part about this birthday present is that He gives it to anyone who will receive His son. So, as one more birthday is celebrated, I just wanted to explain to you what I am really blessed and thankful for on this very day. 

No Not One

I think one thing that the Lord continues to remind me is there is none righteous. "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one (Rom. 3:10)." But- "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus (Rom. 3:22-24)."

When a drug addict goes back to drugs, when an alcoholic takes just one sip, when an international student proclaims atheism, when a role model commits adultery, when a leader gets caught in abuse, when a parent abuses a child, when a teenager smokes a cigarette, when a dad leaves his family, when a woman sells her body, when a word slips too fast...

None of us can stop sinning. God can never start. 

Our sins magnify His forgiveness. 

He doesn't need our sins to be Holy.

He IS holy.

Yet He chose to crucify His son so that these sins would be forgiven.

He chose to raise Jesus so we can stand righteous.

Even though "all have fallen short of God's glory (3:23)," I serve a God who doesn't need humans to get glory. Praise the Lord! 

After a week of disappointments. a week of manipulation. a week of distraction. a week of questions. a week of education on homosexuality, rape, elder abuse, child abuse.... I formed a new statement on how I look at social work and just life in general:

"The more I learn about people and their issues, the more I learn about the issue to love people."

passion and grace

If you haven't gotten it by now, let me say it once more, I LOVE Hosanna. Sunday I was blessed to take four of my friends to the Passion City Church in Atlanta. This is the church I attend twice a month; Louie Giglio speaks and there's many mainstream artists who lead worship (Chris Tomlin, Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill...) It was huge that my supervisor allowed me to even do this!! Ashley, Katie, Jenny, Abbey, and I jammed out to music all the way to Atlanta. When we got there, Chris Tomlin opened up with the song, "Your Grace is Enough." This is the song the Hosanna girls have been singing as they travel to different churches to raise support. Of course, knowing the first song was an awesome start to an amazing night. Louie spoke on grace again which is such an awesome subject. It was so humbling to sit and hear these words as I not only thought about the stories of the women I was with but also the testimony of my own life. 

 There are two impossibilities that are necessary to consider. 1. It is impossible for us to make our way back to a holy, perfect, and righteous God. 2. Living out who we are is impossible without God.  - So... We can't live without Him but we can't make our way back to Him.  =GRACE-God at work doing something we can't do. 

The cross- Sins weren't just forgiven. Sins weren't just taken away. Sins weren't just defeated. That's only half the story missing the main point. Jesus gave us HIS righteousness. (Romans 3:22) When you believe it, you receive it. Look at Isaiah 53. It was intentional that God took every single sin of every single life and crushed His son with it. - God didn't just raise Jesus up in righteousness, but God took our sin (because we can't even do that) and placed it on His son. AND, he put the righteousness of Jesus on US. That's how we live out who we are. That's why there is no more shame, guilt, or condemnation (Romans 8:1).  Drop the weight and receive the cross. 

This sermon impacted my friends and me. One of my friends stood up to profess that for the first time in her life, she understood why she doesn't have to have shame anymore. She no longer carries this huge massive weight on her back . She is free of condemnation, guilt, and shame. Jesus Christ carried that weight for her a long time ago. Now, she's experiencing real freedom. Another friend gave 5$ to the offering. This is HUGE because they are not allowed money on them unless they take it out and sign for it. My supervisor allowed them to each take out 10$ for supper. Well, for someone to give 5 of their 10 dollars... serving. 

They met Chris Tomlin, received free cds, and were treated well by my church. On the way home I heard a comment muffled that really made me feel good inside. After I made them go through a car wash with me (silly mood I was in..) one said... "Wow, I've actually had so much fun tonight and I'm not high or drunk." This came from a mouth I would never have thought I would hear such a comment. 

Lives were impacted. Jesus- He is still doing it. 

More cardboard Testimonies...

Not sure how much you can read on these but here are some more pictures of the Cardboard Testimonies my friends did at their Banquet. On one side, they identified themselves before they knew Jesus. On the opposite side, they shared what they know is true in Christ.

This is Amy. The front of her cardboard read, "Dope Dealer." She was arrested for possession of marijuana and was using meth. She is an awesome woman and is interning at Hosanna for the last few months of her program. When you go around her, you just know that she's real and she really loves the Lord and wants to serve Him in all she does. 

The "High on Jesus" is Ashley. She is one of my very special friends. She is 25 and was arrested for pot. She is one of the sweetest, kind-hearted people I have ever met. She loves her some Auburn football and just is a joy to be around. After this banquet, this shy and humble servant of the Lord wept uncontrollably. I have never seen her show emotion like that before and it was neat to see the Holy Spirit living and breathing through her.     

The "washed by the blod" is Nikki. Nikki is 22 and has a son at Hosanna, Zander. Her charges are all various drug charges but there's a potential she will be tried in court for being under the age of 21 at the time she got arrested. She is so young but does a great job of raising her son and is so fun and carefree. 

The "bible smoker" is actually from Montgomery, too. Her name is Tasha. Tasha was doing pot and crack I think. She is such a fun person around Hosanna. She keeps it straight and always makes me laugh with her quiet, under the breath jokes. One of my favorite things about her is she wears the button bracelet we made one day and it's just a cool thing for me to see. Tasha is almost done with the program. I think she finishes in December or early Spring. 

This is a picture of me and probably one of my closest friends at Hosanna, Jenny. This woman is one of the most incredible friends I have ever had. Jenny is someone who has taught me alot about addictions, challenges, faith, and serving. I have felt an immediate bond with her since the first day I was there. It's so crazy how much in return she has blessed me and just been so open and trustworthy with me. After some amazing advice and conversations with Jenny and a few other women, the Lord has put it on my heart to celebrate my 21st birthday here at Hosanna with these friends. It's a scary and difficult day for me and there's no other place I would rather be than at Hosanna with women who understand and desire the same things in life and are fighting together to pursue the Lord and trust them with their lives. I have so many more friends and stories to share but this is all for now. Please be praying for these ladies, and for me. The Lord is really evident in their lives and I just want to make sure they know how loved they are by Him. It is such a blessing to hear and see these women on a weekly basis. 

Shadows

During a study break tonight, I read this out of Luke 1:78-79:

"because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."

Then, on my drive home I heard this from David Crowder Band:

"When shadows fall on us we will not fear, we will remember

when darkness falls on us we will not fear, we will remember

when all seems lost when we're thrown and we're tossed

we remember the cost we rest in HIM

shadow of the cross."

the rising sun HAS COME. Jesus is the rising son, from heaven to SHINE on those living in a dark dark world who are in the shadow of death- HE has come to guide our feet into the path of peace so that when all seems lost we have a source of strength and rest in HIM- the one who rescued us from darkness on that CROSS. Rest in HIM. 

Jesus, guide my feet into the path of peace. 

Hosanna Hearts

Tonight the Ladies at Hosanna attended the ministry's banquet for their sponsors. I got the opportunity to go as well. We all had to dress up and the women sang a song. They also did cardboard testimonies (one side-identity before Jesus other side-identity in Christ). The night was so fun so I had to share some pics with you. I spend more than 8 hours a week with these amazing women who have blessed me tenfold. I am in love with what the Lord is doing in their lives and I honestly can say I have never had such an experience. I love it!! Here are the women the Lord is using to sharpen, renew, and challenge me day to day...

Tonight the pastor was talking about the Harvest Evangelism ministry and he said something that really hit home: "The most important thing isn't helping an addiction, you can go to hell sober; it's providing an opportunity to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior."

I cannot, but I know I CAN

I am in a major (social work) that I love but seems to consistently break my heart. We are out to solve social problems. So from day to day, hour to hour, class to class, all I hear about are the problems of this dirty and broken world. There's rape, addiction, physical abuse, sexual assault, molestation, poverty, injustice, hunger, disease, mental illness, suicide, homosexuality, abortion... these and more that consume my class time and eventually my mind. It has forced me into the word. It has forced me into truth. It has forced me to the One who works all things together for good. It has led to questions. It has led to doubts. It has lead to frustration. It has lead to brokenness. However, all these things have led to our amazingly sovereign and faithful God. Here's my thought path and peace today...

The Lord spoke to me the exact words he spoke to Joshua.

"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. (success that I desire is offering peace and salvation) Do not let this Book of the Law (now, Jesus and his commands) depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."  1:6-9.

Then the Lord continued to instruct me by the words Joshua gave to lead his servants:

"...you are to help your brothers until the Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving them... (salvation)"   1:14-15.    Hmm... so when do we stop caring and helping?? 

2 Corinthians led me to journal this which I feel is adequate to share:

The comfort I find in Christ can be used to overflow and comfort others. When I am comforted, it produces patient endurance in others who are around me. In my heart, I DO feel their pain and the death they experience without Jesus. This feeling in my heart happens SO THAT I might not rely on myself but on GOD, who raises the dead! I realize that without feeling this hurt and death in my own heart, I would feel able to do or heal others. But since it impacts me, too- I realize that I can't heal them. I can't help them. I can't solve these problems. I can't stop pain. I can't change lives. I can't explain evil. I can't take back what has happened. I can't ensure a future. I can't offer hope. When my heart aches, I realize that I, too am vulnerable, frustrated, and weak BUT...

 I KNOW A GOD WHO CAN. He can! He can heal a victim of rape. He can be a parent to these orphans. He can replace substance addiction with an addiction to Himself. He can provide food and shelter. He can stop violence. He can comfort those abused. He can say the right things at the right time. He can love the widow and the abandoned. He can right the wrongs. He can work it all together for good. He can provide answers and reason. He can establish peace in the depths of Hell. He can promise hope. He can ensure an eternity where there is NO MORE hurt, pain, injustice, or social problems.  

And...

HE LIVES IN ME. 

Therefore...

I CAN.

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."   Philippians 4:13

update 9/18

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire." 

Hebrews 12:28--29

This has been one of the best but hardest weeks I have ever experienced. Monday night was the Passion Launch where 14000 of us connected from 43 nations and over 5000 locations around the globe. The night was amazing filled with awesome worship in the company of some of the most influential Christians in my life. I left the night dealing with some personal issues and just had to surrender some things that I was struggling with to the Lord. The lyrics to Christy Nockels's song rang in my head, "Our mighty fortress is our God. A sacred refuge is your name. Your kingdom is unshakeable, in Him forever we will reign." I set foot on campus on Tuesday with a joy and peace and mission to spread the love of Christ on our campus. Tuesday afternoon was a tough night among the Kanakuk family with news that was released. A few of us spent the entire night in prayer and worship at a friend's house. Wednesday was a day full of questions and strange emotions. I began to ask the Lord so may things. I spend hours in the word and in prayer trying to find a peace in Him. Thursday and Friday I went to Hosanna and continued to hear some crazy stories and testimonies. All of this said, by this time I am beyond exhausted. I am physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally worn out! 

I haven't spent as much time with my friends lately doing things I enjoy because as I progress into the field of social work, I hear so many different issues going on in the world around us. I am seeing first hand addictions, prostitution, physical and sexual abuse, adoption, abortion, and many other poverty and oppression issues. It is seriously difficult to do this everyday. When I come home from school, I just want to get into the word and hear truth spoken over these heart breaking things. The Lord is so incredibly faithful in reminding me of His truth:

* His kingdom cannot be shaken, salvation affected, or ministry destroyed by any human efforts. No matter how much we screw up, we cannot mess up God's plan.

* No matter how messed up a circumstance or a person, God will still receive glory in all things and will work things together for the good of those who love the Lord.

* In Christ, there is a hope and a purpose for life. 

* This world is broken but we are not called to belong to this world. We are not of it, and won't stay here. This was not intended to be our home, therefore it's ok if we don't feel like we fit.

* Our father loves us so much and wants to pour His love into our hearts so that we will know Him more and make His name known. 

poverty

Five Billion Dollars is spent on diets (to increase choleric intake).

400 million people in the world are hungry.

30 million of those people are Americans. 

Acts 2:42-47

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

Pass it On.

It's as if God is saying, "The thing that has happened to you-go make it happen for others. The freedom from oppression that you are now experiencing-help others experience that same freedom. The grace that has been extended to you when you were at your lowest-extend it to others. In the same way that I heard your cry, go and hear the cry of others and act on their behalf." 

-Jesus Wants to Save Christians

Rob Bell. 

This Woman.

This Woman has been in and out of prison for being a meth cook and user.

This Woman has had 3 out of 4 children taken from her and put into foster care.

This Woman's only legal child left is in a foster home until future progress.

This Woman thinks she loves a man who mistreated her, her son, and is stuck in prison. 

This Woman grew up in the same private school system that I did in Montgomery.

This Woman yearns for attention and acceptance from anyone around her. 

This Woman spent an hour weed eating around the place as her chore.

This Woman asked me to teach her how to make the bracelets and anklets I wear.

This Woman is making her son an orange and blue bracelet for their reuniting.

This Woman is my very good friend who I spend time praying for.

This Woman asked a question in bible study yesterday that blew my mind....

"What is that verse about being a new creation? You know the old has gone and the new has come?" 

2 Corinthians 5:17   "Therefore, if ANYONE is IN CHRIST, he is a NEW creation; the old has GONE, the NEW has COME!" 

Jesus Christ is the only God who can offer a brand new start, a brand new chance, a brand new life. Using my life as a testimony, He can completely make someone a NEW PERSON. HE ALONE can make someone new. No matter how hard we try, nothing else can do this. Jesus Christ has the power to transform a troubled, hell raising, disobedient, and prideful teenager into a follower who loves, forgives, and abides in Christ. Jesus Christ has the power to make a man blind from birth be able to see. Jesus Christ healed a royal official's son who lay sick and close to death. Jesus Christ made the lame man walk. AND JESUS CHRIST MADE THIS WOMAN A NEW CREATION, walking and abiding in Him to heal her addiction from drugs and abuse. 

What will He do for you today??

Power

Hosanna Home (Substance and Life-Controlling Program) has a 75% rate of success for women who leave there and never return to drugs/alcohol. That is an astounding number! Most programs do not amount to that at all. I agree with the director that only Jesus Christ can save and heal scars from addictions and abuse. My practicum teacher and I discussed the issue of religion and profession and how you have to keep them separate but when I told her the success rate of this program she was blown away. My answer, is Jesus Christ has the power and provides the strength to conquer these issues forever! Nothing else will ever really work!

2 Corinthians 12:9

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made PERFECT in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Romans 8:38-39

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Serving a Faithful God

This weekend I was reminded of how faithful our God is! I always used to say that if I could only use one word to describe the Lord that it would be faithful. During the spring and throughout the summer I spent so much time in prayer for many of my friends and their future plans for this fall. Some of them just graduated, some in grad school, some trying to find jobs, and some just walking in faith until the right opportunity rises. While I knew exactly where I would be this Fall, most of my friends faced uncertainty. It was neat because instead of worrying or praying about or for myself, my prayers were focused on all these friends. I didn't pray that He would show them where they would be or what they would be doing, but that they would all come to know Him more in this time of uncertainty as He held the answers to all their questions. I was confident that His story for their lives and their next steps was far greater and bigger than they could ever imagine. This weekend, I saw and heard so many of those stories unfold right in front of my eyes. I knew His timing was perfect and so was His plan, but when you see people who have stayed obedient to His will for their lives, it is beautiful to watch the show begin. My friend Katy is now in Birmingham in OT grad school, depending on the Lord and knowing without a doubt that this is exactly where He would have her. Emily's plans for Uganda are starting to come together and funds are rising from different places and it's just so great to see Him provide for her every single day in ways that she never knew were possible. My friends Mary, Zach, Katie B., Malorie, Scott, Cat, Jason, and the rest of the Grace Campus staff are seeing the Lord move in Hong Kong and walking right into amazing opportunities to share the love of Christ to a nation that doesn't know His name. Rachel is following after Jesus as she prepares for an amazing opportunity to work alongside our friend Kelli who has some awesome businesses for selling women's crafts from other countries and telling their stories. Hannah and Christi are both working at churches in Atlanta ministering to college and high school girls and impacting lives for the Kingdom. These are only a few of the people that I was talking about, but there are many more that I accidentally left out. It's just so neat to see and hear that He is moving and working everywhere and that my prayers are being answered as all of these friends are seeing their futures and plans being unfolded. He is an incredibly faithful God and knows are hearts and our cares. He wants to meet every single need so that He is glorified in return. What an amazing God we serve! 

Here's a few pics of getting to spend time with these friends this weekend:

me and katy crane

Me and Mary

Rachel, Katy, and Me

And then some pics of the rest of these great individuals serving the Lord in different places:

Katie B. and I 

Me and Malorie

Zach, Mary, and Me

Bible study girls with Hannah

Already reuniting.

  It has been barely a week since I left Branson, MO. However, there has been quite the reunion in Auburn this weekend. Three of our friends drove in from Branson, two from Atlanta, and then the rest of us from Auburn have all reunited this weekend. Tonight, some of us went to a Braves game and then to the Varsity. The one thing that really excites me about this group of people is that they remind me of memories and stories of Kamp. Most of them worked with me first session when I was a volunteer (V), and that is where I feel like most of my memories were made and my fun was experienced. It is just amazing to see the Lord bring so many individual college students together with one goal and one passion to one place to glorify one Lord. The fact that there is this many legit people living for Jesus is just inspiring and uplifting when I think about my generation. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to work along side these people and can only pray that He uses our time together to teach and work in our hearts. 

Update: Here is a few things that I am excited about for the Fall. The Lord has given me the opportunity to lead a small group Sunday School of third graders at my church here in Auburn. I am so excited to be a teacher and get to know and love these kids! Also, I will be leading a few girls in the community in a small group once a week. I am praying that the Lord continues to orchestrate the logistics of that and starts opening their hearts and growing my wisdom in Him. Last but certainly not least, I will be doing my Social Work field practicum 6 hrs. a week at a Women's Substance Abuse Program. I am overjoyed with this and know that the Lord has placed it in my path with complete purpose. I am so excited to hear these women's life stories and have a chance to share the greatest addiction of all with them: Jesus. Praise Him for allowing me to be a part of any of these things. I am so unworthy and inexperienced but I am praying that He knows what He is doing when He appoints me to these places. I am trusting that He will provide the strength, energy, and wisdom in these things and will allow me to be a beacon of light for His Kingdom.

Breaking the Silence.

Hello Friends. Remember me? I am so sorry I have been such a horrible blogger these past few months. I am back at school now in Auburn. As I look back over the past 3 months and try to draw a general caption or explanation of the summer at KKountry, I get completely overwhelmed. The past few days I have been really searching and diving into His word to see how this experience of Kamp has changed or transformed me. What did I learn? How was I challenged? How did I impact the Kingdom? What did I learn spiritually?  I feel like when you throw these questions out after a 3 month long journey, it is difficult to come up with an answer. It's not even about me. So, I will just give you a gist of what the Lord has been teaching me. 

The most recent challenge the Lord has bestowed upon me comes from Colossians 3:1-3, "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, SET YOUR HEARTS on things ABOVE, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. SET YOUR MINDS on things ABOVE, not on earthly things."  - I feel like most often this verse is used to focus on our minds and what consumes our thoughts. However, the Lord really pushed out the Heart part to me. Set my heart on things above... I am a very passionate person. When I meet people, have an idea, enjoy a sport, or experience something new, I am extremely passionate about whatever I am doing. Therefore, when something doesn't go right or change occurs, I am frequently left 'heart broken.' Seriously, the hardest part of coming back from Kamp was sincerely missing my friends. It wasn't just a mind thing, but my heart literally ached to not see these people every day. I have plenty of other examples of my heart achings, but I'll spare you. What I am trying to say is I never have thought about how I can set my heart on Christ. I must be 100 times more passionate about Him and knowing Him than about people or experiences. My heart must beat consistently with a love and desire to be in His presence. I realized that what I missed most in all these friends from Kamp was who Jesus is in them. I fell in love with Jesus living and breathing in my group of friends at kamp. The beautiful part about it is, if my heart is set on Him, then I am not actually heart broken when I get home because He never leaves me. I take Him back with me and suffer no loss. Of course, I'll still miss these people but the essential quality that I am drawn to is still living and breathing within me at this moment. That is how He establishes and desires community. He uses Himself to draw others together. My friend Hannah read me a quote that I really liked. It's not exactly the quote but it said something like this," It is a privilege to experience His glorious presence and herald that reality to others." What a beautiful picture of Jesus living and breathing in our lives and in the lives of those around us. 

As for Kamp, I have gone through my journal I kept during my time there. The main prayer that stuck out was the desire to know Jesus more. I didn't have a spiritual high or a huge lesson learned while I was at Kamp. I don't have many impacting stories that would wow you. I don't have any miracles or wonders to tell. I feel like this summer was a time where I "continued to work out my salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in me to will and to act according to his good purpose." -Philippians 2:12-13  I feel like the Lord taught me alot about just being a servant and walking in His will for my life. At the end of the summer, I can truly say I am more intimate in my relationship with Jesus. I pray that He used me to love and minister to others. I pray that at the end of the day, HIS NAME was lifted high and glorified. I pray that He is working in and through the lives that were impacted at Kamp. 

More fun and interesting stories from Kamp coming soon. Stay tuned. 

Whirlwind.

Emotions are high as second term of second session is high in gear. Yesterday, I had to say goodbye to my very first group of campers EVER and say hello to a new crew. It was very difficult considering the intimacy established by the last day with my old girls. My first group, the Real Deal was so special. I formed great relationships with all of them and had a hard time grasping the fact that it was over. We had ski trips, real deal trip, late night camp outs, and many more memories. We had one girl come to know the Lord and the other 11 see Jesus in a whole new way. Comments made like, "This is the best year of Kamp I have ever had," or "My counselors are the greatest" and "I don't want to leave" made the term so worth it. We had 5 girls come down with the flu which was a total bummer but in those moments the Lord revealed a new and precious side of them that I wouldn't have gotten to see any other way. Each girl is so unique and fun which is a motivation to invest and hear her heart. The Lord taught me alot about loving them and dying to myself constantly when I have to keep going even though it's hard and I'm tired. I didn't know it was possible to fall in love with 12 eleven year olds and at the same time impact their lives for the Kingdom. When I think about the fact that my Boss is God Himself and that I am working for Him in His harvest, I get so overwhelmed. I am so unworthy to do such a thing, yet the fact that He loves me enough to allow me a place in His HUGE and MIGHTY plan is humbling and encouraging. Some of the hardships that I am dealing with is bonding with the new staff and missing the old. It is so difficult to go from having people who have invested and truly love you so much to new people who are just getting to know you. I miss having people who knew my heart and my passions and having the same. It's not just missing the fun memories and great people, but it's also missing the deep spiritual connection. I trust the Lord is forming those new relationships but just really have a hard time being patient and waiting on His timing. My new girls are great but I am waiting to get to know them. They seem a bit wilder than my last girls but I love the energy and high intensity. I will blog more tomorrow and add pictures but felt the desire to give you a peek into life here and what it's like being a counselor. Please write me if you can, that seems to be the BIGGEST encouragement.
967 Lakeshore Dr.
Branson, MO 65616
Also, please be praying that the Lord would bless me with patience and confidence to serve Him in radical ways. Pray that I will remember to find time with Him and dig my energy from Him alone. I really miss the last term people but I'm still looking forward to growth and time with the friends here now. Love you guys!

Real Deal.

Welcome to the very first blog about my Barn. Yes, I am officially the proud counselor of Barn 12, the Real Deal. For those of you who don't know, Barn 12 is the oldest group of girls who have attended K Kountry the most years in a row. It's an honor and a privilege to be in this barn and obviously is a huge deal. This barn is full of the oldest and most mature girls at kamp. This will be their last year at our kamp so they also get special privileges and trips. I am so honored to be their counselor. My Co is named Elizabeth Davis and is from Samford University. It's such a blessing to have one of the best counselors of the term living and working with me. She is so great and fun! She's a huge asset to making me a better counselor. I am once again reminded of the Lord's sovereignty and faithfulness. I was pretty nervous about all this and He shines through once again to remind me that He is in control and loves me so much that He would orchestrate all this greatness into my life. It's such a blessing to have a leadership team who prays consistently over the staff and hears and follows what the Lord would have them do to make Him more known about this Kamp. My girls are so incredible!! I never knew that 12 eleven year old would be so cool. I feel like a loser compared to them!! They are so fun to be around and love being here. It's an amazing encouragement to me, especially in a difficult time because all my old staff buddies left the same day my girls arrived. The girls have amazing attitudes and I am just like a proud Mom to call them mine. We have already had dress up, ski trip, scavenger hunts, and great conversations. I'm not just saying this, but I really do feel like I have the BEST group of girls at Kamp. Each one has already began to reveal their personality and I can't wait to see what else they have to offer. I am so thankful for this opportunity and hope that you will join me in praying over this group of ladies. My challenge for myself is to leave this place deeper in love with Jesus and impact at least one life for the sake of His kingdom. Join with me as we run to the Cross in hopes that one day we will meet our Savior who gave it all for us. I can't help but be about Him. I'm super lucky to have this group of girls. Get Excited for More, because I am positive I'll have great stories and awesome pictures!! Term 4- Let the Games Begin! 

Kountry Side Photos!

HAPPY 4th of JULY!

Happy Fourth to Everyone (late bday cards are always fun so I thought this would be too...) I hope everyone enjoyed their time celebrating all the good things of our country. I know some of you were at the beach, the lake, or the farm. I hope everyone saw enough fireworks to hold you off until New Years. Many of you may have bruises or scars from firework fights or common mistakes in firework shows (Brendles). I know my family enjoyed an amazing firework show on the lake given by my Dad. I'm a bit jealous I missed the lake burgers and fellowship. If you are wondering what I did on my fourth of July, I'll let you know. We had quite a July 3rd because LeCrae and Flame gave our Kamp and two other kamps a free concert. LeCrae is a famous Christian rapper known well around the Kanakuk parts. Most of our kids are too young to really understand the excitement of him being here but all the counselors were going nuts. It was such a fun time to just go crazy and release some endorphins. Plus, every concert I've ever been to I've sweat more than the person on stage surrounded by lights and fog. Therefore, I may have lost a few lbs. as well. :) Since we had the concert I feel like everyone was pretty tired on the fourth. We all got up and put on our best outfits. It's so cute to see kids all decorated in red, white, and blue. I helped Jane decorate the office with a big flag, balloons, and enthusiasm. One of my favorite parts of the day was between lunch and breakfast where Jane and I met the K1 office girls across the bridge. The K1 Kamp is located less than a mile away from our Kamp so you can walk there. We met and shared blueberries and sweet tea and just hung out. Jane and I made a sign for them which was also fun. The day in the office was pretty slow because their was no mail yesterday (or today since its Sunday). In the middle of the day, we played a trivia game with all the girls and some of the staff dressed up. I was dressed as Betsy Ross (made the first American flag), sitting with the Statue of Liberty, Sarah Palin, and Barbi. Maybe I'll be able to post some photos soon. The next fun thing we did was have a big pic-nic down in the lower fields and eat grilled chicken for dinner down by the lake. Dinner was followed by a big parade. The parade was hilarious- Santa Clause, Jane Qui Qui, bands, skit characters, Miss K kountry... etc. It was full of staff members dressed up on cars or golf cart 'floats' to entertain the kids and hand out candy. We wrapped the night up with a huge firework show. Two other kamps came back over to celebrate with us. The fireworks were really great!! No worries Dad, they had nothing on you. :) My favorite thing yesterday was some of my closer friends from Auburn arrived. I went crazy in excitement to just see new faces and be refreshed. It got me excited for my term as a counselor and to just see friends is always a great thing. Today and tomorrow will be my last days in the office for a while and I'm pretty sad about that. However, I am fully trusting the Lord to prepare my heart for my fellow staff and kampers to arrive. I'm not sure when I will have another chance to blog but know that I missed all of you over the Fourth. I hope all of you are still in one piece and had a great time with friends and family. Love and miss you guys!!
Brandy