trip

I am enjoying my time on this trip so much! When I get back, I'll have lots of pictures to post, but I won't put all two hundred of them on my blog. I'll have lots of stories to tell, as well, so stay tuned. :)

camp... again

I had a wonderful two weeks at camp, and I'd like to share some highlights with you. See my last post to find out more details about the camp and the leadership program in which I participated.

Here are some excerpts from my journal:

I am absolutely thrilled to be here. God is ministering to my heart as I minister to others. It is such a privilege to be a CILT, and I am trying to make the most of it by being the love of Christ to those around me. God is bringing ministry opportunities to me, just as much as I can handle. It is so exciting to be able to make little differences in people's lives.

"Rejoice in the Lord always... the Lord is near." I want my attitude to be one of wonder-- at who God is, at what He has planned for me, at what He has created, and at how much He gives me that I do not deserve. I want to appreciate every moment in its full potential, and to see God's hand at work in the smallest details. What could be better than that?

l-r: Kayla, Lily, Bryant, me, and JoHannah


















All the girls in my cabin
























Oh... camp photos! Why are they always so goofy?


















The graduates!


















me, Johannah, and Kayla


















All the staff have "bird names." Now that I am a new staff member, my name is "Kestrel" at camp.

The lovely quilt from camp t-shirts that my mother made as a graduation gift for me.

My mother and I together at staff Bible study, for the first time!

camp

I'd like to share with you about some of the exciting things that will be happening for me very soon. Next Sunday I am leaving for camp for two weeks. I attend NeKaMo Camp Cherith, an interdenominational girls' camp in Warsaw, Missouri. This summer at camp is going to be very special, because I am graduating from a two-year camper-in-leadership-training (CILT) program. It is a course that my mother and aunt also graduated from, over 30 years ago.
The past two years in the program have been wonderful, because I have learned to work with kids, speak in front of groups, lead songs and games, teach Bible studies, and much more. God has opened new doors and taught me so many new things through CILT, and I can't wait to find out what He has planned for me in the future. At the end of the two weeks, I will be a full-fledged staff member. That is an amazing thought, because it doesn't seem that long ago that I was 11 years old and spending my first week at camp.:) Will you keep me in your prayers as I prepare this week and during the next two weeks while I am there? I am greatly looking forward to how God will work in my life and and in the lives of others.

Guess what???

I got my drivers license today!

Happy happy!!!

Thirst

O God, You are my God,
earnestly I seek You;

my soul thirsts for You,

my body longs for You,

in a dry and weary land

where there is no water.

Psalm 63:1

Thy Melody

Tune Thou my harp;
There is not, Lord, could never be
The skill in me.

Tune Thou my harp,
That it may play Thy melody,
Thy harmony.

Tune Thou my harp;
O Spirit, breathe Thy thought through me,
As pleaseth Thee.

by Amy Carmichael

link where I found this poem

spiritual gifts

"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."

Romans 12:3-8

This a pasage that I am memorizing right now.

Thrive

Whoever trusts in his riches will fall,

but the righteous will thrive

like a green leaf.

(Proverbs 11:28)

Whom God chooses

When God wants to drill a man,
And thrill a man,
And skill a man
When God wants to mold a man
To play the noblest part;

When He yearns with all His heart
To create so great and bold a man
That all the world shall be amazed,
Watch His methods, watch His ways!

How He ruthlessly perfects
Whom He royally elects!
How He hammers him and hurts him,
And with mighty blows converts him

Into trial shapes of clay which
Only God understands;
While his tortured heart is crying
And he lifts beseeching hands!

How He bends but never breaks
When his good He undertakes;
How He uses whom He chooses,
And which every purpose fuses him;
By every act induces him
To try His splendor out-
God knows what He's about.

(Author Unknown)

In the Presence

I am changed in the presence of a holy God

From the song, "In the Presence", by Mark Altrogge

Trip

On Tuesday my family returned home from a trip to Florida over spring break. My grandma is staying in Fort Lauderdale with her sister over the winter. We had a wonderful time visiting them, and they took us around to see the sights. By the way, while we were there, the weather was perfect, unlike the frigid temperatures you midwesterners were having. :) Here are a few highlights from our trip:

About a third of all the pictures that I took on the trip were of plants and flowers. :) So much beautiful vegetation grows there, I just had to get pictures of all of it!

Bryant and I were able to sing with my great-aunt in the church choir on Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday. It was a very enjoyable experience!

We all took a tour of the intracoastal waterways on this boat, called The Jungle Queen.

We had a lovely time at the beach!

Be sure to check my sister's blog for more pictures!

He is Alive!

"Easter is a lived reality."

Easter is really real because Jesus Christ was real. He existed in "space and time," as Francis Schaffer said. He could be touched and seen, because He was really there. Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, became a human being, just like you and I. The only difference is that He was still God at the same time-- the perfect, sinless God-Man. He really walked on this earth. As a real Man, Christ died a real death. For three days, His body laid in a cold tomb. Then, He physically came back to life, and was seen by hundreds of people over the next 40 days. The Biblical story is not just mythology that supposedly happened 2000 years ago. It is real. Jesus Christ is real, because He is alive.

words of wisdom

Well, I don't know about my sister, but I don't have any reason to go for two weeks with out posting! :)

Here is a passage from Proverbs that I read recently in my personal devotions:

The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what makes them stumble.

My son, pay attention to what I say;
listen closely to my words.

Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;

for they are life to those who find them
and health to a man's whole body.

Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.

Put away perversity from your mouth;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

Let your eyes look straight ahead,
fix your gaze directly before you.

Make level paths for your feet
and take only ways that are firm.

Do not swerve to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.

(Proverbs 4:18-27)

Night and Day

God's skillful work the skies declare;
His praise the heavens prepare.
Day after day, they pour forth speech,
At night, true knowledge they teach.
In every tongue their voice is heard,
For all nations catch the words.
Through the earth their voice goes out,
And around the world rings the shout--
"The earth is glad, for God is King.
He reigns over everything."

(A paraphrase of Psalm 19:1-4, 97:1,9)

Step by step

Since we live by the Spirit,

let us keep in step with the Spirit.

(Galatians 5:25)

Fun with Friends

The weekend before last, I had a late birthday celebration! I invited two of my best friends, Keshia and April, to come and visit. This was the first weekend since my birthday that we could get all of our schedules to work. :) So, I was really looking forward to having them come, and then a surprise appeared! Esther and Elizabeth, two other best friends, who live two hours away, came to join us! I had absolutely no idea that they were coming, so that made it all the more fun. We had a wonderful time of fellowship, fun, shopping, and music.

On a "midnight walk." (Actually, it wasn't that late.)

We enjoyed lots of music over the weekend!

April brought her new harp, and we had some wonderful harp duets.

The beautiful flowers that Esther brought me. They are still as fresh now as they were over a week ago!

Esther and Bryant fixing homemade ice cream sandwiches. I'll take those over birthday cake any day!

Clockwise from left to right: Keshia, Esther, Bryant, Elizabeth, me, and April.

A few other things that have been happening to me lately:

- I got my first sunburn of the season. (I usually get about three or four over the course of a summer. :)

-I wrote my first "real" poem. :) (Which I will share in a subsequent post.)

-In a week or so, I will be going in to take my driver's license test! Can't wait!

-Last week God provided three new piano students for me to begin teaching!

-I have been neglecting my poor blog very badly, and will try to post more often. :)

Pictures (finally!)

Bryant bought a beautiful cape for me for my birthday! It's so warm and soft. :)

Some pictures of a dear friend, Elaina, who moved away last week. We we able to see her several times, though, right before her family left.

Thank you!

I just want to say thank you to all my friends who commented with birthday greetings for me! It was wonderful to read your kind messages. Most of all, thank you to my special sister who got up early to do a birthday post. I appreciate you so much, Bryant!

Quite a number of my kind relatives bought me a digital camera for my birthday! Thank you to Uncle John, Aunt Sandra, Grandpa and Grandma Robinson, Grandma Ring, Uncle Tom,Aunt Patty, and Uncle Dick. :) Be sure to keep checking back for lots of pictures. That is, as soon as I can figure out how to get them from my camera to the computer, because that might take a while...

Survey Launch!

TheRebelution.com just launched the results of their massive Modesty Survey!

Over 1,600 Christian guys answered questions on everything from glitter lotion and lip gloss to swimsuits and skirt slits! For you girls, it's everything you've ever wanted to ask guys about modesty, but were afraid to ask! For you guys, it's really interesting to see what other Christian guys think!

Most importantly, the survey is presented as a resource to help Christian girls (and guys), not a list of legalistic rules, and it is accompanied by the Modesty Survey Petition (which tons of guys have signed) which encourage young women to focus on the heart, not the hemline, to honor their parents, etc.

TheRebelution.com presents the results of the survey as a big St. Valentine's Day gift from 1,600 Christian guys to all Christian girls—and I can't think of a better one!

Go check it out: www.therebelution.com/modestysurvey

By the way, guys, they are still accepting signatures for the Modesty Survey Petition, so this is an opportunity for you to still share your voice on the topic of modesty!

THE MODESTY SURVEY
www.therebelution.com/modestysurvey

Hacked

You know, there is one benefit to helping your sister set up her blog! You know the username and password, and you can hack it later! *evil laugh*
Which is exactly what I'm doing! *another evil laugh*
But, I do have a good reason! Today is Micah Noel's 17th birthday!

I thought I'd share a few fun (maybe little-known) facts about Micah Noel. I tried to come up with 17 in honor of this very special occasion, but I couldn't think of that many! ;-)

:::::::::::::::

She was supposed to be born on Valentine's Day, but instead was born on the 12th at 4:19 PM.

She teaches piano, and curently has 3 students.

She is known in our family for putting--ahem--interesting natural facial treatments on her face. :-)

She loves to crochet and knit many different things, including shawls, belts, ponchos, and scarf/mitten sets.

A year or so ago, she wanted to be able to sing harmony by ear. She practiced and tried really hard, and now she can sing it quite beautifully, and all by ear!

She refuses to eat anything with trans fat in it.

She is the bread-baker at our house.

Shas always been taller than most of her friends. You should see the pictures of her Sunday School class from years ago! She was like 6 inches (at least) taller than everyone else!

She prefers the $1 berry/yogurt cups at McDonald's over the hot fudge/ice-cream cups!

She was very sick when she was a baby, and spent a lot of time in the hospital.

She takes the longest to get ready for bed than any of us, or anyone else we know! ;-)

She likes mushrooms (I think it's really because I don't) and will eat a whole, fresh mushroom in one bite!

:::::::::::::

You can wish Micah Noel a very happy birthday here, or on the family blog (or both ;-)! Thanks ;-)

Happy 17th birthday, Micah Noel!!!

Love,
Bryant

"It is Good"

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities

—His eternal power and divine nature—

have been clearly seen,

being understood from what has been made,

so that men are without excuse.

Romans 1:20

Of Utmost Importance

My beauty does not come from my physical appearance, such as a clear complexion, and a body that is the perfect weight and proportion. Instead, I want my beauty to come from my inner self, the unfaing beauty of gentle confidence and a heart that is fixed on my Lord Jesus Christ, which is of utmost importance and eternal significance in the eyes of God.

My paraphrase of I Peter 3:3-5

Surpassing Greatness

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.

Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! (Philippians 3:7-4:1).

This is the passage I am working on memorizing right now. Philippians is my favorite book of the Bible. I find it to be rich and applicable to my life.

Do you know Him? Have you seen Him?

If you are a beliver, this is your story; the story of how great Christ's love is for you. I hope that you will live the story as you read it. Picture it all in your mind, and let Christ speak to you.

Can you see the darkness of your sin as it really is, in all its rebellion, deception, and transgression against your Creator? Can you feel your arms weighted down with this load of grief that you cannot bear? Can you see Jesus Christ hanging on the cross, with the blood trickling from the places where the nails have pierced His hands and His feet? Can you see yourself slowly approaching the cross, wondering if He will turn you away? Listen to Him say, “Cast your burden at My feet, daughter; it is too heavy for you to carry.” Can you see yourself drop it at His feet, and fall to your knees, weeping? As you hesitatingly look up, your eyes meet His. You see the anguish of spirit and body expressed in His eyes. Suddenly you realize that this Man, the Son of God, is suffering for you. He willingly bore the punishment that you deserved. Hope, and grief, at the same time flood your soul. You notice the tears that overflow from His eyes as well. You hear Him struggle to draw a breath, and then He cries out, “It is finished!” You know that the atonement for your sin is fully paid. Yet you weep, because He has died. You wonder if there actually is hope. How can you live without Him?












Three days later, you come again to the garden where they have buried Him. You have been there many times before, sorrowfully wondering what you should do now. Then, from a little ways off, you see a man walking toward you. He looks familiar. As you gaze at him, he looks straight into your eyes. It is Jesus. You run to Him, and He catches you in a warm embrace. “Jesus, You are alive!” you exclaim. He smiles and says, “Nothing could keep me in the grave.” He explains to you that everything happened according to the Father’s intention. He suffered, died, and rose again, just as planned. “I do only the will of the Father,” He says. Then, He assures you that His sacrifice has paid for your transgression—His blood has covered you and washed you clean. “Sometimes you may doubt,” He says, “but do not fear. My promises are faithful and My word is true.” Again, He looks into your eyes. “My daughter, do you believe this?” He asks. “Yes, Jesus, I do,” you reply. “Remember also,” He says, “that the same power that raised Me from the dead, now lives in you, through My Spirit.”


















Now, though you do not see Him in person, you know that what He has promised is true. You have no need to be afraid, or to doubt your salvaion, because you know that nothing can take you out of His hand. “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” (Romans 8:38-39).


















picture source