Verses for my summer...

Jeremiah 29:11-13...
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

This summer has been a time in my life of focus. There were SO many things I wanted to say yesterday when we had our testimony service at camp- but I had about a minute and a half to talk, and I ran out of time to share what God's been doing in my life- so I shall do it here.

I have been refreshed this summer, with fellowship with other Christians. I was being starved of fellowship in general for the last year or so- not being at school with other believers, and being in a secular environment working for the last six months... and it was just like instantly being plunged into icy water, the difference between camp and being at home/work without it. I have grown SO much this summer- in a lot of areas of my life, but I know that a lot of it has been a result of being surrounded by Christian people who are passionate for God, and being immersed in preaching directed TO me for training weeks, and being encouraged in my devotional time.

I have also found a couple of friends to hang out with the last few weeks of the summer- both are guys- their names are Caleb and Nathanael. They've helped me with Jr. Church for the last four weeks, and hung out at my house afterwards during Sunday afternoons. All that they are is friends to me, but it's kind of like having two new brothers, or more cool guy cousins... just a lot of fun. In a way it's been disappointing this summer that I haven't come away with a "special" person... but it's been good for me anyway- and I've been learning a new way of interacting with guys... being able to be friends with them and hang out with them, even if they aren't likely to become anything more.
There are a number of guys at camp, who, if they had shown interest in me, I would have welcomed it. In case some of the guys from camp eventually find my blog, I shall not mention any names, LOL. However, God is good, He knows what's best for me, and not having a particular guy to distract my attention this summer is precisely what I needed, in order to grow and make changes in my life.
Saturday evening I am having a bonfire at my house, and I hope it is going to be a LOT of fun! I have a number of people planning on coming... and I think we'll have a lot of fun hanging out around the fire... the only thing I am not looking forward to quite as much is the hostessing part- that I have to wander around a lot and make sure people are happy with everything... because I will be the hostess. LOL.
Rumors are that Nathanael, Jacob, and Caleb intend to make a fire with giant flames and have a lot of fun with it.... so my only advising to them is that they are not allowed to cook the pear on the pear tree on their stems... I am almost wondering if we should move the fire to a location other than the back yard- if only for the sake of the trees nearby. LOL.

Well, I must go, almost time for the evening service!
Resting in HIS arms;
~Danette

Growing

Isn't it nice when you can see progress in your life in an area or two? - Knowing that you have areas to work on isn't quite as fun as seeing yourself grow stronger in those same areas.
This summer I have been learning a lot and getting better in several spiritual areas in my life, while at the same time I KNOW I have some other things I need to work on dealing with, as well.
It's been a learning and growing experience this summer working with the RN here. She comes from a different environment than I do, and it's been a challenge at times to work together- but we're both growing and learning as time goes on.
One of the biggest things I'm learning is in my reactions to what people say or do- am I responding appropriately, or are my reactions out of proportion? Another thing I'm working on is something I've been dealing with for a long time- and will probably fight with for the rest of my life- Submitting myself to God, and listening to His leading, rather than taking my life and running with it.
Today I had my "10 Minutes" with Pastor Randy... the end-of-summer interview he's doing with everyone on summer staff. It went well, and I was able to tell him a lot of stuff about how I've grown this summer, and things I've learned, and what I hope to do in my future.
I can hardly believe that there's only a week and a half more to the summer- and then I will be going home, and then off to college again. Time has flown so quickly, all while I have experienced much in each and every day.
Yesterday I was delighted that I got time to give some people some smiles- I brought freeze-pops to all the program staff people- all the staff who are stuck at their posts- wherever they are working, either at go-carts, or horses, or rifles, archery, the waterfront... and I brought them all freeze-pops and made them smile... which made ME smile, because I really liked giving them out and knowing that they were much appreciated- especially as hot as it has been this week!
I think I am going to ATTEMPT to do the same thing every day or so.... but I can't guarantee it, unfortunately!

I do look forward to school- if only because it's the opening of a new year in my life, a new school-year, and new opportunities to minister to people. I want to get involved in a bible-study immediately, and perhaps start my own. I'm going to work on making a lot of friends and invite those people to come to the InterVarsity meetings on Monday nights, and I will try to organize fun get-togethers with people from InterVarsity and other Christian groups to try to connect the unsaved students to people who know the Truth. I'll get involved in the Lighthouse Society again, and do what I can in that group as well, and I may just find another new and fun thing to do or two... like find someone to learn to rock-climb with or something.

I must finish my post now- I have things to do!
~Danette

Sky again.

I took a really cool picture of the sky, so here it is.


I do have more camp pictures, but I don't have time to upload them all- so for now all you get is a picture of the sky. :)

~Danette