Lay My Burdens Down

This week had more than surpassed my exceptions. It was SO amazing. To be honest I feel as if this was one of my favorite camp trips. And that is due part to the girls in my cabin. They amaze me. They had me laughing, crying, smiling, rejoicing, and so many other emotions. Each one of their hearts I have grown to love. It's so easy at times to define someone for who they are on the outside, but its the "stuff" inside of the heart that is captivating. I got to hear them be vulnerable, and for some that may have been the first time they ever shared the deep ache they bottle up. In return though, they got to hear the truth of Jesus Christ, and how He can fill that emptiness they have inside.

 During my time there I learned a lot. During one of the leader meetings, one of the head leaders of the camp said, "It's not that we have to do this, it's that we get to do this." That really struck me. Every day when I felt emotionally drained, tired, or sore I just remembered God is giving me this opportunity to build relationships with these girls and share Jesus. God could use a rock if He wants to, but, no, He chose me. Because of Him, I get to be a part of this ministry and see each of those girl's lives change as they let go of the wheel and let Christ take His rightful spot. And Jesus did just that this week. Yesterday more than half of the girls and guys from Monroe High School started a relationship with Jesus. It was incredible. Jesus is doing big things at Monroe and I am so excited to see how he uses each one of those awesome people. After the 'say so', we got to sing "Lay My Burdens Down" by Ryan Long. As we all had our arms wrapped around each other, swaying back and forth, a verse really hit me.

Amazing help no more alone
New family new heavenly home
Amazing Grace how sweet the sound
I come and lay my burdens down
(Listen Here)

They are no longer alone. Jesus is in this with them forever and even when they drift away, Jesus is going to go right there with them. THAT'S INCREDIBLE. Jesus meets you right where you're at in the midst of your struggles. He wants to be there. Jesus is all forgiving. No matter what trials you face, nothing is too great to bear with Jesus. He has conquered death, I mean come on now...

So to all my friends who have accepted Christ this week, I just want to say welcome home.

"But whatever gain I had I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him."

-Philippians 3:7-8

It's That Time of the Year..

Camping season.. Which means I am leaving for camp in 1 day. Ehem let me repeat..1 day. Words cannot express how excited I am for the girls and guys of Monroe High School to experience camp, and, most of all, to experience the living Jesus Christ. He's going to be there. Working through the leaders and changing kid's hearts. Hundred and hundreds of kids are going to here the greatest love story of all time. Young life camp is where I heard about the cross and that's when it clicked how much Jesus desires a relationship with me. Im so grateful to be a part of this ministry. My life was forever changed when I started to realize how much Jesus loves me. My leader, Brittany Pawlak, was a part of helping me to realize that. We had meaningful talks that made me question what I was really living for, and she was there through hurt and brokenness. I'm so thankful for how God placed her in my life. She's the sweetest thing ever. I can only pray to share that special bond with the girls at Monroe. I want more than anything to walk through life with them- hurt, struggle, joyfulness, bliss- you name it, I want to be there bc I want them to see Jesus.

"This is how we know that we live in Him and He in us: He has given us of His spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His son to be the savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the son of God, God lives in them and they in God." -1 John 4:1

I Want More

You know those days that you just feel like blehhh, well that'd be today. I woke up a tad late (cough 11:15ish cough cough) and now it feels like my days just draggin along. I spent some time in the sun reading Proverbs, did a little strumming on the guitar, and now I'm blaring the song "Set a Fire" by Will Reagan as I type away. It's so so wonderful. The lyrics are a heart's cry. My heart's cry.  Take a listen. You'll thank me later.

Set A Fire by Will Reagan

There's no place I'd rather be
There's no place I'd rather be
There's no place I'd rather be
But here in Your love
Here In Your love

So set a fire down in my soul
that I cant contain, that I cant control
I want more of You, God
I want more of You God

Excuses..Excuses..

Yikes. I havent blog sinced March and its about the middle of June... I seriously should consider majoring in procrastination but that's a whole other story. I mean life gets busy. But yet I find myself thumbing through Pinterest or checking out my news feed. To completely honest, since may and beyond, this really reflects my failure to spend time with Jesus. I seem to, no scratch that, I DO put the things of this world before Him, and, to say the least, it's embarrassing/sad. Jesus is always waiting for me to take time out of my day to simply be with Him. He created me to be filled with Him. Nothing else can fill that spot. It's like putting milk in a fuel tank... it just won't work.

A couple weekends ago, me and my Monroe YL team and some other leaders/friends from my area went to Leader Weekend at Timberwolf Lake, a YL camp in Michigan. Talk about being filled with Jesus. Each morning I woke up with a pure craving for Christ. I just wanted more & more, and I'm pretty sure that's what He wants from us. To become obsessed with Him. Not because it shows how much we love Him, but we slowly learn how much He loves us. And when I grasp just a small portion of how much Christ loves me, I become overwhelmed. Goosebumps, chills, and the whole sha-bang. Jesus has been really making it clear to me that for me to be filled with complete joy in life, I must believe how much He loves me. That burning, unconditional love that none can possess- besides Him. Knowing that brings peace because Jesus' love is freeing. At club the speaker, Marshal, talked about how we all believe this lie that life is expected to have "mountain top'' experiences 24/7. But it's so false. Jesus knows we are going to have "valleys" in life, too. It's there, in those moments of grief, pain, heartache..you name it, that Jesus meets us. Knowing that He is for me & shares in my suffering brings comfort in these times. Gosh, what a love. 

Seriously though. That weekend was a spiritual makeover; something I didnt realize I needed. I was in a "valley" and He spoke straight to my deepest heart condition. To be honest, I feel like I'm now slowly starting to climb  my way back up the mountain... and it's tough. But Jesus is with me. Every single step of the way; He is there. 

Cookies and Milk

Today and yesterday have been rough. Not in the sense that I'm emotionally drained or anything, but some days I get self-concious (like most girls really). It probably didn't help that my charming boyfriend, Mark, works at a pizza place and gave me a Hawaiian pizza. Oh and cinnabread... The warm, buttery balls of bread that melt in your mouth with an explosion of cinnamon that coats the roof of your mouth. Yeah..those bad boys. I devoured them. It wasn't until I sat outside and was having my quiet time where I just felt gross. My stomach didn't like me, my mind was feeding me lies about my appearance, and worst of all I couldn't focus on what I was reading. My mind skimmed over a line and then I had to re-read it cause I didn't even comprehend what was being said. It was sad. I felt convicted for feeling so negatively towards my image. God says we are a masterpiece. His masterpiece. Created in the image of Him. I mean is that not something to boast about? 

My favorite story is when God creates the heavens and the earth. When He goes to create us the bible says, "So God created human beings in his own image... Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!" Isn't that encouraging? God looked at you and said you, my creation, you are very good! So why must we tear ourselves down because we don't look like the Victoria Secret model or because were too short, or curvy, or even too petite? Rest in knowing that the only opinion of you that will ever matter is your Father, your creator. 

My wonderful mom decided she was going to make no-bake cookies tonight. Yummy, gooey, and chocolatey cookies that send anyones sweet tooth up a wall. So what am I doing? I am eating those gosh darn good cookies. 

One of my favorite songs. The lyrics are spot on and it's so encouraging when your having one of those kind of days. Just remember, there really can never be a more beautiful you.

Spring Has Sprung

Today is officially the first day of spring and I simply cannot remember a day where the weather reflected the season in Michigan. Everything is blooming, growing, and green. Walking around campus today I could not help but feel happy. As you just look around you cant help but see God's creation and be in awe of what he creates. I mean, I was today. The sun literally was beating on my skin.. in March... that's unheard of. But then again, Michigan has some bipolar weather that keeps you on your toes so I guess that's somewhat normal..

It made me stop and think though. Doesn't spring reflect what Jesus intends for us to be? Christ wants to have a relationship with us, and when we invite Him in our lives we are made new. Just like when the brown twigs on the trees receive sun and water, the tree blooms with bright green buds that sprout into leaves. Thats how Jesus is with us. When we receive the Holy Spirit we are made whole, fresh, and filled with joy. All because the all-knowing, all-loving, and all-powerful God lives inside of us. And that is something to be happy about.

"John 3:5-6: Jesus replied, "I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life."

The Start of a New Chapter

This is for me to put my heart out in words and is my journey of goods and bads in my walk with Christ. He leads. He listens. And above all He loves. A love I don't seem to fully understand and never will. Thats the beauty of Him. His love is unquenchable. These past two days I've believed the lies that I'm not worthy to be loved and that Christ has the ability to get rid of all the junk that has laid on my heart. He's moving though and he always is. He's diving in my life everyday and working out things for the best for me, and for you. Its amazing how easily I can forget that. But it's so true. The Lord is faithful. 

I was praying for a girl from Monroe named Sara (side note: I'm a young life leader for SE Michigan and for those who don't know what young life is, it is a ministry to share life with high schools so that Jesus may use the ministry/leaders to further His kingdom and win over the hearts of the students so that they may have eternal life..John 3:16) So I went into school and there she was hanging out in the commons. So me nervous as ever awkwardly went up and talked to her. Conversation just flowed and I had the opportunity to invite her to club. She said yes on the spot! For a girl who doesnt really know who I am or even what club is, that is incredible. Total faith led. See! Christ is so faithful and answers those prayers that you may think are almost unrealistic. A reminder that God placed on my heart that night. 

  "If faith can move the mountains, let the mountains

move."

That's me, the girl w/ her mouth wide open.  

I am so blessed for Christ to use me in the ministry of Young Life. My story and walk with Christ really developed there, and it's amazing to see where He is taking me. He has transformed me.. and I can only pray for the lives of the girls at Monroe High School that they may allow Jesus to change them and make them new & whole. Jesus is good.. so good.