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Summer Memories... STEP 2013!

Well.. I know it's been quite a while since I blogged.. But, I'll try and redeem myself! ;) I've been so busy this year! :)

This summer in June I went to STEP. STEP stands for Skills Training for Emergency Preparedness. It is held at the International ALERT Academy in Big Sandy, Texas every summer! :) To learn more about the program click here.

Some of the questions people ask about my experience at STEP are.. What kind of camp was that again? Was it different than you were expecting? What did you learn? What did you like the best?
So.. I'll try to answer these questions to the best of my ability! :)

What kind of camp was it?
       It was a Biblically based emergency preparedness camp for girls ages 15 and up. We had about 50 girls that were split up into 3 groups and 6 teams. I was in Red Team One with 7 other girls ages 16-20.

Was it different than you were expecting?
     I didn't really know what to expect!! It was kind of how I envisioned it, but I didn't think about how it would be a whole lot since I really didn't have a clue about what it could be like! I had been planning on coming to STEP since October of 2012, so I had some time to mentally prepare myself. What I really wanted out of STEP was some alone time with God. Some time away from family, friends and distractions where I could just focus on my relationship with God, and His will for my life. I just graduated highschool this spring, so I was needing some direction.
I was also hoping to learn life skills that would be useful later in life. I was excited about PT, because I really wanted to get in better shape.. which I totally did!
One of the things I really didn't expect or prepare for, was how close I would get to some of my teammates. I thought I would make friends at STEP, but I didn't know that we would become so close. I almost feel as if I have gained sisters! :)

What did you learn?
      I learned so much!! It's almost hard to explain. I feel as if I am still realizing the things that I learned at STEP. It was truly a life changing experience. I changed a lot there in little ways and in some big ways as well. To give you an idea about the skills we learned.. here are some of the classes we had:
Map Navigation
Canoeing
Water Safety
First Aid/CPR
Search and Rescue
Self Defense
Basic Plumbing, Electrical and Drywall Repair
Auto Maintenance
Ropes and Knots
River Crossing
Rappelling
and... much more! :)

I learned so much spiritually as well! God revealed a lot of little things to me while I was at STEP. I am so thankful that He allowed me to go!! :)
I had an amazing team leader. God definitely put me on the team he wanted me on with the teammates he knew I needed. He is so good and he supplies our every need!
Some personal skills I learned were journaling, time management and how to take a shower in less than 5 minutes! ;) We also memorized large portions of Philippians, which was a lot of fun!

What did you like the best?
     That is always so hard to choose! I liked everything!! I think I finally decided though, after debating about it for quite some time, was that the thing I liked the best was making dear friends. I became so close to several of my teammates and my team leader! When you live with people for a month and go through everything with them (including team building activities) you just become close. I am so thankful for them all! :)

I am so glad that God allowed me to go to STEP this year. I highly recommend it to anyone that is eligible. You learn so much. It is just such an amazing and life changing experience!

 My dear friend Katelynn!! :)

 Some of my team and group mates

 Group room time :)

 First Aid ;)

 My dear friends. Some of my team mates and the awesomest team leader ever! :)))

Marriage Thoughts

We got this poem from a book at the library.  It was so true and precious I had to share it. :)

The Person I Marry

I went to a wedding.  I saw pretty things.
I noticed the dresses, the tuxes and rings,
the candles, the curls and the floral bouquets.
I stood with the crowd as we turned our gaze
to a bride who beamed as she came down the aisle,
sending love to her groom in the form of a smile.

Then as we sat down, my mom pulled me near
and whispered some wisdom right into my ear,
wisdom I know that I won't be forgetting.
"It's 'who', not 'what', that makes a great wedding.
The clothing you wear and the flowers you carry
don't matter as much as the person you marry."

Questions have swirled in my mind ever since.
What makes a princess?  What makes a prince?
It cannot be riches, hair color and height,
or any externals I think are just right.

Something that's inside, something much deeper,
will help me determine which one is a "keeper".
And so, long before any diamonds or glitter,
these are some things that I need to consider:

The person I marry will be quite a find.
Perfect?  Of course not, but certainly kind;
one who's sincere, non-threatening, real,
with genuine interest in how others feel.
Wisely, this person will understand
the good that can come from a gentle hand.

A quality person my heart can embrace
has courteous speech that is seasoned with grace.
Some people talk tough (or wish they were),
but here's something better I tend to perfer.
True sensitivity.  This can be shown
by words that are tactful and tender in tone.

The person I marry won't have to pretend
just to impress me.  I want a friend,
one who can share, but can also receive.
That is the marrying type, I believe.

And as we share, my partner and I
will learn which things can satisfy;
not shallow things some call successs,
but little deeds of thoughtfulness.
And though we may not live like kings,
we'll both enjoy life's little things.

All days won't be sunny; and during the rain,
my partner and I will be slow to complain.
We'll stick close together the way that we vowed
no matter how dark and looming the cloud.

We'll look on the bright side.  All hope isn't gone.
Our Lord just decided to water our lawn.
With all kinds of blessings He's filling our cup,
so sooner or later, it's bound to let up.

The person, perhaps, might make hardly a sound,
or maybe spread humor and cheer all around.
Flamboyant or quiet, we will have a supply
of laughs we can share and tears we can cry.

Whether theatrically singing on stage,
or sitting and turning the other one's page,
we'll share each emotion as husband and wife,
enjoying our mutual passion for life.

Whenever we happen to face, by chance,
a less-than-perfect circumstance,
the person I marry won't act like a grump
at every little snag or bump
My friend might have to count to ten,
but then we'll cast our lines again.
Oh, it might take us both a minute,
but soon we'll see the humor in it.

The one with whom I want to live
is patient, eager to forgive;
and also very quick to say
"I'm sorry" in a heartfelt way.

The person I marry will never forget
to dignify life, each person and pet.
Since God is Creator and He is supreme,
we'll treat His creation with proper esteem.

One who acknowledges people have worth
is precious and rare; a gem on this earth.
And I want a gem, so the one I select
must honor our families and show them respect.

This person will be someone who
will listen to my point of view
and hear the things my heart is saying
even when our hair is graying

Hair may thin or change in shade.
Faces may wrinkle, memories fade.
The person I'll trust to carry my heart
must truly believe "til death do us part."

The one for me will be eager to learn,
and willing to teach me things in return.
From time to time we'll disagree
on issues; that's a guarantee.
Certain ones are rather small
and they don't matter much at all.
But some have moral consequence.
On these we cannot ride the fence.
We'll use the Bible as our guide
to keep our spirits unified.

And I expect my lifelong mate
to know some things are worth the wait.
So, by the grace of God, I'm sure
we'll both succeed in staying pure.

Though some may do the things they ought
out of fear of being caught,
that's not good enough for me.
I'll want real integrity.

Honesty is a must.
I'll need someone I can trust,
true in heart, strong as stone
whether watched or all alone.

Who needs a person that's charming and flirty?
I prefer someone whose hands can get dirty-
a person who works with purpose and goals,
helping our world and enriching our souls.

And every-so-often, while working so hard,
the person I marry will catch me off guard
as work becomes fun.  We won't be afraid
to keep life in balance and see that we've played.

The person I marry will be the sort
that's by my side to lend support,
share the burden, help me stand
by offering a caring hand.

Sympathizing, heaven-sent,
my friend will give encouragement.
And though it seems we face defeat,
we'll soon be back up on our feet.

Though it may sound a little strange,
through every season, every change,
this person must be someone who
will cherish me as Number Two.

Oh, I'll be deeply loved, of course.
But I can't be my partner's source.
When everything is said and done,
God must be our Number One.

I'll probably marry, but maybe I won't.
(Some people do; some people don't).
But if I marry, this I'll know-
I set my standards long ago
when I was just a little kid.
I set them high; I'm glad I did.
The vows I'll say I mean to keep,
So I'll look hard before I leap.

That special one of mystery
has weaknesses, of course, like me.
So, in the meantime I'll prepare
by lifting both of us in prayer.
~Gary Bower

Priorities

Lately I've been thinking about time.  There are only 24 hours in a day, 1,440 minutes and 86,400 seconds.  Twenty-four hours is all you get.  Time is something that all of us have equally.  You can't buy more time or sell it.  We all have the same amount of time and, regardless of how we spend it, time keeps on ticking.

That made me stop and think.  Are we spending our time in a way that glorifies God?  Just think, God has given us precious little time on this earth.  We ought to put our whole lives into honoring, glorifying him and furthering his kingdom. 

Instead of saying "I don't have time" try saying, "It's not a priority," and see how that feels.  Often, that's a perfectly adequate explanation.  I have time to iron my sheets, I just don't want to.  But other things are harder.  Try it: "I'm not going to edit your resume, sweetie, cause it's not a priority."  "I don't go to the doctor because my health is not a priority."  If these phrases don't sit well, that's the point.  Changing our language reminds us that time is a choice.  If we don't like how we're spending an hour, we can choose differently. -Laura Vanderkam

I tried changing this for me.  "I could make time to read my Bible, but it's not a priority."  "I choose to get on Facebook, so it must be a priority over spending one-on-one time with my family."  It doesn't sound very good, does it?  I'm guilty of these very things... I think I'm going to work on my priorities. :)

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. ~Proverbs 31:27

If By Grace

If by grace... Salvation.  The gift of God's only begotten Son to us, so we can reign forever with Him.  Salvation is a hard thing to grasp.  It is so simple, and yet to our human minds it is more than complex.  Do you mean to tell me that God gave His only son to cover my sins, and all I have to do is believe him?   I don't have to work?  Surely God wouldn't just want me to believe him... that is much to simple!  Many of us protest..  and yet it is what God requires.  Simply believe.

Grace: the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him.  How true this is!  Grace is the free, unmerited love and favor of God.  God sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to be the blood sacrifice for our sins.  Jesus Christ, who knew no sin, was crucified so that we could be with God eternally.  How unmerited is that love!

 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.~ Ephesians 2:1-10

Joy in Contentment

 I have been thinking a lot about thankfulness lately.  People that are thankful are such a joy and a blessing to be around.  If you are helping a thankful person, and serving them, no matter how hard the task... a thankful person makes you feel really special.  Thankful people are just a joy to be around!  So that made me start thinking... What causes thankfulness and joy?

I think I boiled it down to contentement.  It's one word packed with meaning.  I think it's a little bit like trust.  Content means: rest or quietness of the mind in the present condition; satisfaction which holds the mind in peace, restraining complaint, opposition, or further desire, and often implying a moderate degree of happiness.  Paul said, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

If you are content where you are then doesn't thankfulness and joy follow?  Paul said, in whatsoever state I am.  He didn't say.. "once you reach the place where you have everything you desire and are truly happy you can be content."  He said, whatsoever state.  

It doesn't come naturally..  Paul said "for I have learned"  I think contentement is like a state of mind.  It's like putting God's best above the way you think things should be and going on with life, putting all your energy into it.  Some people call it "blooming where you're planted."

After you have accepted the state you are, I believe joy and thankfulness follow.  If we're not always looking ahead...  Oh, when I get out of highschool, when I get a better job, if I just had a guy after me, when I get married... And the list goes on.  Why can't we just be content in the state God has placed us?  Why are we always looking to something we think would be better?

For so many young ladies the time of waiting inbetween highschool and marriage is the hardest time of their lives.  Why is that so?  God has instilled in us the desire to marry and have a family, but while we're waiting why don't we do something with our lives? 

I believe this time of life for us is the most precious of all.  We don't have a husband or children to take care of.  We have more time than we will probably ever have.  We will never get this time back.  Let's use it to serve God and further his kingdom!  Instead of looking at the time we have and pining for the day when we will marry, let us be content.  These years of waiting are God's gift to us to do something for him.  Let's use them!

To love God is to love His will. It is to wait quietly for life to be measured by One who knows us through and through. It is to be content with His timing and His wise appointment. ~Elisabeth Elliot

About my Car... ;)

So, I'm pretty sure that God has been teaching me about trust..  Recently I wrecked my car.  I didn't understand why God allowed it to happen, and yes, I shed a few tears.  Yet, as I watched the towing guy load my car up onto his tow truck (yes, I totaled it :P), there was a peace within me.  I thought, "Lord, I know you are trying to teach me to trust you, but what am I going to do?!  Help me to trust you!"  I do have a job, and college classes so I pretty much relied on my car for everything.  The insurance I had on my car was just liability, so it only covered the other vehicle in the accident.  I was pretty much on my own to buy a new car.

Through the accident, no one was injured and it was pretty much the best of what could have possibly happened.  God is faithful.  The night before the accident my friend and I were discussing how God lets us do stupid things, but he protects us.  He allows us to learn and grow through all the foolish things we get ourselves into.  How true that statement proved to be the following day!

When I got home that day I was pretty much still in shock from everything.  I praised the Lord for protecting us, and asked him to help me trust him.  I didn't really ask for a car, though.  I just prayed that God would work everything out according to his will.

The next day I started searching Craigslist for a car.  I had bought my previous car off of Craigslist in April.  So I was pretty short on money now, since I had just bought a car 5 months ago.  I was looking for a car that was $2000 or less.  I don't know if you know this or not, but cars that cheap are rather hard to come by.  I didn't come up with any cars that day.  That evening I prayed for a car.  I prayed that I would find a car soon; it would be under $2000; it would be blue; it would have lowish miles; it would be an automatic; it would be cute. ;)

The following day was a Sunday, so I didn't get on Craigslist until the afternoon.  I found a few cars that were cheap enough and quickly ruled them all out but two.  One of them was a 2002 Dodge Neon.  They didn't have any pictures up of it or anything, but they said they could text pics, so I asked her to send me some.

The car looked good and everything.  I had to go to work, so I told the lady that I would ask my dad what he thought of it, and get back with her.  Later I asked my dad and he said it looked good if I liked it.  We happened to be going into town the next day, so I texted the lady back and asked her if I could see it the next morning.

That evening I prayed that God would make it clear if it was his will that I buy that car.  I prayed that if he wanted me to have the car, I would get it for $1600. (They were asking $2000.)  The next morning my mom and I went to see the car.  It was everything I'd prayed for.  When it came time to buy it I asked if she would take any less on it.  She said yes and to make an offer.  So, I held my breath and offered $1600.  She took it.  God obviously wanted me to buy the car, so I did.

The people I bought the car from were so nice and helpful.  I was only out a car for three days.  I praise God for his faithfulness!!  I still don't understand why God allowed me to wreck my previous car, but I pray that he would be glorified through everything that happens concerning it.  I love my new car.  I think it's cute. ;) God is so good. <3