We went on a camping trip for a couple of days and the internet has been down for the past few days (we are on limited bandwidth out here!). So now is my opportunity to reflect on this past week. If I had to sum this week up in one word is would be: Adventurous. This week has been adventurous in all types of ways. I have gone on some journeys camping, downtown to church and a cool coffee shop and the Grove Youth Ministry. The coolest adventure of this past week has got to be the Week of Lecture on Motivational Gifts, the time spent with the Lord, and evangelizing downtown. Last Friday into Saturday, we went on a camping trip to a place down the road, which happens to be a Christian Retreat Center for families. We were able to camp on some of their property that was down by a picturesque river. I am glad we only stayed one night because it was some strict camping with no electricity or running water lol- but the fun we had and the relationships we built was well worth it. When we first arrived, we got to explore the campsite. A few of us ventured across the river on some rocks that were protruding out of the water and then followed the river down to some GIGANTIC boulders that we got to climb! While jumping on rocks and crossing logs, I was glad that I invested in hiking boots before I came here. On our way back, Polly and I even found a deer tracks in the dirt that look pretty recent- I thought they were pretty cool. :) Being boys- the guys on our team started to set up the tents and make a fire, which was pretty entertaining to watch. The night ended with the traditional smores and games around the fire. Come Sunday, we went to town to go to church and later attended the Youth Ministry night. Part of our community outreach is to help out at the Youth Ministry- which is totally great because I must say that I am missing my kids of the Edge back home. We stayed for the Junior and Senior High services and then made our way back home after some Wendy’s. The kids were fun, especially the Junior High. This past week we had a speaker named, Ken, come talk to us about the “Motivational gifts” from Romans 12. We learned about the different kinds and answered some questions about ourselves to determine our gifts. I found my top three to be Mercy, Organization, and Insight. The Lord also spoke to me this week regarding my gifts, and I am praying to be able to use them to my full capacity! Please be praying this for me as well. At the end of the study- we filled out a chart to see where the whole team lies in regards to our gifts. We are pretty spaced out and have a little bit of everything, which is great :) Closing off the week, we went out to evangelize downtown on Thursday night! Starting this past Thursday (and continuing every Thursday of the summer), there is a street fair that the town has- much like the one at Nyack back home, only a lot bigger! Here we partnered up and went to just hang out and share the love of Christ to people. My partner John and I got to chill with some teenage skater boys and even pray for them. We talked with another two teenagers and just talked about Christ to them for a while. Both experiences were great and we are hoping to run into them again next Thursday :) Well there is my long update of the past week! Please continue to be praying for me and my team, as God continues to pour into us. Tara

Unfortunately, yesterday I was not able to blog; my day lasted until past 10pm- and we are only allowed on the computers before that time. But…. I get to now! :D

I have a few things to say about Monday and Tuesday night- before I get into today. On these nights we had a time set apart for testimonies, which was open to students and staff alike. Everyone was really open and truly shared their hearts, which was a beautiful thing to see. In addition, some of these testimonies really BLEW MY SOCKS OFF. It was amazing to hear the stories of God’s faithfulness and unique pursuit for each individual. One thing that our staff said to us- was that he has never seen a school of students open up and share as vulnerably as the students in my class did. They are all really excited to see how God is going to work in our lives while we are here, because we were so transparent.I am excited as well!! He even nicknamed us the “Magnificent Seven” hahaha.

On Tuesday afternoon we learned about the importance of hospitality and examples of it in the Bible. We also learned about the statistical significance simply eating as a family, can have on the relationships of families and peoples. This really sparked an interest in my heart and I now have a greater desire to grow more in this area of character!

The more difficult part of Tuesday and today were work duties! 5 days of the week every student has work duties to complete for 2 hours per day. My friend Ann and I have the pleasure of doing some intense “Deep Cleaning.” This cleaning goes to the extent of “mopping” on our hands and knees! Lol, we have fun with it though! But in all honesty, the work that we complete gives us a greater appreciation for all that the staff does here when we are not. In addition, I must say I feel a bit proud looking around and seeing how clean everything is ;)

The last thing I will leave you all with is something that we discussed today in lecture. Today we focused on how God’s thoughts for us are greater than the number of grains of sand in the world (Psalms 139). We talked about how His thoughts are thoughts of love and admiration; they are thoughts about our future and to prosper us. Our director challenged us to listen to God to hear some of these thoughts, and that is what I am going to be doing between now and tomorrow. It’s nice when your homework is to spend time with the Lord. :)

Tara

Today I woke up with more excited than the previous days!!! Because….. today is the day that all the other students arrived! The day started with going to church (Grace Community of Montrose, CO), running a Walmart stop, and coming back to base to meet and greet those who arrived!

 When I got back to base, I met one of my roomates, Polly. I am so happy to have finally met her- I didn’t do any Facebook stalking on her, so still didn’t know what to expect. Sooo- all this to say she is pretty awesome and from Florida! She is definitely someone I feel like I can connect with and get to know a lot better. Maybe about an hour later, we met our third and final roommate, Ann. Ann is a real chill girl- seems like a small town girl from Colorado :) It should be nice getting to know her better too.

At Dinner/Welcome Introduction/Ice cream social, we got to meet all the guys in our school. The nervousness of meeting everyone really started to settle down- and I really do know now that it is going to be a great summer.

The last thing that I will reflect on is a word from one of the Base Directors. She shared with everyone that God is desiring to put a “stamp of holiness,” on the students here this summer. So there is something that I will be praying about. Holiness is a key concept to our Christian Walk- and the strive for holiness is a continous pursuit. Please pray that the Lord will reveal to me the unholy things in my life- Everything from patterns of thinking to habitual behavior.


Oh, I forgot to mention! The weather today was beautiful. And with the clear skies/drive to town, I was actually able to see the mountains surrounding this place! They are amazing!!!!!!!!