Oh man, it’s been WAY too long since I’ve written! The last six months have been a crazy whirl wind. Hopefully this sneak-peek into my life will allow those who have faithfully awaited a new entry to forgive me for my procrastination!
So we’ll start with February to April: I danced on Queen’s competitive hip hop team, taught a beginner’s dance class for students from Queen’s Athletes in Action ministry, played indoor soccer, and was part of a girls’ bible study on campus. I finished off April with my final exams, jointly MC-ing my cousin Joel’s wedding with my brother, and moving out of my university town, Kingston, for good!
As for May and June: I began my second summer as one of the Program Directors of Knox Camp in downtown Toronto! We picked out our six themes for day camp (Circus, Lego, Dr. Seuss, Christmas in July, “Where in the World is Waldo ”and“ What REALLY happened in those classic fairytales?”) and hired the rest of the staff while planning all of the program for the summer. I performed with my Queen’s hip hop dance team at a World Cup event and also helped to organize a few wedding showers and a bachelorette weekend for my sister (who’s getting married in exactly two weeks!). Did I mention that I graduated?! WOO! I’ve also been connected with an Athletes in Action summer group through the University of Toronto that welcomes all university students in the city for the summer! Lots of great sports and encouraging devotionals – it’s been super key to keeping me sane the last few months!
So far, for July: I moved downtown to kick off the camp season with a MUCH shorter commute (literally 30 steps away now…that Snooze button is a dangerous one…), spent Canada day with all of my cousins, aunts and uncles on my Dad’s side to play some baseball and soccer, to eat lots of food, and watch some fireworks! I can also happily look back on two successful weeks of camp! Our staff team at camp this year is so awesome, I feel truly blessed to be working with such willing, loving, and energetic people determined to make this summer one that is memorable and full of learning moments for every camper that comes through Knox Church’s doors!
Throughout ALLLLLLLL of the above: I’ve been writing support letters like crazy, presenting my need for support at churches, sending a ba-gillion emails (camp-related, Grace’s wedding-related, World Race-related), getting to know my World Race squad through the group we have on facebook, booking aeroplane tickets to Atlanta for the World Race training camp that begins in a week from now (WHOA!), am already through five out of nine of the needles needed for the trip (I think I’ll have enough vaccinations for LIFE. Better safe than sorry!), been gathering the camping equipment I need for the trip (travel pack, light-weight tent, light-weight sleeping bag, day pack etc), and TRYING to sleep in between. I mean I’ve gotten a minute or two here and there…
How has this all happened and I’m still alive, might you ask? That is seriously a GREAT question. Grace of God. Yup. I’ve had my break-downs. I’ve had my impatience that I blame on lack of sleep. I’ve had my moments of overwhelming heart palpitations when I imagine not making the fund raising requirements, not catching the train home for my doctor’s appointment, dreaming of missing the plane to training camp. I’ve had my moments where I just want to be alone. Where I just need to be surrounded by people. Maaaaaan I feel like I’ve experienced it all. And yet, I HAVE it all. Lately, I’ve needed to remind myself that each of the things clouding my schedule have been and ARE blessings – I have zero reason to complain! I’m truly excited to meet each of the people I’ll be travelling the world with! I’m so excited for another week of camp, where we have the privilege of working with God’s children! I can’t WAIT to see my sister walk down the aisle!
I am determined not be overwhelmed, but to continue to look for support from friends and family, and especially the Lord. Because otherwise… as the apostle Peter says “…by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved” (2 Peter 2:19). As negative as that sounds, I think it’s beautiful. God never wanted His children to be enslaved – especially by the “burdens” we create for ourselves – and that has reminded me that I don’t have to do this all on my own. There are so many incredible things that God has waiting for me, and I just wanted to share this encouraging verse that I thought was just so eloquently written…
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12).
Doing these things written above won’t make the situations in my life any easier or less busy, but they will determine the kind of heart I use to carry out the plans God has for me within these situations. What better way to tackle life than in accordance to God’s Word and guidance?
Bring it ON, LIFE!
