Love Love Love

I got back on Sunday from spending a week in PA/OCNJ for my grandparents' 50th anniversary. It was AMAZING. My grandparents have been married for 50 years, and they love each other more than ever. Ever since I was old enough to understand marriage, I wanted to be just like my Nan-nan and Grandad. My Grandad still plays practical jokes on Nan-nan, like putting fake mice in the microwave, or sneaking up behind her and scaring her. She just says "RICHARD!" then smiles and shakes her head. He says he just wants to make sure her heart keeps on ticking (which is adorable, by the way). 

At their anniversary party, I got to see all of their friends that they've known pretty much forever. My Nan-nan dressed in white, and looked just as beautiful as she did in all her wedding pictures. My grandfather wore a suit and was the most handsome man in the room. We clinked our glasses with our knives so that they would kiss, and it was the cutest kiss I've ever seen! I have more respect for and more admiration of their marriage than any other I've seen. 

My grandparents are the coolest example of how God loves us. They love each other and everyone around them the way Christ loves us, the way God loves his bride, the Church. It's so encouraging for me to see that marriage can last this long and still contain more love than when it started. In this society, that's a huge feat. 

So I'm praying that they can both come to my wedding someday, and that my husband and I can continue their legacy of love, while writing our own story. 

"Place me like a seal over your heart,

like a seal on your arm;

for love is as strong as death,

its jealousy unyielding as the grave.

It burns like a blazing fire, 

like a mighty flame.

Many waters cannot quench love;

rivers cannot wash it away.

If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love,

it would be utterly scorned."

Song of Solomon 8:6-7

Update on Horn Creek!

AMAZING things are happening at Horn Creek. Not only are we going to get through the summer, but we may just get through the next year and thrive after that. God has truly provided for us, and we are all SO thankful. 

We had a staff meeting on Saturday night, just so that the full-time staff and some of the board members could give us an update on what was going on. We knew that there were things in the works that might help us get through the summer, but we didn't know much else. It turns out that one man decided to give us $300,000 to get us through our deficit for the rest of the summer. We were going to be coming up short about $100,000 a month, so that was EXACTLY what we needed. That money will go towards payroll, bills, etc. Also, some of the biggest and best camping consultants are coming to Horn Creek for free or for a ridiculously low price to help us get through the next year and learn how to thrive as a camp despite the economy and lack of tourism because of it. 

After our meeting (that was extremely encouraging) we had a time of praise and worship. It was some of the most genuine praise I've ever experienced. Everyone there was so thankful for the way God provided so much within a week's time. Our prayers were literally answered in full. The full time staff have held this burden for so long, some of them giving up their paychecks to help pay bills. Now they are getting those paychecks back and their worries have been relieved in light of God's awesomeness. I can hardly believe it. I am so thankful and so amazed by God's ability to provide for us, and I think that blind faith may come more easily to me from now on. 

So I'll end with this verse, because nothing seems impossible. 

"For truly I say to you, if you have faith like a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible to you."

Matthew 17:20

 Amen, Jesus.

My summer thus far...

So here I am, sitting in the office of Horn Creek, (the only place to get internet) writing a blog for the first time in two months. I thought about writing one before this, but I just didn't know what to say. This has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life so far. The people I work with became like family within the first three days, and they are all amazing people that I love and care deeply for. I have never connected with so many people so quickly, and although I miss my friends from PA and from Nashville immensely, it is comforting to know that I have people here who I really truly love, too. 

I learned last summer that living on a mountain can be lonely, but you learn a lot about yourself when you are in solitude. You see all your faults laid out before you, and you learn to deal with them. Last summer was for sure the loneliest time of my life, but I wouldn't take it back if I had the chance.  God taught me to rely on him by the end of summer, but my independence showed itself again this year when I decided I didn't need help.

I was so afraid that this summer would be as lonely as last summer. I hate that I felt like I needed someone other than God (like a boyfriend) to fulfill my need for love. Thank God that He had other plans for me. I'm learning to trust Him again, to depend on Him for whatever I need. I've learned to accept the fact that when God knows it is right for me to have a relationship, He will bring someone into my life that will be just right. I don't have to look, I just have to be patient (another lesson that I'm slowly learning the hard way, like most of the lessons I learn). So, I am officially a lady in waiting. 

Also, my independence has been shaken financially. I have never had a problem having a job and making my own money. I've had a job since I was old enough to get working papers. Since then, I have VERY rarely borrowed money from my parents, and have been able to buy whatever I really wanted just  by saving or working some extra hours. 

When I got to Horn Creek, they told us they were having financial trouble, but that we shouldn't worry about not getting paid. Later, we found out that the trouble was getting worse and we really may not be getting paid, and we had the choice to leave. When I heard that, my head just started spinning. I needed that money, I have a car payment to make (one that my parents can't afford to pay more than once, either), and gas to pay for, etc. Then this calm just washed over me. God wanted me to know that He would provide. He knows how much I worry about dumb things, and he helped me realize that this is where I'm supposed to be, whether I was getting paid at the end of the month or not. 

So, we've all prayed for the success of Horn Creek, because the staff sees every day what it does for people. We have families that come to spend time with each other, urban children who have never been outside of the city, and numerous youth camps and church groups throughout the summer. The staff has decided to tell the campers our situation at the end of each week, and the response from our first family camp was absolutely amazing. God definitely provided, and he amazed all of us. Now there are things in the works that could get us through the rest of the summer, if not the next year! So now I'm just going to believe God right away when He says he will provide, because he's proven it to me time and time again. 

To wrap up....God has taught me patience, dependence, and faith so far this summer. That seems like a lot, but I know its not even close to the amount of things will be taught to me by the end of the summer. I'm looking forward to it. 

My friend John

I saw my homeless friend John today. He is very often at the Wedgewood exit off of 65 when we are coming home from church. Casey, Meredith and I have made friends with him and always give him our spare dollars. We plan to take him to lunch next week, so he may very well be my first story for my homeless blog. I look forward to next Sunday, as well as to sharing his story with anyone who will read it. 

Sunny with a high of 75....

I just finished taking a test in my New Testament class, and it only took me about half an hour, so here I am, sitting outside, waiting for my next class to start. It is absolutely GORGEOUS out today and I'm SO glad. Its been raining so much lately, and as much as I like thunderstorms, especially at night,  I was just about done with the whole rainy and gross thing. Days like this just remind me of how much I have to be thankful for. In reality, I should be reminded of this every day, whether rainy or sunny, but I'm not. 

Maybe I should just start waking up every day and listing off the things I'm thankful for. That should put me in a good mood every day of the week. I'm gonna try it. We'll see how it goes. 

Anyway, just thought I'd mention how great I think this day is going to be. I hope it lives up to my expectations. 

My hippie side is peeking through.

So I'm sitting in my microeconomics class and my teacher is talking about the Olympics in China and the protests that are going on because of the human rights violations in China. And then she talked about John McCain's statement about the outcome of the recent Russian election, as well as stating that he would be increasing spending on the war in iraq and afghanistan. 

After this discussion, as well as watching the local news on any given day, I pretty much decided that there is entirely too much violence and conflict in the world today. I know this makes me sound like such a hippie, but can't we all just love each other? Seriously. Take a look at the beauty in every day. Find joy in the small things. Laugh a little, let the small things that you would normally get upset about just roll off your shoulders.  Find some happiness. You woke up today, didn't you? It's not that hard, just smile! Relax. Everything's gonna be alright.  

You are blessed everyday. 

First blog post...ever. Well, ever since Xanga. Does that even count as a blog?

So I'm gonna try this whole blogging thing. We'll see how it goes; see if I actually stick with it. 

Originally, the goal of this blog was to tell the stories of the homeless people I encounter in Nashville, in Colorado, or wherever. I hope to still do this, and get rid of some of the misconceptions people have about homeless people (ex: they are all alcoholics and drug addicts). I want to photograph them, put a story with a face, so everyone can get to know these people. I would love for some of these people to get a new start in life. Many of the homeless people I have met still have hopes of a better life, and still have faith in God despite their desperate situations, often teaching me a lesson in faith. It is so funny, because here I am, handing them money, saying "God Bless, have a great day", thinking to myself "Wow, Susan, what a good deed you are doing" when they look right back at me and say "I am blessed by God every day. YOU have a good day." The Glory of God and his faithfulness never ceases to amaze me. 

BUT, I will also use this blog for my own thoughts of everyday life as well, probably more to sort them out for myself than benefit anyone who will actually read this. If you should read it, though, and gain some insight for yourself on something that probably took me waaayyy to long to work through, I'm glad. 

So, this was my first post. Hopefully it only gets better from here!

Be Blessed, I know I am everyday.