Waiting, Trusting, and Following: Reflections of the Summer

This summer has certainly been an adventure. Toward the end of April and very start of May, most of my friends around me at college knew what they would be doing over the summer. Many were going to be counselors at summer camp. Some were getting jobs back home. Others were going on mission trips. However, I was still waiting. I had been praying about it, certainly, but did not have any specific direction or leading.

I thought that it would be neat to stay in Campbellsville, and it made sense. A friend and I could live together and get jobs. Well, she ended up committing to something different, and we couldn’t find jobs anyway. So, I went home. The only definite thing I had planned for the summer was the Set Apart Girl Conference at the end of May. However, before this and after having been home for a few weeks and applying for jobs (to no avail), Nikki, Veronica, and I had the opportunity to go back to Campbellsville and visit for a day (with a delicious stop at IHOP along the way). 

Little J-Ron. So precious.

Also during the month of May, my grandpa was in the hospital, so I was able to help out my family and run errands for them. It was direct confirmation that I was supposed to be at home. 

Next stop was out to Colorado for the Set Apart Girl Conference. This was an incredibly edifying time and something that I definitely needed! Truth was spoken clear and direct and was convicting. An added blessing was that I got to fellowship with seven sisters from last summer (I think our semester was the most represented!). Plus, early morning corporate prayer at Ellerslie is always so encouraging and strengthening!

Got to help out with Ellerslie Prep Academy a bit. :)

His Little Feet performed!

A sweet sister! We had been trying to get together all year and were finally able to :)

Eta girls!

I came home from the conference and again pursued trying to find a job. After many applications, I got a job at the Arby's near us. However, just a bit before this, I had heard about a camp in Tennessee called Lighthouse Christian Camp. Many tweens/teenagers from all over Tennessee come and get to hear Truth for each week. After praying it through, I believed I had a leading from the Lord to be a counselor for two weeks for teenage girls at this camp. So I resigned the job at Arby's and left to go down to Tennessee. I cannot thoroughly describe this amazing time, but God taught me so much through it. I learned what it meant to truly rely upon Him in utter dependence for energy and strength. I learned what "No downtime!" truly looked like and how to appropriate it. I learned what praying through looked like at a deeper level. It grew me tremendously, and I got to see girls come to the Gospel who were so hardened before. And before starting my time at the camp, Nikki, my mom, and I got to attend the last few days of Cross Style Training Camp.

Downtown Lebanon, TN during the Training Camp

Ellerslie Alumni (and to be Alumni) represented at Lighthouse

Sweet sisters in Christ - such a blessing!

Girls' Camp :)

I got to celebrate my 20th birthday with family (whew! Glad to be done with those "teen" years!). Jesus made it so special, and He really hallmarked to me this year how beautiful He makes things when I take no thought for my own life or manipulating circumstances so that it goes as I would want it to. Things truly do work when He's at the center!

The last two weeks in July, my mom, sister, and I went to North Carolina, where Kayla attended a medical camp. My mom and I had a marvelous time exploring North Carolina and had some great finds at Thrift Stores and Consignment Shops (the best place to find adorable, feminine skirts!). 

Duke University Chapel

Bellarmin Mansion

Carriage Ride downtown Wilmington!

Morning walk along the beach with Jesus? Yes, please.

The beginning of August, Eric came to preach at a Men's Conference near us, so Nikki and I got to run the Ellerslie book table for that and be super encouraged by the incredible turn out! Lindsey and  Melody, my room mates from last summer also got to meet up with us, and it was such a wonderful reunion!

The summer was also marked by wonderful opportunities to connect with friends from high school and family and catch up...as well as some random, hilarious moments.

Barely any lines at Holiday World and got to spend time with lovely lady.

Cousin Time!

And the random...

So, God has done mighty works this summer. I certainly felt the pressure in April to orchestrate things on my own, take the pen into my own hands, and script the story for the summer. However, waiting on God is always the best option. His ways are high above our own. 

"For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither has the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what He has prepared for him that waits for Him." Isaiah 64: 4

"Waiting on God is the first step to moving forward." Ben Zornes

"God always gives His best to those who leave the choice to Him." Jim Elliot

God keeps bringing this up to me time and time again. He always knows what is best, and I refuse to manipulate my circumstances or push forward my own agenda. I only want what He wants and what will bring Him glory. Even though it may be extremely painful at times and require a death to my desires, it's all worth it. There are so many other things that happened this summer that just shows forth His will behind it all that I couldn't or chose not to share. Oh, He is faithful and so worthy of all our trust and lives! 

"I wish Thy Way. But when in me, myself would rise and long for something otherwise, then, Holy One, take sword and spear and slay." Amy Carmichael