It's fitting that I follow up my post about friendship and a great night with my team with a post about Young Life. First, let me start off by saying I wasn't super-de-duper involved in Young Life in high school. I went to Windy Gap every year from 8-12 grade and I was a Wyld Life leader but I just wasn't really super involved in Young Life in high school because I was more involved in my youth group at church. Although I wasn't super involved I still recognized the Young Life community and I'm immensely grateful to my Young Life leaders and all they did for me and my walk with Christ!
Looking back on my freshman year, I realize that I was missing a
Christian community and more specifically the Young Life community. So,
when I transferred I automatically knew that I wanted to be placed
and I was bound and determined to be a leader. After going through Quest
(where I met some great people) I thought I knew exactly where I would be
placed but to my surprise I got placed on Pickens. To be honest I was
completely thrown off and wasn't sure how I felt about it but little did
I know the Lord had a much bigger plan. Now I wouldn't want to be
anywhere else. I'm pretty much obsessed with my team and I love how we
are all so different yet we get along so well. Tonight we played a
question game and it seriously was such a great way to bond and made for
a lot of laughs. Not only do I love my team but I LOVE PICKENS. I have
some of the best friends anyone could ask for and I seriously can't wait
for our friendships to grow and for us to get to spend the next year
and a half together. I selfishly wish that Pickens was closer so I could
be with my friends every day of the week 24/7 buuuuut the ride out to
Pickens allows for some great prayer, reflection, conversations (if anyone is riding with me) and time to jam.
Now you might be asking what is Young Life? Well basically it is a relational ministry where college students go into high schools and have the opportunity to become friends with high school students. Then they have the chance to pour into kids, enjoy life and share what it's like to have a relationship with Jesus. For me, I believe all of that but I also tell my girls all the time that it's an opportunity for me to be friends with some great people and for us to do life together and learn how to love Jesus and have a relationship with him. I am blessed to have some amazing high school friends and I hope to make more!
Last but not least the Young Life community is filled with so many different and wonderful people that all have a heart for Jesus and for hanging out with high school friends and sharing Christ with them. A community like that is so rare and I'm so lucky to have it. Like I said in my post yesterday I can only hope/desire to not only know names and faces and what team people are one but actually get to know people and make it a point to hang out.
So I'm blessed to have my Young Life team, community, and friends
I hope yall had a great day!
With all my love- Cam
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
What does friendship look like?
Before I talk about what I plan on talking about I said I would kind of make this a cooking blog if it was worth talking about. Sooooo tonight I made a healthy fried rice and I thought it was delicious! If you want the recipe just let me know....and yes that is pineapple in it (I love pineapple- its my favorite fruit).
Anyways, recently friendship has been on my mind for various reasons. I've been pondering what it means to be a "friend" and what really constitutes being friends with someone.
The definition of a friend according to the dictionary is: "A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts."
In Proverbs 18 it says Proverbs 18:24
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
According to that I guess a friend is someone who you rely on, someone who you like to be around, you trust, and someone who is always there for you. But how do you get to that point? How does it progress and at what point do you feel like you are actual friends? I told you I really have been thinking about this. I've noticed that there are different stages of friendship, there are people that you know and just give a wave to when you pass by or say "hey how are you?" and that's the extent of the conversation, there is also the weird beginning of a friendship where you don't really know the person but you want to but its weird and you haven't figured each other out, there's the established friendship where you know a little bit about the person but not a lot but you will go out and grab lunch occasionally, there is friendship that you know a lot about each other and can share information and joke around but you still don't really know everything about that person, there are friends that you've known forever and are clearly close, then there are friends that you were close with but have grown apart yet you still try to catch up, or there are friends you use to be super close with but have grown apart but once you start talking again you are back to where you left off.
I guess I can't pin-point the spot where you really truly feel like you are friends with a person or how you get to that point. But I have come to the conclusion that I truly want to start actually building friendships. College is great in the fact that you meet a lot of different people and are surrounded by great people but its bad in the fact that some friendships just stay very surface-level. Recently I've realized that I think differently than a lot of people and it may seem weird for me to say but I really feel convicted that a lot of my friendships are so surface-level. I want so badly to get to know people more and on a deeper level and get to the point where I can be relied on completely. Don't get me wrong when I say get to know on a deeper-level I mean on an intellectual and serious level but I also mean a deeper-level where you can just laugh goof around and know that friendship is about goofing around too. Yesterday during club Stephen gave the talk (which he did an absolutely wonderful job) but he said somethings that I was like what!? I didn't know you were struggling with that or I didn't know that's how you thought about that or man I really like that thought. That's when it hit me that Stephen is on my team and I consider my team my friends but I don't know them nearly as well as I'd like. Then I started thinking gosh there are SO many people that I don't know as much as I would like to.
Jesus was an excellent friend He made friendship seem flawless and He truly sought after all of his friends. I think instead of looking at a dictionary definition or trying to figure it out myself it's easier to look at the example Jesus set. His way of making friends was pursing them. So that is my goal I want to actually deepen my friendships. Instead of saying "Oh yeah let's hang out" or "Let's get lunch" or "Yeah we will hang out soon" I want to actually make it happen. I know life is busy but isn't friendship important enough to make it a priority?
I don't think I really came to a conclusion or really brought a lot of insight but here is my challenge for myself and you. No matter what stage your friendship is at pursue people like Jesus and instead of just saying you'll "hang out" or "catch up" actually make it happen. On a daily basis I say I'm going to but my challenge to myself is to make it happen.
With all my love- Cam
Anyways, recently friendship has been on my mind for various reasons. I've been pondering what it means to be a "friend" and what really constitutes being friends with someone.
The definition of a friend according to the dictionary is: "A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts."
In Proverbs 18 it says Proverbs 18:24
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
According to that I guess a friend is someone who you rely on, someone who you like to be around, you trust, and someone who is always there for you. But how do you get to that point? How does it progress and at what point do you feel like you are actual friends? I told you I really have been thinking about this. I've noticed that there are different stages of friendship, there are people that you know and just give a wave to when you pass by or say "hey how are you?" and that's the extent of the conversation, there is also the weird beginning of a friendship where you don't really know the person but you want to but its weird and you haven't figured each other out, there's the established friendship where you know a little bit about the person but not a lot but you will go out and grab lunch occasionally, there is friendship that you know a lot about each other and can share information and joke around but you still don't really know everything about that person, there are friends that you've known forever and are clearly close, then there are friends that you were close with but have grown apart yet you still try to catch up, or there are friends you use to be super close with but have grown apart but once you start talking again you are back to where you left off.
I guess I can't pin-point the spot where you really truly feel like you are friends with a person or how you get to that point. But I have come to the conclusion that I truly want to start actually building friendships. College is great in the fact that you meet a lot of different people and are surrounded by great people but its bad in the fact that some friendships just stay very surface-level. Recently I've realized that I think differently than a lot of people and it may seem weird for me to say but I really feel convicted that a lot of my friendships are so surface-level. I want so badly to get to know people more and on a deeper level and get to the point where I can be relied on completely. Don't get me wrong when I say get to know on a deeper-level I mean on an intellectual and serious level but I also mean a deeper-level where you can just laugh goof around and know that friendship is about goofing around too. Yesterday during club Stephen gave the talk (which he did an absolutely wonderful job) but he said somethings that I was like what!? I didn't know you were struggling with that or I didn't know that's how you thought about that or man I really like that thought. That's when it hit me that Stephen is on my team and I consider my team my friends but I don't know them nearly as well as I'd like. Then I started thinking gosh there are SO many people that I don't know as much as I would like to.
Jesus was an excellent friend He made friendship seem flawless and He truly sought after all of his friends. I think instead of looking at a dictionary definition or trying to figure it out myself it's easier to look at the example Jesus set. His way of making friends was pursing them. So that is my goal I want to actually deepen my friendships. Instead of saying "Oh yeah let's hang out" or "Let's get lunch" or "Yeah we will hang out soon" I want to actually make it happen. I know life is busy but isn't friendship important enough to make it a priority?
I don't think I really came to a conclusion or really brought a lot of insight but here is my challenge for myself and you. No matter what stage your friendship is at pursue people like Jesus and instead of just saying you'll "hang out" or "catch up" actually make it happen. On a daily basis I say I'm going to but my challenge to myself is to make it happen.
With all my love- Cam
Monday, February 27, 2012
Goodbye :(
Haha gotcha! You probably thought I was saying goodbye and no longer writing post...well sorry bout it .... I will continue to write my daily blogs:) I titled this "Goodbye" because apt 209 had to say goodbye to our beautiful, lovely, loving, wonderful, amazing 6th addition that completed 20fine.
If you know me you know that I literally hate saying goodbye and I'm probably the absolute worst at it. I'm sure you've all heard it said but I really would rather say "see you later" than goodbye. To me, goodbye is so abrupt and finalizing. It is completely shutting out a chapter of your life with someone or something.
So Kath-Kath, this is for you! Thank you for being such a wonderful friend and roommate and for always listening to me talk about nonsense things. The Lord really knew what He was doing when He put us all together. I admire your boldness and your faith. I admire the time, love and passion you put into your Wyld Life girls and your team. I admire the way that you will speak your mind. I admire your loving heart. I am truly blessed to have been able to spend half a year with you and I really selfishly wish that we could have lived together longer, BUT just because we don't live together doesn't mean our friendship has to end. To me we didn't say "goodbye" last night but just see you later.
I love you Kathy and I'm so blessed to have you in my life!
With all my love- Cam
If you know me you know that I literally hate saying goodbye and I'm probably the absolute worst at it. I'm sure you've all heard it said but I really would rather say "see you later" than goodbye. To me, goodbye is so abrupt and finalizing. It is completely shutting out a chapter of your life with someone or something.
So Kath-Kath, this is for you! Thank you for being such a wonderful friend and roommate and for always listening to me talk about nonsense things. The Lord really knew what He was doing when He put us all together. I admire your boldness and your faith. I admire the time, love and passion you put into your Wyld Life girls and your team. I admire the way that you will speak your mind. I admire your loving heart. I am truly blessed to have been able to spend half a year with you and I really selfishly wish that we could have lived together longer, BUT just because we don't live together doesn't mean our friendship has to end. To me we didn't say "goodbye" last night but just see you later.
With all my love- Cam
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Wisdom
Again I decided to go to DCF this morning and I'm so glad I did! (Yes right now I should be studying but eh oh well I'll get it done sometime today). Anyways, at DCF we talked about wisdom and the guy who spoke today, basically said that he could give us the typical Sunday answers on how to seek wisdom- that we can seek wisdom through prayer, scripture, and talking to wise spiritual leaders- but if we also look in scripture wisdom is gained by being molded and refined by the Lord and the molding and refining processes are illustrated through trials.
I think the NLT version says Proverbs 17:3 best:
With all my love- Cam
I think the NLT version says Proverbs 17:3 best:
3 Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,
but the LORD tests the heart.
And 1st Thessalonians 2:4 says:
4 God has allowed us to be
trusted with the Good News. Because of this, we preach it to please
God, not man. God tests and proves our hearts.
Just as fire molds and purifies silver and gold, the Lord molds and tests our hearts to purify us and help us gain wisdom. To do this we must accept change and lose control of our lives. Because we believe and trust in the Good News, God will test us to prove our hearts- to prove that our hearts are set for Him and are seeking Him. I mean I'm sure I've probably thought about this before but when he said it I just thought to myself man...you are so right- that is exactly how we gain wisdom. I know this seems to be a continuous topic in my posts but I think it all comes down to us not living fully in God's freedom and how we choose to take control for ourselves rather than giving it fully to God. I know there are a lot of times when things don't happen the way I want them, or I'll pray for something that my heart wants so badly to happen and God never opens the door or he closes a door and I'll blame Him and get really upset but that is clearly a human weakness- it's me wanting control and not allowing God to have full control.
Also, during the service we had a time of testimony where people shared what was on their hearts and about the how the lord has molded them and tested their hearts but while people were sharing I was reading in Ruth.
This is what I found- Ruth 1:20-21 "Don't call me Naomi," she told them. "Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me."
It struck such a cord with what we were talking about how the Lord molds us in order for us to gain wisdom. In this passage Naomi seemed to want complete control of her situation and it is evident that the Lord had other plans in mind for her. Naomi seems to be blaming the Lord and is being really kind of sassy about it. I found myself reading this passage and thinking to myself gosh she is so ungrateful and is clearly not seeing how the lord is working in her life she is just acting like woe is me, God has done this to me why should I even be called Naomi (which means pleasant) and instead you should call me Mara (which means bitter)- I'm sorry can we say DIVA (yes I know she has a very sad story and has lost everything important to her but the Lord uses those situations as well). Anyways, then I thought to myself wow Cameron how many times do you do that? I can't even begin to count the number of times I am bitter and I blame God for the things that are not happening in my life. I am so simple minded that I only look at the present and I never look at the big picture. Just like Naomi I am so ungrateful of what I have now and what is going on in my life now. I don't take the time to really reflect on the doors that are open and instead of dwelling on doors that are closed I should reflect on where I am now and be grateful.
Here are some blurbs that I jotted down while people were giving their testimonies that really clicked with me:
- God is reminding me that I need Him and should rely on Him solely
- He makes me dependent on Him
- Stay where God has you now and move when He moves you
- Love is not self-seeking
With all my love- Cam
Saturday, February 25, 2012
What I love most about college
Community and friendship. I realized looking back on it that freshman year I was missing ministry and community. Don't get me wrong I had some of the best friends and some of the best times with those friends and they helped me through a lot of hard things that year. But now that I've been at Clemson for almost 2 years I feel like I've been here the whole time and wouldn't ask for a any other place to be.
That's literally the best part about college: meeting people, making friends, investing in people, and living life together.
Tonight Becca and I were able to have a roomie dinner and we had a great night eating sushi and talking about life---seriously the lord has blessed me with a great roommate. Then as we were getting comfy on our couches watching Waterboy in our apartment a large group of boys come through the door looking for cookies. Naturally I decided to make some cookies (I would have taken a picture but literally as soon as they were out of the oven and on the plate they were gone).
Anyways with all of that said I loved every bit of tonight because it encompasses my college life. I love that I live in a place where the community is so evident and that people will just bee-bop into our apartment and hang out because that's what college and life is about isn't it? It's about relationships, it's about enjoying each others' company, its about investing in each other, its about sharing good times and bad, its about challenging each other, and most of all it's about showing Christs' love and helping to build each others' faith.
So if you ask me what my favorite thing about college is...it's community it's about my Clemson family that I love and would never want to pass up.
I hope you have that community and friendship
With all my love- Cam
That's literally the best part about college: meeting people, making friends, investing in people, and living life together.
Tonight Becca and I were able to have a roomie dinner and we had a great night eating sushi and talking about life---seriously the lord has blessed me with a great roommate. Then as we were getting comfy on our couches watching Waterboy in our apartment a large group of boys come through the door looking for cookies. Naturally I decided to make some cookies (I would have taken a picture but literally as soon as they were out of the oven and on the plate they were gone).
Anyways with all of that said I loved every bit of tonight because it encompasses my college life. I love that I live in a place where the community is so evident and that people will just bee-bop into our apartment and hang out because that's what college and life is about isn't it? It's about relationships, it's about enjoying each others' company, its about investing in each other, its about sharing good times and bad, its about challenging each other, and most of all it's about showing Christs' love and helping to build each others' faith.
So if you ask me what my favorite thing about college is...it's community it's about my Clemson family that I love and would never want to pass up.
I hope you have that community and friendship
With all my love- Cam
Friday, February 24, 2012
How was your day?
First of all let me start by saying this will probably be one of the most random posts you will ever read but with that being said I'm pretty random. Anyways so if you know me or have ever asked me the question how was your day, you know that I respond with exactly how my day was; I will give you a play-by-play of my day. That's because I expect if you ask me you really are interested in me and my day so I will tell you. I guess I feel that way because that is how I think- if I'm going to ask someone how their day is I genuinely want to know and I want to know more about them and I am interested in how their day went good or bad.
With that said let me tell you about my day...not that you really asked but you did it to yourself:)
Last night we stayed up and watched The Voice which then lead us to watch old videos of Christina Aguilera when she was younger which then lead to this gem....
I'm literally obsessed!! Not only does this kid have pipes but he is a cute little boy from Belize and you can literally ask my roommates but I was freaking out when I watched this, want to go and take this kid and make him mine...not really but seriously. I can tell you right now that I will spend sometime with kids from another country. Whether that is for a month, for a summer, for a year, for multiple years, or even if I adopt but I love children and I love kids from other countries.
On to today, well after my daily run or lift I went to Pickens for lunches and it was so great to be with my friends and hang out and laugh and get to see them during the day. On my way out the door I spotted the Picken's High School newspaper on the counter so I decided to pick up the and GUESS WHAT! Due to the popular Mice on Main in Greenville, Pickens county is getting Turtles for the Town! Haha basically it's like a scavenger hunt around historical downtown Pickens for these turtles they are going to put in place. Seriously that just made my day I think it is so funny.
THEN.............like everyone and their mom have said today was seriously the most beautiful day I could have asked for. I love Clemson and the atmosphere and I LOVE the hot weather that came today. It gave a shimmer of hope and sunshine in the midst of the past dreary wintery gross days, ahhhhhh I literally cannot wait for it to be spring and summer I CAN'T WAIT!!!!! I want it to be warm all the time now now now now now.
Anyways, after lunches I went to class and seriously I think time stands still, it literally feels like it lasts forever.
After class I went to Pickens to eat dinner with my LOVELY and WONDERFUL friends! On my to Pickens I drove with the windows down the sun-setting in my rear-view and Coldplay blaring- one of my favorite things to do when its warm is drive with the windows down, jamming to music, just drive and think. So we went to Atami's for dinner and not only can we sit and joke and laugh for a long time but today we talked about Godly men and what we should look for in guys. For a while I thought I'd put in my post tonight what I look for in a boy specifically but I just don't think that I should. However, I will share this verse that I found that I shared with my girls....
Titus 2 2 Teach the men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
I will say this, for me a guy should be saved, should be confident in God and confident in his walk with God, he should be humble but also be a leader, as well as the qualities Paul discusses to Titus in chapter 2. While there are some more characteristics on my list, I believe these should be non-negotiable and every girl should look for a guy like this.
After dinner we went to the Talent Show and it was so great! Congrats to all of those who won you all did a great job! On my way home I rode with the windows down listened to Jesus Culture Pandora (highly suggest) and had a great time of reflection and prayer (with my eyes open haha). Then I came home and some people came over and watch another episode of The Voice.
While you might not have asked me how my day was I thought I would share and ask you how was your day? I sincerely hope you had a great day!
With all my love- Cam
With that said let me tell you about my day...not that you really asked but you did it to yourself:)
Last night we stayed up and watched The Voice which then lead us to watch old videos of Christina Aguilera when she was younger which then lead to this gem....
On to today, well after my daily run or lift I went to Pickens for lunches and it was so great to be with my friends and hang out and laugh and get to see them during the day. On my way out the door I spotted the Picken's High School newspaper on the counter so I decided to pick up the and GUESS WHAT! Due to the popular Mice on Main in Greenville, Pickens county is getting Turtles for the Town! Haha basically it's like a scavenger hunt around historical downtown Pickens for these turtles they are going to put in place. Seriously that just made my day I think it is so funny.
THEN.............like everyone and their mom have said today was seriously the most beautiful day I could have asked for. I love Clemson and the atmosphere and I LOVE the hot weather that came today. It gave a shimmer of hope and sunshine in the midst of the past dreary wintery gross days, ahhhhhh I literally cannot wait for it to be spring and summer I CAN'T WAIT!!!!! I want it to be warm all the time now now now now now.
Anyways, after lunches I went to class and seriously I think time stands still, it literally feels like it lasts forever.
After class I went to Pickens to eat dinner with my LOVELY and WONDERFUL friends! On my to Pickens I drove with the windows down the sun-setting in my rear-view and Coldplay blaring- one of my favorite things to do when its warm is drive with the windows down, jamming to music, just drive and think. So we went to Atami's for dinner and not only can we sit and joke and laugh for a long time but today we talked about Godly men and what we should look for in guys. For a while I thought I'd put in my post tonight what I look for in a boy specifically but I just don't think that I should. However, I will share this verse that I found that I shared with my girls....
Titus 2 2 Teach the men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
I will say this, for me a guy should be saved, should be confident in God and confident in his walk with God, he should be humble but also be a leader, as well as the qualities Paul discusses to Titus in chapter 2. While there are some more characteristics on my list, I believe these should be non-negotiable and every girl should look for a guy like this.
After dinner we went to the Talent Show and it was so great! Congrats to all of those who won you all did a great job! On my way home I rode with the windows down listened to Jesus Culture Pandora (highly suggest) and had a great time of reflection and prayer (with my eyes open haha). Then I came home and some people came over and watch another episode of The Voice.
While you might not have asked me how my day was I thought I would share and ask you how was your day? I sincerely hope you had a great day!
With all my love- Cam
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Control
Anyways back to control, Elyse sent me this picture of a devotional that really struck a cord with me and I just felt like I needed to share.
2 Corinthians 5:17 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!
I think what got me the most was knowing that I don't find all of my security in God. If I can be raw and honest sometimes it's hard to give control to someone who you haven't physically seen before, someone who sometimes you feel and know is there but sometimes wonder if he is listening. It's hard trust me I know its hard, and that is where human flesh and human weakness comes into play. BUT it is also where faith comes in and that is also where remembering the times you have seen God working in your life and knowing/believing/and having faith that our God is greater and our God is stronger, if our God is for us who can be against us? It's having faith that nothing can keep us from the Love of our God and that He was, He is, and He always will be. It's knowing He loves us with unconditional love and will ALWAYS love us with unconditional love. There is nothing we can say or do that will change that.
The picture above comes from Jesus Calling and If you don't have a daily devotional or you haven't read it before I strongly suggest you get it, its amazing how most of the time what the devotional has to say is exactly what you need for that day. As I was reading this I felt it strike a cord with me knowing that I try to mold every day into yesterday. I like to have structure and I like to know what my day will look like exactly but that is putting limits not only on myself but also on my God. I am limiting myself by clinging to old ways and I try to put boundaries on limiting what my day or week should look like-because yes sometimes I like to even plan out my weeks. Every day I always plan to run or lift, go to class, go to lunches if its a day I go to Picken's lunches, go to club if its Monday, go to team meeting if its Wednesday, have campaigners if its Tuesday or Thursday, and it all basically revolves around the same thing. And you might ask well isn't that boring? Well no at least I know what to expect for the day and know that I got accomplished what I needed to get accomplished. But how simple is that? I realize that I am not living in the mystery of God and His plan instead I am limiting the greatness he has in store. I truly am uncomfortable with change but like it says in 2 Corinthians if I am a new creation then let the old be gone and live fully in the new. Let my yesterday be yesterday and my today be today. I should live every day completely and to the fullest- yes it sounds cliche but its true. If I don't allow God to work in my life and allow for change to happen for him to mold me and stretch me and make me new then I am not living in the fullness of his glory and his plan.
While I realize I have obligations and I have places I need to be every day my goal is to be open to change to embrace changes in my schedule if an opportunity arises don't miss out on it. That is my challenge for you this week. Whatever you are trying to hold on to or whatever mold you are continuously trying to keep- let go of it, let God work and mold you, let him change you and let him move you to be more than you can imagine. YES it is uncomfortable and YES it is scary but when you overcome something by relying solely on Him how much greater and stronger does that make you? And how much more faith in him will you have for the next challenge? Rely on God this week let him work, don't pass up opportunities to hang out with an old friend, to help someone, to sit and talk with children, to love on people, there is nothing in this world that can or should keep you from showing God's love and no matter how tight of schedule you have, you can ALWAYS have time to be molded and let God work.
With all my love- Cam
Monday, February 20, 2012
Wonderful Weekend
This past weekend was probably one of my top favorite weekends I've had in a while. I really am beyond blessed to have such a wonderful community of friends! Friday night was formal and I already wrote about that but it was such a great time to be with friends old and new- yay for new friends- and literally dancing the night away.
Saturday I saw the Vow with one of my Pickens friends Ashton and it was so fun to hang out with her! Then Saturday night a group of us went to The Blind Horse in Greenville and it was so much fun. The Blind Horse is hilarious because everyone is line dancing and if you don't know the dances people get so mad and frustrated with you. Obviously I'm a pro line dancer and know every line dance so I just joined right on in...[ haha thats a joke I joined on in but I definitely made a fool of myself because eventually I just started making things up:) or this guy tried to take us to the side of the dance floor and teach us] Anywayyyyyys seriously so fun and if you missed out you have to go next time. PLUS I am so proud of myself for not being a grandma this weekend and staying up later than 12 both days...yes i know quite an accomplishment.
That leaves Sunday. I was trying to decide where to go to church either Newspring, Grace, or DCF because I really like aspects of all three. Newspring I really like the teaching, Grace I love the way the pastor's speak directly from the Bible verse by verse, and DCF I really love the praise and worship. Well for some reason this Sunday I really felt like I just needed to praise. So, I went to DCF and it was EXACTLY what I needed. There is just something about praising our God and worshiping with a group of people that can fill your spirit. My heart seems to soar and seems to just feel so uplifted and full whenever there is praise. I typed in "praise" on Biblegateway.com and just for the word "praise" not in any other form but "praise" shows up 363 times! Obviously praise is such a great part of our walk and relationship with God. It's something we should constantly do and should want to do all the time. Another praise was there were children who were dedicated to the church and my heart was singing for them. Its so amazing to see two beautiful children be dedicated to Christ and their families support them and want nothing more than to have them grow in the Lord's love. My prayer for my family is that we can always pray together and that we can seek the Lord together it was so encouraging to see these families love their children and love them well. It made me think of my family and how I have grown up in such a loving and God fearing family. My parents have loved me and loved me well and although I don't remember it I know when I was dedicated to Christ when I was a baby that was their first step and raising me and helping me in my relationship with Christ....I digress....We also had a time of prayer for others around us and seriously like I've said before the Holy Spirit absolutely amazes me. In my group I knew one person and the other 5 people I had never met in my life but the prayers that were said came from our spirit and it was as if we all knew each other and what we all needed to be prayed over. It just amazes me that with our spirit we know exactly what to say. There was also a time of sharing and this beautiful elderly woman stood up and talked about how she just felt the lord at DCF that morning and how evident it was that he was there... and yall this woman just glowed- her spirit was shining in her and it was so amazing to see and hear her words. I PRAY that I can aspire to be like that woman throughout my life. It's also wonderful that the Holy Spirit moved Turner at the end to sing Jesus Culture's song Come Away With Me. I am in love with this song and it was exactly what my spirit needed. God has a plan and no matter what is holding you back in the world let go of those chains and live in God's freedom because it's going to be wild and it's going to be great.
Psalm 30:12
that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever.
I hope yall have such a blessed day. Live joyfully knowing God has a plan and let go of whatever chains are holding you back.
With ALL my love- Cam
Saturday I saw the Vow with one of my Pickens friends Ashton and it was so fun to hang out with her! Then Saturday night a group of us went to The Blind Horse in Greenville and it was so much fun. The Blind Horse is hilarious because everyone is line dancing and if you don't know the dances people get so mad and frustrated with you. Obviously I'm a pro line dancer and know every line dance so I just joined right on in...[ haha thats a joke I joined on in but I definitely made a fool of myself because eventually I just started making things up:) or this guy tried to take us to the side of the dance floor and teach us] Anywayyyyyys seriously so fun and if you missed out you have to go next time. PLUS I am so proud of myself for not being a grandma this weekend and staying up later than 12 both days...yes i know quite an accomplishment.
That leaves Sunday. I was trying to decide where to go to church either Newspring, Grace, or DCF because I really like aspects of all three. Newspring I really like the teaching, Grace I love the way the pastor's speak directly from the Bible verse by verse, and DCF I really love the praise and worship. Well for some reason this Sunday I really felt like I just needed to praise. So, I went to DCF and it was EXACTLY what I needed. There is just something about praising our God and worshiping with a group of people that can fill your spirit. My heart seems to soar and seems to just feel so uplifted and full whenever there is praise. I typed in "praise" on Biblegateway.com and just for the word "praise" not in any other form but "praise" shows up 363 times! Obviously praise is such a great part of our walk and relationship with God. It's something we should constantly do and should want to do all the time. Another praise was there were children who were dedicated to the church and my heart was singing for them. Its so amazing to see two beautiful children be dedicated to Christ and their families support them and want nothing more than to have them grow in the Lord's love. My prayer for my family is that we can always pray together and that we can seek the Lord together it was so encouraging to see these families love their children and love them well. It made me think of my family and how I have grown up in such a loving and God fearing family. My parents have loved me and loved me well and although I don't remember it I know when I was dedicated to Christ when I was a baby that was their first step and raising me and helping me in my relationship with Christ....I digress....We also had a time of prayer for others around us and seriously like I've said before the Holy Spirit absolutely amazes me. In my group I knew one person and the other 5 people I had never met in my life but the prayers that were said came from our spirit and it was as if we all knew each other and what we all needed to be prayed over. It just amazes me that with our spirit we know exactly what to say. There was also a time of sharing and this beautiful elderly woman stood up and talked about how she just felt the lord at DCF that morning and how evident it was that he was there... and yall this woman just glowed- her spirit was shining in her and it was so amazing to see and hear her words. I PRAY that I can aspire to be like that woman throughout my life. It's also wonderful that the Holy Spirit moved Turner at the end to sing Jesus Culture's song Come Away With Me. I am in love with this song and it was exactly what my spirit needed. God has a plan and no matter what is holding you back in the world let go of those chains and live in God's freedom because it's going to be wild and it's going to be great.
Psalm 30:12
that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever.
With ALL my love- Cam
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Formal
This is going to be a short one but I promise Sunday's will be longer. Anyways this weekend so far has been wonderful and is about to get even better! Yesterday-sorry i didn't post not that i really think you mind- but yesterday was ridiculously busy. Had class, met with Sam (love her) we literally can have the best conversations, ran, gave a tour (gosh i love giving tours!), came back baked pigs-in-a-blanket and spinach dip, and got ready, then went to Formal and seriously had one of the best nights! The lord really has blessed me with such great friends old and new. Tonight hopefully a lot of us are going to a country line-dancing place in G-vegas and will dance the night away again! I hope yall are having wonderful weekends!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Just call me mom:)
If I haven't said it enough I like making people happy:) Tonight I made Chicken Taco Chili and yummmm it was delicious! If you want the recipe I got it off of Skinnytaste.com It seriously was so fun feeding my family and having people come and eat. If I could I would do it every day- I guess you can just call me mom:)
Holy Spirit
For some reason the topic of Holy Spirit has been on my heart today. It all started when Molly and I were on our way to lunches and we were talking about prayer. Obviously Jesus is my Savior and God is my King and father but to complete the trinity is the Holy Spirit (which recently I have found to be the most fascinating). Anyways so we were talking about prayer and the verse that came to my mind (let me ramble and say that I really don't have a lot of scripture memorized I have to do research and find it trust me- its my goal to memorize more scripture because I definitely fail in that area) anyways the verse that came to mind was
Romans 8:26--- "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.
We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes
for us with groans that words cannot express."
I'm sorry but how great is our God to know that we do not know what we should pray for or ask for so He equipped us with the Holy Spirit to speak for us. I find myself sometimes at a loss for words when I pray and sometimes I feel like I just pray for the same things and sometimes I just don't even know what to pray but I think it's so amazing that the Holy Spirit, the Spirit God has put within me specifically, does all the speaking and talking for me. I have even realized that sometimes when I pray I honestly can't tell you what I just prayed for but I feel my heart has been emptied yet was filled at the same time- it's hard to explain- but its almost as if the Holy Spirit knew what my heart wanted to say so I said it out loud and then my heart was emptied but because the Holy Spirit was working I was filled.
Another thing that I think is so great about the Holy Spirit is that it moves us. Have you ever had that tug on your heart, that urge, that indescribable annoying feeling, or that feeling where you feel like if you don't say something your heart is going to burst? Well that's the Holy Spirit! I'm in awe- if you can't tell. But to know that God is working in that and the Holy Spirit is making us move and making us speak just amazes me. And when I don't move when the Spirit moves or I don't respond when it's pulling I feel guilty, I feel like I might have missed out on something. I'll never forget what my Young Life leader said one night. In high school I was a Wyld Life leader and we always met on Tuesday nights (I think). We would read from a book in the Bible and discuss it. But I'll never forget what Angie said to us one night- she said if you don't have anything to say about a verse then that's okay because it means the Holy Spirit isn't speaking to you in that instance but if you feel like you have something to say then SAY IT because the Holy Spirit in you is interpreting those verses differently than it is to someone else. And if we keep our thoughts to ourselves then we are robbing others around us from growing. First, I think its wonderful that everyone's Holy Spirit works the same way but MOVES in different ways. Second, how true is it that sometimes we shy away from sharing but I've never thought that I could be robbing someone from growing if I didn't share.
Speaking of moving I was reading ACTS ch 1 & 2 (because I think I'm going to read through Acts now) anyways in chapter 1:7-8 Jesus says "It is not for you to know the times or dates the father has set by his own authority. But you will revieve power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." When I was reading this I couldn't help but think about yesterday's post. I'm still conflicted and confused as to when and where and how I will serve and do missions but after reading that how clear is it that the Holy Spirit does work and it does move and it moves at the right time- God's time. That's so reassuring to know that God the King of Kings has a time and date set for me and my life and when it is time he will move MY Spirit. How reassuring and wonderful to know and rest in.
My urge for you is to not deny the Holy Spirit to work. When it moves- move with it, when it wants you to speak- speak, when you don't know what to pray for- know that it does the work for you. Our God is the Great Designer and has equipped us.
With all my love- Cam
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Passion
Today was a wonderful day! I was telling my YL team the other day that I think I have a sign on my head that says "I'll have a conversation with anyone." I was in the grocery store today and I had a conversation with the produce guy and then some old lady just about their days and the weather and i just absolutely loved it! It's so fun just talking to random people. Anyways so after I went to the grocery store I met up with Edward at Starbucks to talk about our independent study. While we were at Starbucks we were talking about INVEST which is his nonprofit that he works for and then I found this gem of an article on Facebook about missions. I liked this article because although a lot of people feel called to go out to other places to do missions, some people don't realize that we also are called to do missions here and be excellent in our jobs to glorify God and make His kingdom known.
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/deeper-walk/features/26398-we-need-boring-christians
For some reason I've been really conflicted recently about missions. I feel like around this time every year missions always come up and my heart goes crazy every time. From any experience I've had, mission trips are some of my favorite times, I've been out of country once for a mission trip and to four different places in the U.S., which to me is not enough but I digress. Not only do I love serving people but I also love traveling and the interesting thing about mission trips is that I feel like I'm more blessed and served when I leave than when I first arrive. If you had asked me last year what I was going to do this summer I would have said going to Africa or if you asked me last summer what I wanted to do after I graduate college I would have said "going for a year to a Caribbean island and being a missionary" (or village helper- as I sometimes say haha sometimes I don't like the word missionary- that's a whole other rambling thought). Well now you're probably wondering what changed or what are you doing? This summer I'm interning at Mobile Meals and after I graduate I have no earthly idea maybe go to an island and serve or maybe do this cool internship with Knoxville Fellows and get seminary credit while serving in Knoxville. AH even while I'm typing this out I'm conflicted. Visions of little children in Africa or any other country just pull at my heart strings and I want nothing more than to go there NOW. I want to hold them and love them and take care of them. I want to be immersed in a culture, I want to live with the people, I want to do life with them, I want to show Jesus to them and worship Jesus with them, I want to eat with them, I want to cook for them, I want to laugh with them, I want to cry with them, I want to be there for them, I want to go not for just a week not for just a month but I want to go and I want to be a part of their families. I know it has to be hard to give up the American life and I know it has to be hard to not have a lot and I'm not naive to know that I have become accustomed to a very nice and spoiled lifestyle. But I still can't help but want so badly to go and serve just for some period of time. While I write this my heart is bursting - I think it's because I want this so badly but I'm also just so conflicted. I looked up what the definition for passion is in the dictionary and here's one definition: A state or outburst of emotion.....Obviously there is some kind of passion for me to go an serve. But here is where the conflict comes into play. What about here? What about the 16 million children here that go hungry? What about my college education? What about using the tools God has given me to talk to people both lovingly and business-like? What about helping a non-profit that helps the children in other countries or even this country? What about PR, marketing, event planning, fundraising? Should I stay here and be excellent in my job here like the article talked about? What am I going to do when I graduate?
I want so badly to have the answers. And I want so badly to go overseas somewhere and be immersed but for some reason it hasn't worked out- I wanted to go this summer but nothing emerged and out of nowhere the Mobile Meals internship came into place and I feel like that's where I'm suppose to be this summer. But I cannot deny this passion for going and being immersed in another culture. Sigh.....I suppose that's where passion comes into play and where being passionate for the Lord and His will, will take care of this conflict.
I told you in my post about myself that I have a difficult time with control and not knowing the Lord's plan. But I found these verses and they do seem to give me peace in times of conflict.
Psalm 62:5- Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future
I urge you, if you have passions don't ignore them because the Lord has put them on your heart- they have made you unique. And remember whatever you end up doing, do it with excellence.
With all my love- Cam
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/deeper-walk/features/26398-we-need-boring-christians
For some reason I've been really conflicted recently about missions. I feel like around this time every year missions always come up and my heart goes crazy every time. From any experience I've had, mission trips are some of my favorite times, I've been out of country once for a mission trip and to four different places in the U.S., which to me is not enough but I digress. Not only do I love serving people but I also love traveling and the interesting thing about mission trips is that I feel like I'm more blessed and served when I leave than when I first arrive. If you had asked me last year what I was going to do this summer I would have said going to Africa or if you asked me last summer what I wanted to do after I graduate college I would have said "going for a year to a Caribbean island and being a missionary" (or village helper- as I sometimes say haha sometimes I don't like the word missionary- that's a whole other rambling thought). Well now you're probably wondering what changed or what are you doing? This summer I'm interning at Mobile Meals and after I graduate I have no earthly idea maybe go to an island and serve or maybe do this cool internship with Knoxville Fellows and get seminary credit while serving in Knoxville. AH even while I'm typing this out I'm conflicted. Visions of little children in Africa or any other country just pull at my heart strings and I want nothing more than to go there NOW. I want to hold them and love them and take care of them. I want to be immersed in a culture, I want to live with the people, I want to do life with them, I want to show Jesus to them and worship Jesus with them, I want to eat with them, I want to cook for them, I want to laugh with them, I want to cry with them, I want to be there for them, I want to go not for just a week not for just a month but I want to go and I want to be a part of their families. I know it has to be hard to give up the American life and I know it has to be hard to not have a lot and I'm not naive to know that I have become accustomed to a very nice and spoiled lifestyle. But I still can't help but want so badly to go and serve just for some period of time. While I write this my heart is bursting - I think it's because I want this so badly but I'm also just so conflicted. I looked up what the definition for passion is in the dictionary and here's one definition: A state or outburst of emotion.....Obviously there is some kind of passion for me to go an serve. But here is where the conflict comes into play. What about here? What about the 16 million children here that go hungry? What about my college education? What about using the tools God has given me to talk to people both lovingly and business-like? What about helping a non-profit that helps the children in other countries or even this country? What about PR, marketing, event planning, fundraising? Should I stay here and be excellent in my job here like the article talked about? What am I going to do when I graduate?
I want so badly to have the answers. And I want so badly to go overseas somewhere and be immersed but for some reason it hasn't worked out- I wanted to go this summer but nothing emerged and out of nowhere the Mobile Meals internship came into place and I feel like that's where I'm suppose to be this summer. But I cannot deny this passion for going and being immersed in another culture. Sigh.....I suppose that's where passion comes into play and where being passionate for the Lord and His will, will take care of this conflict.
I told you in my post about myself that I have a difficult time with control and not knowing the Lord's plan. But I found these verses and they do seem to give me peace in times of conflict.
Psalm 62:5- Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future
I urge you, if you have passions don't ignore them because the Lord has put them on your heart- they have made you unique. And remember whatever you end up doing, do it with excellence.
With all my love- Cam
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Successful Valentines Day
Well friends the day that most everyone hates has come and almost gone- and you know what I had a great day! Honestly I wasn't expecting it to be bad because to me it's just like every other day-except today people tend to show their love more publicly. In my mind I don't think there needs to be a day that publicly celebrates love because every day we should show love. Like the cliche verse 1st Corinthians 13:4-7
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
I know it seems to be over used but I really do truly enjoy reading this verse. It tells us how to love perfectly- Jesus was our example in the world He was the flesh version of loving perfectly but this letter to the Corinthians tells exactly what love is. If we are to love each other as we love ourselves then I think it's awesome God has given us a book that specifically tells us what love is. The ultimate love was Jesus Christ dying for our sins but Paul's letter to the Corinthians tells us exactly how we can love and love perfectly.
Tonight I got to spend my Valentine's Day with my beautiful and wonderful Young Life friends and as we sat in Chick-fil-a and talked and laughed about life, boys, and high school we also talked about love. We read my favorite verse 1st John 4:19- "We love because He first loved us" and then we read the verses from 1st Corinthians. It's interesting to read this verse out-loud multiple times because the more you read it the more you can't help but want to love perfectly like it describes. We talked about how we can pray for each other and where in our lives we can work on loving others better. So, that is my challenge for you read this verse over and over and reflect where you can love better, because if we are to love perfectly we must always persevere and never be content with where we are. We can always love better.
Speaking of showing love- although I did not have a Valentine (besides my wonderful girl's dinner date) I did have a wonderful daddy that sent me a Valentines card and in that card was this little gem of a note....
Yes...yes i did get a ticket and yes...yes I do have the best daddy ever. I'm so thankful that my Heavenly Father has blessed me with such a wonderful Godly earthly father. I hope I can find a loving, caring, giving, Godly man like my dad.
Anyways with all that said.... every day should be Valentine's day because we should love and love perfectly every day.
With all my love- Cam
Monday, February 13, 2012
If you could live in another era what would it be?
First of all let me start today's blog off with a couple of things about my day. Well my embarrassing moment of the day (there is at least one every day- ask my team or my roommates). This morning I was walking back from Fike (like every other morning) except today I was jamming to the new Coldplay CD-seriously I'm obsessed. Anyways so I was jamming and then I found myself dancing because I was in such a good mood- I mean I was legitimately dancing to the point I like gave a little spin and while spinning I spy three people walking behind me laughing hahaha needless to say I was slightly embarrassed and walked ridiculously fast the rest of the way home. The best part of my day though was Valentine's Club! We had like 20 friends there, we had a photo-booth, skits/mixers/games/characters/talk everything was super funny and really great and the Lord was def. present! I seriously have the best team and the best friends ever!
Now on to what I was going to write this blog about:) If you ever need a good ice breaker question I think the question- "If you could live in any era what would it be?" is a great one because it can tell you a lot about a person as well as strike up a good conversation. For me, I'd like to live in the 1950's in my mind (which I could be completely wrong) but in my mind things were a lot more simple and society wasn't quite as ridiculous as it has gotten now. Here's my thing- we were talking the other night with a group of guys and girls about dating these days and honestly it is such a messed up system because the way society views dating now a-days is so confusing. For instance if a guy asks a girl to get dinner or ice cream or coffee people can misconstrue it as the first date or take it ridiculously far and say oh they will be dating like the next day and then a ring will be going on that finger soon. When in reality the boy just wants to get to know the girl to see if there is potential; but because there is this awkward confusion it seems that now a-days boys are more timid and less likely to ask girls on "dates" or just times to hang out- in my mind this doesn't quite seem fair. For instance my dad asks "Cameron why haven't you gone out on many dates since you've been in college?" Haha I reply "well dad that is a very good question that I can't really answer." Now I don't say that to get the aw woe is me I say that to say that it was different when my dad was in college because to him it was normal for them to "date" or go out with different girls in order to know exactly what fits them best. But I also am not going to lie to you because I am one of those girls that gets excited if a guy asks her to hang out ( haha but lets be honest that rarely happens ) but if it did happen I'll admit that I would wonder what it was about and probably get excited in hopes that a relationship would be on the way (ridiculous i know), but I feel like I'm not the only one. Also, I think it's good to seek the Lord's will and to be conscious especially now that we are getting older but being conscious that the person we are hanging out with could potentially be the one because who really knows. I think what I'm trying to say is I think it's good to seek the Lord's will and to wait to date a person and that it is courteous to not date/hangout with a bunch of different people. But then you wonder gosh how are you going to get to know people of the opposite sex? Well I agree it is hard for guys and it's easy to be timid they will give off the wrong impression and its hard for girls because we go in with an expectation of a possible relationship and come out with a more than likely let down. BUT have no fear I think I have a possible solution. I think it's fitting that I'm a Comm major because I always talk about how communication is key but seriously it really is key. Guys let your intentions be known if you want to hang out just to get to know the girl just tell her that don't let it be an awk confusion and girls be guarded and don't think that every guy is looking for a relationship. Although I think communication is key- I think it's key between the guy and the girl NOT between the best friends the roommates the teammate the random people yes it's exciting that potential is happening but there is NO reason to make a huge deal out of two people hanging out. So I guess if I were to pick an era it'd be the 1950's early 1960's I think everything was a lot less complicated and there weren't as many expectations plus there was some awesome music and some cute clothes.
Anyways just something to ponder:)
With all my love- Cam
Now on to what I was going to write this blog about:) If you ever need a good ice breaker question I think the question- "If you could live in any era what would it be?" is a great one because it can tell you a lot about a person as well as strike up a good conversation. For me, I'd like to live in the 1950's in my mind (which I could be completely wrong) but in my mind things were a lot more simple and society wasn't quite as ridiculous as it has gotten now. Here's my thing- we were talking the other night with a group of guys and girls about dating these days and honestly it is such a messed up system because the way society views dating now a-days is so confusing. For instance if a guy asks a girl to get dinner or ice cream or coffee people can misconstrue it as the first date or take it ridiculously far and say oh they will be dating like the next day and then a ring will be going on that finger soon. When in reality the boy just wants to get to know the girl to see if there is potential; but because there is this awkward confusion it seems that now a-days boys are more timid and less likely to ask girls on "dates" or just times to hang out- in my mind this doesn't quite seem fair. For instance my dad asks "Cameron why haven't you gone out on many dates since you've been in college?" Haha I reply "well dad that is a very good question that I can't really answer." Now I don't say that to get the aw woe is me I say that to say that it was different when my dad was in college because to him it was normal for them to "date" or go out with different girls in order to know exactly what fits them best. But I also am not going to lie to you because I am one of those girls that gets excited if a guy asks her to hang out ( haha but lets be honest that rarely happens ) but if it did happen I'll admit that I would wonder what it was about and probably get excited in hopes that a relationship would be on the way (ridiculous i know), but I feel like I'm not the only one. Also, I think it's good to seek the Lord's will and to be conscious especially now that we are getting older but being conscious that the person we are hanging out with could potentially be the one because who really knows. I think what I'm trying to say is I think it's good to seek the Lord's will and to wait to date a person and that it is courteous to not date/hangout with a bunch of different people. But then you wonder gosh how are you going to get to know people of the opposite sex? Well I agree it is hard for guys and it's easy to be timid they will give off the wrong impression and its hard for girls because we go in with an expectation of a possible relationship and come out with a more than likely let down. BUT have no fear I think I have a possible solution. I think it's fitting that I'm a Comm major because I always talk about how communication is key but seriously it really is key. Guys let your intentions be known if you want to hang out just to get to know the girl just tell her that don't let it be an awk confusion and girls be guarded and don't think that every guy is looking for a relationship. Although I think communication is key- I think it's key between the guy and the girl NOT between the best friends the roommates the teammate the random people yes it's exciting that potential is happening but there is NO reason to make a huge deal out of two people hanging out. So I guess if I were to pick an era it'd be the 1950's early 1960's I think everything was a lot less complicated and there weren't as many expectations plus there was some awesome music and some cute clothes.
Anyways just something to ponder:)
With all my love- Cam
Sunday, February 12, 2012
So Full
I first of all want to say I did NOT forget about the goal that I had
to write a post every day but yesterday was just too fun and I
literally ran to my room at 11:59 while everyone counted down until
12:00 when I had failed to write my post. But hey you only live once and
that just means I'll write TWO posts today...i know, i know, you are so
excited you can't stand it. Also, on that random note I just
impulsively bought the new Coldplay and The Fray CD's judge me if you
want but I'm pretty much obsessed.
Basically I just was thinking about it earlier how full I am. Now I don't mean like physically stuffed I mean emotionally and spiritually, full. I was on my way home from church and I was just thinking man the Lord has blessed me with so much. Last night a ton of friends came over for a game night and seriously I have some of the best friends ever old and new and I love that in college friendships grow every day. I'm surrounded my loving roommates and an uplifting loving community. Right now- I am FULL and its such a blessing and I thank the Lord every day for what He has given me.
Also, some friends said they want my blog to be a cooking blog. Well I suppose I can attempt to write a little tid bit about what I made that day (if it is worth writing about) and then post a pic.
Last night one of my sweet friends who is a Jr in high school came up to visit and her fav. pasta dish is fettuccine alfredo, so I decided to make that last night with asparagus. I found a recipe and made the sauce from scratch- if you want the recipe just let me know. Anyways here's a pic of the final product..... (i'm still also trying to master photography skills)
Anyways I'll write more later...With all my love- Cam
Basically I just was thinking about it earlier how full I am. Now I don't mean like physically stuffed I mean emotionally and spiritually, full. I was on my way home from church and I was just thinking man the Lord has blessed me with so much. Last night a ton of friends came over for a game night and seriously I have some of the best friends ever old and new and I love that in college friendships grow every day. I'm surrounded my loving roommates and an uplifting loving community. Right now- I am FULL and its such a blessing and I thank the Lord every day for what He has given me.
Also, some friends said they want my blog to be a cooking blog. Well I suppose I can attempt to write a little tid bit about what I made that day (if it is worth writing about) and then post a pic.
Last night one of my sweet friends who is a Jr in high school came up to visit and her fav. pasta dish is fettuccine alfredo, so I decided to make that last night with asparagus. I found a recipe and made the sauce from scratch- if you want the recipe just let me know. Anyways here's a pic of the final product..... (i'm still also trying to master photography skills)
Anyways I'll write more later...With all my love- Cam
Friday, February 10, 2012
Chick Flicks
Okay, so I'm not going to lie I was going to write the post for today about Overflowing but I went to see The Vow and I couldn't help but want to write about it. I'm going to try my best not to ruin it for anyone if you haven't seen it yet- because it is very good and crazy to think it is a real story. First, let me say it was a great story and the love between the two was indescribable. I laughed and yes I cried. I was inspired to write this post because these two people met for a reason. Yesterday I talked about everything happening for a reason and I truly believe God puts people in our lives for a reason and we are at certain places for a reason. It was just really crazy to see how these two people met and it was so obvious that they were meant to meet because they were so perfect for each other. So, I guess it all goes back to my thought that everything happens for a reason. (I mean I'm not saying every guy you meet you should think "oh this happened for a reason" because maybe you just met him and you were the smile he needed just for that day or maybe you met just to be friends- so don't think I'm saying every boy you meet you should think you met him for a reason to date and get married because that is by far the last thing I want you to think).
Anyways, while I was watching this movie I couldn't help but think man if only I could find a love like that- a love that is so full so obvious so amazingly joyful that your heart can't help but be happy. Then I started thinking wait Cameron you do have that love, you have a love that is so much greater than that and goes far beyond any other love. You have a heavenly father, a lover, a GOD that is jealous for you and cherishes and loves you beyond all measures. In Romans 5:8 it says "But God demonstrates his own LOVE for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." and in Romans 8:39 "neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the LOVE of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Those are only two verses amongst the many that talk about God's immense love for us. Love that is beyond anything we can grasp a love that is never failing, something that we didn't earn and we don't need to earn but a love that was freely given to us. This is a love that goes beyond everything this life has to offer. So anyways, I'm watching the Vow and not only am I crying but I hear others crying as well and I couldn't help but think "hmm are these people crying because they feel bad or want a love like this love, or a mixture of both?" Then I thought to myself I really hope whoever goes to see this movie knows that no earthly love can ever compare to the love of God our Father. That's where I find chick-flicks harmful- I could write a whole separate tangent and it might come later but not for this one. But I find them harmful and my hope is that anyone who sees this movie knows that the love the two characters have is amazing and the unconditional love Channing Tatum had for Rachael McAdams was unimaginable but God's love for us is so much greater and so much deeper and richer than that movie could even illustrate.
If you think I'm getting preachy on you or think that I don't struggle with wanting a boyfriend or wanting to find the right person then please don't get the wrong impression because if anyone knows that feeling trust me I do. I know exactly what it feels like to want someone to hold your hand, someone to goof around with, someone to tell everything to, someone to cook dinner for, someone to go on dates with, someone to cuddle with, someone to kiss your cheek, someone to look at you like you are the only one in the world he wants to be with, and the list can go on and on and on- trust me I know. But I can't help but to think if we truly believe that God has designed our lives and wants us to have the most full life then HOW AWESOME is it going to be when we find that right person? I can only imagine that because God loves us so much He wants for us to have an earthly love that illustrates His love. So my hope is that the two people in the Vow loved God and He brought them together and that their love came from Him. But if their story is not based upon God's love then it just makes me that much more excited to meet my future husband whoever he may be. Because I know that the Lord put us together and that He will give us a love that people look at and wonder what is different. I don't want to have expectations but my prayer is that even as my future husband and I grow old together he will always look at me like I am the only one and that we will always laugh, play, be flirty and show everlasting love to each other. I pray that as we seek God's love separately we also seek it together and that love is always the foundation. Needless to say I still want very badly and even more so when I watch chick-flick for someone to pop up in my life and date me right then and there but I just need to remind myself that the Lord has a time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3) and James 1:17 it says "Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." So, all the single ladies put your hands up!...haha but seriously all of you who are single (guys you too) like myself don't get upset that you don't have a boyfriend (or girlfriend- if any guys are reading this) but enjoy the time that you are single and look forward to the time when the Lord gives you your "good and perfect gift" and look forward to a love that God has designed.
With all my love
Cam
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