Its been quite a while since I've done a post and for that I apologize. I'm not sure where this post is going but here is a very random assortment of my thoughts as well as things that have been going on in my life....
First of all, I went home last week for Easter it was great to celebrate Jesus rising and defeating death, being with family, watching Bubba win the Masters, and of course eating jellybeans. But something that really stood out from that weekend was going on a Daddy-Daughter date with my dad. We went to Wades and then watched War Horse- both really wonderful and I suggest eating at Wades as well as watching War Horse. But on our date the thing that I just absolutely love about my dad is one his love for the Lord and two that we can just have really good conversations about anything and everything. He shared a lot about himself that I had never heard before and we talked about life and where I see myself....let me tell you that question who knows when that will be answered. One thing that surprised me was when I asked dad if he would let me go to another country for a little while to live and he replied "I would worry and pray like crazy for you but I absolutely think you should because maybe it will help give you direction with what you want to do." I was completely bewildered by this because my mom doesn't really like the idea and I just figured since I'm daddy's little girl he wouldn't either but it just goes to show that he loves me and wants me to do what I feel the Lord is calling me to do.- What a great dad.
Something that I've also been thinking about a lot is friendship. Its funny how friendships start and evolve without rhyme or reason. It's also funny how you can just hit it off with someone from the get go and just can't help but want to talk to them or be around them. Friendships come in all shapes, sizes, stages, and levels but no matter what they are something to cherish and be thankful for.
Two weeks ago I started swimming again- which I haven't really done since high school- and let me tell you it was SO wonderful! REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOOOOD... It's weird how I haven't swam in like 3 years but as soon as I got back into the water it just felt natural and almost easy. Now I'm not saying I'm not out of shape because I am and trying to hold 1:30 100's was difficult but that's why practice makes perfect. It then got me thinking it's strange that when you do something for so long and work so hard and put so much effort into it that sometimes its so easy to just give up. Let me explain. I've been swimming on a swim team since I was 4 years old and started real competitive swimming when I was about 8. I traveled to meets, I woke up at 4 am went to practice then school then right back to practice after school, I pretty much gave time/sweat/tears/and everything I had to the pool for almost 10 years yet by senior year I was so ridiculously over swimming and tired of it that I just completely stopped and wanted nothing to do with it. It seems almost ridiculous that I put so much effort into it and then just quit. I wonder how many times and things that I do that to in my life now. Whether its school, friendships, organizations, my walk with Christ I feel like sometimes I just give it my all and then when I get tired of it I just kind of quit or not try as hard. But what a sad mentality to have so my goal for myself is to always try to put 100% effort into everything because if you're not going to stick with something and give it your all then you shouldn't do it or should rethink your motives and try to put things in a better perspective.
My summer plans are FINALLY starting to fall into place. For May and June I will be in Sparkle City working at Mobile Meals. And in May my grandparents are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary- man I can't wait to get married and spend my life with my future husband I can't imagine 60 years with someone... goodness it will be wonderful. Anyways so then I will be back in Clemson for COURTNEY AND TURNER'S WEDDING!!!! Ah I'm so excited for them and excited to see the Lord bless their marriage- they will do great things separately but amazing things together. Then my family is going somewhere in the Caribbean for vacation- oh my goodness I can't wait to scuba dive and tan. When we get back I will head back to Clemson to play, work at the visitors center, and give tours. I'm currently working on a Summer Bucket List- which is coming along nicely but if you have suggestions I'm open to any and all suggestions!
I told you this was super random and probably not very coherent but I just felt the need to finally write a post!
Now I'm off to do a whole lot of nothing with a dash of tanning, and a pinch of studying.
With all my love- Cam
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
I'm BAAAAAACK!!!!!!!:)
Legitimately I have NOT forgotten about my blog and I know that I said a post every day but goodness I have so much to talk about that I didn't even know where to begin! BUUUUUUT I'm back and I'm so excited to share so much with you....be prepared that this will probably be a long and rambling post and I really hope people read it because I feel like a blog is like YL in the fact if you don't stay constant people forget about you SO I hope people will read this:)
Anyways where oh were do I begin!? Lets begin with Chi-Town
I can't even begin to explain how great this trip was! I was on team 10 and seriously I LOVE MY FAMILY!!! It's crazy how quickly we just all clicked and got along and just loved each other- the Lord clearly knew what he was doing when he put us all together! We were all there to lift each other up and be there for each other and were so comfortable just to be ourselves and goof around ( which was probably a great thing because we were in Prayer and Street Evangelism ) which was difficult and kind of draining emotionally, spiritually, and physically so the fact that we could lift each others' spirits and encourage was so wonderful! I've been on mission trips since 8th grade and this one was probably one of my favorite because it was so encouraging to be further in my walk with Christ and be surrounded by people who are where I'm at and further so not only could I pour into people but I was poured into as well- we all know that is so crucial to have people pour into you. I was a little nervous to do street evangelism but when I am weak the Lord is strong. I promise I really think my little group (me, mary-margaret, kyle, and david -my little children I LOVE YALL!) i think we walked at least 40 miles all together, I'm not even kidding. Anyways, here are a few stories that really stick out in my mind: The first day David met a guy named Johnathan- now Johnathan was homeless and he said it was by choice he also had a heart for the Lord, loved people, I think he had fetal alcohol syndrome, and he was just all around awesome- and they talked for like an hour then David introduced us to Johnathan and we talked with him for another hour then I just really felt like he should come eat lunch with us so he came and ate lunch with us, met the rest of our team, and then after lunch introduced us to some of his friends. That's when we met Leroy- Leroy had just gotten out of jail 4 months ago and he said that he had family but he didn't want to be a burden or another mouth to feed so he chose to be homeless- Mary Margaret and I sat on the bridge with him and talked and then prayed with him, while we were praying Kyle and David were talking to someone and they said so many people looked at us very judgmentally - and personally I think that is a sad testament to our society that people think so poorly of homeless people and prayer, I think society would be a much better place if there was less judgement, more prayer, and more people caring about others. Anyways, finally the last person that really sticks out in my mind is a sweet lady we met out front of a Walgreens. At first we just walked into Walgreens and didn't stop to talk to her but when we came out I just felt the spirit lead me to go talk to her. I sat and talked with her about her story and she asked question and told us that her birthday was on Thursday and that she only needed $10 to buy foodstamps and go to the shelter for the night for meals, a shower, and a place to sleep for the night. I decided to give her $10 and then I asked if I could pray with her and she said " I was waiting for you to ask" So i prayed with her and as we were praying I heard her crying and then when I was done praying I just felt like I needed to hug her and it was as if she hadn't been hugged in years (she might not have) but she held on for dear life and then cried in my arms and I really can't begin to explain how much that broke my heart and I just wanted to give her all my love and take care of her but I know she is a beautiful child of God and God will take care of her and protect her. That leads me to the hardest part of the trip and thats the things that I struggled with during the trip: what are people's intentions, who is genuine, who do you stop and talk to, who do you give money to, and how did Jesus do that every day of his life? It really was such a struggle and so draining and I still kind of wrestle with the questions but Jesus gave his all and was ultimately used so I can't even begin to try to feel used like he was and I just have to have the faith that God has a plan and he knows people's intentions and I just have to have complete hope and faith in Him.
Let's see what else here is a brief overview of this past week:
I'm so excited to see how the Lord uses them and how they complete our team. They are all super awesome and wonderful and I'm blessed to call them my teammates. #stacked
I think that is all I can think of for this moment OH I'm being a "night owl"---shout out to Bobby and Austin
I hope yall are doing wonderfully I will write tomorrow
With ALL my love - Cam
Anyways where oh were do I begin!? Lets begin with Chi-Town
I can't even begin to explain how great this trip was! I was on team 10 and seriously I LOVE MY FAMILY!!! It's crazy how quickly we just all clicked and got along and just loved each other- the Lord clearly knew what he was doing when he put us all together! We were all there to lift each other up and be there for each other and were so comfortable just to be ourselves and goof around ( which was probably a great thing because we were in Prayer and Street Evangelism ) which was difficult and kind of draining emotionally, spiritually, and physically so the fact that we could lift each others' spirits and encourage was so wonderful! I've been on mission trips since 8th grade and this one was probably one of my favorite because it was so encouraging to be further in my walk with Christ and be surrounded by people who are where I'm at and further so not only could I pour into people but I was poured into as well- we all know that is so crucial to have people pour into you. I was a little nervous to do street evangelism but when I am weak the Lord is strong. I promise I really think my little group (me, mary-margaret, kyle, and david -my little children I LOVE YALL!) i think we walked at least 40 miles all together, I'm not even kidding. Anyways, here are a few stories that really stick out in my mind: The first day David met a guy named Johnathan- now Johnathan was homeless and he said it was by choice he also had a heart for the Lord, loved people, I think he had fetal alcohol syndrome, and he was just all around awesome- and they talked for like an hour then David introduced us to Johnathan and we talked with him for another hour then I just really felt like he should come eat lunch with us so he came and ate lunch with us, met the rest of our team, and then after lunch introduced us to some of his friends. That's when we met Leroy- Leroy had just gotten out of jail 4 months ago and he said that he had family but he didn't want to be a burden or another mouth to feed so he chose to be homeless- Mary Margaret and I sat on the bridge with him and talked and then prayed with him, while we were praying Kyle and David were talking to someone and they said so many people looked at us very judgmentally - and personally I think that is a sad testament to our society that people think so poorly of homeless people and prayer, I think society would be a much better place if there was less judgement, more prayer, and more people caring about others. Anyways, finally the last person that really sticks out in my mind is a sweet lady we met out front of a Walgreens. At first we just walked into Walgreens and didn't stop to talk to her but when we came out I just felt the spirit lead me to go talk to her. I sat and talked with her about her story and she asked question and told us that her birthday was on Thursday and that she only needed $10 to buy foodstamps and go to the shelter for the night for meals, a shower, and a place to sleep for the night. I decided to give her $10 and then I asked if I could pray with her and she said " I was waiting for you to ask" So i prayed with her and as we were praying I heard her crying and then when I was done praying I just felt like I needed to hug her and it was as if she hadn't been hugged in years (she might not have) but she held on for dear life and then cried in my arms and I really can't begin to explain how much that broke my heart and I just wanted to give her all my love and take care of her but I know she is a beautiful child of God and God will take care of her and protect her. That leads me to the hardest part of the trip and thats the things that I struggled with during the trip: what are people's intentions, who is genuine, who do you stop and talk to, who do you give money to, and how did Jesus do that every day of his life? It really was such a struggle and so draining and I still kind of wrestle with the questions but Jesus gave his all and was ultimately used so I can't even begin to try to feel used like he was and I just have to have the faith that God has a plan and he knows people's intentions and I just have to have complete hope and faith in Him.
Let's see what else here is a brief overview of this past week:
- a parking services man stopped me and had a ten minuet conversation about anything and everything and then he told me "I just felt like you should hear this- a pastor once told me if you could see the Big Picture God has for you, you'd bow down on your knees and thank Him immediately." That was really cool because I needed to be reminded of that, he basically told me the Lord has big plans for me, and I had never met him before- it really was heaven sent.
- my brother turned 17- crazy I know- it makes me feel old
- WE GOT NEW LEADERS AT PICKENS!!!
I'm so excited to see how the Lord uses them and how they complete our team. They are all super awesome and wonderful and I'm blessed to call them my teammates. #stacked
I think that is all I can think of for this moment OH I'm being a "night owl"---shout out to Bobby and Austin
I hope yall are doing wonderfully I will write tomorrow
With ALL my love - Cam
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