Lessons, Chickens and Cold Temps.

Yesterday morning it was forty five degrees out! This morning it's still really cold but not as bad. The weather is really dreary though.

I'm going to post an excerpt from my journal from yesterday instead of re-explaining it :)

3:52pm
Before our afternoon sessions I was once again struggling with various things and I plopped down on my bed and laid there thinking, with tears in my eyes. Just resting, thinking, praying. Then I flipped open my bible and my memory verse cards were book marking the passage we studied today with Sammir. Luke 10:38-42: The story of Mary and Martha. The passage had really stared to make sense this morning but it really spoke to me then. Martha's problem wasn't that she was serving (she serves in John 12 also, but without reprimand), her problem was that she was distracted - focused on the wrong priorities. It says that "Martha was distracted with all her preperations..." (vrs 40) and Jesus said "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary..."(vrs. 41 and 42). That's me! I become so busy worrying, planning, analyzing and preparing that I miss the first priority (found in earlier context). I chase after the 2nd greatest commandment (love your neighbor as yourself - well, sometimes :) ) but I, in my distracted and anxious state, miss the 1st greatest commandment (love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength)~ Such a short passage (and a story nonetheless) but it clearly stated, clarified and really spoke to me about lessons that God's been teaching me: He comes first - always - in everything. This has been developing mostly in relationships and the way I spend my time. I know my various issues have been a direct result of letting things (even really, really "litttle" things) come before God: emotions, dependence, security, etc. I know God will not fully bless my relationships with various staff until I go to Him first always and in everything.

Last night we had "Girls Night Out" (and the guys had guys night out). We ate Salad, chicken alfredo and fondu; had a photos scavenger hunt in the pouring rain (which included catching a chicken, telling a secret in a closet, eating an orange, canoeing across the lake and singing Christmas carols); played games; took pictures; and had a worship, devotion, prayer and foot washing time. The night was amazing and I know God used it to really help me with various things. Being able to hang with just the s was such a blessing and it was the perfect mix of fun (the scavenger hunt was hilarious because it was pouring rain) and praise and worship to God.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of the scavenger hunt, I re-injured my back. I was in a ton of pain when we got back and sat immobile on the couch. As painful as it was, it was such an encouragement to see some of the s come around me and support me and help me without question and many asking how I was. Everyone was willing to help me up off the floor or couch, get me advil, etc. and God used even that to speak to me. Praise the Lord that my back is doing fairly well this morning. It's still stiff which means there's still alot I can't do but the constant pinch has subsided alot -but it still hurts. Of all people I didn't expect to be the one who had injuries this summer (some of our staff are injury prone)! The sad thing is, I don't have a fun story to tell about it - I don't even really know what happened! lol

The schedule is supposed to come out tonight for next week so I'll know what I'm doing. It's the 9-12th grade week which means I wouldn't usually be counseling but because of the small number of veterans available next week - I might get to. It would be a stretch which is part of why I'm hoping to do it.

Well, I need to go - It's time for PQT's (camp lingo for personal quiet time with God).

Prayer Requests:
-Obviously my back
-Relationships with God
-Time to finish everything!
-A 100% priority of God first in everything

Thank you all for reading this - I really appreciate it and thank you all so much for keeping me in your prayers.

Much love, your sister in Christ (and daughter, sister, niece, cousin, granddaughter),
Courtney Lynn