There is that time in every semester that a person realizes they're done. Not done with school, per say, but in their head, they're just...done.

I hit that today.

I want to go home.

1 Thessalonians 2:8
Having so fond an affection for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.

Well, I submitted my application for being a Prayer Leader a few days ago. I'm not on the "approved" list yet, so I wasn't expecting to conduct any interviews until I am. Last night after campus church, Katy had an interview, so as I was walking out of the building and leaving her with her group, my RA, Sarah, from this semester asked me if I was interviewing. I told her that I wasn't approved yet, and she said, "Oh that's ok, you'll get in, just come interview with me right now!" So, in a split-second decision, which I'm really not very good at making, I said that I would. I went and sat down with a group of girls I'd never met before, who were all trying out to be Prayer Leaders on Sarah's hall next year.
Now, I had seen Katy preparing for her interview for several days now. She got an email from the RA of the hall that she wanted to be on, and the RA had told her all of the questions they'd be asking, etc.
But I went into the process cold, like I had no idea what to expect. Which, in retrospect, I think was actually a really good thing. They asked questions like, "Why do you want to be a Prayer Leader?", "What is something that you feel you messed up on this year, and how has God shown himself to be powerful through it?" and "Explain the Gospel, and what it means to you."
Yeah, some pretty loaded questions.
But I think had I been given 2 or 3 days to think about it, my answers would have been so thought out that they could have come off rehearsed. As it was, jumping right into it, my answers could only come from my heart, because I hadn't taken time to polish up my speeches and use creative wording. It was good and simple, and I really do think that I did well.
I'll find out if I made it tomorrow, so I'm a little nervous about that. They have interviewed a lot of girls, and they only need 10 Prayer Leaders for their hall.
But I'm aware that if I don't get this, it is most definitely not the end of the world. In this case, I know that there's nothing I could have done better, and if they don't choose me, it's a pretty strong word from God that He has something else in store for me next year.

It's funny, I've never been asked to explain the Gospel, in the context of what it means to me, in my life. I've led plenty of 7-12 year olds to the Lord, but they've already been given the material from the speakers at camp. I can quote the Romans Road like nobody's business, but what does it mean to me?
Last night, I think my answer went somewhere along these lines:
The gospel, the good news, means to me that when I am at my lowest point, whether it has already happened in my life, or whether it is still to come--when I am at that point, God already knows about it. Christ knew me at the worst time of my life, and He still died for me...this miserable, unfaithful me. So what that gives me is a reason to get up in the morning, a hope for my future, the power to persevere. Because no matter how far I stray, I will always be able to come back to His love, because it never leaves me. And I can't imagine an eternity without that all-encompassing love.

Bekah

Today is one of those days that it is just so easy to succumb to my crumby mood and let myself get depressed. I have so much to do in only a few short weeks, so many things that should be stressing me out.
But then God lets me know that I should be counting my blessings, because when it comes right down to it, they far outweigh the things that are on my mind.

My bank account is at a balance of $0. I mean....zilch, nada. BUT, I don't need any money in it right now, because my year at LU is completely paid for! Where the payments for next year are coming from, I have no idea. Well, I do have an idea, they're coming from God. I have nothing to start on, but still trusting that He is going to provide a place for my next footstep to fall. It's been such an amazing and wracking experience, this last year. Honestly, I still can't believe how the Lord has taught me to trust in Him, and how He continues to teach me.

Today in Convo, our speaker was an astronaut, LeLand Melvin. He showed videos of his rocket blasting off, and of his time in space. Let me tell you, no one could pay me to do that (ok, unless it was enough money to pay for college...). I get nervous enough when my plane takes off, let alone careening into the atmosphere at 17,000 MPH in some metal death-trap. I think I've just seen Apollo Thirteen too many times. I also remember when the Columbia exploded, so those aren't bringing me any ideas of studying to be an astronaut.
What am I even saying? I mean, astronauts have to be skilled in the sciences...and I can barely pass Biology 101. Thank goodness.

Katy and I went to see Penelope this weekend in the dollar theatre...I thought it was really cute, I must say. The whole "pig-nosed girl" premise was a little cheesy, but it was all-in-all a good movie, and James McAvoy did very well, as usual. And when I say "well", I'm pretty much referring to his face.

I've been praying a lot lately about an opportunity that came up for next year. My RA approached me, asking if I would like to be a prayer leader in the fall. It would mean extra hours of things I have to do, but I think it could also be a big blessing. Her suggestion really got me thinking, so I think God may be trying to tell me something. It would also be a great opportunity for me to get more involved with my hall, and meet a lot of the girls. We'll see, I'm going to keep thinking and praying about it for a day or two, but then I have to get my application in.

Well, I have to head off to Theology class...it's just as interesting as it sounds (not at all). One of my classes ended last week, and I have another one ending on Wednesday, so I'm very much looking forward to the extra free time I'll be having, not to mention possibly being able to get in few extra hours at work so we can bring that bank account balance up just a tad.

I found out the other day that one of my good friends, Jenna, won't be coming back to camp this summer. I totally stand behind her in her decision, because I think it's all too common that people come to camp just to be with their friends and hang out in the sun instead of focusing on what we're really there for--the kids. Jenna just felt like Living Waters wasn't where God was leading her this summer, and she was offered another job that she feels much more at peace about.
But while I'm glad she's listening to the Lord instead of ignoring His leading, it disappoints me a lot that she won't be there. She and I are very close, we have shared a cabin since my first year, and last summer she was my co-counselor. We shared clothes and half of the time, a bed if it was cold, and a lot of people thought we were sisters.
It now puts me in a little dilemma about a co-counselor this summer though, because with my being a lifeguard, I don't have time during the day to spend with my campers. I'm not too hot on the idea of getting a random co, because in so many ways that could make or break the summer, not only for me, but for the cabin atmosphere, and in that way, the campers.
I mean, I know that this is where the Lord wants me for the summer, so I have no qualms that He'll teach me things, and that things will work out for the best. It does worry me a little though about the co-counselor situation.
So, I'm currently auditioning for a good co, applications can be obtained from me. :)