My Rock in the Rockies: The Only Thing That Remains

*** This is Mearna Park, a very easy hike, but I found that this verse has been the essence of my time here so far!

This past week has been pretty incredible but very busy. I am in the process of learning how to balance work, LT (Leadership Training) stuff, Project Group stuff, as well as staying in touch with my family and friends from home while still hanging out and building relationships here. However, let me explain exactly what I've been doing. 


My job is in housekeeping but it is in the department called Center Services. I am basically cleaning the main lodges and setting up for meetings that are in the meeting rooms. We also tear down meeting rooms, clean different offices and bathrooms. The job is not routine which I like. It keeps me moving and keeps me working! 


LT stuff has begun! We had our first teaching and worship last night and today we are in the middle of our retreat. So far we have had the opportunity to hear John Drege, the director of LT talk and then he had us go out and have silence and solitude for two hours. It was pretty intense, and I definitely learned a lot. I went outside at the begining and I sat off to the side of the road and there was 5 elk. It was pretty amazing to watch them graze and pray at the same time. One thing that John talked to us about was Psalm 62.

Truly my soul finds rest in God;   

 my salvation comes from him.Truly he is my rock and my salvation;    

 he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. 

How long will you assault me?

Would all of you throw me down—

this leaning wall, this tottering fence?

Would all of you throw me down—

this leaning wall, Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place; they take delight in lies.With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.

 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.  My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people;    pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.  Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods;though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.  

Surely the lowborn are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie.If weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath.

One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: “Power belongs to you, God,

and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”; and, “You reward everyone according to what they have done.”

This passage really stood out to me because I realized I haven't been looking at God as my rock. He can't be shaken with anything and He is so strong! As I was in my quiet time, I hadn't looked at this passage yet. However, apparently God really wanted me to take a look   at it. I have been doing a reading plan for this whole year, and apparently all the passages that I read today, connected with his sermon and Psalm 62. With everything that I am going through now, I needed to be reminded that God is my rock. He can help me with anything and can help me have peace and comfort. I am still having a hard time with Hilary's death, but knowing that God is my rock, it helps and comforts me. 


I am a Project Group Leader, which means that I am planning to do things on Monday's for 14 people. We plan to basically share what we have been learning this summer, create a community, and do fun activities. I have a project coach that I will be meeting with weekly and a male co-leader to help me! I am definitely not alone in this, but it does stress me out a little bit. However, this position is perfect for me! I love to plan and I love to be with people, so what more can I ask for?! Our first Project day is this coming Monday, and my project coach and co-leader are planning tomorrow (Saturday). I am very excited and I know that it will go well! For all my family reading this, I think we may be able to play Crazy Kickball! 


At the service last night, one thing that really stood out to me and something I want to practice over the summer is God being the only thing that remains. This worship song came on and I fell in love with it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_KXsMCJgBQ This is the link that goes to the song in YouTube, if you would like to check it out. 


I will continue to keep you updated :] For all my family, I am hoping to skype with you tomorrow (Saturday)!

Taking THE step

I feel like I am on a limb.

 It's shaky. 

Not very sturdy. 

It's up pretty high. 

And somehow I need to jump. 

But I'm scared. Nervous. Anxious. Excited because who knows what's going to happen after this. 

I trust in something that is bigger than my self. 

And as I take the leap, I feel wings growing and I take flight. 

This is how I felt as I was driving three other girls from Delaware, Ohio to Kearney, Nebraska. I was so scared and nervous driving and being in charge of these three ladies lives, and my own. I was also scared about getting there. What are we going to do? Who are we going to meet? What is this summer going to be like? I knew it was going to be a hard summer but I didn't realize how rough it's going to be. Until I went on Facebook Thursday morning (today). Hilary Mankin, my friend, my co-worker, she lived down the hall from me died in her apartment in Bowling Green the night before. She was 20 years old, a theatre major and had the most outgoing, wonderful personality and I can't believe that she is gone. Why not start off a summer that I know was going to be hard, with something that I have never experienced before or dealt with before? I am right now understanding that when I go back to BG she is not going to be there and that is a hard thing to realize. ***Hilary is the one on the far left in the picture below. Hilary, Melanie (in the middle) and I were all Co-RA's on the same floor this past school year. ***


I know I need to trust God with everything, have my full faith in Him this summer because He's the only one that I can depend on. So, right now I am trying to understand what that looks like. I know that He's going to do amazing things this summer. I'm just not sure what that is going to be. Just trusting that whatever He does do this summer, it's going to be for the good. Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."


I start working tomorrow, hopefully. I am not sure really what it entails but I found out that I will be housekeeping all the main buildings here at YMCA of the Rockies. I guess I will see what I will have to do! 


I want to take this time to thank everyone who supported me. I would love to mention names but that would be more than 30 people (financially) but more than that with prayer. However, all of you are SO important in my life. Getting here, and doing this is going to be so amazing. I know God is going to change my life and you're apart of it. Thank you so much, seriously, in an indirect way, you are changing my life through God. 


2 Corinthians 5:6-7 "So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.