I really do want my pants back. Really really.
One thing I love about serving at Camp Matz is that you can feel very clearly that you are being Christ to these people. You are acting as His body and reaching out to them with love and care as He commanded. But then, it's also really apparent that the campers are Christ ("Whatever you do to the least of these my brothers, you do to me") and we are serving Him. This feeling of being and serving Christ is true in all service, but it's just a lot more obvious at Bethesda and I think that's neat.
I had some AMAZING prayer times this past week. Just fantabulous. I'd been going through a many month period of "It feels like I'm praying to a brick wall", when I'd gotten used to this constant dialogue with God. I knew that it was fine and He'd show up in that way again soon enough.
So, I was on break, complaining to God about how I didn't fit in with any of the little groups there and I didn't have anything to do. I was also upset that it even bothered me, because it's not that big of a deal and I certainly didn't come to Bethesda to socialize. "God, I hate being such a little attention whore!" And for the first time in mooonths, He responded. "You can be my attention whore." I started laughing out loud, but He continued, "No, seriously, Elizabeth. If you considered spending time with me to be a valid place where you fit in, how would that change your situation?" I was floored. "Oh my gosh, God! I'm sorry! I want to spend time with you!" So for most of the other prayer times I set aside a good 10-15 minutes where I didn't do anything but commune with God.
You know what else is cool that I've found? The glory of the Lord is simply His presence. Ponder that. =^p
Just spending time being with God and excersizing the love and patience that He's given me so intensely feels great. It's like I'm stretching a muscle in my body that's previously been lying dormant. I guess that was my boot camp to whip me into spiritual shape so I can handle the trials of everyday life with those same virtues.
People make fun of me when I pray out loud. They think it's "funny" or "cute". Even when I'm just closing Bible study or praying before a meal. >>;;;; Like, we were reading the signs on the highway and staying in the lane they told us to be in for where we wanted to go, but then it went off the other way and we couldn't get there. So, we drove around and got to where we were supposed to be (Lori: "Well, we're here(at the ferry)" Mark, holding the map, "I have no idea how, though") We were the last vehicle in line to board the ferry, but it was all okay because it was running late. On the other hand, we were one of the first vehicles off the ferry and didn't get caught in the "everyone's leaving now" congestion. When we were talking about this as we left the ferry, my response without thinking was, "You're cool, God!" Why is stuff like that so funny to people? God is cool.
While I'm talking about God, GG on Sunday was fantastic as well. I really wish that we could meet more often/for longer. Clara asked us to pray over her for something, but I remembered that she'd also mentioned in passing having bad back pain, so when I prayed over her, I first prayed that she would get physical relief. I felt her back pain leave her. I just knew it was gone. And afterwards, I asked her how it felt and she was like, "It's much, much better" and I was like, "I knew it!" I know you all think I'm crazy, but that was seriously cool.
Last night Sabrina finally came home! And she took me and Dominique to some sports bar downtown and we played pool. It was actually really fun. I then treated them to ice cream at Cafe Luwak. Hurray life.
Oh, and it's official: I'm running on a regular basis now. I don't know if I'll do CC, though. Oh! And my face is almost normal! Thank you to Charlotte for praying for it!
I had some AMAZING prayer times this past week. Just fantabulous. I'd been going through a many month period of "It feels like I'm praying to a brick wall", when I'd gotten used to this constant dialogue with God. I knew that it was fine and He'd show up in that way again soon enough.
So, I was on break, complaining to God about how I didn't fit in with any of the little groups there and I didn't have anything to do. I was also upset that it even bothered me, because it's not that big of a deal and I certainly didn't come to Bethesda to socialize. "God, I hate being such a little attention whore!" And for the first time in mooonths, He responded. "You can be my attention whore." I started laughing out loud, but He continued, "No, seriously, Elizabeth. If you considered spending time with me to be a valid place where you fit in, how would that change your situation?" I was floored. "Oh my gosh, God! I'm sorry! I want to spend time with you!" So for most of the other prayer times I set aside a good 10-15 minutes where I didn't do anything but commune with God.
You know what else is cool that I've found? The glory of the Lord is simply His presence. Ponder that. =^p
Just spending time being with God and excersizing the love and patience that He's given me so intensely feels great. It's like I'm stretching a muscle in my body that's previously been lying dormant. I guess that was my boot camp to whip me into spiritual shape so I can handle the trials of everyday life with those same virtues.
People make fun of me when I pray out loud. They think it's "funny" or "cute". Even when I'm just closing Bible study or praying before a meal. >>;;;; Like, we were reading the signs on the highway and staying in the lane they told us to be in for where we wanted to go, but then it went off the other way and we couldn't get there. So, we drove around and got to where we were supposed to be (Lori: "Well, we're here(at the ferry)" Mark, holding the map, "I have no idea how, though") We were the last vehicle in line to board the ferry, but it was all okay because it was running late. On the other hand, we were one of the first vehicles off the ferry and didn't get caught in the "everyone's leaving now" congestion. When we were talking about this as we left the ferry, my response without thinking was, "You're cool, God!" Why is stuff like that so funny to people? God is cool.
While I'm talking about God, GG on Sunday was fantastic as well. I really wish that we could meet more often/for longer. Clara asked us to pray over her for something, but I remembered that she'd also mentioned in passing having bad back pain, so when I prayed over her, I first prayed that she would get physical relief. I felt her back pain leave her. I just knew it was gone. And afterwards, I asked her how it felt and she was like, "It's much, much better" and I was like, "I knew it!" I know you all think I'm crazy, but that was seriously cool.
Last night Sabrina finally came home! And she took me and Dominique to some sports bar downtown and we played pool. It was actually really fun. I then treated them to ice cream at Cafe Luwak. Hurray life.
Oh, and it's official: I'm running on a regular basis now. I don't know if I'll do CC, though. Oh! And my face is almost normal! Thank you to Charlotte for praying for it!