The reason I named my blog "Singing in the Rain" is because first, I didn't want to do something boring! And also, I want to remind myself that even though there always will be hard times and battles to fight, I know that it is all according to God's plan and He calls me to take on suffering with joy and remember that my sufferings are nothing compared to what Christ has faced and conquered.
This past week I was in the beautiful Ozarks of Arkansas. And I never forgot it... I was woken up at 6:30 in the morning by a bull horn proclaiming "Good morning! It's another beautiful day in the Ozarks! Everybody up, everybody up!" While this was true, it was not the kind of alarm I would choose. The trip was amazing but also extremely exhausting! The activities consisted of a day of setting up boy scout tents, a 12 mile hike, river rafting, and a 4 mile hike with some repelling and rock climbing. The reason we set up boy scout tents was because we were blessed enough to stay at the boy scout camp place. What I found out at the end of the week was that no other school in the nation is allowed to stay there. Trinity Christian Academy is the only school that they trust to take care of the grounds. So in return we set up all the tents before the boy scouts show up.
Here's me and some other girl counselors on the trip :)
The trip was a completely different experience than I had ever had. In the past, I've always been the camper- at pine cove, at vacation camps, school trips, etc. But this time I was a counselor. Instead of it being all about me, it was all about the eighth graders. I was the one attending the "meetings", cooking food and serving the plates, giving advice and encouragement instead of receiving it. I have always dreamed of one day being a Pine Cove counselor and the wilderness trip taught me how big of a responsibility that is. Do I have any knowledge that is worthy of passing on? Do parents really want to trust their kids to my personal beliefs and opinions? Am I ready to be a leader and be an example to younger girls who look up to me? I have so much to learn and I hope that one day what I can share what I've learned with younger girls going through the same things that I went through.
And so, I returned from the 7 hour bus ride physically tired, emotionally stretched, and spiritually tested. The keens saved my life as well as my feet from horrible blisters and the poncho kept me somewhat dry as well as kept my clothes damp instead of soaking. I learned that Texas really is the most humid state in America. I learned that there is nothing an eighth grader adores more than a high school senior. I learned that God reveals Himself in more ways than just through older mentors-sometimes the mentors learn more from the mentees. I also learned that there is nothing more refreshing than your own pillow, bed, and family after sleeping on a wooden plank for five days. But most of all, I learned that God's glory can be seen everywhere, in everything, no matter how big or small, loud or soft, whether standing or sitting.
How good is His love, great is His grace, deep is His mercy and perfect is His life.
Until next time,
Kel :)
