Update

I start school one week from tomorrow. ONE WEEK. Okay, so most people would be writing about how summer is ending blah, blah blah. I do not feel that way! I feel like I had a really great summer. It wasn't really what I expected or planned, but I enjoyed myself. I tried new things, traveled, got to be a maid of honor in my best friends wedding, went to concerts, and moved. All in all, it has been a really great summer.

I have really wonderful people in my life. Without a doubt.

I am so excited for school to start! I got my classes all worked out after a lot of headache. So far, I'm still on the waiting list for dance, but that's okay with me. I'm okay with waiting it out until winter term.

Things are really looking up. After a summer of having so much of my life up in the air, it feels so good. I have a nice place to live, close to campus, with 4 roommates. I got a babysitting job that requires maybe 10 hours a week, which is pretty much perfect right now. I also started working out and I'm feeling really good about the changes I am making in both diet and lifestyle. I bought some red skinnys as a bold move and I'm excited for fall and to experiment a bit. (Hopefully, I'll be showing you what I'm wearing). I am always amazed how God takes care of his children. I am such a silly dumb lost sheep sometimes, working and working to get things to work out when all I need to do is be still. I have a Father who knows better anyway.

"The Lord will fight for you; all you need to do is be still." Exodus 14:14

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

I am more

You are more by Tenth Avenue North

^"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?  Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

'For your sake we face death all day long we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.'

 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8:31-39

Listen to the words of this song. Let the words of truth penetrate your heart. I know this is something I need to continue to learn again and again. There is nothing you can do to make God love you any more, and there is nothing you can do to make God love you any less. His love just is. And you can either accept the free gift of his love, or you can chose something else. I will always chose His love for me, cuz I cannot live without it. 

The Journey

I'm going into my 5th year of college. Yep, 5th. Was this intended when I graduated high school four year ago? Nope. Would I change the journey I've taken to get to where I am today? No. I wouldn't.

I started out my college experience at Corban University in Salem, OR. I learned a lot in my 2 and a half years there. I learned about friendship, both healthy and unhealthy. I learned about depending on the Lord. I learned about my identity and making it fully in Christ. I learned how to take care of myself. I learned how to lean on my community. I learned how to tell when people genuinely care about you, and when they are after something to gossip about. Most importantly, I learned about my passions. The things that make me, me. I learned about God's character as a loving Father and how it relates to me and my life. God cares deeply about the small details. And not only does he care, he plans each and every small detail.

In January 2011, I transferred to Oregon State University. Little did I know then, this place would become my home. I love Corvallis, OR. I love the weather. (People, this is a really BIG deal.) It rains a lot here, and I used to hate it, but now, those rainy, misty, cloudy days are my favorite. I love my community. I have a wonderfully supportive loving family that is also known as 242, my college group.
In my time at Oregon State, I learned how to cook (And I learned I actually LOVE it). I learned how to navigate finding my way somewhere when I have no idea. I learned how to develop my opinion and to voice it freely. I learned more about service. I learned how to ask other people for help and actually let them help me. I learned how to move into my own apartment. I learned how to find cheap free furniture and make it look fabulous. I learned how to express myself appropriately. I learned how to make lesson plans and teach them in a classroom. I learned how to make mistakes. (Well, I already knew how, but I learned how to fix them). I learned how to budget. I learned how to worship God all day, everyday. I learned how to have a heart that is constantly praying. I learned how to love deeper, stronger, and greater, only because I have a Heavenly Father who loved me first.

I've been through a lot in my 4 years of college, and I'm nowhere near done yet. I'm excited for the journey ahead, and all the more learning I get to do with my life. I'm excited to see where God is going to move, how He is going to show up, and how he will work in all the ugliness to make it beautiful.

"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." Romans 8:28

Camp: Week 2

This week at Ranch Camp things were very different than last week. This week was Junior High/High School Week. I started off the week counseling by myself, but due to some outside circumstances, I asked to have some help from someone on support staff. Laura was able to jump in and co-counsel with me and it was an answer to prayer for her!

Sunday: Campers Arrived!

Monday: MUSTACHE MONDAY
In Horse Science, we got to paint Sally! My classes rotation group was called Mischef, named after Amy's cute doggy.

Then came rain. rain. rain. A lot of the schudele had to be changed. So we went up to timberline and watched a movie. It was a blast!

taking the stage coach to and from timberline

Jenn and I in front/Laura, Caeli, Mel, and Anne in the back proudly showing off our mustache's

We did some new skits that night and that were pretty much hilarious. 

Canby Grove folks-there's a bar? and the roller coaster skit! I also had a camper throw up that night, so I was so blessed to have Laura with me. I DO NOT HANDLE PUKE WELL.

Tuesday: Eggextraganza (each person wears nylon on their head with an egg in it and when your egg gets cracked by a noodle, you are out!), bloddy nose for one my campers, and campout!

this is how we feel about egg in our hair

At the camp-out, we made hobo stew. You take your pick of food, put it in foil, and cook it over the fire. It was delish! Then we had some worship and Jenn shared a lesson. I told a piece of my testimony about how I felt I was betrayed by a friend. Girls started sharing about bullying and other life experiences. One girl in particular really stuck out to me. I asked her if we could talk, and she was really anxious to hear my story. 

Wednesday:

Campers still asleep when I got up for Staff Meeting

GOOD MORNING

I was really proud of myself this week. Not only did I not wear makeup everyday, but I went more than 1 day without showering. Camp is stretching! The same camper I talked to the night before was anxious to talk to me at Pond Time, so we sat away from everyone else and just talked. I was able to relate to parts of her story with some of my experiences. It was really refreshing for me to see how God was using my experiences to reach out to someone else. I had a really hard week and I felt like God wasn't using me, but this small conversation helped me see that it isn't about me and God works in ways that we do not always understand. But his ways are worth it and always better than we can imagine. 

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." 

Isaiah 55:8-9

I was able to write a note of encouragement to this camper, and I think she really needed it. I shared with her a few bible passages that really comforted me and gave me hope in times of trial. She came to me in tears afterward thanking me so much for those words. I honestly believe God spoke through me cuz I have no idea what I actually wrote in that letter.

Wednesday is also known as WACKY WEDNESDAY. Here is some our of wackiness!

We did a skit at campfire Wednesday night that I really believe campers needed to hear. The story is simple: a girl is given a heart (an apple) from God to protect and guard. Things of the world come in, like popular girls who make her sacrifice who she is, not being able to fit in with others cuz of clothing and money, and lastly, a boy who trompts on her heart. Her heart is demolished and she feels broken. But then God comes back, restores her, and gives her a new heart, that he promises to guard and protect for her if she will let him. 

Thursday: Thursday consisted of Ranch Camp Hoedown and camper skit night, which is pretty much the best night of the week. 

For our skit, Laura and I planned to use all of the injuries for our campers are the story line. Every single girl in our cabin got hurt this week. Lauren threw up in the middle of the night and got a nasty bloody nose that was almost broken, but luckily was not. Amanda got a killer splinter and threw out her arm while vaulting. Emma hurt her knee on the trampoline and got stepped on by her horse. Ira fell off Buddy while vaulting and landed on her hip. Jordan ran into a tree. Cassidy got an intense splinter too, but it didn't happen until the day of our skit. Then Friday while practicing Showdeo, I twisted my ankle and fell in a ditch. We just had major issues with injuries!

Thumbs Up Thursday!

All of Ranch Camp Week 2

Staff Week 2: directors, wranglers, counselors, and of course, Chloe the goat

After the hilarious skits, we entered into a very spirit filled night. Worship was beautiful. Campers clung tightly to my arms and didn't want to let go. People were worshiping and praising God for who He is. Some were overwhelmed with God's love to the point of unending tears. Richard preached the gospel message in a way that helped students and staff see and relate to knowing that NOTHING in this world can satisfy, and you can try it all. God is the only one who can fully satisfy you. He will fill every crack. He will make you whole and complete in Him.We headed to campfire, and campers tossed in sticks showing their commitment to leave their old ways behind and follow hard after God. Some started sharing what God did within their cabins this week and in their own lives. It was so refreshing to see and witness this. This is why I love camp. This is why this ministry works. God is present here and He changes lives. He transforms people like a potter molds clay. I am so happy to be used by God in a miniscule way and be a part of this. 

 Friday: consists of Showdeo, last talks with campers, exchanging information, pictures, packing up camp, and lots and lots of tears.

The progression of pink-red :)

Cabin: Week 2 proudly wearing their Wood Cookies :)

Then we spend the evening having a staff meeting, talking about how God worked this week. I always look forward to that time. Next week, our numbers area really low, so half of the staff requested time off to go home or go on rafting trips. I chose to stay and work, so I got selected to be Ranch Camp Director instead of counseling for the week. This pretty much means I am in charge of Ranch Camp! I'm really excited and pretty nervous all at the same time. It is going to be a great week. Then, camp ends Thursday evening and Staff Retreat starts!

Prayer Requests:

• That counselors would get the rest they need for the next week and have energy despite the low numbers of campers in Ranch Camp and Timberline
• That those off camp would be safe and make wise decisions as well
• For staff unity over the retreat 
• For me to work well with other leadership staff and make wise decisions when staff come to me with problems or issues in the week
• For staff to stay rooted in the word and spend time with God

Praise:

• That many campers last week understood and took their relationship with Jesus to the next level
• For God working through campers to touch my life and encourage me
• For the many many many answered prayers this week
• The fires in Etna near Kidder Creek were quickly contained 
• For staff unity and bonding that is starting to happen

Camp: Week 1

Caeli and I were placed at Ranch Camp where we had the exciting opportunity to co-counsel for the week! Our campers arrived on Sunday June 17th. We went to church in the morning on Sunday, moved our stuff down from the cabin in Timberline to Buckskin at Ranch Camp, and then prepared for our campers!

 Ranch Camp was a blast! We got to spend a lot of time with horses, our campers, in the pond, laughing, singing songs, doing skits, and learning more about Jesus.

A typical day at Ranch Camp starts at 6:15 when our staff meeting begins. We have our staff meeting, pray, talk about the schudele for the day, and then put on crazy wacky costumes to wake up campers.
We saddle up our horses, brush them, and clean their hooves.

Me brushing a horse with one of my campers, Arabelle

At 8:30 we have a yummy breakfast. This often consists of someone being forced to SING A SONG. The song goes..."Sing a song, Sarah, sing a song. We wont stop singing til you stand up, sing a song, Sarah, sing a song" Each time, it gets louder and more and more people sing along until the person's whose name is in it stands up and you guessed it, SINGS A SONG. The staff put a limit of 2 sings a song per meal, otherwise it is very obnoxious! After breakfast, the campers have classes. They are: Trail Riding, Arena, Vaulting, and Horse Science. They girls are separated into groups and they rotate with their group through these classes all week. This week, I had the bandanas.

The Bandana's with Christine (a Wrangler) 

After classes, we have KBAR. Also known as Kick Back and Relax. EVERY COUNSELORS FAVORITE TIME. No, but seriously. It is. At the beginning of the week, Caeli and I used this time to talk to our girls, or just play some chill games, but as the week went on, we got more tired and so did our girls. By Thursday, this became NAP time. Gotta love it. Then we had lunch time, which consisted of more sing a song songs. FUNNNNNN. When my girls tricked me into singing a song, I sang the Beaver Song. I still honor OSU even way down here in California. My girls sang along. I was so proud.
After lunch, we had some solo time and then Cabin Devos. This time was really aggravating this week. It was hard for the girls to focus, and many of them grew up in Christian homes, so they already know Jesus. It was hard for Caeli and I (who were not Christians until a later age) to understand how best to lead them. A big answer to prayer happened on Thursday: we had a great discussion about how to listen to God and hear his voice. I was really impressed with a few of the girls eagerness to follow God daily.
After Cabin Devos, it was pond time. I really loved this time, because we just got to hang out and have fun with our campers. There is no rush for time, and we got to play silly games, talk more about life and God, and just enjoy have fun together.

Caeli and I at the pond with some of our girls

After pond time, we have some sort of activity before dinner. Activities like: games on the soccer field, Shoot for Gold on horseback in the pasture, or a night ride. After dinner, we have a cabin activity. On Monday night, we made our cabin flag. We lived in Buckskin, and our cabin name was the Chick-A-Dees.

 After that, was the BEST time of the day. Campfire. I have a GINORMOUS collection of pictures from campfire. Please enjoy. :) This was a time of silly songs, skits, yelling very loud, competitions, learning about God, testimonies, and worship.

On Tuesday night, Ranch Camp camped out under the stars. I had so much fun that night. We ate hot dog dinner cooked over the fire, and then made our own dough boys. That night, the stars were amazingly beautiful. Caeli and I stayed up talking. We prayed and the wind hissed through the trees. It was a lovely way to fall asleep all laying on a tarp close to each other for body warmth.

I have an embarrassing story to share with you all: I was sleeping very very soundly and very warmly. So much that I didn't wake up when I had to go to the bathroom. So I started to pee my pants and I woke up as soon as I realized what was going on. Luckily, I only peed through my first layer and it didn't soak through much at all. But I was so embarrassed and it was quite a night. I also peed in the woods for the very first time! Caeli was very proud of me! :)

The hoedown was one of my favorite nights of the whole week. Here is the hoedown in pictures:

Haley, myself, Jenn, and Caeli

Our crazy Chick-A-Dees

All of Ranch Camp at the Hoedown

On Friday, it rained unexpectedly, so we had to improvise our plans for the day. I got to teach cotton-eyed-Joe and the Hoedown Throwdown for 2 and a half hours. All those nights of country dancing are really helping at Ranch camp!

Here are some miscellaneous  pictures from the week:

Caeli and I dressed like twins one day on accident

Here's the cabin mid week

Our Cabin :)

Halliday and Katie with their horse Peppy

Our Cabin: Me, Rawnie, Arabelle, Kendra, Caeli, Katie, Zoozer, and Halliday

So BLESSED to have this girl at camp!

Ranch Camp Staff Week 1

This is our natural state. Be jealous.

 "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful" Hebrews 10:23

Prayer Requests for the next week: 

I've never worked with junior high/high school campers before-wisdom and direction

For our staff to continue to bond with unity

For those traveling to the River, for safety

For campers to come to a deeper understanding a saving faith in Jesus Christ

For rest and good sleep for staff

For spiritual growth and trust in the Lord for what He is doing

He is faithful

"when the storm is raging all around me, you are the peace that calms my troubled sea."

Beautiful Lord by Leeland

At Kidder Creek, it has been pouring rain. I love the rain. I see so much beauty in it. I see God in it. I see God cleansing his people. Stripping them of their sin and making them new creations in Him. 

God is always there. He is faithful. Even when the future seems unknown. 

"For I know the plan I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13

Sometimes God's plans are not our own plans. Sometimes God takes us down unexpected roads. But he is faithful and full of promises. I do not need to worry. He will take care of me and give me peace. 

  ^"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

At this moment in time, my future is completely unknown. My world as I know it has been shaken. But God is constant. He is unchanging. 

"For I, the Lord, do not change..." Malachi 3:6 

God, in this situation, be my constant. Become more of my foundation as I become more and more rooted in who I am in you and your plan for me. 

Blessed

"How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard"

I leave Corvallis tomorrow morning for camp in California. This is a bittersweet moment. I love camp, everything about it, but I am absolutely saddened to leave what I have God has developed here. I am blessed with tremendous people in my life. And I wouldn't change a thing.

For my last evening in Corvallis, I had a dinner with some bible study girls. We laughed, we shared our hearts, cried much needed tears, prayed together, and gave very tearful goodbyes as we all depart for summer.

Then I spent the evening with Greg. :) We hopped on his BMW motorcycle and whizzed through country roads with beautiful views of mountains and trees. I enjoyed holding on tightly as we rode. I started singing worship to God, the whole thing was absolutely beautiful. We stopped at a park, went for a little walk along the Willamette River, and then watched the sunset. I really like this guy. :)

What a great way to spend my last night in the town that has become home. 

I am beyond blessed. 

"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." Isaiah 55:12

Clay

"yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hands." Isaiah 64:8

Some Days are filled with the Unexpected

Some days you hit little road bumps. Things don't go quite as planned. And you know those days, you get kinda frustrated and start feeling really down.Those are the kind of days Satan likes to attack. He sees we are weak and he takes advantage of it.

My Friday the 13th was one of those days.

It all started with a very difficult and unplanned Thursday night. I normally spend my Thursday nights at bible study, with some lovely girls, but this week, I was doing something very unexpected and somewhat traumatic. I woke up Friday still dealing with what happened the night before. I went to class, took a quiz, and went back home to pack for my exciting weekend at the beach for 15 beautiful girls from my college group. I packed my bags, picked up the girls I was driving and got all the way to Monmouth when my car started making a noise. A thereisarocktumblingaround noise. I pulled over and put on my flashers.

After a few attempts, I ended up having to have my car towed all the way back to Corvallis. Yay AAA. I got home, walked in the door after paying the tow man and cried. Literally sat on my bed and cried. I was pretty certain at that point that I wasn't going to be going to the coast for the retreat. But Aimee was not okay with that, so she called all the cars that hadn't left yet and arranged a seat for me.

my poor baby being towed

Beautiful sunset view from the house

Then I finally arrived on the coast for the weekend with some lovely girls.

Erin, Rosie, Amy, Tina, Lexi, me, Sara

Catch phrase: aka INTENSE

On that night, we stayed up til 3:30 in the morning or something sharing stories. It at all started with games where we would ask a question and everyone would go around and answer. The question that kept us up so late was, "What is something you have overcome?" Little did we know at the time what that question would turn into. There was tears, laughter, hugs, confessions, acceptance, confessions, and so much more. It was really a beautiful time.

I woke up on Saturday morning rested. We made breakfast and then headed down to the beach.

Back row: Deanie, Taylor, Christy, Rosie, Erin, Lexi, Erin, Lacey, Sara
Front Row: Amy, me, Aimee, Tina, Casey, and Jessie

A few of us decided to hike up the massive dune. And then have a few little adventures. :)

Sara, Rosie, Lacey, Deanie, Jessie, Lexi, and I after hiking up the dune

Rosie, Deanie, Lacey, and Lexi walking sliding down the other side

Yep, we did it.

Isnt this just beautiful?

Deanie and Sara

Me and Deanie

the two Sara(h)'s

I sat down on top of this mountain and looked around me. God created all of this. I sat there singing "Indescribable" quietly to myself. God, you are indescribable.

 The whole earth is His.

"the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them-The Lord, who remainds faithful forever." Psalm 146:6

Lacey was sitting on this ledge and she turns around to me and says "Each wave is a little different. Some have spunk, some just kinda sizzle away. And each of the rocks, they are all different shapes and sizes. (silence) Kinda like us."

What Lacey said couldn't be more true. We are all different because God created each and every one of us exactly how He wanted us to be. That is so comforting and absolutely beautiful to me.

As we were sitting and admiring the beauty, Deanie, Rosie, and Sara went on a little adventure.

This is my view is Sara, Rosie, and Deanie from where I was sitting

We headed back over to the rest of the group and plopped right down.

Then we had a little cermony for Ryder, Lacey's dog who died suddenly this week.

Ryder loved popcorn, so it was only appropiate to write his name in the sand, cover it in popcorn, and wait for a wave to wash it away.

What an unexpected, but so amazing weekend. I am so blessed by all these AMAZING women who love the Lord that I have in my life. My car still isn't fixed yet, so that's kinda a downer, but it's okay. I have a great community of friends helping me out. :)