is it over, or has the fun just begun?

summer is coming to a close. the long sunsets of orange and pink cotton candy clouds and scorching sun rays are taking a rest for another year. this summer was like none other. being able to go back home to camp for 11 weeks was tremendous. their were definitely times when i wished i wasn't there because i was being pushed past my comfort zone. how foolish of me to complain at those times because now when i look back on it i am a stronger person (physically, emotionally and spiritually ;) ). at times i felt as though no one wanted to be my friend, but i still stayed and prayed over that situation and sure enough, God blessed me and answered me by giving me people who cared for me. he healed many broken friendships this summer, as well as bringing some to a close. but, i did fall this summer. into many old routines i already fell when i came home for three days in the summer and also the first day i was home from summer ending. BUT, through this i have come such a long way. i recently found some old notes that i wrote to God (i used to pray on paper all the time), and i could see the brokenness in those notes. i could sense a form of bondage to my sin. i was absolutely trapped. but now, oh but now i see the light. i run to it at any given chance. i am not scared of the God i serve. i am fearful of his mighty power, but i am filled with the joy and forgiveness he freely gives to me every single day.

it has been weird being immersed back into the broken culture in which i live, but God is walking with me, carrying me, or holding my hand. He is not only my Father, but my friend.

while i was at camp, i wrote something at around 1 or 2 in the morning. this is what i wrote:
"i raise my hands when im in worship because i feel the Lords angels running with me while God is holding my hand and running with me through a field of daisies and tall grass."

this is how i hope to live the rest of my days. in complete comfort and adoration of the Lord i love and serve. i know that i am free and i pray that this fire burning inside of me will not burn out or come close to lessening. i need to continue to dive into the holy words of the Bible, but it is a struggle as most of us know. remember, the Bible is the one book that the enemy does not want us to read. slap satan in the face by reading it daily!

here is a photo memoir that i believe captures most of the summer,
this is in victoria, when on a day off in between camps, a few staff and i went to the breakwater to play worship music and as we were walking, their was a thunder and lightning storm as well as this sunset. the night continued with us playing guitar while their was a ridiculous rainstorm in which we all were wearing nothing to keep us dry. it was phenomenal. i was so fortunate to have one of my vests leak out colour onto the t-shirt i was wearing underneath and have that material item to keep this memory permenantly stained on! haha. p.s- im wearing that shirt now, ironic?

blessings brothers and sisters.