Unexpected

the house we painted :)

 July 1, 2014

        

          Last week I was on a youth trip to a mission/work camp, where we painted houses, hung out, and worshipped together. It was really cool to get to know some of the kids I didn’t know as well, and hang out with the ones I do know well. I had never been on this particular trip before, and didn’t know exactly what to expect. I did know that I would be responsible for keeping an eye on our teens at the camp, and would be assigned to a work crew with other adults and several teens, to repaint a house in four days, but I didn’t expect what ended up happening.

          I’ve had Type 1 diabetes since childhood, and most of the time my blood sugars are pretty under control for the most part. Last week was not normal, though, and they didn’t behave. I was low or lower-than-I-like for most of the week. It was frustrating for me because I felt like I couldn’t be as effective of a leader since I was having to deal with my sugars so much. But here’s where the surprise comes in: those sweet teens rallied around me, checking on me and making sure my sugars were coming up, etc. One of them appointed herself my keeper, and stayed on me about it, not letting me downplay the problems as I usually do. (There are a couple girls who already do this, they were on a different work crew so they weren’t with me all the time.)

Part of my crew  working with some kids from another crew

         

During our “emo devo” one night, that sweet girl came over to me in tears, telling me how much she looked up to me and how she thought I was a wonderful leader, etc. Wow. I felt like I did all week was harp on my team about the work and deal with my sugars. But I guess Jesus was at work though it all. I have no idea what I did, but He turned it into a beautiful experience. Then after we got this weekend, I got the sweetest text from her, telling me that I am someone who has impacted her. My favorite part is this: “I love how you let Jesus work through you and how [you’re] also the hands and feet of him. You touch the [lives] of so many people around you”. She then went on to encourage me about a struggle I thought I’d only mentioned once in passing.

          It was so cool, because I know Jesus had prompted her to say it. It was just what I needed to hear that day. Man. He is so awesome! Others have given me similar encouragement (about this struggle) before, but this was special. Out of the blue, a 14 year old who I hadn’t known very well before last week sent me a text with the exact words I needed to hear? That’s God. I went on that trip to help out and bless the kids, and I ended up being blessed beyond measure.  I am so grateful to have been able to watch Him at work. There were so many other wonderful mini-lessons He taught me, too, but I’ll save those stories for another time.

         

The beautiful sunset we were treated to 

Summer is a really busy time, and it’s hard to carve time out to write. Maybe even harder is finding time to stop and think about things to write about. But I’m going to try to do better. Maybe I’ll carry my idea notebook with me at all times so I can jot down every little crazy thought I have. J Even if I don’t get it all written down, I’m resolved to notice more, and not let the beautiful moments of life slip by without thanking the Creator for them. I sincerely hope you are similarly blessed this week. To Him be the glory!