James 1:2 Consider it pure JOY my brothers when you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

My family this summer!

I have found this verse to be so true and define my summer. It's not that I have many trials or anything like that, but its the fact that I have had to totally rely on God. This summer has been amazing and life-changing, but it has also been hectic. In the past few weeks we have had Upward Camp, started discipleship groups, beach trip, and have been gearing up for VBS and Uganda. There is never a dull moment in the Youth leadership world. I have learned that God is our strength, and when we realize that he will do BIG things!

Me and my boo.. :)

Discipleship groups are going great. I have the amazing opportunity to lead 5 eleventh and twelfth grade girls through James. This group is like none I have ever been in. In most groups there is awkward silences, but in this one its different. The girls just enjoy chatting about life and growing in Christ together! As Danna put it today when we were talking, I don't feel just like a leader in the group, but I feel like a friend in the group. Which is a great place to be. :)

The Beautiful Senior Girls!

Beach Camp was rocking! David Platt was the speaker and he talked a lot about missions which was cool. It got my heart in the right place to start pushing Project Lovemore and being whole hearted about it. God just brought to my eyes that I have everything. I have my needs met, family, friends, and Christ. Some people have none of those. God really spoke to me about telling others about him. It's so easy to be selfish and be too concerned with how people will judge me to tell them about Christ. But the fact of the matter is someone could die tomorrow, and I missed my opportunity to tell them of my Savior. It makes me think of the story of the good Samaritan. Who am I in that story? Am I one of the first two who walk by who are consumed with where they have to be to help or am I the Samaritan who stops everything to help the man. I wish I could say I was the Samaritan, but truthfully, I don't think I can. I want to change that. I want to live out the great commission of telling all nations about my Lord. Also, I really enjoyed camp because I got to bond with the Senior girls. They are amazing. All of them mean the world to me. Our chats about life and some other things were funny and legit! My small group was a lot of fun too. It was good to get to meet all of them. Only we will know about the bottle example of Jesus. It was funny, but so true. Praise God for all he does. I pray that these students will live out what they learned at camp and show Christ's love to all they come in contact with.

The Kumbyyas!

When I got back from camp, I washed clothes and took a shower and them 2 of my best friends, Jen and Megan, came to visit. It was a much needed visit. We did a lot of fun things. We got to hang out with the Anthonys, swim, bowl, eat. You know the usual Brandon thing! I love these two girls to death. I know I could tell them anything. It was good to have my accountability here. It was a short visit, but it really meant a lot that they would drive this far for just a day! :)

Well, going back to the James verse-- I have thoroughly enjoyed this summer so far. Sometime things don't go the exact way I may want them to go, but it's good to remember that God is in control. He has a plan for everything. And I am growing stronger through this. Please pray that I will trust Him wholly!

Lovemore.