A Beautiful Exhaustion!

I'm officially home for the summer. Summer is over. Carolina Cross Connection, West Wilkes 2011's chapter is closed... It's time for the next "season" to come in.  


It's a weird feeling stepping back into a "normal" everyday life routine when your summer has been so radically different from anything you've ever experienced.  When I got home I suddenly realized all of the obligations I didn't have, and all of the faces I wouldn't be seeing at the late staff meeting we wouldn't be having.  (I also realized how great it was to not wear shower shoes, but that's a whole different topic.)  


To say I was sad would be an understatement, but along with exhaustion, I felt amazed at all of the work God did this summer.  Most camp weeks we averaged around 85 campers, making 12 Christian Mission Groups a week, or CMGs. The CMGs are the groups we send out to actually do the home repairs.  Each CMG had approximately 4 jobs per week. You do the math.  That means, on average, the campers touched the lives of 48 FAMILIES a week.  


These campers are INCREDIBLE.  They have  not only given up a week of their summer or job or vacation to help others, but they PAY to come.  How backwards is this thinking?  I think its radical.  Every week we remind the campers that while the world sees teenagers with a big black X on their forehead signalling trouble, they were breaking the stereotype.  They allowed God to use them as vessels to spread the Word of Christ.  HOW AMAZING.  


Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  We were created to do good works to spread the love of Jesus.  I pray that each camper that came to CCC this year experienced the power of God working through and in them.  I know that I learned more from this summer than words can describe. 


Finally, because I didn't write as much as I had planned this summer, I think I'll continue the blog for a while. YAYYYY!!

ONE BODY.

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;  if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

-Romans 12:4-8

I haven't told my staff this, but I think this may one of our resonating verses for the summer.  The 8 of us could not function as a CCC Staff person if the others were not around.  Think of it literally as a body, in order to function correctly, we need every part to work.  

So world, meet the West Wilkes Staff!

(in order from left to right)

·         Luke is our rock.  I know that if I EVER needed ANYTHING, he'd be there in a heartbeat with no questions asked.  When I get stressed, he brings me back to reality and reminds me what we're here for.  I know he gets asked a million questions a day, but I'm pretty sure he has a million answers.  No question is too dumb, ever.  He's pretty much the most amazing Lead Field ever.

·         I'm beside Luke!

·         Amy is the heart of our staff.  I'm not really sure how she does it, but everything gets done and we still get as much sleep as possible.  This may sound silly, but when you have a million things going on, sometimes you need to be reminded to go to sleep for everyone's sake.  We joke and call her our mom, but she really is like our mom who would hurt someone if they touched her babies.  I know I could count on her to listen to me no matter what time it is, no matter what is going on. 

·        Jenny is the most incredible, ridiculous person I've ever met- in the most amazing way ever.  She is this tiny little girl who can scream louder than anyone on our staff...and does.  She keeps our vision focused, but nothing is more important than staying calm and not stressing out.  If something doesn't go according to plan, the world keeps spinning.  Shocking, I know, but in the moment, that is exactly what we need.

·        Caroline is the spunkiest, most fun-loving person.  When you meet her, she seems sweeter than sugar, but after a while, her crazy side comes out.  I'm pretty sure I laugh at most things that come out of her mouth.  I'm pretty sure I could talk to her for hours and never get tired of doing it.  Plus, she shares my love of Goodwill!!

·         Lauren is the biggest servant of all of us.  If something needs to be done, she is right there asking what she can do.  If no one answers, she'll ask again or find something to do to help.  He heart is so HUGE!  In fact, we're teaching her how to yell because she physically can't.  I'm pretty sure it hurts her heart to scream.  

·         Beth is unlike any other person I've ever met.  She is so much fun and her laugh is infectious.  I remember one night when her giggle box was really turned over.  It wasn't  a few seconds later that we were all rolling.  It Beth that reminds us not to be serious all of the time.  Without her, I doubt we'd made it through our first camp week. 

·         Dalton- aka: Walton Dally is so goofy, yet his heart is made of gold.  I don't know if I've ever met anyone who genuinely cares about people more than him.  I'm pretty sure if Dalton could not only work for every person he meets, but sit and talk with them for hours, he would be content with life.  He also makes up some great bedtime stories about Batman.  While we pick on him for taking FOREVER with EVERYTHING, he's the guy that makes us slow down and enjoy the moment for what it is, keeping us sane. 

...And she got two.

Training is over, campers will be coming so very soon, and my summer "job" is in full swing.  I say "job" because this is one of the most amazing experiences I've ever been involved in.   To fill you in, here is a little story straight from my journal on one our home visiting days.  The name of our waitress has been changed.

Today was amazing.  Our morning started out extremely slow with only two visits before lunch.  With our tummies requesting lunch, Mr. GPS offered many treats to satisfy my partner in crime, Caroline and me.  We decided on what sounded like a local diner in a small town called Dobson, NC.  To our dismay, Mr. GPS took us to a field.  Luckily, on our way to the middle of no where, we passed a hole in the wall place simply called "DINER".  We both agreed this was the place for us!  


We placed a flier on the community board promoting CCC and then took a seat.  Our waitress was very sweet and patient until we both decided to try the Philly Cheese Steak and homemade potato chips.  Half way through our meal, our waitress came up and apologized for getting teary-eyed earlier.  She explained that her son had died a year ago at the age of 19.  Taken aback, both Caroline and I immediately said it was okay and that we were sorry.  She smiled a sad smile, replied with thank you and walked away.  I looked at Caroline and just told her we needed to pray for her.  Caroline nodded  quickly.


Soon after, we headed up to the register to pay for our meals.  I caught the eye of our waitress in the back of the kitchen.  She smiled, walked up, and said the classic," Thank you and ya'll come back!"  I quickly told her I would.  All of the sudden, this desire to know the name of our waitress came over me. I asked her, "What's your name?"  She said, "I'm Donna."  That wasn't enough for me.  I told her that I was going to pray for her.  Donna smiled her sad smile and thanked me again.  It was then that Caroline walked up and immediately said, "I'm praying for you."  She thanked Caroline too.  


Still, that wasn't enough.  I can't really use words to describe the emotions that flooded over me.  The next thing I know, I'm asking Donna if we can pray with her now before we leave.  Kind of to my surprise, Donna nodded quickly and ran around from behind the counter and scooped up both of our hands.  Clinging to each other, we showered her with prayer in the middle of the hole-in-the-wall "DINER".   She looked up and told us briefly that her son was on his way home for a cookout to celebrate his 19th birthday. Afterwards, all three of us misty-eyed girls exchanged hugs and we promised we'd be back soon.  

Here we are, the task of the day being to visit as many houses as possible, hoping to change the lives of our homeowners.  What we didn't realize is that even the people we randomly come in contact with can no only we touched but embraced.  Our jobs as CCC staff never ends, but also our jobs as Christians never end.

Later that after noon, I was recounting the story to my mom.  When I finished rambling on about my new friend, mom simply said," Maybe she was praying for an angle to come to her today, and rather she got two."  I've been praying for God to use me and the staff as His vessel, and He did just that!  Please pray for Donna.  As you can imagine, losing a son would be devastating to a mom.  Pray that she would feel comfort from the Lord.  Pray that the Lord would move in her life.

Finally, continue to pray that the Lord will use all of the CCC Staff as vessels for His love, mercy, and work.  That we would be Jesus with skin on.

Hasta Luego Amigos!

In just a little bit, I will be leaving for training.  I'm not really sure of anything right now.  Those of you who know me pretty well know that I love control.  I like to know the plan....well that isn't going to happen!  Please pray for me to embrace the unknown!  Also be praying for everyone to get there safely.  I know the Lord will do amazing things this summer.  Pray that all of us will become humble enough to be the hands and feet of Christ.  However that may look.  Pray for everyone we come in contact with this summer: the campers, homeowners, and people of the community.  Thank you for your support.  I will know my camp location when I return for a break.  Until then, pray pray pray!  I love you all, very much!  Thank you, again!

Love,
Carly

Out with the OLD, In with the NEW! :-)

²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

-Ephesians 4:20-24

Ephesians 4:22:  You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; - Take it off, become new, wash it away…all of these are ways to describe what Paul is commanding, but why?  Why can’t we just stay the same and live our lives like we were, just believe in Jesus?  Romans 6:6 says, “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.”  Some translations say, “…ruled by sin might be rendered powerless…”  Sin has a way of taking over our lives.  It becomes a god and we don’t even know it.  The reason we needed Jesus is because of sin.  In order to be the Christians we are called to be, the light in a dark world, we cannot be slaves to sin.  Sin can and will have a hold on us.

But wait, there is hope.  Paul then goes on to describe why you have to take off your old self in verse 23, “…to be made new in the attitude of your minds”.  This is just an outward transformation that needs to take place, it’s you heart, your mind, and your soul.  Your entire attitude is to be changed.  Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”  My College Pastor at Mt. Vernon, Roger Critcher, says the number one question he gets from college students is, “What is God’s will for my life?”  If you love the Lord and are obeying His commandments in the Word, it will be revealed to you.  It may not be clear today or tomorrow, but if you follow in His path, you will succeed. 

Finally, verse 24 says, “and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”  Because Jesus died for us, God won’t turn His back on his children.  He created us to be like him in righteousness and holiness.  Living in this world and not being of it is difficult.  The world will reject us because we follow Christ.  It’s okay though, because this world is only temporary.  We get to spend eternity in heave.  Here are three verses that give us a few more examples of how we’re to be like God:

•  Romans 13:14- Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
• Romans 6:4- We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
• Ephesians 2:10- For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

             You are beautiful in God’s eyes.  We were created to do good works, not to be saved, but to be the hands and feet of Christ.  Jesus has given us new life, asking for nothing in return but to show Christ to others.  When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, a servant’s job, He set an example of who we’re supposed to be to others.  Jesus washed the feet of a man he knew was going to betray Him, willingingly and wholeheartedly.  We have to humble ourselves to be like Christ. 

                My prayer for you is that you will find humility and kindness to share with those around you.  If you’ve been wronged by someone, let it go.  Be Christ to everyone, no matter how difficult it is.  You may be the only Jesus they ever meet.  Please be praying for the CCC staff that we can humble ourselves enough to serve the people in our community and show Christ to them.  Thank you for following our amazing journey.  

Me, the vessel.

Its 1:30 in the morning and a task that normally takes three minutes is seeming impossible in the wee hours of the morning.  The task?  Sleep.  I had tried everything that normally helps me get to sleep and suddenly my feet start tingling.  In a way, it was an “itch” to get up.  At 1:30.  AM.  Ugh!

Not so thrilled by the urge to do something, I snuck out of the warm comfy bed.  I’m not really sure the reason for the sleeplessness, but I got a strong feeling that I needed to post on my blog.  It was like one of those thoughts that pop up in your head, but you TRY to ignore.  Only, the thought gets louder and LOUDER in your head until it won’t go away.  I can only chalk it up to being the Lord’s will. I know this because this is not MY blog, it’s HIS.  I prayed at the very start of this journey that He would use me as a vessel.  Apparently, God has a sense of humor…at 1:30 in the morning.  Well, here I am.  Use me! 

      I’ve started receiving donations for the support we’re asked to raise for the summer.  My goal is to raise $1400.  To most people, this would seem like a lot, but for some reason I have no worries about it.  I know that the Lord can and will provide.  Right now, I’m at $400.  For those of you who can do math, you’ve already figured out I have $1000 left to raise by June 3^rd.  It will happen, and I know it. 

      I was having a conversation with my great friend Briana McLeod one night.  It wasn’t very in depth, but something we talked about really hit home to me.  We, as Christians, tend to put limits on God.  If something rough is going on in our lives we sometimes ask God to handle it, but in reality we try to take control.  Or, we tell God exactly how we want it to work and get mad when it doesn’t work out the way we had planned. 

      The silly thing about this is that God created the universe.  If you believe that, than why are we surprised when the Lord performs a miracle?  He’s the CREATOR of the UNIVERSE.  I challenge you to ask God for something, pray relentlessly, and believe it will be taken care of.  If your intentions are to wholly serve the Lord, you CANNOT fail.  Romans 8:27-28 says:

27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. 28 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.

      HELLOOOO!! It says it in the Bible.  If you are living out your life according to His purpose, He will not fail you.  You must believe that. 

      My plan for this third post was to talk about Ephesians 4:20-24.  For some reason, that changed.  I guess we’ll have to go with it and see what’s in store for the next one.  Until next time…be praying that the Lord is preparing the hearts of all the people we will be coming in contact with and that the Lord will continue to use us as vessels.

You Silly Girl!

¹⁷ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. ¹⁹ Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

-Ephesians 4:17-19

                What does it mean to be a Christian?  These days, it seems to me that if you grew up in the Bible belt, you consider yourself a Christian.  Have I got news for you!  Just because you were baptized as a baby, your grandfather was a pastor, or you go to church does this make you a Christian.  I guess the better question to ask yourself is, “Do you follow Christ?” 

In the passage, Paul is commanding Christians to live not “as the gentiles do”.  In today’s terms, he would be referring to people who do not follow Christ.  He goes on to talk about how people are separated from the Lord because of ignorance caused by the “hardening of their hearts”. 

Paul uses the word “they” a lot, referring to other people, but how many of us can relate to them?  I know I can.  I’ve been in church my entire life and from the time I was little, knew who God was.  During my sophomore year of high school, I turned away from the Lord after a tragic accident that killed my friend.  While I went through the motions a “good Christian” should, my heart wasn’t in it.  I broke at least one of the 10 commandments (taking the Lord’s name in vain) because I wasn’t giving my all to the Lord, rather I was walking around, pretending to be a follower of Christ. 

The problem: when trouble came knocking at my door, I had nothing to back me up.  I got into some pretty nasty stuff my freshman year of college.  I finally had freedom and little miss goody-goody didn’t have to exist anymore.  I knew what I was doing was wrong, yet I ran to and embraced it.  I felt like I had finally found my place.  This is who I was now.  I loved it…for a while.  Eventually, the hole in my heart grew larger and larger.  I ached to be wanted and accepted.  The world was failing me, but no way could I go back.  I had turned my back on God completely.  He would never take me back…right?

Wrong.  After a few months of fighting it, one night I was completely broken at an all time low.  It had been so long since I'd even thought about the Lord.  I prayed to God that I was sorry.  Bawling, I confessed what I had done, knowing that it wouldn’t be good enough.  I asked God to come back in my life.  I felt His presence IMMEDIATELY.  He answered with, “I’ve been here beside you all along, you silly girl!”  (Maybe not that exactly, but pretty close.)  I can’t explain it.  The comfort I experienced was the Holy Spirit moving through me.  I knew what I had done was wrong, but God was right beside me the whole time, seeing everything I’d done.  Yet, non of it mattered because I was His. 

I indulged in every kind of worldly impurity.  I was acting like “the gentiles”.  You know what?  God knew I’d turn my back Him and still sent His son to die for me anyway.  He died KNOWING that.  It’s hard to fathom love that great.  I don’t deserve His love and neither do you, but its here.  The best part?  It doesn’t cost a dime.  You don’t have be good enough to “earn” it.  PRAISE GOD! 

I was on a winter retreat with my church this past school year when the speaker, Neil Hatfield was talking about salvation.  I think I accepted Christ into my heart as a child, but I’m not sure.  Suddenly, I started thinking about if I had or not.  Then I started thinking, if I did do it, was it right? My heartstrings were being tugged at.  I couldn’t go another minute without knowing my future.  The problem: my pride kept me in my chair.  Here is the conversation that went on in my head:

I’ll just do it by myself later in my room. 

(Tugging heart strings) Get up…

NO! I don’t want anyone in my college class to know that I wasn’t saved.  What would they say?

Get up, it doesn’t matter.

No.  It DOES matter.  They will know I’d been living a lie. 

STOP BEING PROUD and get up.

Whoa. Me?  Have a problem with pride? No….

Yes, now come to me now.

I got up and accepted Christ on my actual birthday.  Praise the Lord, He saved me. 

I urge you, if you haven’t asked Jesus into your heart, do it.  Salvation isn’t something to take lightly.  This is forever.  If you want to talk to someone about it or have questions, I’d love to talk with you.  If not me, talk to another friend or pastor.  The world is a nasty place to live in, but the great news is that this life is only temporary.  All the hurt and pain will be gone forever. 

If you are a Christian, I urge you to think about your relationship with God.  Is what you are doing for the Lord or are you just going through the motions?  The worst thing you can do is “pretend” to be a Christian.  Do you follow Christ with your intentions, thoughts, AND actions?