Redeeming Our Time

  Wow! Has it really been nearly eight whole months since I wrote last? That hardly seems possible! And yet, time keeps on ticking.

  And speaking of...

Do you know and are you aware that your time is a special gift straight from God? Life is a gift, so time is a gift. Both are intertwined with each other. We can't have one without the other. And both are given the purpose to glorify God.

  Time... Something I think we all take for granted. I know at least I do! Time spent with family, loved ones of all ages. Time to sew, cook and play; all a gift. And how often we waste it!!! I need to be reminded along with all of you that our time is LIMITED. It is short; like a vapor.
  I truly believe that it is God's heart for us to use what He's given us wisely; time being the greatest thing of all. It is priceless! Once spent it will never get boughten back. You can only use it one time!
  How sad it would be to find out on judgment day that if we would have just taken that one moment out of our day to minister to that needy friend, instead of wasting it on something that doesn't matter, it would have changed their life for ever. Wouldn't that be the saddest thing ever? How ashamed we would feel! I know I would be!
  And so many of us do. We spend our time counting down the minutes, days, the hours until the next exciting event in our life, instead of fully focusing in and using each moment God's given us RIGHT NOW, for His glory. How different our lives would be if we would keep this attitude in mind every second!

   Friends, it is not too late to change! It is not too late to redeem the mistakes we have made. God promises us that He will redeem the things the locusts have eaten up. (Joel 2:25)
All we have to do is ask God, and then trust Him to do the rest.
  Every day we need to be asking our Savior to help us use our time wisely, because in our own strength we just can't do it. It is physically impossible! There are so many people everywhere who are struggling; who are needing our encouragement, love and prayers. If we would just ask God to open our eyes, to see like He does, our lives would be completely changed!

  With God's help it is possible to live a life that is full and rich with purpose. But only through Him!
How often I need to remind myself of this! If I could just get to the place where I would constantly go to Him in prayer, asking him to use my time and energy in each of my days. How different would my life be!
  Would you all please join me as I strive to seek the Lord daily, asking for his help to redeem the time? Our life is way too short to be wasting it on things that don't really matter! Let us go to Him in prayer, to show us the way to redeem our time.

"Be very careful, then, how you live -- not as unwise but as wise,

making the most out of every opportunity, because the days are evil."

Eph. 5:15-16

Camp of Hope

  Girls Camp was another amazing year for me! This would be the fifth year I've attended, two of which I was a counselor. Past years the camp has been held in Rhinelander, WI at a Spa Resort, but this year we were able to have Birch Haven Bible Camp in Clam Lake, WI. It was a wonderful change!

  

  It was such a good time to get away from the hustle and bustle of life for awhile and spend a few precious days with my Jesus. He is everything to me!!! And to be able to just focus on Him for a week... SO AWESOME!!!

  The week consisted of three meetings a day (one main speaker, then a different one the other two sessions), study time with the girls that were in my team, bible memorization, singing, laughing, talking, and encouraging each other from the Word. We also did fun things such as group games, various indoor and outdoor actives, singing and playing instruments around a camp fire, swimming, and hiking. It definitely was a fun and blessed week!

Camp of Hope!

This is the main cabin.

The overview of the facility.

 I was privileged to be a camp counselor for the week. Here's my team.

Only a fraction of the girls are pictured in this photo, but this would be the room where the meetings were held, three times a day. 

It's dinner time!

Group games!

And also one on one time. 

Almost every day of the week we did a craft.

Here we are making individual quilt pieces. All the pieces will then go towards a quilt made for the special lady that put all the work and effort into making this camp happen.

We each took turns going through the line and picking out our materials. 

Now it's time to design them!

We also did a lot of outdoor actives, such as this one. 

Water Balloon Volleyball!

Some preferred to watch and take pictures.

Smiles.

We were blessed to have this wonderful small lake at the camp site. The girls loved it!

The steps leading down to the water...

There was a little trail that went along the lake around the camp site. 

A wonderful place for some quiet time.

The lake was so pretty!

Time for some swimming!

And some exploring! 

Looks like these girls found something a little disgusting. 

What they found was a little tadpole. 

Bringing out the water mat. 

Another activity... This I call Watermelon Water Soccer. 

So here this watermelon is getting smeared in shortening. We want it to be able to float.

Just like in soccer the object is to get the ball to the other side of the court. Instead of using a ball we use a watermelon, the goalies are the docks, and you use your hands and carry instead of your feet to kick.

The slippy slide was definitely THE highlight for the girls!

Copper Falls Field Trip

The last full day at camp was spent at the beautiful Copper Falls Park of Wisconsin. 

Heading out!

This view took my breath away! It was stunningly gorgeous!!!

These steps were tiring. Over 100 of them!

The 80 foot tower!

View from the tower.

The view of the bridge from down by the water.

Having fun exploring the shallow waters.

We found this turtle on the side of the trail. 

Smiles at the falls.

Back at camp, the whole group of campers!

I'll have to say I miss each and every one of you already. And I can't wait to see each of you again!

"The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.



"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Matthew 6:33