Sunday, June 28, 2009
Camp, Home, Chick-fil-A, Wedding, Reception, Camp.
It has been an insane weekend and I am super tired, but it was well worth it. I would not have missed Jessica's wedding and being a part of her special day for anything. The reception was fantastic and I got to swing dance all night.
Tonight is a long night. We have "Camp Tour" (more on this later) and then we have the obstacle course, which means no bed until midnight. Pray for me, please!!
Love to all!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Conversations with Eve
- Work Crew vs. Summer Staff- Work crew are high schoolers who spend a month working on various properties. Summer Staff are college students who do the same thing. Work Crew works a whole lot harder than Summer Staff. Camp could not run without them.
- Each of the above have a male and female coordinators.
- My job is in the office and it entails a lot of answering the phone, giving kids band-aids, talking on the radio, giving weather updates, writing letters, updating the blog, etc...
Ok. Now that all of that stuff is out of the way, I can write about what I really wanted to write about.
Eve is our female summer coordinator and she is awesome. She has lots of wise words to offer and I really enjoy spending time with her. Last night, we were talking about the difference between our world here at Windy Gap and our world at home. We aren't living in the real world here. I mean, we all know that Michael Jackson is dead (except, I am convinced he isn't dead and he's just hanging out with Elvis on some island recording a new duet album) and that Ed Mcmann and Farrah Fawcett both died this week. Oh, and we know about Jon and Kate getting a divorce. But that is about our extent of the real world here at Windy Gap. Our world is filled with praise and worship, bible reading, consistent Christian fellowship, and prayer. Our world here is filled with the things that we all wish our lives at home were filled with. We all wish that we were as consistent with quiet times at home like we are here. We all wish that God was less than a thought away at home like He is here. We all wish that our prayer lives were as alive at home as they are here. But that just isn't the way it is.
Mine and Eve's conversation was really centered around relationships and the fact that there is so much possibility for "purple" (pink and blue combined...girl and guy stuff) to happen here. I mean, you are surrounded by people, of the opposite sex, who all have the same passion as you. They all love Jesus and they all want to share that with high school kids. It really doesn't get much better than that. If that's what you are into. But, Eve made a fantastic point. You don't want your relationship to start here at camp, because it's not real. I'm not my true self here. I am who I really want to be, not the T who lives in Columbus, GA. And they aren't their real selves either. That's a huge part of why dating while at camp is off limits. Of course, there is the say that goes like this: "Go to club, find a hub!" Or, "Go to Young Life, find your wife!". And it's so true. Lots of matches and happy marriages come out of Young Life and summer staff assignments...they just all happen after you have finished your assignment.
These are just some of Eve's wise words. I am sure I will have a lot more. We are going through the book of John and she is a fantastic teacher. I'll write about that later.
No more updates until Monday. I am headed home tomorrow for a whirlwind trip to sing in Jessica M.'s wedding and then head back to WG on Sunday!!! Pray for me!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Day Five and it just keeps getting better.
Please pray for us as we love on one another and build one another up; spiritually and emotionally. Please pray for our health, that we would stay well. Please pray that we would be safe and protected.
Thank you to those of you who read and pray. You love me so well!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
This week I learned...
- Don't go to bed at 1 A.M. the night before you drive six hours.
- Big deposits are best done with two people.
- High Kicks is one of the best parts of the day.
- I want to be INTENTIONAL.
- Hills are killer on the legs.
- The food at Windy Gap is too good for my own good.
- No air conditioning in North Carolina is A-OK.
- Water is crucial here.
- Young Life is a large/tiny community.
- God is moving in ways far beyond my comprehension.
Sweet Communion
Communion is a pretty big deal to me. A lot of Jesus' greatest conversations came from breaking bread with someone. Also, in order to take communion you need to be right with God and your fellow man. Sunday, we prayed together and worshiped our Savior together and then we took communion together.
In all actuality, this whole month is like taking communion. While we are here to serve others, this month is totally focus on Jesus and our relationship with Him. We are working on being right with the Father. And in all of that, we are to love one another and tackle issues before they really become issues.
Last night, as we ate BBQ on the hill and just hung out afterwards, my thoughts were on the future. What these fellow summer staffers are to me right now will totally change at the end of the month. At the end of the month, these will be some my dearest and closest friends. At the end of the month, I will look back and see this past month as some of the sweetest earthly communion that I have ever experienced.
Speaking of earthy communion, that brings me to heavenly communion. These past three days of being at Windy Gap have been filled with prayer. It's almost impossible to go through the morning, afternoon, or evening without being in some kind of conversational mode with God. Everything here screams out His name. It proclaims His creativity, His beauty, and His grace. From the scenery, to the sight of high schoolers working and serving other high schoolers, to walking into our living space and seeing ten other summer staffers in the Word as I walk in. All of these situations nudge me towards the cross and my Savior. My morning runs are spent in prayer. My conversations are spent talking about testimonies, personal relationships with Christ, controversial religious matters, and God's grace in our lives. Of course, we talk about our favorite football teams, our favorite food, what we miss about home, etc. But God is certainly present with us and it is evident that we all desire that.
Sweet communion. Three days in and I am already certain that this is the sweetest I have ever experienced.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
First Day at Windy Gap!!!
The ride up to Weaverville was pretty good. I was super tired and pulled over in a hotel parking lot (in a highly populated area, Mother) to sleep for all of fifteen minutes and I felt so much better. I was also able to stop for lunch at the Garvin's and get a sandwich and visit for a bit. I arrived at camp around six. My luggage was loaded onto a UHaul and sent up to my cabin.
We ate a dinner of pizza and salad and I met my fellow summer staffers. They are pretty awesome and they are from all over the place. There are a lot of people from Texas. And there is a girl from L.A..
After dinner, we spent time together in worship and we went over some camp business. We also introduced ourselves. We split up into Summer Staff and Work Crew (I'll explain the difference later) and had separate meetings and got to know one another better. A bunch of us had to go back down to our cars to get more stuff and we were warned about a bear that seems to be hanging around and it was not a joke. I haven't seen it yet, but I'm on the lookout.
Work has been great today. I love my job. Lots of answering the phone and filing. I also get to talk on the radio and look up weather reports. They are calling me the meteorologist because of my fancy language when I give the radar report to the guys. I am pretty good at it, if I do say so myself. :)
I am having a blast. I seriously might never come back.
Update again soon! So much more to tell. Love to all. Thank you for all your prayers!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Still packing...
I had a small break down this afternoon as I was saying goodbye to my dad. Actually, it happened after I got in the car and drove away. He doesn't know. Shhh...don't tell him. Again, I am a little nervous about leaving, but I know it's going to be a great trip.
Pray for me as I drive tomorrow, please! I will update the blog as I get a chance. Here is the address again, just in case some of you get the urge to write me. :)
Windy Gap (Theresa Garcia-Summer Staff)
120 Coles Cove Road
Weaverville, NC 28787
So long for a month!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
On Leaving
I am not the kind of girl who gets home sick. Rather, I have a HUGE fear of the unknown. I am positive that the coming month will be awesome and I will have a blast. But, for all of my friendliness and outgoing personalty traits, I get shy and nervous when meeting new people in an unfamiliar place. When I am on my turf, it is one thing. But this whole new territory thing wigs me out a little bit.
It's certainly not for lack of planning that I am nervous. I have a million lists and am currently sitting amongst piles of clothes that I have packed and unpacked and the repacked. And then unpacked. (Repeat) There is the "Definitely going with me" pile. The "might-go-with-me" pile. And the "I-thought-about-taking-this-with-me-but-thought-better-of-it" pile. And I still have clothes in the washer. I am going to to forget something for sure and certain.
In all of this, I know God has called me to Windy Gap for the next month. I know how this application process works and I know that God's hand is in it from the get-go. My trust is in Him because His grace is sufficient. Please pray for me as I pack (I hate that part), attempt to remember all the little extras, and drive the six hour drive to North Carolina. But most of all, please pray for my heart as I seek to grow closer to the One who called me to this adventure.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
I wish...
I wish that I had the faith of a child. I wish that my unbelief was less. I wish that I didn't wrestle with doubt. I wish that I relied more fully on grace that is sufficient. I wish that I had faith that moved mountains. I wish I was more forgiving, tolerant, loving, gracious, merciful, faithful, committed, and kind. I wish I was less hateful, judgmental, disrespectful, lazy, and a host of other failures.
I am grateful that despite these shortcomings, my comfort comes from the fact that "I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him." (Heidelberg Catechism Question Number One)
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
This week I learned...
- I miss writing.
- I'm Jacob.
- Peggy Jenkins is an interesting lady.
- I'm a little nervous about spending a month with no facebook.
- God is good in all things at all times.
- The less I drive the less gas I use. Shocking lesson, I know.
- Sometimes, it is better to leave well enough alone.
- Trust is a two way street.
- However, Love can be a one way street...
- I wish I had an older brother.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Chick-fil-A
The first SIX hours of working at Chick-fil-A are spent watching videos. Yes, folks. That's right. SIX WHOLE HOURS. A lot of it was pretty stupid, but I really enjoyed hearing the Truett Cathy story and how Chick-fil-A came to be. After watching several interviews (approx. an hour's worth), I got kinda excited about working for this company. The Cathy's aren't pulling anyone's leg with their reasons for being closed on Sundays and being a beacon of light in a dark world. This family truly loves the Lord and is committed to providing excellent service to those who come into contact with Chick-fil-A. This may sound super silly, but it made me want to truly put my best foot forward because, now, I feel like if I don't, I am letting Truett Cathy himself down. I know. It sounds absurd. It's just a fast food joint. But I swear it's not. There is something different about this company. I know what that something different is. It's in their purpose statement.
"That we might glorify God by being a faithful steward in all that is entrusted to our care, and that we might have a positive influence on all the people that we might come in contact with."
I mean, come on! How obvious can it be? It's all about service and it's all about doing it in the name of Jesus. I love that.
So, come see me at Chick-fil-A and I promise there will be true sincerity behind every "My pleasure." Every time.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Windy Gap, Here I come!
Selfishly, I covet your prayers as I spend time with the Lord in the coming month. I have never done anything like this before, but I know that God has a plan for me. Please pray that my quiet times would be productive, that I would be filled with His spirit, and return refreshed by His love. Please pray that God would fill me with grace as I serve in His name over the next month and send me home on fire for Him and His people.
I love you all so much and appreciate you more than you know. I can't wait to fill you in on all my adventures when I return home. If you feel moved to send little notes to me while I am gone, the address where you can reach me is below. :) Check out the website too! Windy Gap is pretty awesome!
Much love and many thanks!
Theresa
Windy Gap (Theresa Garcia-Summer Staff)
120 Coles Cove Road
Weaverville, NC 28787
Web site: windygap.younglife.org
Saturday, June 13, 2009
An evening with two of my favorite boys.
Bathtime and bedtime followed shortly. After I had both of them in the bed for good, I hear "TWEESA!!!!" coming down the hallway. Andrew continued to yell his variation of my name as I walked from the kitchen into his room. I stood in the doorway and he got very quiet. "Yes?", I asked. "Is there a problem?" Calmly, Andrew replies, "I ter-sty." Off I go to get water and the rest of the evening was fairly quiet.
I love these boys and I love how much I get to laugh when I am with them.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
The Road to Frontier, 2009-Day Six
Ephesians 3:14-21
A Prayer for the Ephesians
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
This week I learned...
- Good lunches can revive great friendships.
- My best friend has a heart of gravel, smells like freshly mowed grass, and doesn't mind when I walk...er...run all over him.
- There is a website that will let me watch every episode of The West Wing for FREE!
- There are only eighteen days left before I leave for a beautiful month in the mountains. Woot.
- A little sunshine secures my heritage as a Mexican and wipes out all thoughts making me an Asian.
- A little pasta goes a long way on a college budget.
- Maybe sleeping on the couch so much isn't such a great idea.
- Having the Goose around is one of the best parts of summer.
- "Normal" collegiate life is right around the corner.
- My small group is one of the biggest blessings in my life. (Not a new realization...just a shout out.)
The Road to Frontier, 2009-Day Five
John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the ultimate.