Camp, Home, Chick-fil-A, Wedding, Reception, Camp.

Saturday morning, I got up, drove six hours to Columbus, Georgia, had lunch with my sweet mom and Katie (at Chick-fil-A), went home, took a shower, got dressed, went to the church, sang in my sweet friend's wedding, went to the reception that I was only planning to stay at for about thirty minutes and ended up staying for almost five hours, went home around 11:30 PM, crashed, woke up at 4:45 AM this morning, took a shower, got on the road before 5:30 AM, and was back at camp before noon.

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!

Conversations with Eve

I am going to take a moment to clarify some things before I move on to what this post is actually about.

• 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!

Day Five and it just keeps getting better.

Again, I am more than happy and doing quite well here at Windy Gap. My team is incredible and we grow closer each moment. Every meal is precious time spent with each other. Every free moment is another chance to bond. And we grab every opportunity. We sincerely and genuinely love one another already. I could not ask for anything better to do for this month.

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!

This week I learned...

1. Don't go to bed at 1 A.M. the night before you drive six hours.
2. Big deposits are best done with two people.
3. High Kicks is one of the best parts of the day.
4. I want to be INTENTIONAL.
5. Hills are killer on the legs.
6. The food at Windy Gap is too good for my own good.
7. No air conditioning in North Carolina is A-OK.
8. Water is crucial here.
9. Young Life is a large/tiny community.
10. God is moving in ways far beyond my comprehension.

Sweet Communion

First of all, I am having the time of my life. I am comfortable in my surroundings and I love the people I work with. So there's that.

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.

First Day at Windy Gap!!!

I am here at camp and I have Internet access! I am not sure how often I will be able to update, but I am going to try and be on top of it.

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!

Still packing...

I know that I am going to forget something when I leave...TOMORROW! I cannot believe that it's already here.

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!

On Leaving

My mother will be only to happy to know that I am a little nervous about leaving for a month. For the past week, I have more than a few moments of anxiety and fear when thinking about my upcoming trip to North Carolina. I start to get all panicky and I get a knot in my chest.

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.

I wish...

I wish that I could spend my day playing outside. I wish that I had some sidewalk chalk. And a kite. I wish I could go climb a tree. I wish I could play in a creek. I wish I could play "Little Women", "Little House on the Prairie", and "Free Willy." I wish that my American Girl doll was still the most expensive thing on my wish list. I wish that my dream guy was still Adam from "Bonanza" and I wish that I was ok with my bunk bed being my "car."

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)

This week I learned...

1. I miss writing.
2. I'm Jacob.
3. Peggy Jenkins is an interesting lady.
4. I'm a little nervous about spending a month with no facebook.
5. God is good in all things at all times.
6. The less I drive the less gas I use. Shocking lesson, I know.
7. Sometimes, it is better to leave well enough alone.
   
8. Trust is a two way street.
9. However, Love can be a one way street...
10. I wish I had an older brother.
    

Chick-fil-A

For those of you who don't know, and I assuming that is most of you, I started working for Chick-fil-A this past week. There were a lot of factors in my making this decision, the biggest one being money. Ever since my senior year of high school when I worked for Country's BBQ, I swore I would never work in the food industry again. However, the schedule is also going to be awesome and it is a job that I can go to and leave it there at work when I go home. It is going to be great with school in the fall.

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.

Windy Gap, Here I come!

This coming Saturday, I am headed to North Carolina to work for a month at Young Life's Windy Gap. I am asking for your prayers during this month. Please pray for traveling mercies as I drive up to Weaverville on Saturday morning. Please pray for me as a I seek to minister with those on Summer Staff and Work Crew. Please pray for the hearts of kids as they come to camp. Pray that God's love would wash over them and that He would show Himself in a mighty way. Please pray for Young Life staff as they give talks, conduct music and skits, and present the gospel in ways many of these kids have never experienced.

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

An evening with two of my favorite boys.

The Alford boys are three very special boys and I love keeping them. William, Henry, and Andrew always make me smile and they are a joy to "hang out" with. So, when their mom, Stephanie, called me about a month ago asking me to keep them tonight, I was more than willing to say yes.

William is spending the night with a friend, so it's just me and the younger two. When I arrived, Andrew immediately set to informing me of his love for John Deere (Of which I was acutely aware), what we were having for dinner, and the whereabouts of his big brother, William. Henry followed shortly thereafter.

After Stephanie and Bryan left, the boys and I headed outside for some playground action. As I sat there watching them play, I started to drift away into my own thoughts and before long I realized it was a little more quite than before. I looked back over at the boys and their gaze was very intent on a specific object. A small bird was hopping across the yard. Andrew started to tell Henry to go after it. Henry said "Shhhh." Andrew mimicked his older brother and Henry said "I was talking to you. Be quite." Andrew remained silent as Henry crept across the yard, head bobbing back and forth in an Egyptian way. The bird continued to hop until it was safely in a bush and out of reach from two curious little boys. We moved on to swinging and the next thing I hear from Andrew is what sounds like a college football fight song. Nope. "Bob the Builder" theme song was coming out of this fella's mouth. However, when I asked Henry who is favorite football team was, he quickly replied "Aubrin." With this mention, Andrew burst into "War Eagle! Fly down the field!..." Awesome.

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.

The Road to Frontier, 2009-Day Six

Thank you for your prayers for these Columbus Young Life kids and leaders. Know that they are appreciated and that I am praying that you would not grow weary in your petitions to God. Please pray that today would be glorifying to God and that He would continue to pursue these kids like only He can do!

Ephesians 3:14-21

A Prayer for the Ephesians

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

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.

This week I learned...

1. Good lunches can revive great friendships.
2. 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.
   
3. There is a website that will let me watch every episode of The West Wing for FREE!
4. There are only eighteen days left before I leave for a beautiful month in the mountains. Woot.
5. A little sunshine secures my heritage as a Mexican and wipes out all thoughts making me an Asian.
   
6. A little pasta goes a long way on a college budget.
7. Maybe sleeping on the couch so much isn't such a great idea.
   
8. Having the Goose around is one of the best parts of summer.
9. "Normal" collegiate life is right around the corner.
10. 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

Today marks the half-way point! Five days and counting. Please continue to pray. Pray for sleep for kids and leaders alike. Pray for continued zeal. Pray for the power of God's love to wash over these kids in a way that they have never felt or experienced. Pray that God's word would touch them deeply and they would see that to walk with Christ is to live life to the ULTIMATE!

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.

The Road to Frontier, 2009-Day Four

Please continue to pray for these precious, precious high schoolers as leaders seek to minister to their hearts. Pray that God would cover them with His love and pour His spirit into their hearts! Thank you, prayer warriors!

2 Thessalonians 3:1

Request for Prayer

Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.