![Picture](/uploads/8/1/9/6/81968088/375627.jpg?245)
This week so much has been happening on my holidays from university. I have finished reading the book of James and was very encouraged by everything that I read and took note of. The last two chapters that I read was sharing that when we ask God for things, we need to have good motives to further his kingdom and not come from selfish desires. It also talked about being patient and firm in the Lord as he is coming back. To be prepared during this time and be on guard. It also went on to say that we need to be consistent in prayer with faith and to confess our sins to each other and pray for one another.
As I mentioned in my last post that my church has an International dinner auction night to fundraise for members of the church to go on a mission trip to the Solomon Islands. I put my photography session in there and was surprised at how high it auctioned off for. Over all we raised $1100 for them, which is so amazing, I was only excepting a few hundred dollars to be raised. All the items were sold off and there were about 30-40 people that came. I loved that night as I was able to talk to many people I don’t usually talk to which was encouraging hearing about them and their plans and walks with the Lord. Nights like these really help the congregation bond closer together.
So one event that I found encouraging this week, was that I was told a week ago by a youth leader that the youth camp times were different to when I go on the Power to Change conference in which they are usually on at the same dates. I was surprised to hear this and talked more about the opportunity I could have as a leader at camp. I have been to six of these camps as a student when I was in high school, but I have never been a leader before. The place that they are holding the camp is the location of my first camp as a student and I have not been back there since. I was sent the forms but so much doubt came into my mind like ‘ohh I come back a few days before I leave to Sydney, is that too close’, ‘oh the finances is an issue’, ‘oh it is probably too late to apply’, ‘oh would I be a good leader’. This all just became overwhelming so I decided I wouldn’t. But after youth group I had this strong passion in my heart that I would regret not going to this camp as a leader. So I filled the forms out, and the leader said that I could ask the church to cover the finances, I feel really awkward asking for financial help. And that would be the only thing stopping me from attending so I prayed to God and said if you don’t want me to go then stop it in this way. So I asked and the reaction was not what I wasn’t excepting. He replied with such passion ‘yes that would be great, Jess never let finances be an issue and stop you from the opportunity’. I felt really encouraged and rushed home and sent the forms through. And was added to the group chat they had. Unfortunately I missed the Skype training but I have people that will fill me in on the details.
Yesterday I went to Crystal Creek and Paluma with two of my friends. It was great spending quality time with them. We swam at the waterfall and then went for a hike to a beautiful look out although it was raining and we were in a cloud we were able to see a beautiful view. We had a picnic up there and one of the Turkeys stole the bread wrapped in plastic and my friend got the bread back. It was lovely seeing God’s beautiful creation, when at crystal and Paluma its like we are in a completely different place. That night we had a campfire at a friend’s house for bible study. We talked about being alert and prepared for the coming of Jesus and a friend said something that hit deep in my heart.
‘What if when we get to heaven, God sits us down and goes through what we have done on earth, then he goes through what he actually had planned for me to achieve with him while our time on earth and those missed opportunities’.
Event coming up:
I have definitely learned a lot this week in letting God take control and taking opportunities that come my way knowing God will direct me from there.
God bless,
-Jess
As I mentioned in my last post that my church has an International dinner auction night to fundraise for members of the church to go on a mission trip to the Solomon Islands. I put my photography session in there and was surprised at how high it auctioned off for. Over all we raised $1100 for them, which is so amazing, I was only excepting a few hundred dollars to be raised. All the items were sold off and there were about 30-40 people that came. I loved that night as I was able to talk to many people I don’t usually talk to which was encouraging hearing about them and their plans and walks with the Lord. Nights like these really help the congregation bond closer together.
So one event that I found encouraging this week, was that I was told a week ago by a youth leader that the youth camp times were different to when I go on the Power to Change conference in which they are usually on at the same dates. I was surprised to hear this and talked more about the opportunity I could have as a leader at camp. I have been to six of these camps as a student when I was in high school, but I have never been a leader before. The place that they are holding the camp is the location of my first camp as a student and I have not been back there since. I was sent the forms but so much doubt came into my mind like ‘ohh I come back a few days before I leave to Sydney, is that too close’, ‘oh the finances is an issue’, ‘oh it is probably too late to apply’, ‘oh would I be a good leader’. This all just became overwhelming so I decided I wouldn’t. But after youth group I had this strong passion in my heart that I would regret not going to this camp as a leader. So I filled the forms out, and the leader said that I could ask the church to cover the finances, I feel really awkward asking for financial help. And that would be the only thing stopping me from attending so I prayed to God and said if you don’t want me to go then stop it in this way. So I asked and the reaction was not what I wasn’t excepting. He replied with such passion ‘yes that would be great, Jess never let finances be an issue and stop you from the opportunity’. I felt really encouraged and rushed home and sent the forms through. And was added to the group chat they had. Unfortunately I missed the Skype training but I have people that will fill me in on the details.
Yesterday I went to Crystal Creek and Paluma with two of my friends. It was great spending quality time with them. We swam at the waterfall and then went for a hike to a beautiful look out although it was raining and we were in a cloud we were able to see a beautiful view. We had a picnic up there and one of the Turkeys stole the bread wrapped in plastic and my friend got the bread back. It was lovely seeing God’s beautiful creation, when at crystal and Paluma its like we are in a completely different place. That night we had a campfire at a friend’s house for bible study. We talked about being alert and prepared for the coming of Jesus and a friend said something that hit deep in my heart.
‘What if when we get to heaven, God sits us down and goes through what we have done on earth, then he goes through what he actually had planned for me to achieve with him while our time on earth and those missed opportunities’.
Event coming up:
- Prepare for two camps
- I am designing the Church sign, which I have completed I, just need to fix the size.
- A dedication is on and I am taking pictures for them and then family pictures afterward which a lot of the family will be up from different towns.
- The day after is youth camp, in which I get back two days before National MYC.
I have definitely learned a lot this week in letting God take control and taking opportunities that come my way knowing God will direct me from there.
God bless,
-Jess