by : Marion In God's Image

Be here

While at camp kayaking alone looking towards the shore of Castaway God placed the words “Be here” on my heart. “Be here” and let your thoughts be here too.

For so long I have been distracted and disconnected. My body is in one place and my mind is in a completely different state.

When this happens I miss what God is doing. Where He wants me to be. He wants me right here, in the place He brought me.

If I did not allow myself to be fully in the present moment I would have miss these fake flowers I found all over camp, just like the ones I found from my mom on her death anniversary and birthday. I found them at camp in the house-keeping closet, next to a tree I was doing a bible study beside. On the side walk, and in the hallway. My moms sprit was and is with me. I felt her telling me she is proud of me and happy seeing me at camp. I would not have experienced this if I wasn’t fully there.

My takeaway now that I am back home I make sure to continually check on myself and make sure I am present where my feet are.

by : Marion Healer; Healing

Full circle at Castaway

Over the past 3 weeks I had the chance to serve at Young Life camp: Castaway the place I met Jesus. Seeing the place where I first prayed, where I received my first bible and be back in the room I heard Jesus Died on the cross for me. I was surrounded by kids getting to experience something simpler what a beautiful experience that was and for share it with so many amazing new friends.

Each week on the campers last night they here what Jesus did for them on the cross, that they are forgiven and loved. Later that night Work-crew went on stage and the camp speaker told the campers what we had been doing behind the scenes, keeping camp clean so they could have the best week ever.

I got the opportunity to share apart of my story to all the campers in the exact place I heard about Jesus and his love for me. I told them four months before I came to camp I lost my mom, I did not believe in God or in heaven. Learning about Jesus in this club room I realized where my Mom is and who I am and I decided to do work-crew so each and everyone of you could have the same opportunity. It was almost like as I was sharing I was talking to my past self in the crowd.

God showed me the healing and growth that had and is still taking place in my life. The transformation and beauty He has welcomed into my life, and that my trust is safe in him. God really does make all things beautiful in it’s time.

Saying Goodbye to all the campers as they make there way back to the bus my heart is bursting with so much joy, after witnessing so many of them stand up for “say so” and proclaim the start to there journey with Christ. I can’t imagine the way Jesus heart feels.

I ask you to pray for each kid, as the camp high fades, school begins and they feel lost and alone with the battles they are facing. Pray they allow Jesus in and hold on to His love.