Wow Wow Wow
Graduation is over. I've passed everything so I actually will receive my diploma. It still doesn't seem very real.
Praise the Lord for camp. Oh my!!! What a wonderful week. From Jesse's fear of Nannette, to my dealing with God's will for me in the relationship area (still trying to figure that one out), to gaining so many wonderful new friends. And in and through it all the Spirit permeated everything. What at week! I think I might just make a top ten list because there is no way I can write about the whole thing. These are in no particular order because I really can't place importance on any of these.
1) Mariah F., Crystal, and Mariah E.
I don't know where I would have been without these three girls. Crystal to keep me goofy, Mariah F. to keep me sane (seriously, I don't think I could have made it the entire week around ______ without Mariah there to listen to me and make me stop over analyzing everything.) and Mariah E. to share with me the love of our family. I'm so grateful that God sent me these three sisters in Christ and I never want to loose touch with them.
2) All the other campers
I don't love any one else from camp any less than the previous three, but since there are way too many of you to mention all by name, I combine you in this second category.
3) Classes
Promises of God-Doug Smith
Pastor/Theme Class-Doug Smith and Doug Patterson
Zion: Practical Application-Jesse Cochran
Seek First to Understand-Mariah Elefson
4) Jesse's fear of Nannette.
It was most amusing to watch. I really felt sorry for the poor boy. Maybe it's because I'm in a similar situation of unrequited affection and can therefore empathize with him. Of course I'm at least blessed to not have the unfortunate object of my affection tormenting me every time I turn around, but I've at least got an idea how it feels.
5) Greg, Brett, and Kendal singing "We are Soldiers Again."
Which wouldn't have been so poignant or memorable (not that they weren't good because they are) if it hadn't been for the message that Jesse, Greg and Brett received the next night about preparing/accepting the call.
6) Campfire.
They were all amazing. Thanks to each and every campfire leader who listened to the promptings of the Spirit as they directed.
7) "Kyrie Eleison"
Mariah E. made us come up with skits for our class about another religion. We had to include music. My group got to portray Catholicism. Andrew H. and I both sang Gregorian chants, in Latin that we improvised on the spot. It was most amusing.
8) We were constantly being challenged to be better saints. To become of one heart and mind with our God, to claim the promises of God by fulfilling the conditions. What a wonderful time of growth.
9) Committing to pray
As a body, we have committed to pray for one another at least weekly for the next year. So as to not overwhelm ourselves, we pray for three names weekly and those three names change weekly. This way everyone is being prayed for. We also have prayer partners to keep us on task. I look forward to getting to know Ashley better over this year. I know that we'll be sharing a lot about what's going on in our lives.
10) ______ ____
As many of you know, I have a thing for a certain guy. He had to put up with me all week for which I pity him. However, I got to see him all week and talk to him a lot. I've been doing a lot of praying on the subject. It's very hard, but I'm working on leaving the whole thing in God's hands. I just don't feel like I'm getting much of an answer from Him (most likely I'm not listening very well). I think that the real problem is that I'm afraid of either answer He can give me. If He says no, this isn't my plan for you, it's going to hurt and that's really not what I want to hear. If He says yes, I'm constantly afraid that I'm putting words in His mouth. So the only thing that I can find peace in (and I do find peace in it) is to say that this is what I desire, I do feel that I have God's blessing for these emotions but not for the timing and so therefore I must learn to calmly wait. While I wait either one of two things will happen. Either I'll get over ______, or ______ will be touched by God to reciprocate my affection. Either way, despite this being what I currently want and not being able to see myself elsewhere, my heart's desire is to find the mate that God has for me and so I will continue to trust Him with this.
Well, that's only skimmed the top of camp, but since this entry is already way too long, I'll quit writing for now.
God Bless,
Rachel | 
