2 down, 1 to go

two weeks of training are down... one more to go. i've had some good times in the woods and some hard times too. there is definately a unifying factor connecting us as staff and we are all working towards the same goal of being good chiefs, but this is the first time where the thing that connects me to the people i live and work and study with isn't Jesus. i'm not saying that it is good, or bad... just different. and i miss my friends. there have been several times over the past two weeks when i wished that there was someone who knew me and knows the Lord that i could just talk to, run ideas by, evaluate and help me discern where Truth is in this. still, at the same time, i get to depend directly on God and the Spirit's presence in me to wholy lead and guide me into all Truth. so that is exciting!
what is training like? well, we spent about 6 days straight in a little classroom getting certified in first aid, cpr, basic water rescue, and tci (therapeutic crisis intervention - which involves de-escalating potentially violent teens and physically restraining violent teens). we also are finishing building a chuck tent (which is a big tent in each campsite that groups eat in when they are cooking out). we will start demolishing and rebuilding a sleeper tent this week. everyday two of us are designated "chief of the day" which helps us learn how to run huddles, make desicions, problem solve, and jsust get the basic gist of camp. at the end of each day we evaluate how we think we did, then our co-chief and the others get to evaluate us as well. this has been the greatest avenue of growth for me. as you know, i am not the queen of tact. i usually say things as they are or as i feel them. in the context of camp, this is not a good quality and i have recieved excessive feedback to grow in this area. so i am out to be as straightforward and tactful as possible (please pray for me... pray for us all).
i keep reminding myself why i am here. and in Whose name i have come. there is a Spirit of power and mercy in me and that is what i want to be seen and heard, not me. i am ugly. the only Good in me is what i have recieved and is what i long to pass on to this place. pray for strength and courage in me to be the light in this dark place, to be Love for those who have never known that they are loved. He is love and we are His beloved.