First session done!

So 2 very short hours ago we all said goodbye to the first session summers missionaries! And yes you guessed it, it is a very sad day! That group of people has brought me so much joy in the past six weeks and it is really hard to believe that they have come and gone so quickly and my time here is running short!

It's ok though, because also today sometime this evening our second session summer staffers will be arriving. And that is so excited! A whole new group of people to welcome into my family and call my brothers and sisters in Christ! Apart of that family coming is Alex Vidos and Brandon Verret, practically my brother and sister and I am so excited for them to experience this amazing place the same way I have!

So let's start on the surface

Service Crew, last weekend, went to the Fun Factory, and you guessed right again, It was so much fun!
While we were there we indulged in many great games of Laser Tag and put put golf! I couldn't remember last time I had played either of these. We had Q-Zar in Lafayette that I remember going to with my cousins and sister. All I really remember about it is my cousin Clay only being able to call it Quayzar and not ever being able to get the correct pronunciation down! But after playing Laser Tag last weekend it's safe to assume that it is now one of my favorite activities!

Last night after our forth week of campers were gone the Service Crew participated in many great games of Gaga Ball and then a smashing game of Sand Volleyball! IT WAS SOO MUCH FUN!!!
The joy that came out of us all just hanging out in community with one another was such a light for me! After that we went to debrief of what's been going on in our hearts first session and we did all of that in the same amount of time it took the summer staff to just debrief and evaluate what they had been going through! I know how it goes though. My friend said that my summer staff's share fest lasted from 8PM to 3AM. I guess I just didn't remember it, but I know he's right.

Now let's dive in to Erin's heart:

So last night service crew debriefed and evaluated our past six weeks of being on campus. We started in prayer and then Sean Delaney led us into the evaluation. 
The first day we were here we were asked to introduce ourselves and then answer the question, "What gift do you want to ask the Holy Spirit to give to you while you are here at camp?"
My answer to that question was a dedication, not only to the Lord but just in everything I do, or am involved in. But especially to the Lord. 
I feel like since being here I have a desire for a dedication to prayer and to a relationship with God, but the fear of the unknown is holding me back. 

I wrote all of that a week ago and forgot to post it! but since then more has happened!

We had 2 night sessions this past week at the Martin's house. Both were on suffering, first suffering in general and then redemptive suffering.
Erik talked about how we have a gospel of suffering, how all to saints and apostles suffered in some way, and how the only way to achieve sainthood is to accept suffering.
He mentions something like offering up a head cold or a stubbed toe as a prayer for someone who needs conversion or something like that... I proceeded to think to myself, "a head cold isn't suffering!" and then waking up the next morning not being able to breathe and with a headache that felt like jupiter was trying to escape out of my ears! So yes, i guess i have been suffering this week. But it has been easier to deal with knowing that I'm offering it up for my loved ones back home and for our communities intentions and the intentions of all of you are being great mission partners.

I have been getting better with the suffering thing. I think the hardest part of suffering for me is not knowing what kind of suffering the Lord is going to allow in my life. If it's a stubbed toe I'll take it but if it's the loss of a loved one I don't want it. And I know that it is ok to be at this spot and I'm sure many people could understand where I am with the whole suffering thing, buti know with great suffering comes great redemption! So to desire sainthood is to accept suffering and allow theLord to fill the emptiness that suffering causes!

I'm not saying this is going to be easy, because it's not! And imnot looking forward to it, but I'm working on it, so yeah!


This post took like two weeks to post and I have so much more to tell you all! Hopefully I can post something in the next couple of days! Love you all thanks so much for your support and prayers! Oh yeah and st. Pius and st. Mary's will be here in 3days!!!!!!!

Peace!
Erin!