My Crazy Summer

Hey People!
{It's L. again.} I have wanted to tell you about my summer and I can fit it all in one post because God, the Author of my life, had a theme again. 

In May I auditioned for a musical and got into the chorus but didn't get to go through with it because of scheduling.:(
In June I went to the beach for a family reunion! It was fantastic! (I even got to go parasailing!) and  I learned a lot about rocks. The Bible says a lot about rocks! Even in some of my favorite verses, like this one:

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Of David.

 Hear my cry, O God,
  listen to my prayer;
 from the end of the earth I call to you
  when my heart is faint.
 Lead me to the rock
  that is higher than I,
 for you have been my refuge,
  a strong tower against the enemy.

(Psalm 61:1-3 ESV)

What does this mean by "the rock that is higher than I"? 

I didn't know.

Then one day this summer I walked to a beach with my cousins and actually gained some stability and protection from rocks (including one that was taller than me!)

 I walked up to where I knew the waves would come in to get my feet wet. Once they came up to me and I got my feet wet I went a little deeper. The tide was still coming in and the waves brought some of the rocks that covered the beach to hit my flip flop clad feet. Ouch! (I bled a little bit but it was worth it.) The next set of waves not only brought rocks to hit my feet but also pulled the small rocks and sand out from under me. This is when I learned why Jesus used sand as an example of a bad place to build. (Luke 6:46-49). My foundation was gone in seconds. 

My friend had an idea that reminded me of what Jesus said about the wise man building his house on a rock. She put one foot on a rock that was bigger than her foot and seemed pretty stable. I did the same and the next wave was way easier to handle. The rock didn't move from beneath my foot and the wave didn't threaten to throw off my balance. 

So what about the higher rock?

 I think I have an idea now. :)

The waves kept coming farther onto the small beach until they were about to cover it, they came higher until I could barley get enough stability from the foot-sized rocks below my feet. There was a bigger higher rock though. It's hard to explain but this rock was about as tall as me; really wide and really well grounded. I knew I could trust that because it was holding up the road. (If I had a picture I would show you.) In any case, when I stood on this "higher" rock I was above the waves and completely unaffected by them. In the rest of life I can find freedom from metaphorical waves on a stable rock that keeps me above them (Jesus, my Rock! :).

That whole experience brought a lot of clarity and excitement to me. I hope my sharing helped you out too!

The day after we arrived at home from the beach I went to a summer camp that included Music, Dance and Bible study on Spiritual Warfare. (It was this years version of the Masquerade camp that M. and I wrote about last year) While there I felt so confused about God's desires for me. I didn't know what to hold onto and what to let go of. I felt like God had taken so much from me, and I was willing to give things up, but I was confused about what God wanted for me. One day my director had us all tell God who He was to us and I realized deeper than ever before that God is constant even when nothing else is. I will never have to give Him up. He will never leave me or even pull away. He will never be too busy or overwhelmed for me.

The next week I went to another camp (I said it was crazy!), where I met some really great people and learned more about the world around me and the history of Scripture!
The next week (I forgot just how crazy it was! :) I went to a little cabin with my mom, two friends,and one friend's family. It was great! We got to help with a Vacation Bible School and enjoy the beautiful weather, talk about where we are at in life, and make some pretty hilarious memories!

July was pretty chill compared to June. I went to an Independence Day party, started learning guitar, started intern meetings for a ministry I am interning with now. I also made it into a play and a christian vocal ensemble! :D

As I drink my Chi Tea Latte, I am getting really excited to tell you what God is teaching me this fall, especially about how to apply this Rock concept! Follow us or check back soon to read about it!
How was your summer?
L.
                                                          -------------------------

 2 Samuel 22:2  Psalm 18:2. Psalm 18:31, Psalm 62:2-7,Psalm 40:1-2 

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, 

who addressed the words of this song to the LORD on the day 

when the LORD rescued him from the hand of all his enemies, 

and from the hand of Saul. He said:

 I love you, O LORD, my strength.
 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
  my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
  my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
 I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,
  and I am saved from my enemies.

(Psalm 18:1-3 ESV)