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| Karen | | |
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| Steven |
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| Emily |
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I had high hopes and expectations for the girls during the 5days we were together at the summer
camp. Hope that meeting and interacting with new and different people from
different backgrounds, schools, and age groups will boost their confidence and
help them get ready for high school and next year.
More than the boosting of
their confidence, my deepest hope and prayers was that they would get a deeper
and true understanding of who they were, not only as human beings/ girls but
much more as Children of God. It was the first time going to the summer camp
myself, so honestly I didn’t have much expectation for myself as I had for the
girls. Simply because I took it to be a teen’s event and therefore I was not so
sure if I would fit in much anywhere or if I would be useful at all. But the truth is God broke my prideful heart and
proved me wrong. Where two or more are gathered in the presences of the
Lord, whether children or teens, you can never be too old enough to fit in.
It was an interesting camp I
have to say and the girls found it to be a tremendous blessing in so many
ways and so did I, which I was and still am truly thankful for. It was beyond
my lack of expectations. It was a time to be “young” again but it was also a
time of discipline and correction, as God was kind enough to use the girls and
some friends to break this prideful and self centered heart in a way or two. I
was reminded to be myself and simply put: it's was not about me.
The theme was I identity, a
big issue that many young and old people still struggle with to this day.
Identity is a subject that cannot be narrowed down and be directed only to a
certain age group ( to say it’s only for teens) because a lot of people no
matter what age group they are or where they may find themselves in life, they
would most likely find themselves struggling with the "
identity crisis".
No
wonder the most common question asked after what the Purpose of Life is, is:
"WHO AM I?"
Indeed our world is turned upside down, and
we are urge by people who are desperately seeking for the same answer to the
same question, to find our true identity in the wrong places, things, and
people. We become
"an empty vessel to be filled and refilled according to the expectations
of others and the needs of the moment." . Wearing masks every where all
the time in order to get by or be accepted. .
So I am deeply thankful that there
were people willing to stand up and share the truth as it is and help many
young people including myself to guard our hearts against conforming to the lies of this world
system.
We are Children
born of God. Given the right by Him to become Children of God. He Identified us
as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts. And called us to a
new way of life.
Simply:
Our true Identity is found in Christ Jesus. I am who I am because of Him and no
one/ nothing can add or take away what He has fully done. In Him we find ourselves
complete. We just need to learn to accept and embrace the truth; what He says
about us; for it is the Truth that sets us free.
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| Barbina, Mike, Karen. |
So Barbina and Karen will be moving on to high school next year. Right now my heart is at peace. But I do continue to pray that what ever they have learned over the years while at Community Hope School and in those 5 days of Summer Camp will be apart of their solid foundation, that it will be real and true in every way and be able to go back to it throughout life especially this teen stage they are in and will be facing for a few more years ahead.
They have been and still are precious and an enormous blessing beyond words could ever express. Though big and now teens, they will always be my babies, forever family, treasure boxes from heavens above.
:)
