Summa...

So it only took a month after camp for me to get around to reflecting on my summer that was Camp War Eagle...it took so long because unlike last summer I didn't have an opportunity to blog and so the thought of writing about it was a little overwhelming, but I figured I needed to say something...

Soooooo...
I listened to more country music at camp than I've probably listened to in my life, as well as more Justin Beiber, Taylor Swift, and Miley Cyrus. I also sweated more and was more exhausted than I've probably ever been in my life. I managed not to catch pink eye, staph infection, or lice, all of which quickly made its way around camp at different times throughout the summer. We were gross and sweaty and always busy and it was good.

I learned that when I pray for patience or a good or loving attitude I don't magically wake up feeling patient or loving, but that instead I will be given opportunities to be patient or have a good attitude or respond lovingly. Maybe most people have realized that, but it really hit home this summer. I saw how much discipline I need in my daily walk and that I'm not there at all yet. I learned to be intentional in my prayer and that even thought God knows our wants and desires, it's important to still talk to him about those things just like you would a friend. All are things I have thought about at some point, but camp reiterated it for me over and over. I saw people who's joy is clearly in the Lord and their lives reflect that, and now it has become a daily process of making my faith my own and knowing why I believe what I do and seeing Jesus present and working in my life.

Mawage...

“Mawage…Mawage is what bwings us togever today!”

Marriage. ..Marriage has been on my mind recently…not my own marriage of course, but the marriages of other people, particularly that of my Grammy and Grampy. I just returned recently from a trip to South Carolina where we were celebrating, among a few other things, my grandparents’ 60th wedding anniversary.

60 years! That’s a lot of years of finding things to talk about, a lot of years of compromise, sharing your stuff, not being selfish, picking your battles, and a lot of years of looking at the same person. A few of those I still need work on.

They’re not the only ones who have been married a long time, though. My Nana and Grandpa have been married 64 years and my parents have been married 25…come to think of it, before I go through every married couple in my family, everybody has been married for an extensive amount of time.

I am surrounded by good, healthy, happy, Godly marriages. And that is a huge blessing nowadays when a lot of marriages don’t last. I know that it is not all marital bliss, but that it is something that has to be worked at and fought for. My mom reminds me that if what you want is to be married then you can always find someone to marry, but you’re probably not going to end up very happy. There are lots of people you can probably be compatible with, but who are you willing to stick it out for and push through the tough stuff with?

I’m a hopeless romantic, so I still believe in getting butterflies and all those other mushy feelings, but seeing those strong, lasting relationships makes me excited for being married because once you put that ring on my finger I’m in it for the long haul.

A lot of people around me are getting married and I’m happy and excited for them, but right now I’m ok with trying to be content to wait it out. Heck, I haven’t made it past two dates with a guy so I’ve got a long way to go. It’s alright, though, because I know God’s got it worked out and when it’s right I’ll know and I’ll have all these good relationships to look to as my example.

Camp...

Well, it's almost here! On Sunday I will be making my way to Rogers, AR to spend my summer. I could not be more excited! I'm not worried or anxious about the summer itself at all. The thing that I'm nervous about is that lifeguard test, so say a little prayer for me Sunday as I jump, into what I know is going to be a really cold pool, to take the test. Otherwise I'm doing pretty good.

I'll leave here...Omaha...tomorrow morning, spend the night in Springfield, pack the rest of my stuff, and then drive the rest of the way to camp Sunday morning.

I'm ready for a sweet sandal tan. I'm ready to sweat all day every day. I'm ready for massive dance parties. I'm ready for team competitions. I'm ready to love on kids.

But most of all I'm ready for God to do some amazing things this summer because I know He's going to and I'm excited to see what he has planned!

So pray for all of us counselors this summer. Pray for energy and patience and love, and that God would give us the right things to say in conversations with campers and that He would be evident in our lives every day at camp. Pray for the kids who will be coming to camp this summer, that God will work in their hearts in a big way. And also that this is just a safe and awesome summer for all of us!

Also if you would like to send a little mail my way my address is
Jessica Lewis
14323 Camp War Eagle Rd
Rogers, AR 72756

Pick-Up...

Are you hitting on me?

"we should hang out sometime...you know do the whole friend thing...outside of class...plus you're cute so I wouldn't be embarassed to be seen in public with you..."

Probably one of the best pick-up lines I've heard. I'm glad I'm not so unfortunate looking that you are comfortable with other people seeing us standing next to each other. ha ha!

Mom...

Happy Mother's Day to my awesome mom. She lets me call her whenever I need to complain, to share exciting news, to cry, to ask for advice, to freak out over sometimes little things, and just to say hi. She is always encouraging, and sometimes even if it's not what I want to hear, always has the right advice. I like hanging out with her, even if we're just at home. She still lets me put a pillow in her lap so I can lay there and she never complains about me being in the way. : ) I always hope that if I get sick, it will be when I'm home on break because I still need...ok want...her to take care of me. (Thanks for staying up with me after jaw surgery to continually replace the frozen peas on my face and administer pain medicine and for not being afraid of a little thing known as Shingles) She is one of the smartest people I know, and is certainly one of the best examples of faith and patience and love in my life. I know I don't tell her enough, but I am so grateful for you as my mom and I love so very much. I don't know what I would do without you.

I want to be just like you when I grow up. : )

Frustrated...

Why is it that the frustrating and upsetting things can be some of the hardest to let go of?

I would love to not be so frustrated, but it's like trying to pry someone's fingers off of something they're gripping tightly.

Really there's nothing I can do to change the situation and I have zero control, but here I am still holding on.

Some days I have to make a conscious decision to not let it upset me and to try and ignore it, but today try as I might...it's not working...

Grace...

This song has been replaying in my head for the last week or so, so I thought I would share it with you...

He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us oh
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us oh,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.

And we are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If His grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
And heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…

That He loves us,
Oh how He loves us

"How He Loves Us" David Crowder Band