This summer has been one of the most life changing ones I have had in a very long time. I have been searching, longing, and waiting for God to do something incredible in my life, and he has done that and SO MUCH MORE!!! I started off the summer working at Peek A Boo Point Daycare, now let me just say that I did like it there alot. I loved my kiddies, they were adorable and I got along super well with my coworkers, and last but not least, God gave me the job when I needed it! You will see that from previous posts :) But as I had been working there, starting in June, I just really felt like God was stirring me. He was putting something in my heart that said, "Becky, this is not where I want you to be anymore, this is not what I want you to do." So as any good Christian would do, I ignored him, oh wait, thats right, I was being selfish and putting myself first, not like a good Christian would do at all.
Well, Bryan(my brother)and I went to Red Rock Camp in the middle of June. For those of you reading this that dont know me, you need to know 2 very important things, first of all, Bryan is not only my little brother by 2 1/2 years, he is also my best friend. Doing camps together is a blessing that God has given us as siblings. We get the joy of knowing that as a family, we are serving Christ together. Every summer, we go to at least 2 camps and lead worship and counsel. The SECOND thing you need to know is that I LOVE CAMP MINISTRY!! Its one of my favorite places in the world to be.
So, as we were at camp, God began to speak, even more clearly about me quitting my job and following and trusting him. He did some AMAZING things at camp that week. I loved my girls, as I always do and it was just a great time for me. A time of fun and laughter, but more than that, a time of spirtual renewal. When I got home, I knew that God wanted me to quit my job, but I said, "NO"! Have you seen our economy right now? Im thankful I even have a job, I cant loose it now, how will we pay the bills and make ends meet? So I disobeyed, God had blessed and wanted to bless further, and I said no.
About 2 weeks later, it was the first week of Bible School at our church. One of my favorite weeks of the summer as well. I always lead music and it was so much fun. Well, that first night, I was at my computer before it started getting everything ready when a friend got on facebook and shared with me that they really needed me to council at Bethel Camp. Bethel is one of the first camps I ever counseled at and it means ALOT to me. However, I knew that I already had the next week off for Shiloh Camp. I begged and pleaded with God, I did not want to go. I loved Bethel, but 2 weeks of camp in a row? more than that, 2 weeks of no paycheck from work? would my boss even let me? How would we figure it all out? But God was very firm with me. "Becky, YOU ARE GOING TO BETHEL, you already told me no about the job, you will not tell me no again." so...I got a call from our superintendent while we were at Bible School and I said, "yes, I will go, as long as my boss approves it." I went into his office that next morning and my boss said, "if God wants you to go, then you need to go." We sat down and figured it all out and with no problem at all, it was set, I was going to Bethel Camp.
Now let me just say now, I would not trade me week at Bethel for anything in the world. I LOVED it! God moved, I was doing what I was passionate about and most of all, God was using me, the way he intended. I felt the stirring again, "Becky, when you get home, you have to quit your job, I have something else in mind." I wasnt ready to surrender, but I knew I had another week of camp, so I put it off. I piled in the car with my friend Luke and for the weekend went to visit he and his wife to get ready for Shiloh camp which all of us would be going to, Luke, his wife, Ali, one of my BEST friends, and their 2 adorable children. I tried to put off the decision all weekend and just focused on getting homework done before camp and having fun with 2 of my bestfriends.
We got in the car to go to Shiloh and I knew God was going to do something huge that week, I felt him sharing it with me. God did move huge!! He spoke to me the first night and I couldnt hold back any longer, I knew I had to quit my job when I got home. I went to the alter and I balled. I had friends around me praying and I knew what I had to do. I surrendered all of it and God began to bless. That week was great with my girls, with the guy campers, God used me once again. And it was then that he said, " Do you remember the call I gave you, Becky? I called you to work with youth. You have loved these past 2 weeks because you are doing what I have created you to do!" God was speaking and I was finally ready to listen.
I got home, I quit my job, and that SAME DAY, My friend Pam told me about a chance to take a class to substitute teach, but not just anywhere, in MIDDLE AND HIGHSCHOOL, the very age I felt called to work with. The next week we had a meeting at church, one that I knew would be very pivitol in the ministry of our church. I felt God speaking again. He is moving and Im so thankful. I will be heading up a new ministry called, "Life Hurts, God Heals", it is specifically for teenagers and the needs that they have. I will also have a chance to reach out into the community and bring people to Christ by working with our youth.
I have learned so much about the Blessings of Surrender this summer, more than any other. When we give God EVERYTHING, He shows us that he has SO MUCH MORE than we could ever ask or imagine just waiting for us!!
I will write more as he continues to move. I love you all and hope and pray he is moving in your lives as well.
Becky
