Reflection.

Well, this summer has been the best yet. I was able to enjoy most of my summer serving at the wonderful Fort Wilderness. Beneath the tress and by the water, I became so close with my friends and my Savior. I found myself, and learned who I am in Him. For that I am truly thankful.

Now the time has come, for high school to start..one last time.
Tear..sniff.
Moving on.
As many of you know, ( or maybe our don't) I will be a senior and college decisions seemed fairley easy because that decision was the thing I wanted. Anyway this summer I have been praying along with many others that God would help me search the depths of my soul and soften my heart. And he helped me do just that.

Ill admit, I'm a very stubborn person. When I want something badly enough I do it. If I say I am going to do something I do it. In this case, it was my college decision. I decided that where I wanted to go was where I was going. Period.
I found myself using the excuse, " oh yeah, God definently wants me here. This is it."
Until recently I didn't realize that by justifying that answer using the Lord and "his will"; I was sinning. I was taking something that I wanted so badly and saying that It was okay with God. Because thats what i wanted. I think this example can be applied to many different areas of our everyday lives.
This summer, I definently became completely open to the plans that the Lord truly has for me. Now don't get me wrong, that certain college is still an option but I'm just not sure it's truly right for me yet. We will see in a short time I suppose. College visits are happening...SOON. Yay!

I will be experiencing many lasts, but also soo many beginnings. God has great plans for the year ahead in our lives dear friends, all we have to do is dig into his word and pray for his will and his will only.

So the theme for my senior year became plain and clear.

Let go and Let God.

I don't need to worry about every detail in my future. I need to completely hand my life over to Him. He's got this, trust me. If God is for us, then who could ever stop us right? (Romans 8)

Thanks to everyone who has read my summer blog, I'll be starting a school year one soon.

In Him,
Taler

Thankful

Good morning!
It's been a while, sorry.

Well I am back at the wonderful world of Fort wilderness. The fact that for the next week I was/am able to wake up to the smell and sight of Gods creation is beyond comprehension. I has been waiting two week for this moment.

I have gotten to spend lots of quality time with my camp friends via skype, phone, or face to Face. ( aka In person because theu are still working). Boy did I miss their Lovley souls. This past two weeks, being home in iowa, I have really been learning the value of the word thankful.

To me this summer, being thankful for things has been on my heart and thoughts. First, I need to be thankful for what my heavenly father did for me and every other being on this planet. Our ultimate thankfulness and submission should go to him. He died for us so we could love eternally. Woah, that's crazy.

Second, I need to be completely thankful and humble for things God has given me. This summer I've really been thanking God for every friendship that He has brought into my life. It's not always easy living as a christian back home, when most of the time i walk alone or with a couple others. I'm sure many of you can relate to that by being thankful for my friends, I am able to, with god, not dwell on the fact that I live so far away. In past years it really took a toll on me. But with peace from God, I has a renewed strength for another year.

Third, I am so thankful for my parents. Yes, I admit it, I am a teenager and like to be in control of my life. That's just the way it is. I am thankful for the boundaries and discipline that they have given me in y life this far. ( even when in the moment, I want to scream.) whether they believe it or not, they are some of the most amazing people I have ever met. Whatever age you are, I encourage you to thank God for your parents. I know I wouldn'tt be who I am today without my parents. Graduation high school this year and starting a new chapter of my life will be different, but I have TI greatest parents who will always be there no matter what.
So today, thank Christ for what he has done; thank a friend who means a lot to you; and thank your parents or someone who has influenced your life.

Have a spectacular day!

In Christ,
Taler

Finding Peace

This week has been so overwhelming and amazing that words can't even begin to express how God has worked this week.

As I said in previous blog my team is purple.
Throughout the week my girls were always the loudest cheerers, singers, eaters and talkers.
They had spirit.

Our discussion for the most of the week was very one sided; the counselors talked and the girls "seemed" to be listening.
Friday was a great day full of questions, mostly involving our future life in heaven with our Savior.

We shared with them that those who enter the kingdom of heaven will receive crowns that have jewels on them according to how they live their lives. Think about it...we get to be Princesses of God. AHHHHHHH!!!
Katelyn, Katie and I were totally geeking out about that.

The girls wanted to know how to not be scared of things going on.
We find that peace through Jesus, our Savior. When we repent and try to live like him God will help is through hard times.
The girls really loved the fact that they didn't have to be scared. They were amazed to know that in heaven there is no pain or suffering, no crying or worrying. Those who have salvation have these things to look forward too!

Finally on a more personal note this week. I didn't want to leave camp, but yet again Gods plans are greater than my own! I was where I needed to be. I am looking forward to one more week with friends, and then back up to camp I go!!!!!! Still trusting in him for my future:)

In Christ ,
Taler

Love.grace.mercy.

Waking up in the Wilderness every morning was such an amazing thing, yet God's plans are greater. Though I don't always see the bigger picture, his plans always prevail.My heart still aches every time I think about Fort Wilderness and the friendships I have made. I'm so lucky to be able to go back up in one and a half weeks.

Back in Iowa this week, ( lol) I have been counseling and leading worship at a girls day camp. Let me tell you, some awesome things are happening! My team color is Purple this week and saying that they are loud would be a major understatement. We cheer and scream and sing and talk 24/7.

Today, while we were having disussion each of us counselors (3) was able to share our testimony with the girls. The amazing this was that God put on our hearts something specific to talk about. Isn't it amazing how individually something may seem so inadequate or meaningless?
Yet, when all of our testimonies were put together it created this wonderful picture of how amazing and endless Gods grace and mercy is for us.
I mean, think about it. He sent his only son to die the most painful death in all of mankind. How many of us would willingly lay down our life for the rest of the world?

Let's be honest here. We wouldn't.
I stand in awe everyday of how deep the fathers love for us. I mean, he created us fearfully and wonderfully. He has a future planned for us. He forgives us from all of our sins. Wow.
( take a deep breath, in and out:)

Short an sweet today, don't forget that YOU ARE LOVED.

In Christ,
Taler

I'll see you soon then.

I'll be the first person to admit that i had very few reasons why I should leave camp. Each year, saying goodbye to friends has been draining and tiring. I always found myself wishing the real world life away, so that I could live here forever.

This year i really prayed that God would give me peace. As I was sitting in my cube yesterday packig up my belongings, I found myself in Romans 8. God really did wonders by putting this on my heart.

Romans 8:37-39
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39 NIV)

This verse really encouraged me as I am home. I know that any trial I face in life has already been conquered by Christ. He died on the cross for you an me. How much better can life get?! This verse also made me be so thankful for how deep his love is for us. NOTHING can separate us from him. NOTHING.

The relationships I have made at camp won't go away, the only distance that is between my friends and I is physical land. We are bided together as brothers and sisters in Christ, man do I have some amazing siblings!
Letters, Skype and phones are just wonderful blessings for long distance. ( thank you Lord:)

I am so thankful that this year God has blessed me with overwhelming peace about leaving.Though I still cried like a baby, I am very much thankful for the memories I have made. I've decided that dwelling on things I can't change isn't such a good idea, it just makes me bitter. Instead I'm choosing to focus on the opportunities in my everyday life. He has a new chapter for me and I am excited to begin that... Hey if God is on my side then who can't be against me..amen?!

This nex week I will be counseling Chrisian day camp in good 'ol Iowa. Lol. Please be praying that God would pour out his love over each camper!

In Christ,
Taler

As always.... Here are some more pictures of the amazing friends I have at Fort.

Encouragment/thankfulness

Hey everyone!
Yes, it's been a while.
But hey when camp is going sooo great that I often forget about the real world that lies beyond this wonderful place.
The last two weeks have been such an encouragement to me personally.

I am so beyond greatful for the guard team that I am able to serve with this summer. We are the dream team, let me tell you.
First we make realllly good fry bread, so everyone already loves us.
Second, we are like our own little family. Everyone has such a unique personality and when we are together it is simply wonderful.

Beyond life guarding I have grown in friendships from past summers; and gained new ones along the way!
I'm all about encouragement today, so I encourage anyone who is reading this to let a friend know how important they are in your life.

Friendships here give me and others encouragement to keep on living the way Christ has called us to live.
Praying and encouraging one another has really been an amazing thing. God has really put on my heart to try and be more encouraging to everyone,even those who we sometimes struggle to love. When we do this,bee are obeying what He says in his unfailing Word.
We are called to love everyone.

This is my last week here a fort serving, until I come back for family camp. I am truly seeing Gods provision for my life and I am excited to keep on learning! Please continue to pray for Main Camp, Adventure Outpost and Leadership Lab camps that are happening here at Fort the rest of the summer:)

Until next time...
In Christ,
Taler
Below are some pictures of some of the amazing friends that I have:)

Fun in the sun.

Hey everyone!
So it's been two weeks since I left for camp! Two more weeks to go!
This week I was fortunate enough to assume my position as lifeguard!
Each day someone different does a devotion. It's funny how that each day the topic seems to fit what we need spiritually. My devotion was on Ephesians.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:29, 31, 32 NIV)
Being in high school is ridiculously fun and crazy challenging. Living life everyday the way God wants to seems easy, when we live inside a bubble ( camp),( dont get me wrong, i LOVE LOVE ADORE camp). But,Real life is hard. We all go through challenges with school, relationships and our walk with Christ.
The great thing about being here is that I can totally be myself, and that's enough. The friendships I have are based souly on the fact that Christ is our Foundation. Now don't get me wrong, there is always going to be people that I dont get along with, but this week I have really learned that I must be kind and love them, just as Christ loved us. When I see someone having a bad day I need to be encouraging and uplifting! This was also something i learned counseling. I shouldn't hold grudges against people, shouldn't harbor bitterness in my heart. I'm finally at a place where I have truly forgiven people have hurt me both directly and in directly. it's taken a while, actually way longer than it should of.
Anyways, I have met some really great people here! I have made new friendships and have continued to grow old friendships.
I am so thankful to be here this summer! This week I have went sailing boating, kayaking and attempted to do a backflip off the dreaded rope swing. I have tried 74 times in the last two summers... And im no where close. .
Taco bell and Wal Mart run was also and exciting adventure!
Thanks for reading!
As always I love letters and packages.
Below are some pictures of my friends and I!