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:)