Heavy Calling

I told myself I would recap every week of the summer on my blog.

One, so friends and family can keep up with the insanity.

And two, so I can feel some type of normalcy to my current lifestyle.

Yet as I've been compiling the last three weeks
and going over memory after memory,
I was hit with some news that is heavier than most
and needs to be shared so God can receive all the glory.

Two weeks ago, we were in LaGrange, Georgia.
I'll write about that memory soon,
but there was a little boy there named Hakim.
He was a sweet, trying child that a lot of our staff came in contact with.
One even spent almost two hours with him talking about God,
sharing the gospel and even lead him to accept Christ.
We all fell in love with Hakim. His charm drew you in
and kept your yearning for more of his sweet disposition.

Today, we were shocked and saddened to hear that he passed away earlier today.
We were suddenly hit with an array of emotions.
We're broken to hear of his tragic death.
We're shocked at how we were there just a few short days ago.
We're joyous at his decision to accept Christ just days earlier.
We're hurting for a community that poured nothing but love into his life.
We're clinging to God and his goodness, his sovereignty and love.
We're grasping to the reality that Hakim is resting in the arms of Jesus.

Hakim and his story brought a realness and a reality to us today.
I spent the evening with some staff, having milkshakes around the table.
We just sat in silence as we read his story.
Tears of sadness and joy streamed down my face,
realizing that the last thing we ever said to him was,
"Don't just think it's you, give credit where it's due."

What we do matters,
but what matters more is people coming to know Christ.
God is using us. He is living inside of us all
and although tired unbelievably exhausting and heavy,
it's a calling I take strongly and humbly.

No matter what, our job matters and it's making a difference.
And it's not about us.
It's about HIM.

To read Hakim's full story, click here.

Recap: Last Two Weeks

It seems crazy to think that my birthday was a little over one week ago. 

It seems like weeks have gone by.

I wrote about how staff training was affecting me,

but people have been asking for photos and I've finally gotten time to share some.

Here's a look back through some photos...

As I got ready for camp I got a nice birthday breakfast.

Thanks, Mom.

Little bro gave me some swag to take to Winshape.

It's worn well so far.

I got ready, grabbed my luggage 

and headed to Atlanta.

Once we arrived I showed off my awesome trunk...

And said goodbye to Matt as training week started for the other two siblings.

And normal life as I know it was on pause for ten days.

So much information,

and new people

and so many emotions.

And an awesome private concert from Dave Barnes (go Nashville!).

But the days came and went and we found ourselves at last Thursday.

We got up, packed up and headed out as the yellow team.

Training had ended and we were off on our summer.

We headed for Madison, MS,

which is where I am now.

I've got through the road trip with some sweet texts...

and pit stops where I can found perfect waffle fries.

Once we arrived we had the luxury of unpacking the truck...

 which only took an hour and a half,

and if you didn't know,

that's amazing.

Since we've been here we have worked in the host church preparing for an awesome first week.

Lots of supplies, boxes and organizing.

But after working ourselves hard for two days,

we are able to see our work paying off and preparing for big things.

 My nights have been spent like so...

 Studying curriculum, reading the Word and watching some basketball.

Just imagine 8 or 9 girls and one hotel room. 

Best time ever.

 We've been able to have some time to enjoy ourselves, too.

I was introduced to Sno Biz shaved ice.

You walk up, try and pick one flavor out of a million

and it is phenomenal. 

 We've also been blessed with a community who is treating us like gold.

We have enjoyed some true southern hospitality 

and quality time as a team and family.

Life is good and Winshape is wonderful.

Keep checking back for some updates.

Love to you all.