Summer's end

Summer is drawing to a close. That's almost hard to believe, although I'm feeling ready for school to begin.

The best of the summer: my favorite part was definitely volunteering at Circle of Friends Camp (you can read about that here and here). Working with these special children and their families is a joy and a privilege. To be able to serve in this way is a tremendous gift from God to me.

As a side note, this camp was the best one yet. I know I say that every time I come home, but it's always true! As volunteers, we're continually learning how to function as a stronger and more efficient team. God has blessed Circle of Friends Camp so much. I get to go back in two weeks for the Labor Day Camp, and I'm thrilled about that! I'm really looking forward to hanging out with my friend Bethany (photo of us here). Here's a picture of me and my new buddy Michael, who swims like an absolute fish and likes to sing opera with me:


Speaking of pictures, I've taken a lot this summer. That's been fun, but I'm getting tired of taking pictures of flowers. They're pretty, but I want to photograph something else for a change. I'll be in a photography/art class at school this semester (and I am super excited!), so I'll probably get to take lots of pictures of other things.

Another great happening this summer: the whole going-to-school thing. God has been so faithful to work everything out, even down to getting me into the classes I wanted and helping us find the uniform stuff I needed. I'm so thankful that He cares about every detail in my life!

This is an excerpt from a post over at the BFtH blog, entitled "What you shouldn't pray for"
(follow the link and scroll down to see it).

"In Charles Spurgeon's autobiography, the story is told of how God miraculously provided two seemingly trivial gifts to Mrs. Spurgeon.....

"Does anyone doubt that this bird was a direct love-gift from the pitiful Father! Do I hear someone say, 'Oh! it was all 'chance' that brought about such coincidences as these'? Ah, dear friends! Those of you who have been similarly indulged by Him know, of a certainty, that it is not so. He who cares for all the works of His hand, cares with infinite tenderness for the children of His love, and thinks nothing which concerns them too small or too trivial to notice."

Repeatedly throughout the New Testament, God makes clear that He wants us to prove our confidence in Him by offering up our petitions and praises. "Cast your cares upon Him for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17)

While meditating on God's majesty is something I ought to spend more time on, and God doesn't appreciate foolish prayers, I suspect that our natural tendency toward folly doesn't erase God's interest in our "little worries."

And anyway, wouldn't you think that a God who created 228 muscles in a caterpillar's head likes details?" --written by Hannah Farver

I'd encourage you to check out the rest of the post. It discusses God's majesty and our small prayers. It's excellent.

And the end of summer marks the time for me to change my blog's color scheme. I like going seasonal--cooler weather, cooler colors. Hope you like blue.