Today ended up being another success! Same routine, woke up 630, got to the church by around 730, had worship in the church this time which I really enjoyed, ate some wonderful breakfast, and me and Allie helped check in all of the kids. I love being there when they first show up just because they all look so happy and excited to be here again. We had the bible story and Jeff taught the day was Confess Him. He did such a great job and they all seemed to listen great! Shevon is one little girl that amazes me everyday with her ability to memorize the verse so easily every single time she hears a new one. VBS ended up all going great once again and then it was time for lunch again, which was also very delicious. We got changed and were off to paint some more of the rec center. A couple of us went ahead in one car and began painting over some things and painting the trim. I got to talk to Holly about my testimony and kind of run through it, and realized it was about 30 minutes long and should only be about 5-6 sooo I’m going to have to do the short version haha. But it meant a lot for her to sit there and listen while I held her ladder and she painted. I then decided to call my mom because I could’ve sworn today was August 4th which is her birthday, but once I called her and she said it had been yesterday and today was the 5th I felt just about aweful for mixing up the days haha. She was very understanding which meant a lot haha. But it was so good to hear her voice for the first time in 5 days! Everyone sang happy be-lated birthday to her and I think she really enjoyed that because she’s the one that always calls and sings to EVERYONE when it’s’ they’re birthday, so why not return the favor even if it is a day late haha. We painted till about 430 or so and headed back to get ready for the church service. We immediately went down to the beach and got in the ocean to wash off all of the paint that had attached itself to us, today there was A LOT. Then we got ready and headed to the church. I was pretty nervous about giving my testimony and probably didn’t talk at all on the way to church because I kept trying to think about how I was going to shorten it. We got to the church and when I saw some of the kids there that had been at VBS, it was a great feeling to see them smile and wave to me and feel comfortable. We sang some songs and had a time or prayer by a couple of people. And then Jared gave his testimony, and he did a great job with it. Then Allie looked back and whispered that I wasn’t going to be giving mine tonight but tomorrow now. So I was a bit relieved, but I kind of wanted to just get it over with, but now I have more time to think of how to shorten it. After him, the guys got up and lead some more music and it was probably the funniest thing that’s happened in my mind so far. We were all singing but the timing between us southerners and the people that live here was really off so it sounded all different and all of us could barely contain our laughter haha you kind of had to be there. Then John got up and gave a sermon on kindness, he did such a great job and it was a very strong and appropriate message for the time being I thought. After that it was off to this Mango something Restaurant. It was probably my favorite meal so far, the Mahi was amazing! We had great conversations at our end of the table it made me feel great to feel a part of this group that’s known each other for so long and I’ve only known for a couple of months. After dinner we headed back to camp to have our nightly meeting on the beach. This time we had a special time for Jeff since he would be leaving in the morning to head back home for work. It was really a special time and then it was John’s turn to pray and he added the humor by praying for him a godly woman and for one that wanted to have sex, a lot, haha it was hilarious. And now it’s time to go to bed again and start again tomorrow. So far I couldn’t be happier to be here. Today I thought a lot about how when I got baptized I was 13 and didn’t really have a strong meaning behind it and just did it because I thought that was what was supposed to come next. Today I realized that I think it’s time that I should think about rededicating my life to him sometime in the near future. It just feels like the next step for me in my walk with him, so we’ll see what he brings.
Stephanie Tuttle
No comments:
Post a Comment