Healed

Many of you remember that I threw out my back this past February and ended up lying on the floor in my apartment for two weeks. God used a chiropractor to get me back on my feet again, and I figured the pain would subside shortly after. Unfortunately, I have struggled with pain in my back that has limited my ability to do pretty much anything. I had a few nights this summer that I could not sleep because I was so uncomfortable from pain. After spending a few weeks, or even a few days with my nephews, I would find myself sore and uncomfortable the following week from carrying them around. Without medical insurance, I really was at a loss for how to heal and wondered if it was just going to take time.
Well, when I took the job coaching volleyball I began to wonder how my back would be factoring in. I played my first two practices and found myself unable to walk around by the end of them. It would take all night and the next morning and afternoon for me to recover enough to get on the court again. I have been stretching every night and feeling a bit better here and there, but the minute I hit the practice floor or lift something heavy, the pain would return. It has made me quite nervous, and in tears the other day I ended up phoning a friend of a friend who is a chiropractor here in Redding. I'm all set for an appointment tomorrow morning actually, and my anxiety began to release, yet I still had to make it to tomorrow and that was Friday. I went to practice in pretty bad shape and very worried that I could injure myself permanently. I put some heat on it before practice and then walked into the gym. As I leaned over to pick up my water bottle, I quietly asked the Lord to give me my back for this practice. God answered and strengthened my back...but He went one step further. My back was not only strong for that practice, but has continued to improve since Friday afternoon. By Saturday night, I had forgotten about the pain that has been lurking in my back for 7 months because it wasn't there. Praise the Lord! Tonight when I realized that I haven't felt pain in almost two days, I reached down for my toes and realized that the uncomfortable pressure was no longer in my lower back as well. My back has been touched by the hand of God! The Lord has a purpose in my being in Redding, and He has touched my back for a reason. Father may this be but a testimony to your design, and may the strength you have given me in my back give me the strength to confront what you have brought me here to do. Amen.

Such a Privilege...

As part of my week up in Canada, I had the great privilege of baptizing two young women. Jaymie, pictured below, was one of my counselors last summer, and I have been able to watch God shape her life over the past couple years. It was such a joy to be a part of this day with her and to do it with a great friend of mine, Kristie (pictured on the other side of Jaymie)!
I also was able to participate in baptizing another one of my counselors, Emma, whose picture I hope to have up here soon...I am constantly moved at how the Lord allows me to be used. I am not worthy of such a privilege, yet so honored to stand with these incredible young women as they commit their lives publicly to our Great God!

Back to California!!!

Well, here I am back in my homeland and so very hot!!! I've discovered that I was more acclimatized to Canada than I thought. It's been a bit of a whirlwind as I left Idaho to spend a week at camp wondering where I would be and what God had in store for this fall. Then, about two days into Youth Camp, I got a phone call from my university volleyball coach who ran into my mom in the grocery store and, discovering I had left Canada, called and offered me the job of Asst. Head Coach at Shasta College. I finished Youth Camp and flew to Idaho, packed in one evening, and drove 13 hours back to my home state. I've come in about 3 weeks after they began, so it's a bit of a shuffle, but I'm already feeling settled in to a routine and even connecting quickly with these girls. I am totally not used to how hot it is here and finding myself easily exhausted, but I'm sure I'll settle in eventually. It's been wonderful to come home from practice and jump into the pool!
Coming back here has brought so much peace as God has confirmed this is the right place in this time. I was waiting for him to point me to what is next and, as it often does, it fell into my lap. I am excited for what He has in store involving these girls. They are rough girls...products of this world and their environment, but they are also impressionable. I am so blessed at how God has drawn me to this place. I sincerely miss Canada and mostly the people that crossed my path up there, yet I do not believe I have seen the last of that beautiful country. My heart is still very much wrapped up in the ministry of Camp Qwanoes and Kaleo and although I know this is an essential break, I look forward to future time spent on the island.
I cannot tell you enough how blessed I am in the Lord's incredible faithfulness. My summer was a time of growth and understanding and discovering a healthy approach to balancing ministry and rest. Although it was often a difficult time, I have come out of that experience with so much wisdom and incredible restoration of my soul.

"Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." "God is my refuge and strength; an ever present help in trouble." "He will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on him."