Praise God I thrived!

Well, after getting over 25 hours of sleep in 2 days this weekend I think I am fully recovered from the retreat. I had a blast on retreat though! I felt I was truly in my element. I was able to be goofy and myself as I sought to connect with the kids. I led a small group with 4 girls as well as led 2 of our worship sessions. Both of those went really well and I feel that God truly used me to bring the group into an interaction with Him. Also I set up 8 different prayer stations for the hr. long optional worship time. That went really well and about 1/3 of the students came. But of course, I would have been content had just 1 person come and truly met God. I didn’t get much sleep (we had 3 hr night guarding shifts, mine was from 2:30-5:30am), and spent a lot of energy, but God kept me going strong. I was hoping for some conformation that working with youth in a spiritual/small group/connection level is what I like and am gifted at. I got that confirmation! Praise God. I feel I started building trust and relationships with so many more students this last week on retreat. I am so thankful.
Now we have about 6 weeks left until semester break. Which seems like a lot, but I know the last 5 went really fast, so I am expecting the same. My days coaching Jr. girls soccer are over. Sad, but true. However, my days assistant coaching Sr. girls volleyball will start this week. It is feels good to add on some new things and not be completely overwhelmed like I found myself at the start of the school year.
Well, please look for my winter newsletter. It should be coming out in the next week, I am almost finished with it. If you didn’t get my fall one and would like to receive my next few, please send me an email or respond on the blog and let me know.
At the beginning of the year, I found God everyday in the struggles and challenges and He was what sustained me and kept me going. Today I can say I find him in the joys of each day and in the satisfaction of serving Him. In both cases I am blessed and rejoice in Him. But today it is nicer to breath more easily.
If you are in the hard times now I pray for supernatural strength for you and a capability to praise Him still. If you are in the joys of life, I pray you will not forget who brought you to this point. God deserves our praise in every circumstance.
I thank the Lord every time I think of you and the support and encouragement you give me. I would not be here loving these kids and growing in Christ without so many of you. Thank you.
Because of Him,
AMY