Hi Ho, Hi Ho, Off To Camp I Go

Reflections

I am halfway through my college career. My days as a sophomore are over, and it absolutely baffles me! A whole year of my life flew by in an instant; it will forever be in the past. I’ve begun to reflect on these past two semesters. The time went so fast, yet tons occurred in that blink of an eye. So many memories were forged. So many lessons learned. So many trials fought. So many prayers voiced. So many classes attended (and skipped). So many friendships birthed. So many relationships blossomed. So many Bible studies lead. How it all played out I have not a clue. My memories of these 9 months have already begun to blur. The time was sweet, and I just hope I savored every bit of the flavor. Now what makes this year so much different than the other nineteen? It wasn’t simply that I endured it, for I have survived every other year of my life (obviously). The earth-shattering thing for me is this: for the first time ever, I caught a glimpse of what life is. I got a mouth-watering, bite-size sample of the goodness that is trust and faith. My world was rocked this year! I went from Architorture to Wehner High, I joined Living Hope and got plugged into a Hope group, I lead Upstream, I’m a counselor for Impact, and I’m heading to Camp Ozark in four days. If two years ago someone had asked me guess where I would be today, I would have struck out looking. Yet God never fails. He knows where I’ve been, where I am, and where I’m going. All I can do is submit to the Lord all I have to give, my life, and allow Him to use me for his purpose. What degree do I go for? He answered. What words do I speak tonight at Upstream? He lead. What do I do this summer? He opened doors.

Jesus came so that I might have fullness of life, and have it abundantly (Jn 10:10). This year I experienced life. I lived a life with Christ. I sought his face more than ever, trusted him more than ever, and loved him more than ever. As a result, I felt fullness unlike any other. The Amplified version of Luke 21:19 says, “By your steadfastness and patient endurance you shall win the true life of your souls.” Only through God’s power, strength, mercy, and love was I able to be steadfast and patiently endure. So many times I lost my patience or gave up hope, yet He still triumphed in the situation. His presence in my life won me true life. My soul felt something new and refreshing, and I’m addicted! I know that he will continue to draw nearer to me as I draw nearer to him (Jm 4:8). His blessings never end. His mercies never cease. May my definition of full and abundant life on 5/14/06 dwarf my concept of true life today.

Upstream 2004-2005: Group Eleven

Love y'all...

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
-Eph 5:1-2

Two Worlds In One

Agricultural vs. Mechanical = the very core of Texas A&M University. Hence the 'A' and the 'M' (profound...I know). Oh yes, in 826 minutes, I will officially be half-way though my college career. 'Tis sad and shocking, but splendid...for the WHOOPs will soon abound!

Web Tree

Check out the significance of this exact moment in time! It's 5:05 pm on 5/05/05. Pretty stinkin' cool ay? This picture is an illustration of the very webpage you are looking at right now (a sorta website genealogy). Wow...this post is so nerdy. I guess my true self is shinning through. Sorry for the bore.

The End of the Stream

It seems like just yesterday (how cliché, I know) that I received the phone call telling me that I had been chosen as one of twenty-eight Upstream leaders for ’04 - ‘05. It all seemed so unreal at the time (yea...cliché, but seriously). I had prepared myself for a phone call of rejection, therefore I was kinda caught off guard when Jay (in his o-so-peppy voice) told me the good news. It was only by God's grace that I was placed in Upstream as a fish, and it was only by his grace that I was able to lead in an organization that means so much to me. I wasn'’t prepared, ready, or confident, but I think that is exactly why He put me in such a position. I was a child, a baby, an infant. I had only been walking with the Lord for just ten months, and it was really more like crawling. But God saw something deeper in me, and he knew the path that the road would take. My days in Upstream have come to an end. Last night was the final Bible study with Group 11 in All-Faiths Chapel. ‘Tis sad, yet it is joyful as well. I’'m going to miss it immensely. I have been blessed with the most amazing memories throughout my two years in this ministry. Many of the memories have fused into one big blur, but I still know that unimaginable growth took place. God placed me in this family that first week of my freshmen year, and now he removes me as my sophomore year comes to an end. He gives and takes away, and what a blessing it has been! The Father has used Upstream as a home away from home, as a springboard into the Aggie Christian bubble, and as a solid foundation on which to grow. This year has blown my face off! I had some honkin’ huge expectations, dreams, and goals, but God surpassed those tenfold! The lives he has saved, changed, and molded have been such a witness to the power and love he bestows on us. He was so faithful and so trustworthy throughout the year, working in unforeseeable and wonderful ways. He spoke loudly and clearly to our hearts. This experience has taught me submission, brokenness, humility, and reliance. It has taught me to listen and to be open to others thoughts. It has taught me dedication and selflessness. Most of all though, Upstream has shown me first hand that God is good! There is no other like Him! This is his ministry, and we are his servants. Why he chose me to be a Christian, to be an American, to be an Aggie, and to be an Upstreamer is beyond me! I am unworthy, yet he saved from the miry clay. Therefore, I owe him my all. The very last song we sang together perfectly captures what Upstream is all about. God is great, his blessings are abundant, he is worthy, and we will praise his name together.

Name above all names
Worthy of our praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God

How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God