Double Time.

So yes, this is my second blog in the same day, but hey, that's ok. Except this time i have pictures. Today some of the counselors went on a hike to Trinity Falls. This may have been my favorite day so far. I'm not exactly sure why, but I think as i notice the great bond between the counselors, outtings with them are even better. The one exciting thing about the hike is that the water is absolutely FREEZING (maybe 34 degrees), and you can't go and not go in! So, at a point in the waterfall, everyone toughens up and jumps in (well maybe were not that brave, cuz we just ssllooowlly walked in :) It was so much fun!! I captured some fun pictures!
This is my friend Kim-she helps in the kitchen.............

Right when we got back to camp, the weather changed. There is now thunder, lightning, and rain. I hope it clears up by tonight, because we are hoping to have a bonfire.

Another highlight of today was the practice of singing chapel songs! it was so fun just being crazy and having fun with handmotions, but at the same time worshipping our Savior. One song i personally like is "I'm Trading My Sorrows". "I'm trading my sorrows, I'm trading my shame, I'm laying them down, for the joy of the Lord". Love it!! I also really like the song "Worthy of Praise". The song names all these names of the Lord, and I think it is so powerful in describing who He is and how amazing He is. "He is Lord of Lords, He is King of Kings, He is Mighty God, Lord of Everything, He is Emmanuel, He is the Great I AM, He's My Prince of Peace, who is the Lamb, He's the Living God, He's my Saving Grace, He will reign forever, He is Ancient of Days, He is the Alpha, Omega, Beginning and End, He's my Savior, Messiah, Redeemer and Friend, He is my Prince of Peace, and I will live my life for Him." Sooo goood!

That is pretty much it for now. Side note, i have been drinking alot of cinnamon apple tea.

love.
hillary

One week later.

So i have been in Montana for a week now. The time has flown by sooo fast. I can not believe it. Today we only had to work half day, so free time til about 10 am tomorrow. It is so nice just to be able to hang out with the other staff and do anything, or nothing at all. I think we are all going on a hike to Trinity Falls, which is a waterfall (obviously), then later tonight we are going to have a bonfire and probably some worship.

I have so blessed by this summer staff. It is so amazing to watch and hear everyone's different stories. Yesterday we all shared what God had been teaching us over the past year. It was so encouraging to hear everyone's struggles, as well as how God has followed through and taught them and proven Himself faithful(though He doesn't have to; no matter what He is). I could really sense the Lord, and the desire in the hearts of this staff to serve Him. We are all in the same place, not really knowing what the summer holds, but we are earnestly begging for God to work, to save many, and for Him to be glorified.

Our verse has been this:
Acts 26:18 "I want You to open their eyes, so they will turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. Then their sins will be forgiven, and by faith in Me they will become part of God's holy people."

sorry i have no new pictures; many some will come soon!

Please keep us in your prayers and 3rd and 4th graders come this week! I can't wait.

hillary

My prayer.

Father, I want to stand as close to the cross as I possibly can, because it's harder for me to be arrogant when I'm there.

montana. montana. montana.

Hello! Well i have been in Montana for a few days now, and i love it! i am still trying to get settled, but it has been adventurous so far! when i arrived yesterday it was raining and somewhat snowing. . Last night, us girl counselors went on a walk, and this is what came of it :) attemp #5: . then today we hiked up to some waterfalls and "bear caves". It was still raining, but so much fun.


as you can see, it has been fun so far. One thing that is important is to drink lots and lots of water. The water is sooo fresh up here, and i LOVE it! here is where it comes from :)

i miss everyone so much!

talk to ya'll soon!

hillary

it happens.

So today my purse broke. But it's not just your normal purse. This bag holds everything I need. My purse always seems to weigh more than the average girl's does. But i like to be prepared. I then come to the conclusion i shouldn't be surprised that it breaks..I unloaded my purse and it sure was filled, probably with some things I don't really need. Let's see it had my Bible and my journal (both important), 2 packs of gum (hey, you may want a different kind), my wallet, keys, some chapsticks (maybe one too many), sunglasses, a random bracelet. Yes, it needed to be cleaned out. When will i get a new purse? I don't know. Maybe it's a hint to lighten my load.

Aside from this, I have been reading more lately. (More as in my 2nd book of the summer). The book is called "The Cross Centered Life" by C.J. Mahaney. It is an easy read, but really challenging. One thing I found interesting was the difference between justification and sanctification, and how we (we'll I) mix up the two. Justification is objective-it is Christ's work for us. Sanctification is subjective, and it is Christ's work in us. Justification is a finished work. Nothing we do can add to our justification. We're never "more saved" or "more loved" by God. Our works do not add to the finished complete work of Jesus on the cross.

I was really convicted by this. Sometimes I believe the works I do will make God more/less pleased with me, when this isn't true. He will never love me less. His love is shown by His grace and work on the cross.

have a blessed rest of the week!

hillary

drawing near.

well hello. apparently i have not been in the blogging mood lately..but i guess i am now haha. My summer has been quite busy..filled with what I do now know. I have been all over the place, and trying to hang with as many people as I can. In two weeks I will head up to the beautiful state of Montana to work at a summer camp for 10 weeks. I am getting more and more excited every day! I hope it snows for a part of the time i am there. I hear the weather is somewhat unexpected :)

What am i looking forward to? meeting new people. I can't wait to experience new things, and hopefully experience God in a new way. Could june 6th come any sooner?

Here is a recent picture taken from the camp. Ahh I can't wait :)

coffee break. (though i don't like coffee)

Well hello summer! i have been out of school for about a week now..and have been going non-stop since. but it has been enjoyable! just basically catching up with family and friends, with work here and there. In 2 weeks I will going to my real home (Ventura), basically the past week i have been wandering from house to house (grandma's, aunts, and friends). I am really excited to spend time in Ventura before I head up to Montana for the rest of the summer.

I have been learning a lot about time lately. Since I am out of school, I have so much time on my own, time to be wasted, or time to take advantage of. I also notice how much i want time to go by faster. For example, I was at the gym this morning, and I dont feel like 60 min has ever felt so long. But when I am laughing with friends, and hour could go by and feel like 3 mins. So strange to me.

I like this quote:
" Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save."-Will Rogers

Note to self: take advantage of time. I don't want to look back and say that I have wasted it.

ps. I hope everyone has a wonderful Mother's Day! (miss you mom!)