Jemima

Its crazy - that time of year has finally rolled around... I go up to camp on Monday morning with BM... its really terrifying, i don't feel prepared at all. I just have to keep reminding myself that i was at this spot last year and it was all fine, so i guess i just need to trust God for a bit (or a lot!) of inspiration. I am looking forward to being up there with some really great people, and i think its going to be be a great summer, but its really hard leaving everybody behind here. I feel super lucky to have the amazing friends that i have here... (sniff, sniff, soppy moment) At least i have my trusty cell. people are starting to call me james... going to have to keep that under control..

So i've finally decided on a name for my car, after owning her for 2 unispired years. "jemima" seems to be a fully excellent name for a strong black woman like her, so Jemima it is. I'm hoping that she lives up to her name and keeps chuffing for a long time still- especially this summer up at camp...

Decided that i needed a new and funky hairstyle for the summer... need a cut desparately, but went with dye for now... I'm orange now :) haha - and to think i've laughted at colour faux pas!! ah well, i guess "fun" is definatly what it is!

I'm gonna head to bed now, as soon as i get off the phone with JW - i've had such amazing communications with her this week, like 6hrs in the last 5 days... its amazing!!! i better keep this up, even if its under rather unhappy circumstances...
Gonna go say "bye" to Rebecca at the airport tomorrow at 5am (uggg) - then planning to go have b-fast afterwards... don't know if i'm gonna wake up in time! or be the least bit friendly... better get some sleep.

shalom...
~ Carie

BINGO BUZZ

So i'm in the process of working off my speeding ticket, and i had an epiphany about what it really means to be part of the family of God. It was me and 6 senior citizens working, and i discovered that they are from a little church about 1/2 hr north of the city. They were volunteering at the bingo hall to raise money for their church, but they went out of their way to make me feel loved. it was the most crazy thing. I don't know them at all, but the 6 of them made me see some of my frienships with people in the church in 50 years - its quite exciting! They are a group of wild an crazy 55- 75's who are going out for supper now (12:45 am! - sound familiar ?!?!) They know practically nothing about me, but they made the biggest effort to thank me and commend me for any little thing i did, and i actually wanted to go hang with them! SO WIERD.
Its strange - i think i've actually enjoyed doing community service at the Bingo hall! its fun being with completely different people and seeing how they live their lives, and its equally fun having them touch mine!

So now that that ramble is over, here goes another.

I really don't understand what God is doing a lot of the time. I think i've figured out life, and everything finally seems to be going in the direction i saw coming and then everything changes and i can't make my eyes focus properly on the different scenery. The one thing i do know tho, is God is good. it always takes me a bit of time and a lot of hind sight to figure it out, and usually a lot of tears and frustration, but God is good, even in his "special" way.
Our Bible study group has decided to Study James, and lo and behold, the first 5 verses:

Trials and Temptations
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Thank goodness God is in control - i'm glad i can just ask, cos most of the time i lack ALL wisdom, and don't even know what to think or say. On the other hand - how have i escaped so much pain and suffering? When i look at people my own age and younger, i'm blown away by how lucky i am...

SO i think i'm done now...
in his grip.
c