Hephzibah Week One- Staff Training May 31, 2008
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This blog is coming to you from a tiny Pizza Hut connected to a Shell gas station about 2 minutes away from the Hephzibah home. They have free Wi-fi. 
So now, you all know I made it to Macon, GA in one piece! This past week was training week with things such as getting familiar with the grounds, schedules, duties, and becoming CPR and First Aid certified.
I am one of the four counselors living on the grounds. Everyone else is from the Macon area. And let me tell you, coming here I thought I was going to be living in a mobile home or a basement apartment all summer…well let’s just say they are letting us live in the newest apartments on the grounds! They were made for independent living for teen parents, but haven’t been approved by the State of GA yet. Apparently, you have to build your building first and then get it approved with Georgia laws. 
I am sharing a room with Kelsey who is from Indiana, and then Sarah also lives with us, but she works on the farm. Sarah actually was a Hephzibah kid before she got adopted at 17. Rob and Stephanie are the married couple that live above us, and go to Bethany Bible College with Rob being from Iowa and Stephanie from Canada.
So, besides Sarah I am really the only southern girl with on campus counselors, and none of them have eaten Zaxby’s before, so they’re going to get cultured this summer! 
But, as for Camp Pathway, we start on Monday! There are more girl counselors than guys, but more boy campers than girls. With that situation, my group is the 8-9 year old boys and my junior counselor is Hank who is 15. There are 2 shifts to work depending if you do pre or post camp. I am scheduled for post camp this week so my hours will be 9AM to 6PM everyday. Pre-camp hours are 7AM to 4PM.
One of our activites is archery, so I am going to get really good at shooting a bow and arrow. And canoeing is another, and on Thursday the counselors took turns on the pond with the canoes. I forgot how much I love steering it by sitting in the back.
God is digging deep in me and I am praying that he continues to do so. We had a group of volunteers come in from Indiana and they led our devotions in the morning before training started. They had a guy leading worship for us, and he was a really cool guy. On the first day, he taught us a song that he wrote and wow, the one line that really got me was, “I want to praise you in EVERYTHING I do.” As simple as it sounds, it just really hit home. It’s so easy to fall into what I consider casual Christianity. I want to just praise him in EVERYTHING I do!
By the way, the guy leading worship, his name is Adam Cappa. Lead singer and guitartist of The Adam Cappa Band. Be sure to check those guys out!! Adam gave me a free copy of his CD, and he says that I am his unofficial contact in the South. They haven’t really toured down here, so we will see how that goes. But anyways, if you read this, please pray for Camp Pathway. Until next time!
Just thinking… May 24, 2008
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First off, congrats to Hank and Kristie! Mr. and Mrs. Brooks. The wedding was lots of fun, and it was great hanging out with some friends and dancing like nobody’s business! It also was a deep realization that college is another stepping stone before going separate ways to continue about life’s way. Later tonight, I am going to hang out with Charlotte who leaves for Japan on June 1st! She’s not sure how long she will be there, but it’s just a punch in the gut because I graduate in a year and a half and I have to start thinking about that sort of thing. (CONGRATS Char, I am so proud of you!)
Btw, while I am typing this, Amanda is practicing for church tomorrow, and she sounds awesome. Almost like my own personal concert. Anyways, back to my thoughts…
Matt and Deborah were there last night, and it was awesome to see them! Which brings me back to my point. Even though we’re in different places, when we reunite, everything just comes back together, and it’s like you had just seen them the day before. Because when you connect with someone on such an intimate level, you always carry them in your heart. And when you see them again, you know that you’ve obviously missed that person terribly, but you get to see them, and the time frame of however long it was without seeing each other tends to vanish. Just so you know Deb…I LOVE YOU! You will always be my AP. 
Tomorrow I leave for GA after church. It’s the first time I’ve driven somewhere that I’ve never been before by myself. Slightly intimidating, but overall I’m pretty dang excited! My van is all packed up, and I am ready to go. I am not sure of the internet situation at Hephzibah, but I will try to update as often as I can over the summer.
For people that love trying out new music, take a listen to JJ Heller! She’s amazing!
A Father’s Love… May 21, 2008
Posted by Liz in Uncategorized.Tags: compassion, Father, James Woods, Love, peace, Series Finale, Shark, world
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So, I am leaving on Friday morning to travel down to SWU, get settled in and then go to Kristie and Hank’s wedding. Since gas prices are insane, I am staying at SWU in Amandapant’s apartment for the weekend and leaving for GA either Sunday afternoon or Monday morning. With being at home, time has oddly went by slow and fast at the same time. I feel like I’ve been able to spend adequate time with my family and friends and even settled some issues in my family.
I just finished watching the series finale of Shark. It only lasted 2 seasons, and I really don’t know why it’s getting the boot. James Woods seems annoying and egotistical to most, but I love him. His acting just really punches you in the gut and makes you think, especially in this show. And this show allows him to show a different side, a softer side. Granted, he plays a hardcore prosecutor who sometimes breaks the rules to put criminals behind bars, but he also plays a single dad with a 17 year old daughter. And in the series finale, his daughter gets kidnapped by the most twisted and sick murderer that he put away. He is obviously trying to find her, and he’s questioning people. He tells these people that she is his whole world. HIS WHOLE WORLD! It just took me by surprise to see James Woods play such a compassionate role, I mean I’ve seen him play the father figure before, but not like this.
God took this moment to remind me how much he loves me.
I am his whole world!
And when Shark (James Wood) is staring in the eyes of a cold-hearted killer, standing between them and his daughter, he tells them that they would have to kill him first. The sacrifice he was willing to make, he had no regard for himself. He only saw his daughter. Truly amazing.
I’ve never really had much of a father figure in my life, and when I watch these shows and movies that portray the love between a father and child, it just really hits home. I have an amazing Heavenly Father and too often I hold him to this humanistic comparison. I put God in a box.
Sunday, I was able to hear the pure heart and soul of a man whose son had been very sick. He told the congregation that his son had been healed and no longer needed surgery. He asked his son who had healed him, and the boy answered without missing a beat, “Jesus! Jesus healed me Daddy.” I felt the tears welling up in my eyes, and my heart just broke. How often I forget that I am a child!! And how often I allow my rationale belittle my lovely Daddy.
He loves me just for who I am,
Not for what I’ve done or what I will become.
But just for who I am, his daughter.
He will never leave, he will always be here.
He’s my CONSTANT.
An Odd Attraction..or is it? May 14, 2008
Posted by Liz in Uncategorized.Tags: attraction, Dan in Real Life, dentist, Lost, Steve Carell
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So, since I’ve been home from SWU, I really haven’t done much except sleep, eat, and watch movies. My clothes are all over the place because they haven’t been unpacked yet. With me leaving in about a week and a half, I really don’t see much point. But anyways, I was so frustrated yesterday. I went to bed at a very early 11:30 wanting to not wake until 12 hours later. That didn’t happen. I woke up on my own at 6:30AM!! I mean seriously? I couldn’t fall back asleep, so I just laid in my bed until I had to get up to get ready for my dentist appointment. I usually somewhat dread the dentist because they always beat around the bush about me getting braces, but I don’t want them! Maybe a few years down the road, but anyways…
My dental hygienist was awesome! She was an older lady, but we got to talking about TV shows, and LOST came up. I had mentioned it was really the only show I watched, and I thought she would not really know what was going on, but she started spouting theories and predictions she had! Of course I couldn’t say much with her cleaning my mouth, but it was a refreshing conversation instead of the usual “what’s going on in your life” small talk.
I watched Dan in Real Life with my mom and brother on Monday night. This movie was very simply put together, but also covered some of life’s most troubling situations. Which makes the title really fitting. And the soundtrack is amazing! The main character is played by Steve Carell who I am oddly attracted to. He is just so naturally funny and not afraid to be himself, even when he’s playing a role in a movie. And I don’t think it’s a “OH, he’s HOT!!” attraction, but more of a “He’s probably a great dad” attraction. Especially in this movie because he plays a single dad with 3 daughters.
But yeah, I’m off to “unpack” my clothes. Until next time!
I know you’re right here, right here beside me. May 12, 2008
Posted by Liz in Uncategorized.Tags: ballad, Beautiful Boy, family, God, John Lennon, monsoon, Mother's Day, peace, problems
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Sometimes, I wish I was a troubled child with a drug addiction, drinking problem or something so I could have an excuse for this void. This feeling of absolutely nothing. But none of those things tempt me, so why should they go on my rep for being a good christian? Can you really be a good christian? Define good for me please. I just feel sick. Sick of myself? It’s just that feeling at the pit of my stomach I can’t shake and can’t explain. Anyways…
My day today was routed a little differently than expected. Today was Mother’s Day, and I went to Bessemer City because well, that is my home church now. As expected, my mom asked me if I wanted to go with her to Maiden the night before, and I just looked at her. I chose my timing and wording very carefully. I told her no, and I was expecting the hurt look deep rooted in those carolina blue eyes of hers to surface. But, it didn’t. She nodded her head slowly, and I told her that I felt like Maiden Wesleyan was where she needed to be, but not me. And that beautiful smile surfaced on her face, and I knew we had finally come to an understanding about this whole church thing.
Well, I thought I was just going to hang out with Jon and Tommy for the afternoon, but my mom texted me and said the family was going to Ruby Tuesday’s in Hickory, that they were leaving and just to meet them there. Apparently, I had a misunderstanding with her about lunch, so I left Bessemer to head to Hickory. And I got to drive through what I felt like was a monsoon! Everyone had their emergency flashers on and at first I was kind of scared. Scared and just waiting for the worst to happen. Well, that’s where God stepped in. I just felt this wave of ease come over me and I drove in that weather as if I drove through it everyday. I was even able to admire the beauty of it, which was awesome.
So, I got to Ruby Tuesday’s and automatically felt like the odd man out. My family just looked at me like I had betrayed them all. It was really weird, and I was just trying to shake it off, but they were waiting at the bar for a table, and my mom makes the comment, you can sit at the end. Okay? Turns out they were all upset with me because they wanted to carpool in my van so that we only had to use one vehicle. It got better when we got a booth, but for those 20 minutes at the bar I sat in silence desperately wanting to leave. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family and I know they love me, but things have continually gone downhill since I left for college and the church split. AND I feel like it’s ALL my fault.
I know I am where I am supposed to be, but I am tired of being hounded for not supporting the family by father figures and nagged for never having money. I’m a college student. I’m broke. Get over it, please and just LOVE me for who I am, please.
And I’ll run to you. My refuge, my solid rock.
Even when the fog is thick and choking me.
Even when my enemies get the best of me.
I’ll run to you…
———————————
Close your eyes, Have no fear,
The monsters gone, he’s on the run
and your daddy’s here.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful Boy,
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful Boy,
Before you go to sleep,
Say a little prayer,
Every day in every way, it’s getting better and better,
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful Boy,
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful Boy,
Out on the ocean, ship sailing away
I can hardly wait
To see you come of age
But I guess we’ll just have to be patient
Cause it’s a long way to go, a hard row to hoe
Yes it’s a long way to go, but in the meantime,
Before you cross the street,
Take my hand,
Life is just what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans,
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful Boy,
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful Boy,
Before you go to sleep,
Say a little prayer,
Every day in every way, it’s getting better and better,
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful Boy,
Darling, darling, darling, darling Sean.
Goodnight Sean, see you in the morning.
–John Lennon
