So it's late. I have a few more poems to put up. Written after reading my yearbook, though you wouldn't think so. Life is so crazy. Changes happen just like that, though there are restorations and such, life is so different.
Today I got a very generous gift from a friend I made this last summer. Crazy. I cried, I laughed, I didn't know what to do with myself. I was lost for how to thank them, nothing seemed like enough, nothing ever will be enough. But it reminded me of Christ and how He works in our lives. He gives us gifts, b/c the soul purpose of a gift is to be enjoyed, cherished, and appreciated, not necessarily returned. It adds this connection b/c you realize through the gift that that person cares for you, they want to help you and give you what they can. It's one of the best feelings in the world. I always come back to Christ, which is not a bad thing, b/c He also provides ppl who do these things for you. He gives them their heart, He nourishes them, He saved them too, He is the one that they are listening to and that is so wonderful. Life is beautiful and must be lived. I have been feeding my mind with Christ, spending mornings with Him, though the rest of the day is stressful for me. Moving has not been easy at all. Not that I'm fighting it, but I've been told it's natural for girls to be more impacted by this move. In some fashion I am completely ready to move, wanting the adventure, anticipating the plans God has laid for me in Colorado, on the other hand, I am tired, I am restless, and I am physically alone, doing this by myself. I have many who are doing much through prayer, support, and calls. You wonder if others are just so busy with their own lives to care or help. Those are thoughts that have since drifted. It makes you realize that it's difficult to be a strong female on her own. Not even my father is near. But somehow I know that in the future there will be someone that I can help with this experience. Someone that i can lift up and be there for b/c I know the difficulties of doing this on my own. It's nice to know and understand that God uses all that we are and all we are going through for good. It's wonderful to be His and to always want to be near Him and to understand that above all things, He is there in the silence, through the tears and laughter, when you fall, fail, and are ready to let go, when you're happy and joyous and giddy with delight, in the bad times, in the good times, when you've made a huge mistake or even a small one. When the wisdom you've gained from Him, life, experience, and others comes in handy. When you've allowed yourself to drift from Him, when you've allowed yourself to fall at His feet and lie there for hours, days, years. When you can't help but sing out forever louder. When you're voice can't be found. When you feel so alone that it's unbearable, when you're in a crowded room, when you are on the mountaintop. He is always there, always. that is good. He is good.
I love Him.

this is my story and I'm stickin' to it...

With anticipation I gaze at the future and smile, knowing that God has something amazing in store for me, whether it be wonderfully exciting or in the seemingly mundane. As God consistently amazes and humbles me, let me share with you just a few things He has done and is doing in my life!

In a fortnight, my time here at Maranatha will be complete. I will be heading off on a 15-month adventure to the city of Denver to attend the Art Institute of Colorado. My dreams to become a Pastry Chef are coming to fruition as I head in a direction favoring such an occupation. God continues to abundantly bless me as I prayerfully and diligently make plans to venture forth to start this new chapter! God has graciously provided a car through the help of the Berean Church and MBC. It has been proclaimed to be a trustworthy car and as it is my first vehicle, I am nothing less than ecstatic. Loans and a few scholarships have come in to pay my first year school bill I will be befriending even after school is over; many of you probably understand this scenario! I also have been invited to stay with a family in Littleton (see new address below), which is about a half hour from the city and about 14 minutes from a Light Rail system (similar to the Loop in Chicago) that rides all around Denver. I hope to find a job in the Denver area to save money on transportation and use the car mainly to go back and forth to the Light Rail stop.

However, with the blessings ahead, let me enlighten you as well to the blessings behind that I was so fortunate to experience. The summer went extremely well. I was in charge of the conference center with the title, "Conference Center Manager." I felt a lot of responsibility as the summer continued. With a gym, classrooms, chapel, dining hall and our beloved link hallway to look after, there were many things to be delegated and given some TLC (tender loving care). I really enjoyed the leadership position though seldom did it feel that way. I had the privilege of working closely with two young ladies, Holly and Janelle, who inspired me with their work ethic and ownership of the dining hall, on which I joined them in the cleaning, maintenance, and guest service. I also thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the kitchen staff and a number of the TNT's (Teen's In Training). It was a blessing beyond description.

The diversity of the work here proved sometimes to be overwhelming as I had to sacrifice Holly, Janelle, and even myself to the dishroom, kitchen, housekeeping, or recreation. It became a benefit as I felt more like part of the team joining other staff in the many vicinities where I would not have worked otherwise. I was satisfied through all the events and hope that an impact was made on those I worked with. My prayer throughout the summer was that through me Christ, not me, would be seen. A challenge that needs reminding of, oh about every few minutes or less!

Every day became something new to look forward to and at the end of the summer, though there were days that paralleled déjà vu, I must include that I look back and see differences in every day: different people that were encouraged, disciplined, loved, inspired, and changed, may it be a summer staffer, a full-time staffer or a guest. It was a full life here at camp in the summer of 2006 and I was privileged and humbled to be a part of it.

The biggest thing I learned this summer from God was an abundance of lessons in His provision. Through providing a bounty of help for all the tasks needing to be accomplished, the funds to come in to ease our 2005 winter debt, providing two additional ladies to come on as full-time staff to fill empty positions, giving us a weekend in the summer to rest, and many others. Yet, though the summer is but a memory, the gift of God's loving and careful provision endures. I have seen money, a car, work experience at a restaurant in town, housing, friends in Colorado, and job leads provided for me through God's hand. Never using my own strength, materials, or planning could I have obtained or orchestrated what God has already given me. I am excited about the future!

I add Maranatha to the list of places I have been blessed and honored to be: Chicago, Briercrest, Mexico, Belize, California, Maranatha Bible Camp, and soon to be Colorado. God has filled me, stretched me, and loved me like no one could. I am grateful to be a part of His family and a part of your life. Thank you for all you have done in my life: what you have taught me, shown me by your example, your generosity, and your heart. Through my gratitude, I understand how truly unworthy I am. May He show Himself to you in a mighty way and bless you abundantly.

Always and always in Christ,

Crystal



Jesus is more than I could imagine, more than I could ask and much more than I ever deserve. Amen.