a breath of fresh air

[note: I already posted once about this, but thought it was lame, so here's my second attempt.]

This weekend my small group and I were able to get away for about 24 hours and enjoy the great outdoors. We headed up to Turner Falls in the great Arbuckle Mountains of Oklahoma and enjoyed the peace and quiet.

Meet Melissa, Macee, Andrea, Mackenzie, Stephanie, Melanie, Annie, and well, you know me!

We started off our day with a great hike which ended up being mostly on the pavement b/c I got us lost, but we did have a little bit on a trail. It was very nice to be a bit in the wilderness! Here we are walking down the HUGE hill at the end of the hike.


After our hike, we began to scavenge for some firewood. Now, this proved to be a hilarious endeavor. We all started looking for some bigger logs...but to no avail. Melissa busted out an awesome pocket knife that J.J. (her boyfriend) let her borrow that had a saw-type knife on it. She and Annie and Mac had the brilliant idea to start sawing at a bigger tree limb. Praise the Lord that they were persistent, because, after much sawing and many funny grunts, they got us some wood!



Macee had the brilliant idea for me to climb a dead tree to get some of the bigger branches. I, of course, obliged (any excuse to climb I'll take!). Melanie and Steph were a bit nervous, but Macee had faith in me and we got us some good firewood!



We then got our fire started--thanks to Annie and Macee's amazing help and had our fireside fajitas. After dinner we slacklined (thanks Colby) and just sat by the fire and enjoyed some great quality time together.

The next morning, Melanie made us some coffee, we made a stop at the falls for a photo op and then headed home. It was an amazing retreat from the city and I think we all felt the Lord's presence in our time together in the outdoors! Girls, I had a blast. Let's do it again soon!

A Slew of Events...

I am going to try to tell all that has occurred since my last blog without making this blog too long, but no promises.


About a week after my last entry, we had our last week of Mountain Lodge campers as we know it. It was very, very hard. I have seen the Lord do a HUGE work in and through that 3-story lodge and I am still baffled as to why He feels the need to shut it all down. But, He's the one in charge right? And He knows what He's doing, right? As I left the Lodge, I did realize that it was a bit anti-climactic. As I left I realized that it really wasn't ever about the PLACE as much as it was about the PEOPLE and the work that God did in and through the PEOPLE. It is a place where the Lord changed me and revealed Himself to me, but it is just a place.

Kind of funny that this is not the first time that the Lord has had to teach me this truth.

Funny...or frustrating. I'm not sure which one.

The day after campers left, Joe (my new, amazing boyfriend) and I were finally able to go on our first (and only) date. Because he's so great and knows me so well, we went on a hike up Mt. Rose, one of the highest peaks in the Lake Tahoe area. It was such a fun first date and definitely an amazing addition to all of the awesome experiences the Lord has blessed me with. Here's Joe and me with Mt. Rose in the background. (This is just one of our many open-mouth pictures--He fits in just fabulously!)

A couple of days after our amazing date, most of the interns and James and Courtney went on a bike ride around Lake Tahoe. Once again, another great addition to the awesome experiences I had here. We left early in the morning and it took us a little under 6 hours to complete the 73 miles around the Lake. It was such a beautiful ride being as we had a view of Lake Tahoe almost the entire time. My bike held up just fabulously and I became even more addicted to riding. Here we all are above Emerald Bay (a beautiful bay in Lake Tahoe).


Joe left to drive across the country to North Carolina (where he goes to school--yes, he is younger than me!) and the day that he left, I found out that my car, Oliver, was very very sick and it would cost about $2500 to fix him, which, by the way, is WAY more than he is worth. So, my dad and I decided that the only option was to buy a new car. But, Sarah would be coming in the next few days and we were to drive across the country--I needed a new car and FAST! My friend Ryan and I went to Reno on a mission and by the end of the day I was blessed with a brand new 2008 Subaru Forster Sports at a great deal. Talk about the Lord was looking out for me--it was a very overwhelming process!!! So, meet Andre the Subaru, my new friend!


So, Sarah came to Reno to save the day and drive the 28-hour drive with me back to Dallas (see previous post). But, before we went, I had to show my beloved Bunkmate a bit of God's beautiful creation. So, we grabbed some bikes and went for a bike ride along the Truckee river and Lake Tahoe. It was so much fun and Sarah was get a taste of what I had been doing all summer. Here we are on Lake Tahoe and then after the ride looking so hard core!





The next day, we hopped in Andre (who had not yet been named) and headed for Dallas loaded down with my entire life in my car as well as my two bikes and a luggage rack on top of the car. We drove to Salt Lake City and then through Wyoming and Colorado and ended up in Newton, KS to stay with our friend Luke's parents. On Thursday morning we we on the home stretch heading down I-35 at about 60 mph when suddenly my entire bike rack ripped off of my car and began rolling down I-35. Thankfully no cars were in the direct path of the bikes, rack, and luggage. I quickly stopped my car and began running down the freeway with 30 mph winds blowing in my face and Sarah and I waited for an 18-wheeler to stop traffic for us so that we could drag the stuff out of the middle of the freeway. Thankfully a couple (who was on their way to take their engagement pictures nonetheless) stopped and knew how to take apart bikes and helped us get situated. Paula (Sarah's mom) immediately started driving north and met us near Oklahoma City to help us cope! It was a very traumatic experience to say the least.


I immediately got very mad and began calling anyone who could compensate me for my tragedy and the fact that my brand new road bike was broken in half--literally! I expended all of my resources and long story short, REI sold me the wrong rack and is going to buy me a brand new road bike and will rebuild my mountain bike and will pay to repair the dents in my brand new car. I will sing REI's praises for ages to come!!!!

A slew of events to say the least, eh?

Currently I am in Lafayette for a couple of days and then will move in with my friend Stephanie in Lewisville and begin the job hunt. The Lord has been very clear that Dallas is where I am supposed to me for this season--however long it may be. He has also been very clear that full-time ministry is next for me--it what capacity, I do not know, but we'll see. So for now I am looking for a dispensable job and will spend as much time as I can praying for direction as to where He will have be in full-time ministry.

So, there you go. It's been an adventure. It will continue to be an adventure, I am sure. Thank you all for your prayers through this time. More to come...I am sure...

Many Many Blessings...

Where to begin??? I realize that it has been a while since my last entry and for that I am terribly sorry. Camp has been super crazy and I haven't really had time to process all that has occurred. So many blessings have come my way, but I'll cut it down to 3 for now...so little time!!

Since my last entry, God has shown up. Through many many wrestling matches with Him and lots of tears, He has been very clear that I am to move back to Dallas (or Lewisville, rather) and live with my great friend, Stephanie. I will be about 5 minutes from the church as well as 5 minutes from the Vierlings--two things that are very important to me. I am not at all sure yet how He will use me there, but I know that it is where He is leading me. And just like Phillip, He will tell me when I need to know. Right now I have a direction and I am trusting that He will guide me closer to Himself in a way that only He can.

So there's blessing number one--direction, and a clear one. I have never heard so clearly from the Lord in any other way.

Blessing number two is James and Courtney Thomsen. They are my bosses--the property managers of the Mountain Lodge. Since this is the last summer of the Lodge (long story, I'll tell you if you ask, but I don't have time to type it all out), they do not have a job come October 1 and they have shown me what it means to trust Christ with all that I have. They have been a huge encouragement to me. James is also a huge cyclist and because he works for an outdoor adventure camp he has some great pro-deals. James has blessed us interns with some awesome pro-deals on road bikes and road bike gear. Because of his generosity, I was able to get an amazing road bike for about half the retail price. There are some crazy hills/mountains out here so I have been able to learn how to climb huge hills and control myself as it hit 47 mph going down them (no lie!).

Here's Courtney, Joe, and I riding up Donner Pass Road (you can see Donner Lake in the background).


Blessing number three has to be the July team that was here last month. They were all such a huge blessing to me. My work crew boss from 5 years ago, Jamelyn, was the camp manager and her friendship last month was HUGE. As a team we were able to climb up Castle Peak. It's about a 2400 foot elevation gain in about 3 miles. We did a sunset hike and then hiked down in the full moon. It was not to be believed how beautiful it was.

Here's the whole July team at the top right before the sunset.



Here's the interns in the sunset...



And here's my EPIC picture on the top of Castle Peak...


This summer I have experienced Christ. I needed this summer. I feel like I am back to the real Claire. The Claire who is not so serious. The Claire who is fun, and random, and spontaneous. I needed to re-evaluate who I am in Christ. I am so grateful for this summer. It has rocked my world. I have one week of camp left and then a week here closing down camp. It's sad that it is almost over, but I know that coming here was right. I have been blessed immensely.

About a week and a half ago an old friend was able to come and visit me at the Lodge. This is a very big deal becuase in my 5 summers of working at a camp, no one has ever come to visit me.

Brandy blessed me.

We played at King's Beach on Lake Tahoe and the wind was so strong that the waves were big enough for us to surf our kayaks on them.

We had some great deep conversations and just were able to catch up after about 3 years of not having seen each other.

Thank you B, for coming to visit. You blessed me more than you know.

While we were at King's Beach, we found this great store which I had seen on my way to the Lodge one day but could never find again. It was a glorious moment when we parked and began to walk to the beach and realized that the store was in fact at the very place where we were.

The store is called "As you Wish" and they sell "enchanted gifts.

"Princess Bride" anyone?

Since we have been quoting "The Princess Bride" all summer, my friend Joey and I were so excited.

There were ridiculous trinkets and constumes in this store--Mom, you would love it!

The outside of the store even comes equipped pirates and a wishing well. Needless to say we thouroughly enjoyed our time at King's Beach.

Anybody want a peanut?

FIRE!

South Lake Tahoe has been on fire for the past week.

3100 acres have burned.

Over 250 homes have been destroyed.

It is currently about 75% contained.

It is a tragedy.

But I am okay.

The lodge is about 35 miles from the fires, so we are safe. We have had to make many changes to our program because of the fires, but we have been able to see the Lord work in majestic ways. He worked out the kinks and reminded us that there are bigger things going on to pray for than our program.

We were still able to go to the north shore of the lake...



And because of the the change of program, we were able to peak Donner Peak and Mt. Judah overlooking Donner Lake. Needless to say, it was very windy, but very beautiful...


Thank you guys so much for your thoughts and prayers and phone calls this week. I am safe and doing very well. There has been a lot of smoke in the air, but all is well. Please pray for the victims of the fire. Love you all.

Giving it all

"But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property and kept back some of the price for himself with his wife's full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, 'Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.'

And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it. The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him. Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife cam in, not knowing what had happened.

And Peter responded to her, 'Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?' And she said, 'Yes, that was the price.'

Then Peter said to her, 'Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door; and they will carry you out as well.'

And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband."

Acts 5: 1-10

Ananias held back from the Lord what was the Lord's and he died.

Dead.

As in no life.

Simply for wanting to keep some of the money for himself.

When his wife confirmed the price, she feel dead as well.

Simply for holding back a little bit of extra cash for later.

These are HUGE words that I have never taken seriously. Not giving all that I am, all that I own, all that I have to the Lord will result in death--most likely not physical death, but spiritual death.

I am more fearful of the latter.

So, what is the application of this verse in our world today when we will not be physically killed if we do not give everything to the Lord? How do I see and feel the weight of spiritual death as a result of not giving it all?

This is a question I have been wrestling with all week.

I want so badly to know the Lord's plan for my life, but scripture says that He won't tell me until I give it all to Him. Until I get rid of all the idols in my life. Until I rid myself of the pride I cling so tightly to. Until I let go of MY plans and let HIS take root--whatever they may be.

Now I am here. Trying so badly to figure it all out, knowing full well that I may never--and most likely will never--figure it all out.

Clinging to His promises.

Clinging to His word.

Basking in His glory shown in His creation and through the community He has placed me in.

Trying so hard to show these high school students who Jesus is by joyfully unloading kayaks when I would rather by sleeping.

By giving Him my all when I don't always feel as though I have much to give.

But knowing that I want nothing else than to give Him my all.

This week has been amazing. Hard, of course, but amazing! My highlight, however, has been my two days on Lake Tahoe. Did you know that if you emptied Lake Tahoe, it would fill up the state of California to a depth of 2 feet! This lake is immense. It's so huge, and so deep, and so blue. I have spent the last two Wednesdays on the lake playing lifeguard (thank you Pine Cove). So, the majority of my day is spent laying on a rocky beach and kayaking with some kids.

Meet Joe, Levi, and Emmeline. Joe is a fellow intern and Levi and Emmeline are my boss' kids--they're hilarious.


Since we have had such small camps these first two weeks, I have had the privilage of learning how to wakeboard. The water was freezing and I thought I was going to die, but it was so much fun. I took a few huge spills and ate a lot of water, but it was worth it. I can now say that I learned how to wakeboard on Lake Tahoe. Here's me attempting to go over the wake. Apparently I "buttered the wake" which is a wakeboarding move, but I didn't even know it. I ate it a few seconds later!


So far, this has been a great adventure. Today I went for a two hour run/walk/hike and ended up at the top of a small cliff overlooking Donner Lake. The Lord spoke to me there. More clearly than He ever has. I am grateful. So grateful that His has put me in a place where I am getting more of Him.

A New Endeavor

Since I am the only one who ever updates the Six Chicks blog, I decided to start my own “Private Practice”. I know, I know…it’s not creative, but I thought it was clever, so I’m going to go with it. I feel like there is a lot of pressure on this endeavor. With so many amazing blogs out there, I have much of an occasion to rise to, but I am excited to write about other things other than just updates—the main reason for the Chicks’ blog. I am not saying that I am abandoning our beloved blog like Sarah and Brookie did once they started their own blogs, I am simply supplementing the updates.

So, to begin….

I have recently begun a new stage in my life. It has only been about two weeks but it has been very hard. I cannot describe the dichotomy of emotions that are going on between my heart and my head, but I know that right now this is how I will get more of Jesus, so this is where I will go.

On the way to the Lake Tahoe area, Kevin and Patrick (my brother and his friend) stopped at a few amazing spots. We first went to Taos, NM and white water rafted down the Rio Grande. We then went to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to see the HUGE trees and then on to Yosemite to see the most amazing piece of God’s creation I have ever seen in my entire life.
When we were on the Rio Grande our raft guide told us that it took millions of years for the river to carve out the canyon where we were rafting. For a very long time I believed the very same thing, but as I was floating down the river I was more in awe of the fact that the Creator of the universe made this canyon just like it is so that we could have a blast rafting down it.

As He was creating the world He just said, “Hey, I’d like an awesome canyon right there.”

And it was that simple.

One word.

One command.

All so that we could enjoy His creation.

Sounds crazy, but doesn’t the scientific theory have a crazy factor as well.

One must have a lot of faith to believe that water could create such a huge canyon.

One must also have a lot of faith to believe that an all-powerful being could create such a huge canyon.

Personally, I like the latter one better.

I love the idea that the same God who could do such a massive thing with His creation also desires a personal and intimate relationship with me.

It makes me feel very small and very loved at the same time.

Over the past two weeks I have been completely awed by His magnificent creation. Hills that turn into mountains with huge lakes and roaring rivers running throughout have amazed me.


The other day I went on a hike and on June 6th it suddenly started snowing! Are you kidding me? Stuff like this doesn't happen just because. Thank you Jesus! It was absolutely amazing.

I love that our God wanted to bless us by showing off just how good He is.

Funny how we are blessed by Him showing off His power.

Although this new adventure has been hard and challenging and I miss what I left behind a lot, I have seen Jesus. I have received more of Him. I have seen His glory in His creation and through His people.