Week 5

My summer is almost halfway over. The thought of leaving makes me so sad.  I've definitely had thoughts about  moving out here one day!

Saturday we had a beach day and invited the whole FCA volleyball family out to enjoy one another.  It is beautiful to see such a loving and welcoming family interact with each other.  The community here is unlike anything I have ever experienced before. FCAV has a goal to simply know God more and from that there is an overflow of genuine love that invites others in. I have never felt as valued and loved as I have here.  This is the kind of love that draws people in,  allows people to be vulnerable with one another, and grow with one another.  This love can only be from God. 

God is teaching me so much.  I am getting to know Him more and He is reminding me who I am to Him.  I've been a Christian for so long but have never fully accepted God's love which has prevented me from accepting others love.  God has reminded me of His grace and desire to be with Him.  He has satisfied every need of mine and given me a new joy and peace even in the midst of trials.
On Wednesday we got to go line dancing.  It was quite the experience.  I have never been line dancing before other than what I learned in middle school gym class. We didn't get to the place early enough to actually learn the dances so we went out on the dance floor having no idea what we were doing.  I'm pretty sure I was never facing the right direction which made line dancing both funny and frustrating.  I did get to learn how to two-step though!

Today we went to Huntington beach and got to set up a booth at Beach Fest (a Christan ministry event).  Before we set up I got to go down to the sand courts and play with my friend, Mary and a few other girls who were training for the AVP.  Mary and I weren't quite at their level but it was such a neat experience.  I would love to be able to come out here one day to train.  Maybe i won't go to the AVP, but I'd love to see where God takes my passions.
Back at the booth we had the opportunity to tell others about FCAV.  At first it was hard to figure out who would be interested in a volleyball ministry.  Some of the people i talked to were volleyball players or knew of volleyball players, but most of them had no interest in volleyball.  Although I was able to connect a few people with FCAV, I realized that the main goal wasn't to connect them with FCAV, but to Jesus.  There was such a diverse group of people who came by the booth.

 One guy played some volleyball for fun, but His passion was with motorcycles. He expressed that he wanted to combine his passions for motorcycles and God but didn't see how that was possible.
 I began to tell Him how FCAV got started- simply a passion for God and volleyball.  I saw his face light up when he realized that He could do something similar with his passion for motorcycles.  It is so cool that God has given us passions and unique giftings to bring Him glory!

Another guy I talked to named Rick had no reason to be at an FCAV booth.  Rick was about 60 year  old and didn't look like the athletic type.  I almost ignored him at first because i didn't think that he would be interested in FCAV, but then I began a 20 minute long conversation with him.  Within one minute of talking to him he told me that he had a gambling and alcohol addiction.  Though I couldn't personally relate to these problems, I was able to tell him about people in my life who struggled with the same thing.  Rick also mentioned that he was homeless and had been living in his car for the past 10 years.  He told me that he was a Christian but Satan was bringing him down and was being controlled by so many things. He said he felt guilty all the time for giving into sin and not staying on the path that God had for him.  Long story short, I was able to pray for Rick at the end of our conversation.  Although I didn't get Him connected with FCAV, hopefully He was able to connect with Jesus! :)

Next week (Monday- Wednseday) I will be camp director for our camp! I'm excited and nervous about it but I know that it's going to teach me to rely on God more than ever.  I have learned that I am willing to be bold and try new things, but when I fail i don't want to put myself in the same position again.  I'm sure there will be many times that I will fail as camp director, but as long as i continue to trust God, it will all work out.  Can't wait to tell you guys about it next week! :)