Because I'm too lazy to WRITE my thoughts.

I think this is more a journal than a blog, but hey, to each his own. I just needed to document somewhere my amazing summer, and I'm frankly too lazy to grab a pen and a paper. My mind travels too fast for my hand.

God has taught me so dang much this summer. I was going to say, "most importantly...this!" but I really don't know what was most important. He taught me lessons that cover every aspect of my life and also got down to each and every detail and just opened things up to me. I fell in love with Him, with people, with the Word. I experienced love as God meant it to be, pure and unconditional, because I kept my eyes on Him. That might be my overarching theme. Keep your eyes on Jesus, Stephanie. Don't try to stop sinning, don't try to love, don't try to lead a Bible study, don't try to feel worthy, don't try to show people Jesus. Know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

I met a lot of people with tough stories. A pretty consistent thing was that it was so nice to get away from the difficulties that are at home. I told campers something I do truly believe: I don't know which situations God causes and which He doesn't, but I know He uses everything for good. And now as I read If God is Good, I am reminded that one of THE most horrible, evil, suffering-filled events in history is when God was most glorified: Jesus Christ on the cross. That is where I am born again, that is where I turn to daily, that is something God made so beautiful. Something he makes ME so beautiful THROUGH. And yet it is truly and entirely ugly and shameful. And I know these things in my life that are also ugly and shameful God is using for His glory. The evil I am surrounded by...God will redeem it.

Praise Him for that.

I see you there hanging on a tree. You bled and then you died and then you rose again for me. Now you are sitting on your Heavenly throne...soon we will be coming home. You're beautiful.