Three months at camp, away from my family and my old way of life, has changed me in many ways. I think they are good changes but you will have to judge for yourself over the next few months of blogging. ;-)
The first month was spent getting to know my sisters. You would think we knew each other before. Actually what we knew was the shells each of us had put up around each other. At home, we were the human beings our family had dictated we were to be. I do not mean this in a malicious way. I believe every family to a certain extent, decides who their children are and what role they must play. It took about two weeks for my sisters and I to discover that under our shell exteriors, we were different people than we thought we were. We were surprised about each other and shocked about ourselves. Our relationships with God and with each other blossomed and matured and became sweeter each day.
The second month was spent in the company of people who needed love and effort and blessings each moment of every day. They were wonderful kids but they were high maintenance. It makes me get a little sniffly sometimes when I remember how God always worked through every situation and how many people were able to experience (some for the first time) His love and joy that passes all understanding. I do not know how many... or if any... accepted the Gift at the time but the seeds were sown. We wanted their parched hearts to be filled and overflowing with something that is true and transparent and unbelievable.
The third month. What can I say? It was music day in and day out. :-) I love it. I love camp. I love the people. I love the music. I love the schedule. I love learning. I love jamming. But I love the people the most. They inspire me, comfort me, help me, shove me, lead me on to higher, headier mountaintops than I have ever dreamed of.
And that's one of the reasons I'm now living in Carlyle, Saskatchewan. Away from all the blood members of my family but with some of my family of the heart. Michele Amy and her husband Will offered me a place to stay (they, in fact, offered it to all three of us girls but other things came up for them, which I will write about later) and a way to support myself.
I am planning on teaching piano and cleaning house, so far. I have a cough (that seems to be getting better, thankfully!) so I didn't want to go to church and risk infecting anyone so I stayed home and cleaned part of the kitchen. Michele has been really sick the past month and the house suffered. But I can fix it. Cleaning gives me a lot of time to pray and think and meditate.
Music, on the other hand, has been something I am excited beyond reason about and dreading at the same time. I know when I get into it, I'll be fine and I will be able to see where I need to progress. But it's like a deep, dark hole that I am plunging into. I know I love teaching and I know I love music but it's a bit daunting! The good thing is that Michele is an awesome pianist who is willing to share her knowledge when I need it.
And another good thing is that Moses didn't think he could do it either. :-) I'll try to write more about that later.
Hannah is attending Nipawin Bible College.
Lydia is training horses and helping around the farm for John and Vicki Arcand at Windy Acres in Saskatoon.
Life goes on. (It's goings on are awfully exciting!)
9 comments:
" Actually what we knew was the shells each of us had put up around each other. At home, we were the human beings our family had dictated we were to be. I do not mean this in a malicious way. I believe every family to a certain extent, decides who their children are and what role they must play. "
I really get this, what you said about getting to know each other. I think when I'm put into a setting away from my family, my parents, without no certain expectations and just follow what I know to be God's will/guidance/leading and what I've been taught...there is more freedom to just be myself, to follow my heart (with responsibility).
Sounds like a new season of life for you is beginning, I hope that your housecleaning and music endeavors go well for you!
Sounds like God did a beautiful thing in your lives this summer! He showed you who you are in Him and opened up to your hearts to even more than you had imagined.
I find that when I'm away from my family or if my parents are away, then my personality changes to some degree. I feel more mature for one thing =P and more responsible. Sometimes I even tend to be more bold in talking and interacting with people too. It helps me grow a little, I think :)
I'm so glad to hear that your relationships really blossomed; beautiful!
So many exciting things happening for you all! I've been following Hannah and Lydia's blogs and am excited for them as well.
I know you'll do great as a music teacher and a house cleaner. How sweet of them to offer you a place to stay and work too.
Is it hard being away for an extended period of time? I think I'd miss my family terribly but I'd learn to adapt. Somehow :)
How is your family getting along with the 3 of you girls gone? Well, I hope.
I loved the family picture, by the way. :)
Very cute and silly!
You should check out this site: http://www.quiveringdaughters.com/
I plan on ordering the book soon.
What an exciting new chapter Naomi! :)
Jac, thank you. :) Your words made me think.
Sam, thanks so much for your comment. It is good to get the feedback. Yes, it's hard to realize how long I might be gone. As of right now, I don't know when/if I'll be back. It all depends on where God leads. But the difficulties of it is made easier when I remember that God has it all in His hands. :)
Linds, :)
Jess, not only my life is changing. :) I am excited about your new little one. Congrats. :)
Congratulations Naomi!!! This sounds so exciting. God will give you all the strength you need to take on things you never thought possible!!
It is very exciting, Joanna! Thanks for your encouragement. :)
I know just what you mean about "Actually what we knew was the shells each of us had put up around each other. At home, we were the human beings our family had dictated we were to be. I do not mean this in a malicious way. I believe every family to a certain extent, decides who their children are and what role they must play. It took about two weeks for my sisters and I to discover that under our shell exteriors, we were different people than we thought we were. We were surprised about each other and shocked about ourselves. Our relationships with God and with each other blossomed and matured and became sweeter each day." When I went to college that's what happened to me (I also fell in love with God there. I believed before, but I fell desperately in love with Him in college).
But after college I had to move back in with my parents. I thought it'd be temporary, but it's now been three years. I still struggle with that shell you refer to, and it's frustrating because somehow I'm a more loving and gracious person when I'm not living here. I'm more me outside of this house. But God, of course, has me here for a reason. It's not that I don't love my parents, am grateful for their hospitality, or any of that... it's just I have trouble not reverting to the shell of who I was when I was younger. They barely know the 'real' me... But God has me here for a reason, and I think He's probably trying to teach me to be the 'real' me even in the place where it's hardest for me, that is, my parent's home. But I feel like I'm utterly failing at it sometimes.
I will be praying for you. Someday your parents will see the real you and they will be so proud. :) Mine are beginning to see me and, vice-versa, I am starting to see the real them,too!
I hope that the time comes soon when you are able to blossom. Love does that to a person. :hugs:
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