Come, Holy Spirit. . . Summer Youth Retreat 2013

      Sorry, that I have not written a post in a while.  I had Vacation Bible School (VBS) at my church and then I went to a youth conference.  At VBS, the theme was, "We Believe..."  We were blessed to have around 50 to 60 kids attend per night.  I taught the last lesson which was on the Holy Spirit.  Throughout VBS, I was so excited for the youth conference that was on Friday night.  On Friday night was also the closing ceremony for VBS, but I wanted to go to the youth conference and had already paid for it.
        So Friday, my sister (Julie Waldvogel), my brother (Kenneth Waldvogel), and I drove up the first time alone to Pilgrim Camp.  I had an amazing time and was really blessed by the lessons, but also the youth around me.  The theme during the meetings we had was, the Holy Spirit.  Some things that I learned was:
- the Holy Spirit is God living in us, a divine being that comforts us, guides us in practical ways
- the Holy Spirit does not just show through us once, but is always with us
- the Holy Spirit gives us the ability to live more like our savior Jesus Christ
- the Holy Spirit is given freely to those who ask for him
- first we have to clean ourselves of the old and then ask for the Holy Spirit
- the Holy Spirit is practical!
- our spiritual fruit ( Galatians 5:22 ) is proof that the Holy Spirit lives within us
        My favorite meeting was the Saturday night meeting when we had our prayer meeting.  The youth split into some smaller groups and prayed, which felt more like we called out to God.  I felt God so strongly in that meeting.  God was definitely there and was pleased with what each of us were praying.
        There were also games that we played and watched.  There were basketball and volleyball games that I watched and then there were some games on Sunday which I participated in.  There was a penny-chin game where you had to balance a penny on your chin and knock everyone else's penny off without knocking yours off.  Then there was a doughnut eating contest where you had to eat a doughnut hanging from a string without using your hands, which was fun to watch.  On Sunday a hike was organized which ended up being pretty exhausting and fun (some of us got wet ).  When we on the hike though there were some complaints but not when we made it through.  The weather turned out wonderful and got to have two campfire's!!  
          I thank God for meeting us this past weekend!!

 "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him" ~ Luke 11:13  

Thank You God for Today!

Happy Birthday USA!!  I thank you God for giving us this country we live in and the freedoms that are given to us..  I am so thankful for the wonderful time I had with my family yesterday (and Tuesday night)!  I was very blessed this week by a couple of things.  First, I got the chance to see a cousin that I do not get to see very often since she moved away.  Secondly, my uncle got sick with the mumps and yet God started healing him right away and thankfully he was able to be with us yesterday at the gathering because the mumps were not contagious anymore. Thirdly, it was my mother's 50th birthday!  I just want to say that I am incredibly thankful for my family, both my mother's and father's side and I would never want any other family.  I am also thankful for my family's health!  Lastly, I am thankful for the country God gave to the forefather's and now us, even when things are not going great.  We Americans still have a country and a place to live in that is okay, while some people have it a lot worse than us, so we should all be thankful for that!
        Now a song has been going through my head all morning since I got in the shower and it is "Every Good Thing" by The Afters!

                                            

I guess this song was put into my head by God to remind me to be so thankful for every thing that God has given to me, even when I am not fully paying attention to him.  Well since the fourth of July was yesterday i just want to pray for this country : 

Dear God, 

I just want to pray for this country and all the leaders leading at this time.  

I pray that all the leaders will turn more toward you and follow what you want them 

to do in every situation.  I pray that you will open our presidents and countries 

eyes and teach them who you are in a closer way and through a closer relationship.  

I pray that you will use me to be a light unto tall the people in this country.  

Thank you for this beautiful country that we Americans are blessed with and bless 

and protect those who are fighting and who have fought for this country also.

I pray this in your name, AMEN

If everyone who looked at this post would pray either this prayer or another prayer for this country God will move through the prayers and will do a work in this country even when it doesn't look like its happening.  If you liked this post feel free to comment on it.