Ladies and gentlemen, there are now 47 of the world's best college students in Branson, MO right now. I am convinced of it already, and it's only been a week!
Good ole Branson, MO. I wasn't sure I would be back after last summer, regardless of the fact that it was such an incredible summer and true to my prediction last June, I gained 30 of my closest friends. The Lord continued to encourage me through these people throughout the year, whether it be grabbing dinner or coffee with a few of them when I was in town, or making the long drive to Atlanta for Passion in January, I couldn't seem to escape the impact that OME last summer made on my life and heart. Nor did I want to escape! I made multiple plans for my summer, including several attempts to go on mission trips, but because I was seeking the Lord's face through it all, I knew that none of these things were where I was supposed to spend the hottest months of the year. It got to the point where I even committed to going on a mission trip, but Jesus has a way of wrecking your plans when you're not obeying His voice. :) So, I prayed and prayed and cried and prayed over returning to Branson as a team leader this summer, and sure enough, peace flooded over me. So here I am, Lord.
"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way." 2 Thes. 3:16
So far, my second summer at STP has been completely different from my first summer. Even from the very beginning, I felt differently. My first summer, I decided to go to STP because I knew I should at some point in my college career. My second summer, I had my knees knocked down to where I knew OME 2012 was the place I needed to be. I was scared and nervous as the summer of 2011 approached, and just plain apprehensive as this summer came upon me. And although Branson itself hasn't changed much since I was here last summer, and the Lord himself hasn't either, He is revealing himself to me in ways I never would have imagined last summer. It is amazing how evident Yahweh makes himself through my intense exhaustion. I am continually humbled by how his words flow through me and how his love seeps through my every cell. I yearn to be consumed by Him alone, even in the face of distractions.
"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noon day sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him." Psalm 37:4-7
Please be lifting up our program as we seek to love the Lord this summer and become 47 passionate Jesus lovers going out into our world. Pray for soft hearts in our coworkers and the people we come in contact with as we live among them "because the gospel comes not only in words but also with power, the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction." (1 Thes. 1:5)
