This summer was absolutely amazing. My goal was simply to be an instrument for God so that through me He could change the lives of the youth coming to the lake this summer. As usual, God surpassed my simple goal and turned my summer into even more! I left the lake a different person than when I came. The two greatest blessings of the summer and the things that changed me the most were my family in Christ and God's clear direction in my life. One of the reasons I love Lake J is because it is a peaceful, beautiful place and whenever I am there I seem to hear God so clearly!
God blessed me with a family of believers that was diverse in personality, ethnicity, culture, life experiences, and gifts. In everyone I could see the light of God shine in a different way:
Emory has the gift of a humble but strong heart for God. He also has a gift for seeing others talents and putting them on the path to use those to glorify God. He produces music not for himself, but for His Lord. I know that Emory and Teresa will be amazing parents! Teresa is beautiful on the inside and out; she loves God, little kids, making fun of cheerleaders who fall down, good movies, and of course Emory!
Renea, she is truly my sister. Her smile lights up the whole room with energy and joy. She inspires me not only through her passion for running, but also through the way she loves people!
Sean gets excited for Christ, He truly gets the Spirit and worships with all His heart; it is so contagious! He has a soft heart and I thank him for lifting me up when I was down and for his energy and enthusiasm.
Jessica is and always will be a romantic, a deep thinker, and a fearless woman of faith. She is never afraid to ask any question, or to seek the answer! I believe that when we ask questions, we are brought closer to God because He says to seek, and we will find. Knock, and the door will be opened.
Andy is the one who is always prepared, and who seeks God's wisdom and ways. He is an example of how we should honor God through obeying His word, and God has also blessed Andy with a passion for discussing His word and how it is lived out in the here and now.
Jordan is like the big brother I never had! He always makes short jokes, and randomly slings me over his shoulder, or holds me upside down! I'll miss my big brother, and of course trips to Toddle House! On a more serious note, I just want to say that I saw Jordan grow a lot spiritually this summer. His attitude got a lot less negative, and I really am proud of him because he worked hard to be a lot more positive but didn't get a lot of recognition for it.
Tawana is my friend and my counselor! Since the beginning of the summer, I felt that I could trust her and that I could talk to her about anything! We had some really deep conversations. That girl has a heart full of compassion and a spiritual strength that cannot be shaken. I love her so much and I hope that she knows that anytime she needs to talk, my ear and heart will always be there for her!
Sarah Beth was my roommate this summer, and I miss her so much! We talked every night about boys, life, faith, drama that had gone on that day, etc., until we fell asleep. She is my twin at heart! We both love Jesus, we are both health nuts, runners, journalers, artists, and lots of other things. We are both laid back and cheerful, and we both wonder why romance and relationships are so incredibly complicated!
Nilse is such a strong woman of God, she seeks diligently after the Lord, and is willing to follow wherever He leads her. She truly blessed me this summer through her hospitality and her passion for youth ministry!
Zeke and Cyntia were truly a blessing because they praise God not only on stage but in their lives. Several times the Shackford staff was spiritually dry or struggling and we would call Zeke and Cyntia. They came willingly whenever we called and through them God brought us the words we needed to hear! They prayed for us and with us and God answered those prayers with spiritual healing and refreshment!
Marty, I thank you for hiring me this summer! I'm planning on returning next summer because I enjoyed it so much and really grew a lot spiritually. Also, I want to thank you for allowing me to use my gift of art as a ministry. My dream is for my art to become a ministry that will inspire others and bring them closer to God.
To all of my fellow Colonial residents, I love you all and I pray that you also grew closer to God this summer! We are all blessed to be now living in a place without mold or spiders, that is one thing I will not miss!
When I came to Lake Junaluska, I had no idea that God would so clearly confirm my passion and purpose in life. I love art, and I have been drawing since I was a little girl. People ask me how I do it, and I can't explain it. It is the gift I have been given. For the first two years of college, I have loved majoring in art. I love my studio classes and learning about different techniques and the history of art, but up until this summer I had constantly questioned whether I should major in it, pursueing it as my main career. Every week this summer, God gave me my answer through Renea's vesper. He warned me not to bury my talent. What I learned this summer is that I am but a steward of what God has placed in my hands. He has given me the gift to touch people through expression. During the last Junaluska Idol we were running short on acts. So that morning I remembered seeing an artist in church paint to music, so I decided I would try it. At first I didn't want to because I was nervous that I wouldn't finish the painting, or that the painting would not be any good because I only had minutes to do it. But I couldn't get the idea out of my head, God kept speaking. So I trusted God and He guided my shaking hands, making them a vessel. The painting that came out answered a friend's question, one she had had on her heart for a while. It brought tears to people's eyes, and that night I realized the reason that I am breathing.
I am now back at the University of Mississippi, and now everyone calls me Aynslee again. I miss being called Sip, it was my first nickname and will forever be my North Carolina name! I pray that the fire that burned within my heart does not go out here, and that I remain just as lost in God's grace here as I was in Lake Junaluska, and I also pray that my campus will be lost in His amazing grace; I know no sweeter sound!
Aynslee
