77 Days

As I begin to type this post I am experiencing an overwhelming bittersweet feeling that hasn't subsided in many long hours. Today I said goodbye to my best friend, partner in crime, and the love of my life, Jacob Gilleland, for the whole summer. Just as a precaution this may turn out to be one of those really annoying and sappy things that nobody really likes to read, if indeed it does turn out in that fashion, I apologize and grant you complete permission to stop reading. I have a lot on my heart right now and am fully aware that expressing myself through words helps me come to grips with things and better understand situations, so here I go.
Jake has taught me so much about life that I never knew about or never thought I could understand or live out. First and most of all he has completely transferred all of his ADD crazy energy and love for life to me and taught me how to appreciate the small things in life. The overall scheme of things may not look so bright at the moment but enjoying the little tiny "God-moments" that tend to be overlooked brings great joy among chaos (something I'm trying to remember right now!). Along with this Jake has helped me learn how to minimize my worry and anxiety. Yes it is natural to feel these emotions at time but the way I was going was very unhealthy and because of this I was not happy and enjoying life. God has used him to help me ease these feelings of tension and insecurity and instead use these sometimes intense moments to pause and realize what God is really trying teach me or how He is planning to use me through the instance which I almost always overlooked as I was freaking out.
Jake has enhanced almost every aspect of my life in some either big or small way and I am so appreciative to first and foremost God and secondly to Jacob. Our God is an awesome God and it is truly indescribable to live out mine and Jake's relationship completely for Him. That being said, there is a time and a season for everything and today marked our last day together for two and a half months while I work at Camp Geneva and he works in Orange City, Iowa at our college.
I was blessed to spend this whole past week with him as he took the week off from work (thank you to his boss Mike!!) and drove Jake back down to Orange City on Friday afternoon. We knew it would be an emotional yet fulfilling last weekend together and I wouldn't have traded it for anything. Our married friends Ben and Missy were kind enough to let me sleep in their apartment allowing me to have more time with Jake, instead of simply heading back home right after dropping him off. We had a blast and really truly enjoyed each other as we lived in the moments we had together. I sit amazed that everyday I am continuing to learn more about Jake and loving him more and more each day...truly an act of God.
As much as we were dreading it, today finally came and we both knew it was time to go were God has called each of us for this summer. Before we ate breakfast we prayed, as usual, and God brought the words to my mouth of "God please help us leave in peace." After this we both decided that would be our hope, that we would leave in peace and in joy knowing that everything would be more than okay. Somehow I managed to leave (an hour after I was intending...ahh goodbyes are so tough) and we both went on our way with heavy hearts.
I am so thankful for the place God has brought us to in this moment and where He will lead our relationship over this summer and in the future. We both completely trust each other and know that this will be an extremely difficult summer, yet a rewarding and growing one. I have such a strong feeling that God will transform us as individuals in new ways and bringing these changes back to the relationship will only make us stronger.
Man, I feel like I'm writing a eulogy or something haha. In the moment and I'm sure for many days throughout the summer I feel very sad and weighed down with missing Jake terribly and not experiencing everything with him as I am used to, but at the same time I have this weird joy and excitement to see how God will use each of us in our respected places. We both came to the realization that if we didn't go to where God is calling us, then we truly wouldn't be following God's perfect plan for our lives. Who are we to doubt God's perfect plan? Who are we to know what God is going to use this experience for? We are nobodies in this respect and for this I have peace in leaving my love for the summer, or 77 days as we are both counting them down!
Here are some pictures from our last few weeks together:
 

After a wedding Jake had to do sound for :)



My Birthday!!





Cooking dinner together!



Spring at Northwestern



Smoothie making time after a long rollerblade ride :)



Rollerblading downtown!

Our verses we are focusing on as a couple for the summer are as follows:

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose." -Philippians 2:1-2

These verses are describing Christ's humility in the joy of serving others and this is Jake and my goal for our personal relationship and with those that we will be in contact with over the summer. If you feel so led, join with us in prayer for the next 77 days we will be apart!

Strongholds

Now that I have the skull and crossbones background that I ACCIDENTALLY put up initially my blog is looking more "Laura-like." This past week has been full of ups and downs as I try to prepare my heart for camp which is now 12 days away! As some may know, I have been struggling the past few months with abdominal problems that have yet to subside and have progressed to effect my eating and life in many aspects. Since I got home from college last week I've had much testing done to result in all the tests coming back completely normal with no abnormalities. As much as I'm trying to maintain and hold onto an attitude of gratitude and thankfulness to the Lord for providing me with a clean bill of health, I find myself frustrated with the lack of answers I am receiving and the continuing persistence of symptoms. Although I am unaware of what is going on with my body I am seeking God's word and prayer as my spiritual weapons against this illness. I've found an awesome few verses that have been especially helpful in this situation and I find to be very applicable to the strongholds the devil tries to put us in.

"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:4-5.

To allow God to be our "commander in chief" we must submit everything to Him. The area I struggle with this the most is in my thoughts. I must learn to submit even my thoughts (and lies the devil tries to tell me) and yield them to Christ. By doing this my doubt, fantasies, and lies of my mind will be captured and be presented honestly in front of the Lord, allowing Him to redirect my mind to the truth of the gospel. Harder said than done, right? While dealing with this illness of my body and trying to prepare myself for camp I am trying to be fully focused on the cross and directing my thoughts there. 

As far as camp goes, my first day of orientation is June 2nd and my mom and I will be traveling out to Holland, Michigan on June 1st. I am a junior high camp counselor in the "pines" program. From my understanding, I will have my own cabin and have 7-10 girls per week. Right now I am busy busy busy doing crafts and making decorations to make my cabin look friendly and inviting.... plus anyone who knows me knows that I absolutely LOVE doing crafts and making things. Depending on the week campers will come Monday-Friday and sometimes Monday-Saturday. I am incredibly excited to witness the transformation God has in store for these kids. When I was first interviewing with all the camps I didn't hold an age preference because I genuinely enjoy different aspects of all the age groups of kids and couldn't decide for myself (typical indecisive Laura). I remember Brian (aka "chief" from Camp Geneva) asked my age preference and I simply said put me where needed and figured that is where God will lead me to. Well junior high it is and as time has gone on I have a great assurance that this is the exact place for me!! I truly believe God will use my experience with Alopecia and self-esteem issues to pour into these girls at a time which is in the heart of looks and appearance concern.

A Few Prayer Requests:
-Safety in travel for all counselors and campers in transportation this summer.
-Comfort and dependence on God in the times that I miss my loved ones.
-That nothing but truth be shared with all campers attending Camp Geneva this summer.
-Dedication to prayer on my part, that this is something I take really seriously and that I am fully devoted to praying for each camper individually.
-The preparation of the campers' hearts to be ready to learn and open to love.
-Whatever illness is going on in my body, whether a diagnosis comes or not, that I would not be distracted from sharing God's contagious love.

Thank you so much for sticking with me and I appreciate those who are praying for me and the ministry I will be apart of this summer. Make this weekend a great one and rise against the strongholds the devil tries to use against our relationship with God!!

P.S. I LOVE MAIL!! :) :) if you'd like to be my pen pal or know my address for this summer it is provided below. Please be sure to put my name on it so they can direct it to me specifically.

Aunt Laura Ecklund
3995 Lakeshore Dr N
Holland, MI 49424

Glorifying God Through Blogging!

Well hey there!! I see you've made it to my new blog. I have never been super interested or supportive of the whole blogging idea simply because I feel as though it can turn into an easy outlet for venting, complaining, gossiping, etc. However, as I have been preparing for being a camp counselor this summer, I've felt God leading me to start one based on Him and the great ministry opportunity He has provided me with. Hence why I am typing this right now and am in the process of creating a blog.

Romans 15:5-6 states, "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

In these verses Paul is speaking to the church of Rome, known as a very diverse church, encouraging a renewed sense of unity among the community of believers. As a result of unifying, everyone will glorify God as one through both heart and mouth. I see this correlating with my goal and purpose of this blog. I believe that it is important to speak and communicate with each other to better understand what God is doing through our lives and glorify Him through it. This also creates a bond among each other, in essence unifying us as believers.

Practically speaking it is going to be pretty hard for me to keep continual contact with most of my friends and family. Not because I don't want to but my days are busy from sun-up to sun-down and I have about 24 hours on the weekends of "down time" (who really knows how much of this will actually be spent relaxing though). This being said, I think that blogging will be the best way to supplement and fill in my loved ones, you, as to what incredible ways God is working at Camp Geneva. I promise that this blog will not be an excuse for me to become lazy and not keep in touch personally such as phone calls, skype, etc. However, it will take some pressure off of me to try to please everyone (which I tend to have a problem with) and keep communication at all times when realistically this simply isn't possible.

All this being said, please help keep me accountable with maintaining a positive and Christ-like attitude in this blog and speaking on the promises and truths of God. I find such trial and confusion yet joy and strength found in the book of Isaiah. Chapter 12 is considered a hymn of praise in foreshadowing the return of Jesus Christ to reign over the Earth.

Isaiah 12:4-5, "Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things, let this be known to all the world."

I pray that this summer would be one of experiencing God wherever each one of us is at and that my words may be practical and informative yet more so encouraging and uplifting so we all may proclaim what God has done and SING TO THE LORD!!

I will post again within the next few days with some practical and informative details about what I will be doing this summer and wonderful logistics and a few prayer requests that I would ask you to join with me in being committed to prayer about.