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