I can't believe I've only been here three and a half days. It feels like I've been here for weeks, not in a bad way, but just because our days are so chock full of stuff. This week has been so much fun, seeing old friends and meeting new people. I am myself here, which is wonderfully freeing. Everyone is crazy and open with each other. We have individual devotional time, group devotionals, prayer times, etc. Everyone is so God-focused and willing to serve each other.

I am going to be playing piano in one of the camp's worship teams, which is a scary, new thing for me. I've played in front of people before, but never in something like this, and never in such a spontaneous, winging-it kind of way. I haven't played for so long, and now I'll be playing in front of campers and other staff, with very little practice time beforehand. But I'm very excited to be playing the piano and singing on a regular basis. It is also good because it's helping me to learn chords, which I should've learned a long time ago.

In short, I have been experiencing a few stretching, but wonderful experiences so far and I am so excited for this summer.

For now,
Renee

Developments

Yesterday during a Staff meeting here at Lake Waubesa Bible Camp we talked about the five love languages. For those unfamiliar with this study (as I was before last night), the five love languages (ways in which people express or receive love) are words of affirmation, quality time, gift giving, serving, and physical touch. We talked about what expressions of love work for people with each language as well as what expressions of love do not work, or are even negative, for people with each language. I found this study to be very fascinating because it told me something about myself as well as about fellow staff members. Obviously, one person is not limited to one love language, and most of us like bits and pieces of each. However, there is usually one main love language that strikes us more than others. I feel the most loved with words of affirmation and quality time. I express love through words of affirmation and physical touch.

I feel that this study is a step in the right direction of my goal for this summer: discovering myself. Recently I've felt lost; I can't tell who I am and what defines me. This summer I hope to find myself again, so to speak. So my love language(s) is the first discovery I've made. Hopefully more to come.

Peace,
Renee

20 Years

So begins the first blog of Lady Violet, aka Renee.

Yesterday I completed twenty years of living. As I reflect on turning twenty, it has come to my attention that I am entering a new decade. The last decade of life included Junior High, High School, and my first two years of college. During that last decade I discovered my love for theater and music. I also met many new people and lost people. I spent eight years of the last decade being homeschooled, and two of them at Bethel college.

With all that the last decade held for me, I ponder what the new decade will bring. Adventures? New relationships? Closer relationships with the people I know? College graduation? Starting my own family? Missions in Africa? Becoming closer to God? I cannot even begin to fathom or dream up the events that will occur in my life in this next decade. All I can do is pray that I will live a life even more full in this decade than in the last one.

Renee

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. 2 Tim 1:7