TST Elite A '09

oh. my. word. i just returned from probably the best two weeks of my entire life. i left for michigan about two and half weeks ago and had no clue as to how fun Springhill's summer teen service team program was going to be. we were able to serve both on and off the camp; my team working mainly on building electric fences for horse pastures and painting fire escapes for a middle school. though work took up the majority of the day, each afternoon we were able to do activities like the blob, gusher, high ropes course, and zipline. i met so may amazing people in my group, and throughout the two weeks we grew closer and closer together. during my two weeks at Springhill I was able to not only have a BLAST, but also to grow closer in my walk with God. we talked a lot throughout our time about the "Jesus Movement" which explained how Jesus came to Earth and completely shattered an entire cultures pre-conceived notions about God. we talked about what being a Christian and living completely for Jesus looks like in our culture today. on monday we had a prayer walk. my small group all walked together and we all silently prayed. there were stations that we stopped along the way at, each with a specific theme which lined up with a part of God's gift of salvation for us. during the prayer walk, i realized how i had been living as a Christian just so i could have my "get out of hell free" card. i was used to the whole routine of Christianity, but wasn't really living my faith out because i loved Jesus. i also realized how many things in my life i haven't given God control of, namely-my career choice, college choice, and relationship with my boyfriend. so on that monday i decided to give God complete control of all aspects of my life. i'm letting Him guide me, and i'm following His will instead of relying on myself. let me just tell you how UNBELIEVABLE it feels to have made that choice. now i'm living out my faith in Christ because i want to serve Him, praise Him, and love Him, instead of being a Christian to get myself out of hell. TST at Springhill has forever changed my life, and i am so grateful to have gotten to go!