Where the heck have ya been???

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope that you all had a wonderful day, wonderful families, wonderful gifts, etc.... I hope everything went well. My christmas was good, it was sad, happy, joyful, somber, and well different. Kasey had to work and Jake and I slept in until 8:30 which is a leap from our usual 6:00Am Christmas morning. The morning went well we had a big breakfast and jake and I opened two gifts. Then we had a twist in the day. Our grandpa has been sick for a while, cancer, he is 84 years old and going faster every day. it's been a long hard process of watching his cancer take over. Sad, painful, difficult, and tiresome. Yesterday, he finally passed away. Some might think that it would be the most terrible thing to experience a death on christmas but for our family it was a blessing to see him finally go. He was in pain and suffering daily. Our hearts are full of pain to not have him now but at the same time we know that he is with Jesus. And i don't say that flippantly, He is. He laid down his pride and picked up the free gift of eternal life with Christ Jesus and God the Father just a few months ago. Somepeople might think that because he lived most of his life in sin and put his pride above God almost every day that he lived that God couldn't possibly have room in his heart for him. More than that, God has SO MUCH room in his heart for him When we come back to our creator and allow the grace of God to flood our hearts and let him wrap his daddy arms around our brokenness He WILL. God is more than our judge, He is our just father and longs for our hearts daily. Merry CHRISTmas, From God!


God bless, Sleep Well.
-Christina

Here we SNOW again!

Oh the weather outside is frightful.....


.... And the fire?? well i guess it would be delightful.



First day of December and it's snowing like crazy. This weather has put the whole state into an upset and it seems that people forget every year how to drive in this white mess.... Myself included. I do anticipate the snow sometimes, it's beautiful. Ahh... sleding, ice skating and warm cups of coffee on a chilly day. Hope your day is wonderful and full of winter fun. Even if we have to scrape off our cars more than once a day. :D

God Bless, Sleep well.

-Christina Lindsey

i hope, i hope i hope......

some days are better than others, sometimes we feel like everything is "undercontrol." Who's control do we have it under though, this is something that i struggle with everyday. Giving God the control of my plans. Things have changed a bit for me in the last few months. I had hoped to be a Bible Translator, work with Wycliffe Bible Translators, go to a far away place and meet and live with people not of my same language, learn their language and Lord willing, translate the Bible into their native language. I had hopes of going to Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL. I wanted to study linguistics and LOVE every minuet of it all. Something i found in all of this are these two words... I WANT.. I WANT. Wow, how incredibly blind i was to this. the entire time i was planning this great and wonderful future God already had one in mind for me and, rightly so, he was probably laughing at my means of planning my future. Sure, i had good intentions, i wanted to give the Word of God to those who don't have it. I wanted to be a servent to Christ's work and continue to reach people with the bible in their own language. These are all great things however, i wasn't allowing God's plans to mingle with mine. I can hope and plan and wish all i want but if i'm not allowing God to take my desires and hopes and make them what He wants them to be then i'm doing nothing but amlessly planning. God has given me longings and desires for my life but it's not my job to piece them together to come up with a good future for myself, God's got it all underHIScontrol.
May i remember this as i continue on my path of education and doing the work that He gives me each day, not just reving up for the work that is to come.

I leave you with this....

Jeremiah 29:11 (New Life Version)

11 For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord, 'plans for well-being and not for trouble, to give you a future and a hope.

I wish that i had a really great picture of my Tabit from camp. Wow, i cannot believe that it's been almost three months since i've slept in that worn-out old hut I called home for the summer. Lately i've been really missing camp and the busyness of children running in every direction. The smiles of fellow cabin leaders and the songs that were sung so loudly by the kitchen staff on a HOT summer day. I love winter and the seasons, i love my new job and the things that i'm learning, i love seeing my family and friends and being able to get more involved with the ministries of my church. I love all of that and still, my heart aches for camp. Somethings will never be the same after a summer spent at camp and i'm greatful for that. Part of me wishes that life was a camp and the other part of me is greatful that camp is only for a season. God Knows best though, and He surely knows that everything is best when it comes in seasons. Where next summer will take me i have yet to find out. If you feel like talking to God, ask him to help me take things one day at a time. I don't want to rush life. I want to savior it.

Sleep well, God Bless!

-Christina Lindsey

Starting A New

" At the sunrise every morning

As the darkness slips away

I search the clouds with longing

Will my Lord return today?

In the noonday i am listening

For his knock upon the door

At each sound my heart is pounding

Could it be this is my Lord?

In the fading of the sunset

In the cooling of every eve

I wait beside my window

Lest my Lord should beckon me.

In the midnight i am wakeful

For the radiance of the moon

Maks me think that He is coming

And his glory floods the room.

Ah! Rejoice my soul- He cometh!

Our beloved is on his way

Be every watchful, praying

He may return today."

- Rebekah Pearl; Missionary to the PNG people.

I've been reading the diary of Rebekah Pearl who was a missionary to the people of Kumboi in PNG. I feel like she and i have similar longings and hopes for life. Her heart for the people she worked with is incredible to read about. It was tough especially for a woman missionary going alone to these people who place so much importance on the man's role. They had such a hard time respecting her and understanding why she went alone. But when you read of the work that she did there, i know that it was not in vain. There are so many days in which my heart cries out and longs to see my savior's face and this poem of hers reflects my heart's longing everyday. I wonder though, if i lived my life in light of Christ's coming everyday how different would it be and how much more would i have an attitude of urgency when discussing the saving Grace of God with those who do not know it? May i live my life in the light of His coming and may my heart reflect the urgency and love that Christ's life held.

-Sleep well, God Bless.

Christina Lindsey

Breathing Deeper

"Therefore, since we are reeciving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. For our God is a consuming fire." - Hebrews 12: 28-29

I can't express how long and restless this week was. I feel like, at times, i was wirling around in twenty different directions. Life is busy, but that doesn't make me want to quit. I've learned alot in these last few weeks. With starting a new job, starting school again and trying to live all at the same time; i've learned one word well, Breathe.

Throughout the week I see people of many different backgrounds, children who's homes were broken, lives that need patience and a new perspective and I struggle with seeing those things because i want to fix them. I want to be the mother to the motherless child, i want to teach the woman who's life is overwhelming to put her hope and trust in Christ, I want to put smiles on the faces of the college kids who look like their hearts have been pulled in too many different directions. Though i cannot be all of these things to everyone i know the one who can be and my heart says let Him be those things to them. I cannot be all things to all people and God doesn't expect that of me. What He does expect is for me to allow him to use me where He wants and be a tool for doing His will. So often i have to remind myself that it's not "My Will...," it's God's Will and His is good. What a privilege it is to be used by God Almighty to complete the tasks that He desires.

So i end and remind myself, and you, to breathe deep and know that "The Lord is my helper; i will not be afraid. What can man do to me? "-Psalm 118:6,7

Went to school the other day for a small orientation for my telecourse. Don't know how that will go but it seems pretty simple. My teacher was nice so i think that if i have any questions i won't really have a problem being able to find some help. I'm looking forward to school starting. Now that i'm pretty settled into my job at the bookstore i'm ready for a more steady schedual. Looks like i'll work 4 days a week and go to school MWF and Thursday night.

There is a new ministry starting at church called the "A-Team" which basically means that we help new people at our church feel welcomed and help them get connected with other people their age, a Home fellowship group and anything else they may want to be involved in. I think it's a really great ministry. We are always getting new people at church and it would be great to place a name with a face and help them get connected with our church community and all that goes on there!

This week i'm really missing camp and the atmosphere there. Campers bustling around and songs being sung everywhere. Charlie in the kitchen cookin' up some of his famous stir-fry, Brenda zooming around on the golf-cart with Sam in her lap and josh not far from it, Nurse Amy straightening up her clinic and getting all the homesick campers settled and comfortable. I miss it all...

Sleep well my friends, God Bless!
-Christina Lindsey

My Tornado is Resting

I want to reach for the stars and find that i can't reach them. I want to fly and know that without the propeller i wouldn't go anywhere. I want to stand next to a child and feel so small in this beautiful and vast land.

I don't want to settle. Am i settling? I certainly do not think so, I hope i never do. Only the opposite, i want to reach for the unreachables and know that i know the one who can reach and who's power and love surpasses all knowledge and understanding. He came so that we might have life and have it to the fullest, not so we could settle and say "what's done is done." Live.

Hit the Books!

From full-time camper to Part-time student/worker.

The transition from summer into fall is always an exciting one and it brings new things to the table. Camp, Wow, what can't I say about it. It was an incredible summer full of ups and downs, hard days and joyful days, homesickness and longing for more of camp. This week was my last week at camp, it was hard and joyful at the same time. Hard in the sense that camp has become my home and my fellow cabin leaders and support staff have become my family, joyful in the sense that i'm going home and starting school in a few weeks and getting back into a steady schedual of balancing work, learning, and fun. Yes, i'm very much looking forward to all of that and yes, i will miss the ministry at Pine Ridge Bible Camp!

Already i see God opening doors to new ministry opportunities within my church community and school opportunities for me to continue learning; also work opportunities. I was hired at Kregel bookstores on the Beltline today and I start tommorrow. WOO HOO for being able to pay off my car sooner. :^) God absolutely knows my needs and completely heard my cries for help when the door closed in one area and i needed another door to open quickly! He is faithful!

As I head into my second year of college things will definatly be different. Some things will come easy other things will come hard but i know that God will see me through all things and i know that i will walk away from another year with more understanding and a better idea of what i need to do in this world.

Please pray that I would allow God to teach me in all situations and that i would first and foremost trust Him with every step. Thank you!

Casual Christian

I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be a casual Christian

I don't wanna live, I don't wanna live a lukewarm life

God, I wanna light up the night

with an everlasting light

I don't wanna live my life in chains of sin.

This week at camp a lot of lives were changed, a lot of hearts were open to the truth of Jesus Christ and his poured out love on the Cross. We sang this song at chapel on share night and so often we sing the words to songs like this one and we fail to recognize what those words are implying. We need to be active for Christ with that same passion that He went to the cross with. He loves us with an incredible love that we cannot fathom, may we be bold enough to love the world like that....

"The world can't handel the amount of grace that God has for us." -Chris weeks

Let's live our lives knowing that the grace of God is a deep well and He longs to pour it out on us.

"8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." -Deuteronomy 31:8

Sometimes we do the things we think we'll hate the most and find that it's the one thing we'll love forever.

-Me

Ahh.. The mud Pit! This week was incredible. My campers were such amazing women and i know that God is working in and through them daily. I cannot tell you how beautiful it is to watch a camper come with such a broken spirit and a willingness to learn and to grow and to watch God work so personally in their lives. We had a blast this week just being girls and goofing off in the mud-pit, beating Rockford Baptist at capture the flag... twice, hanging out in the game room, and even learning to sing a little bit. :^) (thanks girls for giving my teaching skills a shot.) One more week has come and passed and now all there is too look forward too is one last week of camp and the joy of keeping in touch with my campers. I really love to hear from you all and i want you to know that you can call me or shoot me an email any time for any reason.

I have learned so much this summer and i look forward to all the things that God still has in store for me and i would love to hear about all of the things God is doing in your life too!! I love you all and hope that you are having a great week!

Sleep well, God Bless!!

Christina Lindsey

Ahh...

It's been an incredible week of ups and downs. From being sick all the time to laughing your head off because your campers rock at "Big ball volleyball" it's been an interesting week to say the least. I have enjoyed every minuet of camp so far and though there are definately days when you just want to give up and go home, God continually gives us what we need to make it through and have a blast doing it. I was so stinkin' sick last week and i felt terrible because i felt like my campers had a crappy cabin leader because of it. However, God has completely restored my health and i even took a few naps this weekend... ;^) (Thanks Jared) Keep praying that God would open the floodgates of these kids hearts and break down walls that they've put up so that He can get in there and restore and renew their outlooks and their lives. He is faithful! Keep smiling and don't ever forget to remember the little things that make you smile.

"But the Lord of hosts will be exalted in judgement and the Holy God will show himself Holy in righteousness." -Isaiah 5:16

God Bless, Sleep Well!
-Christina Lindsey

Camp??... Not quite.

No, no, camp isn't exactly a weekly circus where we just paint our smiles on and hope for the best. No, it's much more than that. It's about real smiles, real conversations, real fun... outside of the Television set. It's about nature, God, kids, and a heart of worship and passion to see kids know Christ. Thats what it's all about. That's why i do it and thats why i love it. If you've never been a camper or maybe you have and you didn't really have a good experience, i'm sorry that you missed all of that. If you have been a camper, or maybe you work at a camp then you know what i mean when i say it's REAL fun.... real life and a real God. He is good and He's faithful.

Last week was our Jr. High rafting trip on Thursday. The week was incredible. There was a little bit of rain that held off our trip until Thursday but it was a great trip and the rest of the time was well spent having a blast and learning new and exciting things. Myself included. I can't tell you how much i'm learning in this whole process. I love doing this and the kids are so refreshing. They have such interesting outlooks on life and i know that most of that will change with time and maturity but it's fun to watch now.... Sometimes i need to be reminded of the simple things in life and they help me do that. Thanks girls.

Love you all, God Bless!

-Christina Lindsey

Crazy Camp Photos...

Here we Row again...

Hello everyone! Well, another week of camp has come and gone. I'm enjoying it very much and i can't wait for next week already. last week we had Jr. high campers. A group of about 30 or so were there and they were incredibly challenging and so great all at the same time. Since this is my first time doing the camp thing, i'm still on a little bit of a learning curve and I couldn't have asked for a better group of girls to start off this experience with. They were smart, beautiful, driven, and courageous young women and though there were time, as always, that i wanted to cry and go sit in a corner, the week was incredible and God is so good. Praise God we had a camper accept Christ this week and many campers decided to make some very important life changes this week. We had more than eight campers from foster homes this week and though that brought a whole new set of problems all on it's own it allowed God to work so much in each of their lives allowing them to hear the gospel in a safe and beautiful setting and showing them the joy and beauty in knowing Christ as their savior. It was so challenging and so encouraging at the same time! Thank you thank you if you have been praying for me. I need you guys and I love you all!!

Keep seeking God, He's seeking you!
Love and God Bless!!
-Christina Lindsey

MI Week

Well, camp started off with a bang this week. Staff training was completed and we had neighborhood camp. All the little kidos from around the lake came for two days to hang out with us and be our "test campers;" they were great.

Wed.- Saturday was our annual "Freddies Friends" week of mentally impaired campers (MI). It was probably three of the hardest days, physically and emotionally, for me. However, it was so stinkin' rewarding and encouraging. Not only was it these things but it really forces you to see how dang good we have it. Things like simply taking a shower seem so minute to us but for these people it's litterally hard work and some of them need help. I am greatful for these campers because of the perspective they bring and their joy for the little things in life. We all have our "freddies friends" moments but i'm greatful that these campers got the opportunity to come hang out with us because for most Mentally Impaired people they never get an opportunity to step out of their comfort zone and hear the gospel taught in a way that is specifically for them. It was an amazing week.

Thank you all again for all of your prayers! I need you guys.

Love and God Bless!

-Christina

And they're off!

Well, Camp season has begun and things are moving so quickly. It seems like just yesterday i was sitting in this office praying that God would open the doors for me to come to Pine Ridge and work with all of the children here. Now, I'm sitting in the office writting to all of you totally pooped because we've all been working our tails off and learning so much getting ready for the kids to come. This week we have neighborhood camp Monday and Tuesday for all of the kids around the lake and then Wed. through Friday we have Freddies Friends, which are mentaly challenged people ranging from the ages of twenty to eighty with the mind frame of seven to fifteen year olds. I know that it will be so intense and draining but i cannot wait. I am so excited about it! Pray for me that my heart would be sensitive to what God is asking me to do and that my heart would be so sensitive to the needs of the men and women in freddies friends group and also the Children that will be coming soon. I love you all and I need your prayers.

I hope you are all well.
God Bless, Sleep Well!!
-Christina Lindsey

What have i been up to??

Hi everyone!
Here are some recent pictures to update you all on what i've been doing. Enjoy.

:This is Arnie and Sharline's cabin in the U.P. It's on a beautiful lake.

: This is Arnie (Right), Jared (Center) and Arnie's brother in-law fred (left) putting in the dock. It was a beautiful day for it.

: Lake Superior way up at the top of the U.P. it's really beautiful and Sharline informed me that really it's considered a sea because it creates it's own storms... Fun fact for the day!

:Jared and I at lake Superior.

:This is Lexie, my cousin, she's so cuite! This was taken at a family birthday party for my grandpa.

:this is my cousin Riley and my aunt Penny, it was Riley's second birthday too so she got a new bike. Of course it was Pink with little frills off the handel bars! Lucky duck, i've always wanted one of those! :^)

That's all folks... Have a splendid day!

God bless!

Think About it...

28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

-Matthew 11:28

KickOff!

Summer is here and it's so beautiful to see the trees bursting with life. God's goodness through His creation leaves me speachless daily.

Questions that need answers:

• Do we really seek God's will or our own in hopes that God will see our reasoning and give in?
• Do we love or are we seeking love?
• Are we selfless or selfish?
• Can we be overcomers and if so, do we understand what it takes?
• Are you tired or are you lazy?

... I could go on for days but these are some personal questions i've been thinking about and i was curious what you guys think. Your imput is esential, I really want to know what you guys think, let me get into your brains a little bit with your responses. ;^)

Have a great day!

God Bless,

-Christina Lindsey Parcels

Still Awaiting...

Hebrews 12:25-29
25See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape, those who refused him that spoke on earth, much more we shall not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from Heaven, 26whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I will not only shake the earth, but also the heavens." 27And this word , "Yet once more," signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, so that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear, 29for also, "Our God is a consuming fire."

-To be waiting is a rocky road but to have hope in what is to come is bliss. As I walk through this world, not alone, but with others and with Christ; i see all the more those things that cause me to stumble and those things in which Christ longs for me to lay down fully at His feet and allow Him to pick them up. I need humbleness as well as motivation to keep going up this hill all the way. His grace is enough though.... more than enough.

Do you long for Rest?

Longing for Rest...

Rest in God- rest in his arms

-Rest in his will, his love, his arms-

Rest-

The Windows

Lord, How can man preach thy eternal word?

He is a brittle, crazy glass;

Yet in thy temple thou dost him afford

this glorious and transcendent place,

To be a window through thy grace.

But when thou dost anneal (to heat glass) in glass thy story (stained glass windows often create stories.)

Making thy life to shine within

The holy preachers, then the light and glory

More rev'rend grows, and more doth win;

which else shows wat'rish (watered down), bleak, and thin.

Doctine and life, colors and light, in one

when they combine and mingle, bring

A strong regard and awe; but speech alone

Doth vanish like a flaring thing,

And in the ear, not conscience, ring.

- George Herbert

Here are some pictures from my travels the last Three weeks. Well almost, i don't have any pictures from Detroit, But here are some from my family vacation to Boyne Mt. and my trip to Chi-town with Chaille. :^D Enjoy!

Psalm 19

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

-Psalm 19:14

I long for this... God longs for this from me even more.

-Thank you father for your grace in allowing my words, my songs, and my thoughts to be pleasing to you. Thank you for leading me in the way that is glorifying to your name; don't ever let go.

On the Road again...

It's been three weeks since i've been home for church now and i miss everyone so so very much. This weekend i'm in Chicago with Chaille visiting Sara and Jennie. It's good to see them and to meet all of their wonderful friends. I do miss everyone back home though and i miss worship at the KCBC! This coming weekend is the Ministry Conference at Calvery Baptist and i'm very excited to see what God has to offer there. There is supposed to be a lot of really good booths for all different types of ministries, Very good. Anyway, I hope that you all are well and doing good things for Christ! I miss you all and i seriously miss worship so much.

God Bless, Sleep well!

-Stina

The Mask of a Beautiful Blessing

Sometimes i think we fail to see the blessings all around us. Not simply because we just don't see them, but rather that we fail to take the time to stop and see them. Friendship is one of the many blessings that i think we overlook many times. I do and i'm sorry. I have been blessed with friends of all shapes and sizes both men and women dedicated to prayer, love, and mercy.

One thing that i know is that you all are a blessing to me and it is of God's great grace that i have you. I do not deserve friendship, let alone many great friends that take the time to pray for me, laugh with me and cry with me. Thank you for your dedication and your prayers. I love you all and I want you to know that when i forget to call for a few days or if i neglect to say thank you. I'm thanking you now and always know that i am greatful for every moment.

Taking it to the EXTREME...

This week has been a challenging one but good as well. I have been learning a lot about silence. Silence with Christ. I need this daily and i've come to see that when my "quiet times" get moved over or interrupted i long for this silence even more. I long to be still before God and hear what He has to say about things rather than me saying everything that i need to hear. This is hard, especially when you can't audibly "hear" Christ. But we can see him and feel him and know his word. He's more real to me than some of my firends on this earth and they are so close. Christ is closer though, written on my heart. I long for this silence so that i can be taught how to "be" just being is important and i think that we all nee this quiet time with Christ, He's beautiful in the way he reveals himself and his will. Thanks God.

Fire:

Do you ever think about what it would be like to really get excited about something? I mean not just your average, cool!, but rather YEAH<> WOO HOO!! If we let our excitement for Jesus Christ Shout out like this, just think of how much more infectious the love of Christ would be to those who don't have him! It would spread like wildfire... Let's get excited and loud about Christ, he's worth it; more than we know!

J-Term and a whole lot more

This week is J-term at Cornerstone and i'm studying Geography of the Northwest. Canada and the US that is. It's interesting and i have a great teacher so all is well. J-term is an extra ten day course that i can take between my fall and spring semesters. Lucky me eh?!
I wanted to update you guys on some pictures of mine: This my friends is Jamie, Jamie was in my group at camp this year and was a pistol, she was so much fun to get to know because she didn't want to get to know anyone... however, when we gave her space and just simply loved her, she opened up and she is a beautiful woman of God.

This is me, Kyle J., Gabrielle S., and Adan... Adan is a very special little boy that i met this summer while i was on a mission trip in Chicago. He was a beautiful example of faith to me and God reminded me that i need to remember that "child like" faith i had forgotten through the years. Faith is huge but that doesn't mean it's complex, it's beautiful trust in Jesus Christ and God's amazing will.