Visit to Colorado

God had given me the opportunity to go out to Colorado and visit Ellerslie a month ago. I was out there for two weeks and, wow, what a blessing it was. A couple of weeks before I left, God had made it very clear to me that He wanted me to go out with the mind set of pouring out and into the lives of the students and staff there. I didn't exactly know what that would look like, but I kept praying that God would shape my time there. Yes I was excited to see everyone, but I knew God wanted to use me in some very specific ways. I was thinking more along the lines of serving Sandi (Executive Assistant) in any way possible. Well God had other things in mind. He far exceeded any expectation I had of the trip and He not only used me in the lives of those there, but He poured back into me as well. He took my time and shaped and molded it into what He wanted it to look like, for His glory. A friend said to me, "Camille, I know you came here to pour-out, but I think that God brought you here to pour back into you." And I think both are true. But isn't that how our lives should always be? In scripture there are many times that it says that we are vessels. Think about what a vessel is; it is a bowl of some type that is used to hold liquid. The liquid doesn't just appear, it has to come from somewhere. So the liquid is poured into the vessel and the vessel is then used to pour out the liquid. Isn't that what our lives as Christians are supposed to be? As Christ constantly fills us up with Himself, we are to pour out our lives with what He has given us (Himself), It's a constant cycle. Anyway...

I cannot go into very much detail, but God really did use my visit to touch the lives of those at Ellerslie. And I'm not saying that in any prideful way, no, it is the complete opposite. I have been

so humbled by it. Yet even though Eric said to me my last day there, "Camille, the Lord knew that we needed you..." I've thought to myself countless times since, "no. You have no idea how much God knew I needed YOU, and how He as used YOU (the body at Ellerslie) in the past two weeks." Isn't that funny how that works? It goes to show us all that it is completely the work of God. Oh, thank You, Jesus!! I didn't take very many pictures. Not really sure why, but of course now I'm bummed that I didn't take more...oh well. :) I will just share some of the ones that I took and some that Chelsea Mills took as well.

Sunset at Ellerslie.

It snowed for the first time at Ellerslie my first day there Nathan and a guy from this fall semester, Josiah, decided to "dance" a 'snow dance' to make the snow come harder and faster. :)

Either the umbrella was part of the dance, or Nathan was trying to stay dry. I'm not really sure, but what I am sure of is that I have never seen an umbrella used in the snow. And I'm from the North. ;)

I LOVE snow!!

Nik taking a picture of...

...all of us girls. A group of us went to the Rosen's for dinner.

(Left-Right) Madison, Anna, Rachel, Kate, Mandy, Kourtney, Kelsey, Kara (aka, Momma Rosen), Esterline & Me

The boys took the floor.

(L-R) Aaron (in the white) Nathan Rogers, Nathan Rosen, Nik, Stephen & Steve

The Nathans...

Aaron and Na-Na. I'm not sure who was having more fun :)

Stephen climbing a tree

James & Aaron on their way to the airport to pick up the Haitian kids for His Little Feet.

(L-R:) Me, Kelsey, Thaysee, Mandy, Kate, Esterline, Anna, Chrissy, Na-Na, Kara, Liz & Kourtney

Brooke & Kelsey waiting for the kiddos to arrive! It was very windy and cold...

We decorated the Victory Wing for the kiddos' arrival!!

All the students (60+) were lining the sidewalk all the way to the Victory wing in anticipation to greet the His Little Feet choir!!

There were about 6 cars all filled with precious Haitian kiddos. We were so excited when Eric pulled in with the other line of cars following!

Eric and Hudson walking through all the students! Everyone was beaming and crying and laughing!! What an unforgettable moment.

Ben "Muffin" capturing everything on video!

The Choir sang a couple of songs for us. The last song they sang was "Amazing Grace (My Chains Fell Off)". I'm pretty sure everyone in the Church was crying at that point.

The men of Ellerslie all surrounded the kiddos and prayed over them. What a day! A day that will go down in the history of Ellerslie...it leaves me speechless.

This picture makes me smile. Need I explain?

Kala, me & Chelsea! :)

Apparently I had a lot of snow on my head...but Nik decided to tell me that it looked goofy AFTER he took the picture! :P

Me & Chels :D

The Rosen girls came with me to musician's fellowship and then we had a sleepover in the Chelseas' room (both Chelsea's share a room), and drank hot chocolate!!

(L-R: Chelsea, Anna, Me & Kate)

Chels & Me. What a gift she is from the Lord! :)

Anna, Me & Kate

The girls were all excited the next morning because they wanted me to fix their hair. :)

One of Nathan's last days.

(Nathan & Ben "B-Zo")

Ben "Muffin", Nik, Nathan & Ben "B-Zo

Kate, Madison, Me, Nathan, Kelsey & Chelsea

You can tell we were all crying... :(

My two buds!! :)

(Me, Nathan & Chelsea)

All the guys with Nathan!

Well, that's all for now! There will be more to come...