Blessings 171-181

I'm back!
Sorry that I've been missing in blogging for so long. I never get half of what I want done completed, so thanks for all your patience! The bright side is that now I have a lot of blessings to catch up on!

Blessing 171-one of my friends is getting married this weekend! K.C., I wish you the very best with J.! Also, could you readers please keep K.C. in mind? She is having surgery this month for a benign brain tumour. While your at it, you could also pray for her friends and family who will be concerned about her. :)

Blessing 172-Improvement at piano. I've been trying to get in two hours of practice a day. Sometimes I reach my goals, sometimes I don't. But the great thing is that I'm improving quickly, which is good with music festival and my exam coming up!

Blessing 173-Spring. Spring is coming, folks! Of course, Good Friday saw people coming to our church's hymn sing through ice and rain; Easter Monday was stormy; there is still snow on the ground...but it is coming! Just a comment-those of you more to the south, your talk about daffodils and garden planning is funny to those of us closer to the North Pole. ;P Seriously? We don't have seedlings, we have snowballs!

Blessing 174-Self defense videos. Yesterday I was watching some self defense videos on YouTube for women. They gave some helpful tips. After taking a class in BJJ and watching these videos, I feel more confident that I won't be an easy target for the bad guys. Girls, I definitely recommend looking up some classes in Brazilian Jui-Jitsu (a leverage-based, self defense martial art) or women's self defense. I will never regret having this knowledge, but if I didn't there is very well a chance that I would have regrets someday.

Blessing 175-Friends. Nothing brighten my days up so much as getting a card, letter, message, or e-mail from a dear friend. Some make me laugh, some make me smile, some make me pray, but I'm grateful for them all. Thanks, friends!

Blessing 176-Looking forward to camp. I'm working at camp again this year, and I've been busy planning ahead! I'm SO EXCITED!!!!!! Please pray for the ministry there!

Blessing 177-Whale web cams. After watching a video on whales and listening to the Solitudes cd "Journey with the Whales" (which I recommend looking up on YouTube. It is so haunting! It was well done. Very unique. You likely will not forget it.), it was natural that I look up a live web cam of whales. explore.org has lots of web cams (from pandas to sharks to puppies and donkeys!), and they have several of whales. I've seen whales in the highlights, but I don't think that I've spotted one yet on the live cams. Check them out! At least I love hearing the ocean, and they have speakers to catch those aquatic wonders' voices! So fun! You can also take pictures from the web cam and share!

Blessing 178-Answered prayer. This past week my family and church has been praying for Zion, the little boy of some missionaries that my dad keeps in contact with. Little Zion has UTI, Denghe fever, and typhoid-and he's about six years old. The doctors had pretty much given up. But God answers prayer, and it is so wonderful to see a miracle unfold across the world! The doctors say that Zion will probably be able to get out of ICU in a day or two! Please pray for Zion and his family. He still has a battle ahead, but he is improving!

Blessing 179-The Last Ride, by Susan K. Marlow. Seriously, if you haven't read this book, get your hands on it as soon as possible. I got the free e-book in an offer on Monday (sorry if you didn't get it then-you missed out!) and read it within a few hours. It was great! It has gone to my mental list of favourite books. I can't wait to get the real book-e-books are nice, but I really need this one in paper and page format! You NEED to read it!

Blessing 180-Getting my closet organized. So I love organizing. I have already got a packing list for camp prepared on my laptop. It is organized into sections under headings. Those headings are alphabetized. The items in each category are alphabetized. But in really life, my room looks VERY un-organized most of the time. So that is why I am happy with my arrangement of my closet that I did over March break. So far, I've even been keeping it pretty tidy!

Thanks for reading, folks! I'm hoping to do some guest posts soon, where I'll ask people to share  their top ten blessings! If you're interested in sharing your blessings, please let me know!

God bless you!
Indi Raine, Blest beyond Measure

P.S.  Another blessing.
Blessing 181-I love this verse. You need to read it! John 13:1. Wow! God's love.

The Infinity Dreams Award

I was nominated for another award-this time, the Infinity Award. Thanks to Faith, who nominated me. (I love the heading of your blog, Faith! It's so pretty! Maybe I should update this blog when I run low on projects. *cynical laughter in my head because when will that happen!* I'll fit it in sometime. I love editing stuff like that.) I never knew how many awards there were to be nominated for until I started getting all of them. Maybe I should start watching more blogs so that I actually people to nominate myself. I'm really bad about following blogs. If something sounds REALLY interesting in a post title then I'll check it out. Or if I'm catching up on all the news. Mostly I read the titles of blog posts and keep updated that way. Cut me some slack-I've got lots going on at home. If I tried to be as active at blog reading and writing as I'd like, I'd have no time for, well, sleeping and eating and breathing. (He he!) Looking ahead, I'm going to be busy until the end of July. After that, hopefully I can get a job. Then it'll be back to school.

Are you wondering what I mean? I'll give you a schedule of my life for the next few months:

February-almost over. Just keep doing school, raising funds for my missions trip, and practicing music (piano, two tin whistles, recorder, and fife. More about my instruments later.)

March-Keep raising money for missions trip. Keep working on school. Be getting ready for spring. Probably do school tests. Be memorizing more songs in music.

April-a family birthday. More raising money. Keep getting ready for missions trip. Guess what I'll be doing with music. (If you said practicing you were correct!)

May-Missions trip month! Wow! Also music festival and preparing for exam in June. Try to get all my school done before May 19th if possible.

June-Get home from missions trip. Take my piano exam for RCM Grade 8 piano. Take part in my dad's wedding. That will be busy! Day of the wedding, after the weddings over and the bride and groom leave, I'll be shipping out with some of the guests (Lord willing) to drive to the camp where I volunteered last year (and have said that I will work this summer). I love working at camp! So, while I'm helping prepare for the wedding, I'll also be packing for camp. :) That'll be great, but busy. Stress like crazy!

July-I'll be very busy at camp. As always, I'm trying to convince people to attend camp. It is such a great experience! I hope that the camp year will go well.

August-I'll be finishing up at camp and coming home. Hopefully I'll be able to get a job. I also want to go swimming at the beach and visit with friends and enjoy some great ice cream.

September-I start grade 12 homeschool. Then I'll be trying to figure out college applications, I'm sure.

By the time that I finish all that, it'll be time to start planning Christmas presents! :) And Christmas programs and music....!

That's the way that life goes. 

Now, back to the Infinity Dreams award.

These are the rules:

- Use the Infinity Dreams Award picture

- Thank the blogger who tagged you

- Tell us 11 facts about yourself

- Answer the 11 questions

- Tag 11 bloggers

(I copied this from Faith's blog.)

I can't seem to copy the picture. It is a nice one, blue with the name of the award across it.

Thank you, Faith!

My eleven facts are:
1.) I love naming my instruments.
2.) I once had a guppy named Sunshine who died within 24 hours of getting it. I can remember crying and singing, "You are My Sunshine" to that little guppy!
3.) I used to want to be a ballerina when I was a kid. When I was around 13 I discovered Irish step dancing, which is now one of my favourite hobbies. I've had about two dance lessons.
4.) I love Guinea pigs.
5.) I would love to have a large family.
6.) I already plan on teaching my children music at a very young age.
7.) I am a Christian! Can't forget that!
8.) I am searching out God's will for my future life. I have been looking into missions in Ethiopia for years. I want to be able to help orphans.
9.) I've actually never been a camper at a teen camp. I've been at some retreats, but not the "official" teen camp that runs for a week of competition and personal spiritual growth. I've worked at it.
10.) I am extremely pro-life. I'm hoping to get 220 signatures in total divided over three petitions that I'm gathering signatures for. One of them is against sex-selective abortion, one calling for the most restrictive law possible in Canada, and one trying to stop government funding for abortions in Saskatchewan.
11.) I LOVE names! Seriously LOVE them! I have an account on Nameberry (IndiRaine) and I love that website! I've read through a baby name book here at home many times. I love meaning of names. I have tons of lists. Some of my current favourite names are Jocelyn; Wesley; Michael Jane (girl); Joy; Gilead James; Cherish; Harvest Blessing; Harley; Archer; Aspen; Aster Rain. I guess that I have a unique style.

So, those are my eleven facts.

Now, onto those eleven questions. Clearly, Faith has some interesting ideas!

1. What's your favorite color? 

2. Do you like movie soundtracks? 

3. Would you rather run a 5k or do extra chores for two weeks? 

4. What's your favorite kind of pizza? 

5. Any books with 2016 releases that you're looking forward to? 

6. Favorite school subject? Least favorite? 

7. Favorite classic book? 

8. Would you rather walk a ridge-beam or spend 6 hours in total darkness? 

9. Do you have a fear of heights? 

10. What's your favorite animal? Least favorite? 

11. What's your favorite book of the Bible and why? 

Now, my answers!

1.) My favourite colour would be yellow or blue. It depends on the shade. My room is yellow, with a brightly coloured paisley comforter and a golden brown accent style.
2.) I like movie soundtracks if I like the music!
3.) Probably I'd choose to do extra chores for two weeks. Running a 5K at this point in life would equal death.
4.) My favourite kind of pizza would probably be a Hawaiian pizza.
5.) I'm looking forward to the books that Susan K. Marlow has in the Circle C Milestones series.
6.) My favourite subjects would be Bible and Business Math; my least favourite would be plane geometry, closely followed by chemistry.
7.) My favourite classic book would be the Bible. If you're wondering other than that, probably the Anne series by Lucy Maud Montgomery. I also love her The Blue Castle, The Story Girl, and The Golden Road to Yesterday.
8.) Walk across a ridge pole or stay six hours in total darkness. Faith, this sounds like Anne of Green Gables versus the plague of darkness that befell the Egyptians. It'd probably all depend upon the height of the ridgepole! If I could fall from it and not hurt myself, I might do that. But then with the darkness I could sleep or imagine. I guess that I'd have to have more info to make that choice!
9.) I have a fear of heights. I won't pass out, but I don't like them.
10.) Favourite animal-horse. Least favourite? Um, a poisonous snake?
11.) My favourite book of the Bible would probably be Psalms, because there is a Psalm for everything!

I can't tag eleven people (I don't read enough), but I'll tag those below:
Emily McConnell at emilybmcconnell.blogspot.ca
and
Jesseca Dawn at http://akansaswind.blogspot.ca

Now, I need to go. I'll leave you with a Bible verse from my devotions today.

Proverbs 20: 15
"There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel."

God bless!

Indi

Blessings 166-170

Sorry that I've been so long in getting back here. I guess that I can explain with my blessings.

Blessing 166-A birthday (for me).

Blessing 167-A birthday party (also for me!)! That was so fun!

Blessing 168-Depression. Now this is a strange blessing. I get feeling depressed sometimes and feel sad and downcast and gloomy. I just have to believe that God has a purpose here! (Also, I'd appreciate prayer! Life is tough lately, and I could use the extra support.)

Blessing 169-This great song on YouTube-https://youtu.be/48CfSyz8ccc

Blessing 170-A Bible in my own language. Last night at my party we watched a video where people were getting Bibles in their own language for the first time. How many do I have? Three and a new testament? I'm blest!

God bless!
I'll be back soon with a nomination thingy from Faith!
Love,
Indi

Blessing Catch-Up! Blessings 151-165

Well, I'm back.
Quick overview of life for the past few weeks. We got home from a vacation to my grandparent's house. It was great! My great aunt and uncle set off fireworks on New Year's Eve. Best fireworks EVER!!!! Being so close is really cool! We had an awesome time up there, having a second Christmas, eating lots of fantastic food, and entertaining family with songs and dance (and one of my siblings did a magic show, which they are currently working on improving and expanding. I might even get to be the "volunteer" in a future show! Yahoo!). When we got home on a Saturday, it was time for lots of unpacking (not blogging). Then we got back into school, preparing for exams (aka long school days!). Last Saturday was a birthday party for my youngest sibling (the upcoming illusionist!). That evening we got a fish for the birthday person. I got her a betta fish-who I think has been named Corporal. I don't know. She takes a long time naming her pet fish! This week I re-started piano lessons with my teacher, took lots of exams, and started into my new semester of school. The past few weeks I've also been praying about a missions trip opportunity and which college to attend. I've had a lot on my mind. :)

Now, let's get down to business and catch up on lots of blessings!

Blessing 151-a new suitcase! I got a giant suitcase for Christmas. It is rolly (is that a real word?) and easy to move around. It has handles and pockets and everything that I'll need (besides a purse and book bag...). It is a lovely dark green colour. Kind of like a forest green. And when I say that it is giant, I mean it! Seeing as I am so small and it so large, I'm going to climb inside and take photos of myself at some point. Then I will send those photos to one of my camp friends who (when helping me carry all of my stuff around as I changed cabins) told me that I REALLY needed to get a new suitcase with wheels. That's when I decided that I'd ask for a suitcase for Christmas. It will be SO useful! Camp, here I come!

Blessing 152-My piano teacher is back! I am SO happy! She even has her grand piano here (after travelling across the country with it). I love her very much. She is such a talented and pretty much perfect music teacher; I am so blest as to have been able to take lessons from her for so many years!

Blessing 153-Homemade remedies. I do not like going to the doctor, so I decided to try the natural way of treating a painful spot on my heal. It hurts even more now, but it is working (I'm pretty sure). If it gets worse I will go to a doctor, but as it is not life-threatening I'll keep trying this way.

Blessing 154-Aerobics videos. I do not really like competitive sports. Thus I tend to be that person who sits around a lot. However, I adore dancing and aerobics. They are lots of fun! If you have never tried aerobics, please take my advice and give it a try. It can't hurt! (Well, if you're in really bad shape it might, but it can only get better!) There are several on YouTube. I really like doing this one: https://youtu.be/r3xb-RcN-QU. It's fairly simple. Hmm, if my foot doesn't hurt to much maybe this afternoon... :D.

Blessing 155-My daily Proverb. I enjoy starting the day with a dose of godly advice!

Blessing 156-David Hicken. He has such AMAZING piano videos on YouTube. I love his style and the passion he puts into his pieces. Look up his amazing piano solos. I don't think that you'll be disappointed. He also does a lot of romantic songs, but I prefer the high intensity solos!

Blessing 157-My sibling having a birthday. Several years ago she had cancer. This birthday was not guaranteed. Now she has good health and a good life. Praise to God!

Blessing 158-2016! This year will be great, according to God's will!

Blessing 159-Brunswick sheets. They are fuzzy sheets. I love them because they are so comfy and cozy during the winter months.

Blessing 160-A whole new family. When my dad and his girlfriend get married, I will be receiving a whole new family. I think of it as a "twist-tie family". Love is the twist tie, and it will hold our families together. God is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good to me! May He be blest!

Blessing 161-New Year Resolutions. Most of mine were of the vein of becoming a better person. :)

Blessing 162-A Christmas gift card to a bookstore. My grandparent's on both sides are wonderful. One set generally gives gift cards as gifts. They gave me L. M. Montgomery's Emily of New Moon (L. M. Montgomery, Lucy M. Montgomery, and Lucy Maud Montgomery are all the same person!), plus a bookstore gift card. WOW!!!! I can't wait to go book shopping. I'm hoping to get more Montgomery books, such as The Blue Castle, The Blythe's are Quoted, and Jane of Lantern Hill. Maybe not all at once, but eventually!

Blessing 163-Religious Liberty. People around the world are loosing theirs. I recently read about a Canadian pastor sentenced to a life in prison and hard labour in North Korea (pretty sure that's where). Why? He was going against the government in that he was starting churches and humanitarian works (like an orphanage). The article made it sound like North Korea found him guilty of a horrible crime. May God hold up that man. It makes one think, Would I give up my liberty for my religious beliefs?

Blessing 164-An opportunity to go to Ethiopia. Since I was around twelve, I have felt God leading me toward the children of Ethiopia. I wasn't sure exactly how, but God has been leading me on an exciting journey for close to five years. Now I'm trying to find out if it is His will for me to go on a missions trip this spring to work in Ethiopian orphanages. Please pray that God will reveal His will to me clearly.

Blessing 165-Being back here, sharing my heart with other people who rejoice in knowing that we are not here by chance, but by God. We know that God showers us with these blessings. Already on this blog we have 165, and that's just a small start!  

May God bless you!
Indi Raine

John 3:16 (If you believe this verse and have Christ living in you, you already have the biggest blessing in the entire universe in your heart!)

Blessings 142-150

It's Christmas Eve, and I have so many blessings. I'll name a few... :)

Blessing 142-Being able to play a cello and piano duet with my sister tonight at our Christmas service. My sister played the cello (so, yeah, I played the piano). We did "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" for our piece, and it was really nice.

Blessing 143-Waltzing with my dad in the kitchen. Fun!

Blessing 144-Our Christmas program going well.

Blessing 145-Having a sleepover with my friends last night! It was great!

Blessing 146-Being pretty much ready for tomorrow.

Blessing 147-Having such a great family to spend Christmas with (and then add great friends to )

Blessing 148-Life.

Blessing 149-My dad getting engaged this past week! It was wonderful. :) The ring is wonderful!

Blessing 150-Christmas! Of course, the reasons behind Christmas are what truly make it special.

God bless you all! I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas!
Love,
Indi Raine
John 3:16 (the Reason for the season!)

Blessings 132-141

Sorry for being so long to get back here! I've got lots of blessings, so I need to name some.

Blessing 132-Gingerbread cookies! Yummy!

Blessing 133-Glitter glue, colour purple.

Blessing 134-Fushia pink paint. Yes, this and the glitter glue are connected. Spend two hours working on re-doing a storage thingy for craft supplies as a Christmas gift for one of my siblings (take a random guess at gender!).

Blessing 135-Christmas tree lights! They're so pretty!

Blessing 136-Peppermint conditioner.

Blessing 137-Lemon shampoo.

Blessing 138-Jewelry.

Blessing 139-My blanket. I sewed it up today. It has hearts on it! I love blankets!!!! :)

Blessing 140-Milk. Its to go with the gingerbread cookie. :)

God bless!
Indi
Jer. 29:11

P.S.
Blessing 141-Talking to one of my BFFs on the phone tonight.

Blessing 121-131

Happy Saturday, everyone! How are you all today?

   What have I done this week? Work on one of my stories (Shire Summer), do some Christmas shopping, clean my fish bowls, read, do school, alphabetize my packing list for next summer (if I work at camp again), and edit some videos. I also have been working on another website, "Umbilical Cord". I'm thankful for the chance to do all of those, and more.

Blessing 121-Telephones. I love being able to call my friends and chat! I love talking, so I usually do not do short calls!

Blessing 122-Christmas shopping. So much fun to plan ahead!

Blessing 123-The title of this blessing! It is so fun!

Blessing 124-It is less than a month until Christmas! How wonderful! I can't wait to give my gifts!

Blessing 125-Egg sandwiches. I had one the other day, and want another one tonight! Yummy!

Blessing 126-Pickles. To go with the egg sandwiches.

Blessing 127-Getting another two chapters or so written for Shire Summer. I enjoy writing about my characters.  :D

Blessing 128-Flurries. We had flurries for nearly a day (if I remember correctly) earlier this week. The snow stayed on the ground for a bit.

Blessing 129-Written language. I'm so glad that English is a written language. It generally isn't something that I think about, but I'm sure glad that English is not strictly oral.

Blessing 130-History. I started a history book on Pearl Harbour the other day. It will be very interesting, I'm sure. Plus, where would we be without history?

Blessing 131-A missionary speaker. A missionary that is one deputation to go to Africa came to our church earlier this week. It was enjoyable to have him at our service and to hear his message and watch the video about their ministry. :)

   What are your blessings today? Share them in the comments below!
    God bless!
    Counting my blessings,
           Indi Raine

Blessing 120 (and its story)

Another Saturday, another spree of blessings!
But today I'm just going to focus on one blessing-and the story that makes it special. So settle down and enjoy yourselves!

Blessing 120-James 3. I love the book of James. It is so full of wonderful truths from God. James 3 is especially great. It is on the power of the tongue. If you are anything like me, controlling that useful organ can sometimes be difficult! :) But there is a bit more about James 3 than that. I can remember when that chapter first became important to me. You see, it was my first time at my favourite camp (I've been to another one, but it closed). Yes, the camp that I'm always gabbing about! ;) Anyways, I was there for a family camp. For the sessions there, they break the kids up into various age groups. At the time I was probably ten or eleven. Probably eleven. I think that I was by myself in that class (no siblings; there were lots of other kids!). I can still remember our favourite game to play after our own mini session (it was "Thumbs Up, Seven Up"). But what I remember with the most happiness is the sessions. My teacher was named Judd (I think it was two t's; I could be wrong). And he was a guy blest with the gift of being able to preach to kids. Not teach a Bible story or share a missionary story with pre-teen kids from the ages of (I think) nine to twelve. I found it to be wonderful. It was the first time that I had really heard someone like that. I had been in kids programs and classes, but not so much where people preached to young people. It was great! (I regret that I never attended a youth camp until I was thirteen. I think that attending a jr. camp, as scared and shy as I would have been, would have been very beneficial to my life as a young Christian struggling with assurance of salvation and other facts. That's why I'm so glad that my youngest sibling got to do that! And it even led her to a decision for Christ! Awesome!) Back to Judd's messages-one of his messages was on James 3. I can still remember some of his illustrations. Plus, I was horse crazy. And probably most horse crazy girls who hear James 3:3 are instantly enamored with it. It immediately became my favourite Bible verse! But since then, after many times of reading through both James 3 and the entire book of James, it has come to mean more to me. It is not just about how a tongue is like a bit/rudder/fire, but actually how to regard my tongue. There are so many verses. It is like walking into a mine where gems are covering the sides and floor and one need only pick them up.  (My pastor is actually preaching through it right now; when he began the series, I read ahead and read the book of James myself in my devotions; also, my family just started it in our evening family devotions! Yes, lots of James!) I'll never understand all of the book of James, but it will likely remain one of my favourite books of the Bible! If you haven't read James recently, I suggest that you read it again (or read it, if you can't do it again because you never have in the first place). You might find more in those five chapters that you'd remembered or expected!

God bless, folks!
Indi

Blessings 107-119

Incoming....
Whew! I'm back!
Sorry that I've not written for so long! I just realized exactly how long its been. Life's been crazy busy. But I'm thankful that I've got so many new blessings to share! I've found a page in my journal where I'd been recording some of my blessings that I needed to share. Now I'll share them!

Blessing 107-My music teacher is MOVING! I'm not sure if I've explained this, but I've been taking piano lessons by FaceTime (Apple version of Skype) for about three or more years. It could be four. I love my teacher-she used to come to my church. She's a wonderful lady (like a Proverbs 31 woman exemplified). But she's been living across the country for SO looooonng! Anyway, she was back in my neck of the woods for a wedding (read blessing 108!) and she was teaching me in person. Imagine my excitement when she tells me at the end of my lesson that she is moving back! I'm so looking forward to her moving back! Piano lessons will be more beneficial then! If you think of it, pray for her! It'll be a hard time for her, trying to move with the holidays coming up. I know she'll be tired and a bit stressed (at the least!).

Blessing 108-A.R. and K.P. (friends) got married! They got married the day before Halloween! It was such a beautiful wedding. A. has been a wonderful friend, and I was so happy for her and K.. It was a gorgeous autumn wedding-I've never seen our church look so beautiful! A. was gorgeous, too! She was a happy princess. I wish K. and A. P. the best in their life together!

Blessing 109-The command "Z" key. I use it a lot-I had to use it when writing blessing 107. It keeps me sane most of the time! :)

Blessing 110-Happy weekends! If you didn't figure it out, the wedding was two Saturdays ago. Wondering why I didn't write last week? Read on!

Blessing 111-Bible Conference! Our church held our annual Bible Conference. Biggest yet! It was amazing. I love being in nursery, but I was sad to miss the preaching in the final session! I can't wait to get cds of all the messages. Oh, and the fellowship and....

Blessing 112-...Getting to see so many of my friends was amazing! To build up friendships is such a blessing! I know more people than ever from camp, and it was great to see them all again. Oh, and I loved having...

Blessing 113-....My dear friend E.C. come stay with me! E.C. and I worked together at camp. We're both short (:D), so we have something in common! Well, we've got more in common than that. It was fun to stay up until 3:00 A.M. talking until we finally fell asleep to get slightly rested for the sessions the next day!

Blessing 114-I got to sing a duet with my sister at conference! She was singing alto for her first time in a duet. It was a little hard at some points (especially for T.), but we got through and people enjoyed it. It was great to take the time to learn a song with her. We enjoy singing together and have done it lots! We need to do it some more, too!

Blessing 115-Decorating my room. I finally got some photos of my friends up on the walls. ;) That's after about three months of waiting to do so! Wow...I'm so speedy! I also put up a little Christian horse plaque with a Bible verse, and a sticky-phrase-thing that says, "For with God all things are possible". I also got all my cds up in room! :) I've got a lot!

Blessing 116-Making and wrapping and giving Christmas gifts. Last year I wrote a play called, "More Blest to Give". I love giving! It is so fun to make a gift (or buy one) while thinking of what a surprise it will be to the recipient!

Blessing 117-Getting to be part of a Bible Verse Exchange e-mail chain! I loved being honoured with getting the e-mail from a dear friend. I sent it on. Now I've had the chance to share and receive Bible verses!

Blessing 118-The Song of Hiawatha and Other Poems. This may not mean anything to you. But when I was in a second hand store and saw this book for sale, I was very happy! I've gotten this book from the library before-big, beautiful, and chock full of the amazing works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. I've memorized part of the Hiawatha poem-if you haven't read at least some of it, try it! You'll love it (hopefully!). The talent of that guy is tremendous! It's the version by Reader's Digest. It was awesome to get it (it might have been around $5, but worth it!).

Blessing 119-Getting a chance at life. I've been trying to figure out how I can make a difference in the por-life/pro-choice battle. God has shown me several things (yesterday He gave me a poem from the perspective of a post-abortive mother), and I'm so happy that I know what I believe about life. I've very blest to have been born to a mom who adored me and wanted me. The fact that I have life is a blessing-so many children have it torn from them before they are even born. ~"Thank You, God, for the chance to live life! Let me live it for You!"

That's my post for today. I'll be back soon!
God bless!
Indi

Blessings 81-106 (Thanksgiving Version)

Hello, again!
 Yeah, yeah, I've been away. Firstly, I was sick and then just tired and busy on Thanksgiving weekend. Then I was working ahead in school so that I wouldn't fall behind in school. You have been on my mind, but I've had to have some other priorities. So now I will have to just do my Thanksgiving blessings a week late. But that will work out fine, right? I'm now going to try to get quite a list of my blessings for Thanksgiving. Hold your hats because I'm off!

Blessing 81-Thanksgiving. Isn't it great to have a holiday based on thankfulness? :D

Blessing 82-Pumpkin pie. Always a wonderful thanksgiving treat.

Blessings 83 and 84-Ice cream and whipped cream (for the pie!).

Blessing 85-Allergy pills. I've probably mentioned that before, but those little pills keep me sane.

Blessing 86-Jack. A dog at my grandparent's house. I never liked him before this last visit-he was so jumpy and I have been scared of dogs all my life (probably since my mom was bit when I was a little kid; I don't remember it, but it was at a friend's house).

Blessing 87-A visit to my Granny and Papa! I love seeing my grandparents!

Blessing 88-Seeing both sets of my grandparents in one day (travel and a visit at home).

Blessing 89-Seeing my cousin today.

Blessing 90-Being able to help my Papa just now with tv problems over the phone.

Blessing 91-Sweaters and warm clothes.

Blessing 92-Being able to see one of my best friends (E.C.) while I was travelling last Friday.

Blessing 93-Gmail. I love my e-mails. I love it when I get an e-mail from my friends-it brightens my day.

Blessing 94-Being able to find a website online to learn Oromo (the most spoken language in Ethiopia-I'll explain that in a future post). I'm learning a few words. "Tokko" is one, and "naqaa" is for  hello.

Blessing 95-Snow! There was quite a bit of it when I had the chance to swoop down to the states for a quick shopping trip.

Blessing 96-My camcorder. I was using it on Saturday to video tape the snow.

Blessing 97-Miniature chocolate bars. I just bought a large bag of mini chocolate bars (Halloween treats in fact; but they don't look like Halloween treats, just normal candy). I've been nibbling. Hopefully there will still be some left to use in Christmas gifts (the intention for getting a large bag of candy). Seriously, they should sell boxes and bags of large chocolate bars like that! Yummy!

Blessing 98-Chocolate. While we're at it, chocolate is awesome! It is a gift from God! Delicious! Hot chocolate, chocolate cake, chocolate pudding, chocolate pie, chocolate chocolates...dream material.

Blessing 99-My yellow bedroom. It is cheery and sunny! I love it!

Blessing 100-That I have now reached Blessing 100 on this blog! Thanks to all of you who have commented, read posts, or passed on the simple fact that this blog exists! Thank you very much, and praise God!

Blessing 101-That, whatever happens with the current election wrapping up tonight in Canada, God is in control of this country, no matter what party ultimately triumphs. Currently, the Liberals are having a landslide victory. Please pray for Canada. The Liberals are pro-  everything that I as a Christian am against.  The homosexual issue and especially the abortion issue are all big things with the Liberals in that they are completely for those issues. I am not. As a true Christian and a very loyal and patriotic Canadian, I have to have hope that the votes being tallied across the country will turn the tide for righteousness. Please pray as well. It is all appreciated. Always remember-God is in control.

Blessing 102-Slippers. Slippers are very handy when you have cold feet or don't want dirt (or dog hair) on your socks.

Blessing 103-Sparkling soda. I got some watermelon lemon sparkling soda last week-wonderful stuff! You should definitely try it.

Blessing 104-Getting Christmas gifts together. I've recently picked up some new pieces for gifts and am looking forward to seeing surprise and delight in people's faces when I hand them a gift tailored specifically for them. It is more blessed to give than to receive, right, friends? Of course!

Blessing 105-Great books. I've been reading some new books lately and am hoping to do a review or two on my other blog soon. Maybe I'll mention them more over here as well. But for now I'll leave it at "books".

   Once I get going I get all these ideas of things that I count as blessings. One more, and I'm done for the night! I'm sleepy!!

Blessing 106-Toothbrushes. Very important items in my life for hygiene and comfort!

   God bless! I hope that you all had as many blessings in your life this Thanksgiving as I did!
   Come back soon for more blessings in my life. How soon 'til we reach 200??? 1,000? A million????????? Let's just count the blessings "one by one"!
    Love,
       Indi Raine
       John 3:16

A Fun Game

Hello, Everyone! (Reading today or in the future. I don't think that anyone in the past read this. :P)

I have had a fun idea for a game for all of you who read this blog. Canadian Thanksgiving Day is approaching (October 12). One tradition often practiced is for everyone to share some blessings. Sharing just one can be hard! Often I have a ton that I'd love to share! Sometimes my family and I will go in a circle and each share some blessings. And I want to do that here.

Starting today, I'm gathering blessings for my Thanksgiving Day post (I hope that it'll be fun and surprising for everyone!). Share your blessings by e-mailing me (if you have my e-mail address; I prefer not to put that up here, and I can't find a contact form to put up; if someone knows how to do that, please tell me!), contacting me through Google Plus, or in the comments. I'll count your blessings toward the final goal for this blog-1 million or more blessings! So please share! Share this blog, this post, this game with your friends and family (I hope that those are some of your blessings!) and let's see how many blessings will be discovered! They can be big or small, silly or serious. Just leave the name that you'd like your blessings to be put under, and I'll post them in the finale on October 12th! Until then, enjoy thinking of and sharing your blessings!

Cheerio!

Indi

Blessings 70

I'll be trying to post each Saturday once again. So I'll give some more of my blessings.

Blessing 70-Getting more scrapbook paper. I got to go to the amazing craft store "Michael's" this week and found some wonderful paper for a scrapbook project that I have started about the wonderful people I met this summer while working at camp. Some papers just fit the pictures and personalities perfectly! What a blessing!

Blessing 71-https://youtu.be/dfpOvM5OcuY  This is some great Christian music for relaxing, studying, enjoying! I hope that you like it as well!

Blessing 72-Caramels. Random, but certainly a blessing! I have one on my nearby desk, which I will probably consume sometime soon! :)

Blessing 73-Calendars. How would I keep organized? (I'm taking one to hang up at camp next year-I got so confused on dates at one point! For someone who keeps a journal, that can be rare and very annoying!)

Blessing 74-Lysol wipes. I was helping clean at a church today and was using some in the bathroom. Back to camp. Yes, we used a lot of those! They are handy!

Blessing 75-I don't react to bleach. That is a major blessing when working with Lysol (bleach wipes) or when working at rinsing dishes in the kitchen using bleach as the chemical sanitation. Even when I didn't wear gloves, it didn't bother my skin too much. The scent sometimes did, but for someone with quite a few allergies it was nice not to have bad ones to bleach! In fact, my hands were in wonderful condition while I was away-better than they often are at home! Praise the Lord!

Blessing 76-Birthday parties. I was at one this morning for a little girl that I know. Birthdays aren't so much fun without parties!

Blessing 77-The person who thought of birthday parties. Query: was that God, when He sent Eve to Adam? Was Eve the world's first birthday gift? Weigh in in the comment section! ;D

Blessing 78-Babysitting. I enjoy babysitting sometimes. Right now, I get to do so about every other week, I guess. I enjoy the time with kids, even though it can be exhausting and wearing.

Blessing 79-Lots of Blankets. The air is getting colder, so more and more I am finding myself wrapped up in a fuzzy blanket while reading, doing school, or hanging out in my room. Actually, I plan to add more to my bed so that I won't have to wear a housecoat in bed to keep my warm. Maybe I could also close the window a bit more?

Blessing 80-A Kleenex box with an oriole on it. With an orange-pattern bedspread and constant allergies, this is a double bonus-I have a cute Kleenex box and get to keep a theme in my room!

   Well, fellow blessing-hunters, I'll take my leave of you for today. I need to go do some work on the afore-mentioned bedroom. (Literally blows nose-allergies, not tears. Sorry!) Also, two of my little "Z fighters" need to have some water run to be fixed up for their fish bowls!

      God bless ya'll!
       
     Indi Raine

        John 5:24

Blessing 69

Welcome back, y'all! (I've picked that up from working with Southern people this summer. I don't hear it much now that I'm back home, but I like using it on the occasional...occasion!)

Today's blessing is kind of special, and I want to tell the reason why it is so special. It was touched on in our last post (at the very end), but I'll explain it now.

Blessing 69-Jeremiah 29:11. That is my blessing. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Why is this verse special to me? Glad you asked! I've had some hard times, especially in the past half year. God knew all about it, and He put some special people into my life. Where did I meet them? At camp. (common answer) One night after I got home I was really struggling with some issues. Well, maybe "struggling" is not quite descriptive enough. I suppose that I was scared, uncertain, and probably a bit untrusting. I was upset about something. So I had e-mailed one of my special camp friends-one that I knew that I could share my heart with without her judging or ridiculing me. And she didn't. Instead she sent back an e-mail assuring me of her prayers and containing this verse that she had often mentioned at camp as being one of her favourites-Jeremiah 29:11. I know that I'd heard it before-we'd had conversations where she had told me about it being her favourite verse and why. But that night when I received her e-mail I pounced on that verse and clutched to it like a life saver floating on a stormy sea. I held onto that verse as I paced back and forth in my dark room, quoting it over and over again. It gave me comfort as I was once again reminded that God is caring for me. He's in control-He'll give me my "'expected end". He thinks "thoughts of peace, and not of evil" toward me. And He says, "I know that thoughts that I think toward you". Does that sound like a God who will forsake me in my distress or leave me to bear my burdens or fight my struggles alone? No! I'll say this my own way (there's a Bible verse, but I'll rephrase it with an Indi-touch), but God is never going to leave me or forsake me or cast me off. He'll be with me all the way and carry me when I can't walk. There is nothing that I need to be afraid of. That night this verse brought me hope. It is currently written on a mini chalkboard in my room to continue to remind me of this promise from my wonderful God! And I hope that God will use this verse to help you-maybe it will give you hope, reassure you of His love, or maybe it will come to mind in the future! Just let all praise be to this wonderful God who promises that He has a great plan for lives! Remember to live it all for Him!

God bless you!
  Your blest friend,
   Indi

Blessings 64-68

If you are reading this in the morning, this will be perfect for you! These are some of my morning blessings that great me nearly every day.

Blessing 64-Feeling Rested. Well, this doesn't always great me-I'm a night owl, not a morning lark. But I generally feel somewhat better than when I fell asleep.

Blessing 65-Kleenexes. If you are wondering at this strange blessing, you must REALLY be blest! I have allergies. Allergies to dust. Dust hides in sheets, blankets, and stuffed animals no matter how much I run them through the dryer to kill dust mites. And there is dust in my room. And then there are other allergies (like pollen) that bother me. Catching on? Kleenexes are VERY, VERY important to my sanity and well-being! They get used a lot, and I'm thankful for them!

Blessing 66-My Bible reading! I try to read a Bible chapter pretty soon after rising, often before I even get dressed or do anything else. At camp the activity coordinator suggested reading a Proverb a day. That was at the beginning of July (or very end of June, actually). I did that for July and August. Now, for a break, I'm reading a Psalm a day. I rarely remember it all day (my brain doesn't get working very well at that time anyway), but its a good way to start off the day.

Blessing 67-Prayer. I like to start my day by praying (I sometimes forget. Yes, I'm guilty.). It is a nice way to begin the day by thanking God for His new mercies and the blessings that He gives to me.  I'd recommend that to anyone reading this blog (even to people who aren't reading this blog, although that may be hard to do. :D ).

Blessing 68-Sunshine. That blessing is conditional. I haven't had it much lately, but I love a sunny morning! It makes my yellow room so cheery!

Those are my morning blessings! Do you share any of them with me? Comment below with your favourites!

God bless you beyond measure, sisters in Him!

Indi Raine

P.S. Isn't this orange type so cheery? That's what I hope it is to you! It is to me!

Jer. 29:11

Blessings 60-63

Well, my blessings tonight will be blessings 60-63, but will be put down as one. Interested?

Blessings 60, 61, 62, and 63-the four kids I babysat this evening! I don't get to babysit a lot, so this is so much fun to spend time with J., C., M., and P.!

I apologize for the long time between posts here. I will try to get back to systematic posting; at least posting on Saturdays as a consistent thing. I think I can do better than that, though. I just need to get over to this site more. Once I get started, blessings are hard to stop from coming to mind! Maybe I just need to schedule more...

See ya later! I have some more blogging to do!

God bless ya'll!

Indi Raine

Blessing 59

My blessing today is...
Blessing 59-Giving Fish Room to Swim.
   Ever seen bettas at a pet store? They are in little cups. Yes, they can breathe and live and survive (if the water is changed enough and they are fed and not stressed), but it is wonderful to see them put into an area that they can explore and swim in without bumping into their own tail. I just put my two new fish-Zion and Zally-into new containers (for Zion, a fish bowl; for Zally, a plastic kitchen container that will hold her comfortably until I can find an even larger dish-at least she can swim now!). It is fun to watch fish explore as they are put into a new environment. Zion's no longer dashing at his own reflection or rushing in a tiny space-he can swim! So that's my blessing-happy fish! I also changed Zen's water and gave him his new plant. I'm now looking forward to learning about Zally and Zion's personalities!

If you don't have the blessing of a betta, I'd suggest that you get one (if you are able and allowed to become a fish owner). My three are beautiful and will give me lots of company in my room!

God bless!

Indi

Jer. 29:11

Blessings 54-58

I'm back with some more blessings to share! Right now I'm excited to start school in a week from today. So today I'll be sharing some blessings about school!

Blessing 54-Being Home Schooled.
   Being home schooled is a giant blessing! I have been home schooled all of my life. It gives me a Christian perspective on life. Since one of my home schooled friends had to enter a public high school I have become even more thankful for being home schooled. Her stories are awful. Thank God for being home schooled!

Blessing 55-A Beka Book DVD curriculum.
   I do a Christian program for school-A Beka Book. I've been enrolled in the DVD program for several years (this may be the fourth or fifth year). I have classes with teachers and lessons that I watch on DVD. Its a unique way to learn.

Blessing 56-New Notebooks.
   I love notebooks! With all my journaling, notes, and writing, notebooks will never go to waste with me!

Blessing 57-New Pencils and Pens.
   I almost always have some kind of paper or notebook with me along with a pen or pencil. I actually can get upset or concerned if I forget it-what if I learn something new or want to write if I feel bored? What would I do if I don't have a working pencil or pen?! Pencils and pens are necessities!

Blessing 58-Bible Class.
   I'm glad that I have the blessing of having Bible class nearly every day. It gives me yet another way to learn about my God!

   What blessings do you have going into the school year of 2015/2016? Share them in the comments below!

God bless!
Indi

A Devotional on Contentment and Thankfulness

So I've decided to try writing up some devotionals-maybe be able to share some of what God shows to me in my Bible reading and conversations with godly friends with each of you. Today I wanted to share some thoughts on contentment and thankfulness.

Two of my key verses were in Philippians 4 when I thought of this subject, which has been on my heart lately in a certain way. So, I decided to read the whole chapter of Philippians 4, and found some more verses and the ever-important context! I invite you to read on and join me and God reveals some blessings in His word!

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11 (KJV-just to note, not to spark contention, I only use the KJV for personal beliefs that it is the best translation from the original languages for me to use in personal and public worship). I cannot honestly say that I live this verse. Paul clearly states in this verse that he was in want (for more context, read the chapter or just verse 12). However, doesn't this verse give a powerful challenge to be content despite circumstances? For me it does! Some of you may know this, but I have some specific things in my life that I REALLY wish were different. But then I look back and see that God has used these circumstances to mold and make me into the girl that He wants me to be. I've become stronger and more compassionate-but it has been painful and continues to be painful. I don't live in a dream family (probably none of you would say that either-but in mine an important person is missing in my life, so it does have some challenges, you could say), and some things hurt me. But lately God has been showing me that I need to be thankful for these "thorns" and that I need to count even what seems like cursings as blessings. That's hard, but two other verses in this chapter leap out (and these are both special verses to me!)-"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me," (Phil. 4:13) and "Rejoice in the LORD always: and again I say, Rejoice," (Phil. 4:4). If you feel overwhelmed at the thought of being content and thankful in your circumstances, trust me, I understand! It seems too big of a job, too hard, too lengthy, too emotional, too (dare I say) unselfish. How do you even DO something like that? God gives a great clue to me in Philippians 4:6-"Be careful for nothing; but in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Yes-PRAYER!!! You know, "whisper a prayer in the morning, whisper a prayer at noon, whisper a prayer in the evening to keep your heart in tune". Perhaps when we feel ourselves struggling with contentment and thankfulness, we simply need to whisper a prayer. I've had someone give me that advice the other day in an e-mail, and I'm trying it (for other reasons, but prayer is like a cure-all for all spiritual ills and ails!). Yep, I believe that we could all use a bit more prayer and a little less self-pity. (I'm talking to myself most of all.) It'll be hard, but I have one closing verse-"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus," found in Phil. 4:19. God will supply us with contentment and thankfulness when we run low. Praise God!

I hope that that devotional was a blessing to you, one Christian to another.
See you soon for more blessings!
Indi Raine
Phil. 4:13

Blessings 35-53 (We'll Make It!)

This will be a list of the "guess why I've not blogged in a bit" blessings I've had lately! I hope you've gotten to enjoy at least several of them this week or at some point this summer! Autumn is coming soon, and with it a whole new level of blessings, but enjoy the summertime while it lasts!


Blessing 35-Beautiful Weather!
Need I explain? Even today when it rained I still had lots of fun and it didn't hinder me from jumping into...

Blessing 36-The Ocean!
...for...

Blessing 37-Swimming!
Warm water, spinning, swimming, floating, wetness, cold spots, warm spots, seaweed, sand, shells, rocks, bubbles, swimsuit, fun!

Blessing 38-Raindrops on the Waves
Today when I was swimming it was raining for the first bit-true beauty! It was astoundingly gorgeous! If you haven't seen it, than you'll need to go to the beach sometime to see it. That reminds me...

Blessing 39-The Beach!
And a nice one nearby! Two scores in one blessing! So I'll add...

Blessing 40-A Nice Beach Nearby!

Blessing 41-My Paddle Board!
My paddle board is red, is a sports utility version, has been used a lot lately, and is named "Sweet Destiny". Great times have been had on that board!

Blessing 42-The Sport of Stand-Up Paddle Boarding!
If you were wondering, that's what I do on my paddle board!

Blessing 43-The Parade I got to See Today!
One of my siblings was involved, so that was exciting!

Blessing 44-My New Female Betta!
She's big and blue (blue stripes, I believe). She needs a "Z" name-I'm considering Zally. Suggestions are welcome! I just got her today, and I'm hoping to breed her!

Blessing 45-My New Male Betta!
He's big and blue (no stipes-gorgeous fins instead, all darted and spiky with a veil tail). He seems feisty. I also got him today. He also needs a "Z" name. I'm thinking "Zion". Suggestions, once again, are welcome! Oh, and if you were wondering, yes, he will be Zally's prospective mate!

Blessing 46-Zen
I may have mentioned him before, but Zen is my other male betta. He is lovely-all gorgeous colour and jazz! He flares beautifully (and frequently, to my chargin as I worry over his health!) and is so relaxing to watch (when he is simply swimming, not charging his own reflection like heading into WW3, which is stressful for me!). His nickname is "Zenbow", as he is my rainbow.

Blessing 47-Zipper
My first betta that got me entranced in the breed. RIP, little Zip Zip.

Blessing 48-Zipporah
My third betta that I got (Zipper, Zen, and then Zipporah). She died this month, sadly. RIP, little Zah.

Blessing 49-Bettas
Yes, I'm just flat-out thankful that God created bettas! They make my life better! God sure is good to me!

Blessing 50-This Blog
I'm realizing as I type that there are so many other blessings that I have! Its good to do that sometimes-just be thankful for what we have, because being honest we all have SOOOOOOOOOOO much, especially in North America. Even a poor person has many blessings. Often we forget to give God the praise that He so richly deserves, and this is a great public place for me to acknowledge that all of God's blessings are wonderful in my life! Maybe I'll never count up to a million blessings on this blog, but I know that I have more blessings than that, thanks to my wonderful Lord!

Blessing 51-Jesus!
This is one blessing that I can never post too often, you know?

Blessing 52-Teddy Bears
Random, but isn't it nice to hug something soft without poky, little bones (or big, sharp bones, or etc.) sometimes? I enjoy having one on my bed, despite allergies to dust. As you can tell, I can't exactly hug my pets!

Blessing 53-All My Other Blessings.
We'll expound more on that some other time! Good night!

God bless you with more blessings than you could count in eternity,
Indi

Blessing 34

Blessing 34

Well, here I am again by the grace of God! I'm leaning against my bed, laptop in my lap, fingers busily tapping away. And it seems like forever since I wrote on my blogs, almost a lifetime. My life has changed since the last time I was working on my blog. I believe that God used this past month (well, 38 days) to change my heart to one that will better serve Him, but let me start somewhere nearer the beginning. And I'll do it in story format...

.......................................................................................................................................

   Indi Raine sat next to her bed, flustered and tired. She glanced at her alarm clock-11:30 P.M.. Hopefully nobody would wake up. She HAD to finish her blog posts for the month of July-without new content, readers would disappear. Even if it was only songs, she needed to schedule something. And maybe the blog scheduling buttons would work this time. As she copied and pasted the codes for YouTube videos Indi was surrounded in mess-bags, clothes, notebooks, chargers, nearly everything she would need for the next month-the month she had given to God. The month of volunteer work at a Christian camp. And that time away was going to begin tomorrow-the tomorrow that was approaching rapidly as the red numbers on the alarm clock changed in unceasing regularity. Finally, the last post was scheduled and Indi wearily made her way to bed. After praying for friends, self, and family, she drifted off to sleep.

   "Bye! I love you!" Indi told her siblings, busily rushing out the door while stuffing her tooth brush and tooth paste into her purse, wondering when she would find a time and place to buy breakfast along the way. Two duffle bags (one quite small), one carry-on bag, one purse, one camera case-all was ready for the bus ride, except possibly Indi herself. It would be a new experience, but she loved to travel and did not mind trying new things. Within half an hour she had decided that she liked bus travel even better than travelling in the family mini van, although the latter certainly did not rattle and shake as much. Her constant writing in her journal was messy and shaken by bumps, but the content would be saved for future reminiscence. Eventually the bus approached her stop-Indi gathered her things together, wondering where the camp director would be for the pick up. After claiming her luggage, she recognized a lady who she knew worked as camp secretary. The camp director had sent the two office ladies to collect her and her belongings. Indi soon met the other office worker-a sweet lady-and they made several stops in town before driving to the camp. Now, those stops were the two most critical stops for workers during that summer-Tim Hortons and Wal-Mart.  Indi picked up several necessities that she had wanted to buy at home but had not found a chance to purchase before departure, including sunscreen and bug spray.

   By the time staff training began, Indi had begun to learn her way around the camp. By the time staff training ended, she felt like she knew the other staff members and the facilities quite well. She had made friends. Well, friends/enemies, depending on whether Indi had just driven them crazy with the many pranks she executed within the time at camp. As the summer went on it became a swirl of prayers for strength and guidance, evening sessions, hours spent mixing and serving drinks, time spent with friends while cleaning cabins, 1:00  night talks filled with laughter and tears, well-worn flip flops, sunshine and rain, being crazy, living life whole heartedly while coming out of her shell. The thought of leaving became sadder each day as each week of July skimmed past. Each day further instilled Indi's love for the camp and the people there-even the teasing and annoying of the other workers was enjoyable. It was like finding a family that she had never known existed.  Indeed, family dynamics would be the best term to describe the relationships between the majority of the staff. Even sibling rivalry showed itself. But God had set all them together, and as they often laughed, occasionally argued together the bond between them held a lot of Christian love.

   July 21, 2015 was a special day for Indi, for that night she learned the joy that comes with the salvation of a loved one-one of her younger siblings, a camper that week, had accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. Many tears were shed, many explanations given, many exclamations of joy and delight heard. Indi and one of her friends ran in a field on campus. When alone, all Indi could pray was, "God, You are amazing! Thank You! Thank You! You are amazing, God!" It seemed so inadequate, but it was all. However, her desire to become a missionary and to serve God with all her life and lead others to His unfailing love was cemented that joyous night. Nearly every staff member would hear that night and the next morning of the miracle God had done that night. It made all the camp work worth it-all the blisters and back aches, exhaustion and breaking points-to know that more souls would be heaven bound because of that summer. It was a wondrous thing.

   Finally the day came for Indi Raine to go back home. But as she left, she left the camp with the desire to return the next year, to stay even longer. As the camp director said, "Jehovah-shammah". Indi looked it up-it meant "the Lord is there". With a smile, she shared it with her blog readers. "Jehovah-shammah" was the perfect description of the camp. She would pray for God's leading back to that ministry for the next summer.

............................................................................................................................................................
So, friends, what did you think of that blessing? Have you ever gotten to volunteer with a ministry you believed was doing God's work? This past "summer" (aka end of June to first bit of August) has been the perfect blessing and best summer ever-one that I truly needed at this point in my life.

Sorry that this entry has taken so long to get up! I hope that it was worth all those other posts scheduled near midnight-thanks for not complaining about them and continuing to follow this blog!

More posts coming soon...!

God bless you with amazing blessings!

Love from your camp staff friend,
Indi Raine