Dreaming Again

What is past is past
What is done is over
I will not go back and relive what's best forgotten
I can't say why
Why healing is so painful
Why it takes so long for old memories to fade

I'm dreaming again, believe again
that God will use me is the prayer of my heart
I'm here for the taking, this is only the start
I'm dreaming again

Battle lines are drawn
I'm learning to know the enemy
But You restore my soul for the work that You began in me
Let me live this day
As if there's no tomorrow
But at the very same
I want to dream as if this world will never end

I'm dreaming again, believe again
that God will use me is the prayer of my heart
I'm here for the taking, this is only the start
I'm dreaming again

Why is it easier to believe all the lies
Than to trust God with things I don't understand?
It is just a simple faith I need
I will, I will, because He can

I'm dreaming again, believe again
that God will use me is the prayer of my heart
I'm here for the taking, this is only the start
I'm dreaming again

Wayne Watson

Looks like I'm posting lots of words that are not my own these days... But the thing is that they are just too great not to share, you know?

I went for a run the other day. I had an iPod with me to listen to music and that's when I heard "Dreaming Again". The words in that song touched me in a special way. I think I've talked about trusting God many times before... and here I go again. The thing is that I'm still in the process of learning that - and I think I always will be. But I'm learning to trust Him more and more with each day that passes.

Why is it easier to believe all the lies
Than to trust God with things I don't understand?
It is just a simple faith I need
I will, I will, because He can

When I say, "I am a Christian"

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I'm not shouting "I am saved."
I'm whispering "I was lost";
That is why I chose this way.

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble,
And need someone to be my guide.

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak,
And pray for strength to carry on.

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed,
And cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I'm not claiming to be perfect.
My flaws are too visible,
But God believes I'm worth it.

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches,
Which is why I speak His name.

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority;
I only know I'm loved.

Copyright 1989, Carol S. Wimmer

Thank you, Paul, for posting this a while ago. These words came to my mind today and I just had to share them... They explain so well what it means to be a Christian, better than I could explain in my own words.

Crazyness!

I thought last week at work was tough! Man, this one was so much tougher! We had 31 kids this week and only 18 last week. Take all the difficult children from last week and then add 20... I am exhausted! The kids are adorable, yes, but they can be so difficult sometimes. Don't get me wrong though, I really like working at the day camp.

This week was a short work-week cause it's our independence day tomorrow! Wohooo! That'll be fun. The weather is supposed to be nice too, which doesn't happen too often on June 17th. There will be stuff going on all over town. Family and childrens' entertainment during the day and a long concert at night for the young people. Luckily I live in the city center so I don't have to drive anywhere! (Finding a parking spot is just impossible on this day!)

Anyways! I don't have much more to say right now... just have a great day!

Summer weather in Reykjavik!

I thought it was kinda funny how all last week we had cloudy and rainy weather and now it is all nice again... I'm so sorry the guys from Atlanta didn't get to experience more than one day of the nice Icelandinc summer weather. The most amazing thing is the beautiful sunshine throughout the whole night! That's just gorgeous! Today is that kind of day.

Tomorrow is supposed to be like today so I'm really happy! I love the sunshine :o) Today I was so busy putting sunscreen on the kids at the day camp that I forgot about myself... and yeah, I got a little sunburned! Won't happen tomorrow.

I had the greatest week

Am I becoming a bad blogger or what?! I haven't written a word in more than a week! But now I'm going to tell you why...

A team from the Spivey church in Atlanta were here on a mission trip for a week. Some of them were here a year and a half ago so I knew some of them a little bit. What I've done this past week is working, going to the meetings the team held at different places here in town and hanging out with them afterwards. What I have not done much of is sleep! Since last sunday I've had about 3,5-4,5 hours of sleep pr night so I'm exhausted right now. But I just thought: "These guys are only here for a week so I'll just sleep after they've left."

Having them here was awesome! Their meetings with worship, testimonies and a talks were great. These last few days I got refueled spiritually. I really needed this, because to tell you the truth I have been feeling very empty spiritually. The best part is that I got just as much "spiritual food" talking to some of them outside of the meetings by sharing experiences with each other and talking about struggles we have. That is so important! We as Christians need to encourage each other.

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. "

(Hebrews 10:24-25)

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

(Colossians 3:15-17)

I was greatly encouraged and I know many other people were as well - so thank you guys if you read this!!! May God bless you and strengthen you as you live your lives for Him.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. "

(Romans 12:1-2)

Lots to have in mind...

Working with kids sure is a big responsibility. Yesterday I got back from a few days of preparation for childrens' work. YMCA & YWCA have summer camps in a few different places in the country side, as well as a day camp in town. To prepare us for the summer we had seminars in Vatnaskogur (where the boys' summer camp is). On Thursday we learned about childrens feelings and how they deal whith trauma and difficult situations, - how we can help by doing the right things, reacting in the right way and so on.

At the end of the day we played a game, a role play game which is supposed to help the kids imagine what other kids are going through in other places in the world. We were divided into a few groups of 6. One group was pulled aside - they were the soldiers. The rest of us were fugitives. A story was read to us and it was written as a kids' journal. What happened in the story was happening to us. We had to try to get to the fugitive camp because the soldiers were after us. We didn't know where the camp was and on our way there we had to try to buy some food from a salesman and then get to the place where we could get info about the fugitive camp. So we ran off, each group in a different direction with the soldiers on our heels. We went into the forest to hide, but the soldiers were very organised and we had no chance of getting away. After about half an hour or so all of us were captured and noone got to the fugitive camp! I thought it was a brilliant game! It's fun but at the same time it helps you understand what it must be like to be on the run, never knowing when or where the soldiers will apear. It must be the so terrifying!

On Wednesday we learned about first aid. For me it was a review from what I learned at the hospital just two weeks ago. It was good though, cause you can never hear that often enough. Knowing exactly what to do if an accident happens is very important and the more often you hear it the more likely you are to do the right thing. Makes sense ;o) We got to do some rescuing. Two people were outside pretending to be badly hurt and we had to figure out what to do. We also learned about the fire-alarm-system and what to do in case of fire. Last but not least we learned the mouth-to-mouth method (CPR) on a doll.

In Iceland you call 112, but if you call 911 you'll still get through.

So we had good days in Vatnaskogur and learned a lot. Although we have a lot to think about and be aware of when we work with kids we also need to remember that we are working in God's kingdom. Jesus himself said:

"... Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (Mark 10:14)