Summer in the rear view mirror.

It was very much a typical summer for a student that was filled with uncertainty. I wasn't sure what was going to happen. Endless job searching (for coop/internship) was unsuccessful which meant that I was to take summer school. Uncertainty of when a job offer/interview was coming made it questionable whether I could leave Vancouver. It was a big test where God was calling me to trust Him. What did that mean? I did all I could do that is within my control. I focused on the present, the moment and what needed to be done at the time, leaving the rest and  'what if's up to God.

In June, I signed up for Campus Outreach Academy (COA) despite not knowing if I was going to get a job in the fall. On top of really wanting to go, I felt like I needed to be there. COA, which was the highlight of my summer, finally came in August. Leaving Vancouver behind, 8 Vancouverites headed for Michigan for a 9 day retreat at Miracle Camp. The theme for this COA: Ecumenism and Christian unity.

I don't think I've truly appreciated this aspect of UCO. Having university students and Kairos staff come together, build relationships and be -what I can best describe as- a family... is just amazing. Everyone, coming from different backgrounds, traditions, cultures, came together and shared 9 days of learning and growing as Christians. Having Christ at the heart of every relationship is what I think makes it so special; it allows me to call someone my brother or sister. There is a love that He gives us and teaches us to share which makes the relationships we build unique. If your reading this and feel like you want in on it, let me know, we're more than happy to share it to you.

My summer was topped with a trip to the beautiful sunshine coast of BC to get away from it all and let things settle down. There I was far enough from the city lights that I could see more stars than I ever imagined (you can't tell where the big dipper was anymore or I just got lost not knowing where to look).

So what happened with my job search? Well God always provides, and He came through for me like He always does .

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference." - R.N.