March 30th -- KateMiller!

Though it is very true that I am not nearly as eloquent with words, I will try to describe the beautiful daughter of God and incredible encourager that Kate Miller is. I first met Kate her Sunnyside year of camp when we both had completely different ideas of what was important in life, and our conversations primarily consisted of shallow topics but always much laughter and joy. That is one of the most beautiful things about Kate, the joy that she brings to other people, and the way that she is able to love and to relate to so many different types of people. She has a way of making everyone around her feel special and love and is able to see the uniqueness of every individual around. After being away from camp for a year, and returning to be on staff with Kate, I was in shock and overjoyed by the way that God had changed her heart. The way God worked in her life was evident in her conversations, the way she loved all the campers (Tweeds included) and simply in the way she lived her life out daily.  It is beautiful to see the way she uses her gifts to give God glory and I always, always love praise and worship time with her no matter the location: Little Dipper porch, a Tweedle cabin, in the Chapel, at Max Patch, in the APT for house church in Boone, or even on top of a mall parking garage. I never imagined I could learn so much from this girl who was 4 years younger than me and always carried a little green backpack around. However, she shows such great maturity and truly displays what spiritual growth looks like. One of my favorite things about her is that she is not afraid to be herself, and is confident in her faith and who she is, but at the same time her confidence comes with a beautiful humility too.

 

In every area of my life where I like things ordered, perfected, and entirely planned out ...Kate normally behaves in the opposite way. We have very different interests, ideas of fashion (though she does still have my jeans!), and more, but have been bonded and our friendship has grown through a great love from God. So often when I get caught up in plans, my to-do list, and thoughts of the future, she reminds me to live out each day that we have mercifully received for the Lord and not to take this time for granted.  Kate was one of the first people that I was able to be vulnerable and real with about sins and failures, and through that was able to be encouraged and grow in my walk with the Lord.  One of the reasons so many people are encouraged by Kate and want to be around her (other than her humor and an always-guaranteed fun time), is because it is obvious how genuine her faith is. It is not surface-level and just something she is doing because she was told to or thinks it is the right, good thing to do, but it is deeply-rooted in her relationship with Christ. Because of this, she displays obediance in her faith like in traveling to India, to love the unloved, even if it means leaving behind a place and people that she loves so dearly for the summer. I feel truly blessed to have you as a friend, Kate and to see the way you have grown and the gift that you have to encourage and to challenge others in their faith. 

MISS YOU!

 

"Do not conform 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 12:2

 

 

March 30, 2011- Move!

To the one I have yet to meet because my fear of risk restrains my speech, this ones for you. 

I just want you to know. You are valuable beyond measure. Loved by The King. Invited as a high priest. Bought through sacrifice. Don’t need the proposal you’re worth more than the ring. Called a child of God. Welcomed to restoration. Honored above all creation. I don’t write from the perspective of showing my gratitude towards one individual. This entry is a bit more about God. 

God moves. He moves through people, places, actions, things, verbs, attractions, steeples placed in fractions, creation and the list doesn’t stop… Why? Because God moves!

Im not talking about the type of moving from one place to another like a side- to-side movement dodging something sent His direction. Its more like a through motion, using people, places, actions, things, verbs, attractions, steeples placed in fractions, creation … as a catalyst of restoring what’s been lost. Why? Well that’s simple, because He loves us. His movement calls as redemptive love and restoration. If you are reading this blog, you see a lot of that movement through the people Kate has written to encourage. So you see, this movement is more than side to side. It ‘s more like death to life. Why don’t you try that the next time someone tells you to show them your moves? 

I write to the person I have yet to meet knowing that Gods restoration is beyond whom, what, where, why and the how I’ve encountered with my feet. So to the one I’ve yet to meet. 
It’s true, Jesus Love You. Please listen to me. Receive the love you are so longing to see. Allow the creator of all things to wash your feet. Not because your great, but because He’s greater. Because it’s not important what you’ve done, what matters is what has been done on your behalf. 

For whatever reason, I am in an introspective artistic sort of mood so my words may flow a little more like long waves from a ground swell rather than heart penetrating darts like those from a real writer. Long waves = up and down rhythm and flow, sort of like hip hop. Darts= well I think you get it. Maybe I should have told you first so that you could this with a beat

So all in all, We celebrate God, because He continues to move day and night. Sometimes its through people, use this space to share and be encouraged… now write


-Croy Bosch

I need your help!!

Beautiful family and friends,


Life has become overwhelmingly busy lately and it is not fair to so many incredible people that I haven't been taking the time to write these everyday. That being said, this blog was not meant to be a selfish way of me telling others how appreciated they are, it was meant merely to encourage others in who they are in the Lord and how beautiful they are to see. I need your help to keep this up. If you have ever been influenced by anyone, or impacted by a person's selfless love, humble spirit, or encouraging heart, it is your turn to let them know. It is your turn to speak out and tell them how wonderful they are. It's okay if I have already written about them, because everyone means something different to another. Also, don't feel like if someone has written for the day already that you can't! The hope for this blog is to continually encourage others until the end of time as we know it now. So, think of those people you know need to hear how incredible they are and write away dear friends.


Email: sunrise.stories@yahoo.com
Password: 365people


Loving you all and praying continually.

March 22, 2011- Anna Herring

MICO!! Oh man, I never could have imagined our journey together from the moment I met you, but I am so thankful for every second that I have been able to spend with you. Anna Herring. Truly, every time I hear her name I cannot help but either grin ear to ear or bust out laughing. There are no words to describe the love I have for her and the joy that she brings to my life. Her spirit is one of a kind and unbelievable to be around. I have never felt more encouraged by any other person in my life and looking back on the summer, it reminds me how beautiful the Lord's plan is and how silly it is for me to try and figure it out. 

I met Anna the first day of staff week and could not have been more excited to teach archery with her all summer. I was amazed at how wonderfully inspiring her faith was and beyond thrilled to learn from her wisdom and knowledge of the Lord. She has such a sweet personality that is guaranteed to build you up and encourage you to climb the mountain in front of you and never give up on the task the Lord has given you. She has some of the best one-liners I have ever heard and whenever I hear the name, "Will" I can only imagine her drawing it out in her precious accent that never ceased to make me laugh. Anna, thank you for being such an incredible woman of God and having the courage and boldness to identify yourself in Him alone. Thank you for worshiping, praying, reading and learning along side with me all summer and I pray that the Lord will keep you in my life daily. I love you forever.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 

"Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."

March 21, 2011- Amie Cloer

Amie, Amie, Amie. Thanks to some good KD fun and our math teacher's blue sports car, our friendship has truly blossomed! I am convinced that Amie is hands down one of the sweetest girls to ever exist. She has such a sweet, selfless heart that stands out in a crowd and a fire in her spirit for the Lord that is impossible to put out. If you get a chance to meet Amie, you will immediately have your day brightened by her beautifully inspiring smile and encouragement that resonates with you for a while. 


One of the most inspiring things about Amie is her desire to fully rely on the Lord in every situation. Daily we are faced with trials and troubles that we can either run from or face head on and persevere through. Amie has the desire to never settle for anything less then what she feels the Lord asks of her and that always means relying on Him to climb the mountain ahead of her. She is never negative about people or situations and seeks out the joy in ever circumstance. Amie, remember how courageous the Lord has called us to be and never give up because things get too tough. Persevere through knowing that you will be whole and complete, needing nothing in the end(James 1:2-4). Thank you for always putting a smile in my heart and making my days a little less cloudy. I love you forever.


James 5:13
"Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises."

March 20, 2011- Hayley Owens

I cannot tell you how much I have been putting this off. Truly, I was counting on you following through on the "I will not turn twenty and be alive" pact we made at thirteen. Alas, you go ahead and survive to be old, in the second century of your life and changing the world daily. For those of you who don't know who I am referring to when I say Hayley Owens, you might recognize her with the name Mom which we decided to give ourselves around the time we made the "I will not turn twenty and be alive" pact. Mom and I go way back to birth when our real mom's decided to hang out (like many sisters do) and tote us along with them to mom things like jazzercise, lunch dates and family events you can't get out of. As we grew up and middle school rolled around, Mom and I quickly bonded over the fact that we were both fat and weird.  


From there we journeyed through the high school years where she had to put up with my constant complaining and inconsistent decisions on boys along with my doubts and fears for the future. She never once complained about my rants or turned me away when I had a bad day and needed someone to talk to. She was a true friend that I never wanted to spend a day without. We would spend entirely too much time on the phone, on iChat or begging our parents to let us hang out. We drank way too much coffee, came up with ridiculous ideas and spent our life savings on gas to just drive around. Looking back at those memories I am reminded of some of my absolute favorite times with one of the most incredible gifts the Lord has ever given me. I am beyond lucky to have a friend that I can always rely on through any situation, and that I know will never give up on me.


Mommy, I cannot tell you how thankful I am for you and your incredible heart for others. There are many days that I recall the selfless love you had for me then and still have for me now. We have a friendship that none will ever understand and I am so appreciative for you. You have the most beautiful way of loving others and never putting yourself first. You listen to the Lord's call for you and you always put your full reliance on Him. Stay strong in where you are now and remember that He has you there for a reason. Continue to be a radiating light wherever you go, and never forget how precious you are to Him. I love you forever.


Isaiah 40:28-31
"Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."


I couldn't pick just one of these:

March 19, 2011- Nicole Zananski

Oh Sue, I guess our friendship truly began with illiteracy on my end. Sauna looked a lot like Sue Ana and lucky for me, we were all in weird enough moods thanks to Irene's class that it stuck! Truly though, I cannot tell you how much the laughter that you and Jordan provided for me in that class meant to me. Sue I don't know anyway to sum up our friendship other then ridiculous and I guess with this post, you deserve a happy birthday since you are the big one-nine today!!


Sue has a gentle spirit about her that few I know can compare to. She is one of the most patient and accepting people I have ever known and her heart for others is beautiful to witness. She has compassion for people that is so obvious and so inspiring to be around, it's hard not to love her. Between our mindless comments in between essays or scantrons, I got to see a beautiful child of God working and sharing His light with all she came in contact with. Sue, continue to strive after your creator and His will for you. Remember that everything happens for a reason and never be discouraged by mountains the Lord places in front of you to climb. Persevere and know that when it is all over you will be so much closer to Christ then you could ever imagine. I am constantly praying for you, and I love you forever.


James 4:8
"Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world."