Joy, Unspeakable Joy!

"Today is the day Lord, the day that we've been waiting for for almost a year."
We did it, Jesus. YOU, did it.

After almost exactly one year of dreaming, hoping, planning and fervent praying, NWA Young Life had their very first all Capernaum club.

God has been so good to us.
I didn't know half the students that showed up today.
But God knew since the beginning of time that they would come. He knew long before any of us did that today was the day.
Today was the day that we got to see fruits of our labor.
Today, seeds were sewn.
Today 12 students with disabilities, ages 14-50+, got to feel loved, included and accepted just the way they are.
They got to have fun without fear of being rejected.
They got to eat so much good food.
They got to dance.
They got to sing.
They got to hear about a Jesus that loves them and wants to give them life to the full.
They blessed us more than we could ever dream of blessing them.

Let me tell y'all. Today, I experienced life to the full.

As i looked around the front yard at our "Gold Rush Club" I was struck by just how incredible today really was.
Since the beginning of time God had planned for this to happen.
These kids. These leaders. These buddies. This day. This time. This moment.
None of it was surprising to God.
I can only imagine the excitement that He gets out of unfolding the plan step by step to each of us; whispering to us the entire time, "just wait, beloved, it only gets better."

So while I would love to know what happens next, what Capernaum will look like in six months, one year, five years...I am filled with unspeakable joy in just this moment. 
Here and now.
The plan is unfolding before my very eyes, and if I keep looking ahead to see what comes next, I'll miss it.
I'll miss this moment.
I'll miss what the Lord is revealing to me right now.
I don't want to miss out on the excitement that the Lord gives in the here and now.
in the "wait and see."
in the answered prayer.
the excitement in the "you've been waiting for this."

and that's really all today was. Today was a huge, giant answered prayer.
So thank You, Jesus, for letting us in on all that You're doing for people with disabilities in NWA.
Thank You, thank You, thank You.

Take me back to NorthBay.
Back to summer staff with the greatest people ever.
Take me back to the climbing wall.
And the giant swing.
and the water zip.

Take me back to always smelling like sunscreen and awkward tan lines.
Take me back to heart to hearts and the gun game.
Back to huffing and puffing up to the Roost and "chad copy chad"

Take me back to awkward meetings at the airport and tearful goodbyes.
back to ninja games and western night.
back to hospital corners and sweating all day.
Take me back to "the draft" and change over day adventures.

Take me back to field games and trashy tanks.
Back to Jesus in the faces of campers and genuine service.
Back to "I hate all y'all 'cept me" and "it's creepy cause i'm naked."

Take me back to God sightings and dance parties on the pool deck.
Back to DJ Dragon and that vegetable game.
Take me back to never knowing what adventure the day would hold.
Back to three cups of coffee a day and climbing to the roof of the dining hall.

Take me back to community and "Go Dave, Go!"
back to funny accents and my southern sister.
Back to the bay bug and whip cream fights.
Take me back to singing Wagon Wheel all the time.
Back to night swing and spending all day talking about 90s TV.

Take me back to that one time at the water tower.
take me back to Capernaum camp and dance parties.
back to worship and prayer.

take me back to North East, Maryland