This summer has been incredible. I have been blessed with
the opportunity to now lead with Auburn Young Life for three summers and four camping trips, and this
year has truly been a gift. Last year, I took a large group of 8th grade ladies from Rainier Middle School to WFR Creekside with the hope of being able to aid in transitioning them from middle to high school as their soon-to-be YL leader at AMHS. I went into that camp week without knowing the girls, and while it was a great week, much of the time was spent just getting to know them. Over the course of the past year though, those relationships deepened as I've walked through life with them as their leader. And, I was thrilled to be able to take this same group to freshman camp at RockRidge Canyon this summer! The bond that the girls and I had going into camp helped pave the way for
The Lord to do wonderful things in the hearts of each of the girls.
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| Myself (top left), leader Becca Evans (top right), and our group of incredible soon-to-be-sophomores from AMHS! |
To the glory of God, I was able to witness my girls try new things
and face their fears. Going into camp, several of these girls were controlled
by their fears. Fear of heights, fear of trying new things, fear of the
unknown, fear of genuine relationships, [unhealthy] fear of God. The fear that controlled these
girls lead to missed opportunities, regrets and disappointment. Throughout our
time at camp, I watched walls come down and true joy exude from each and every
one of them. By deepening their understanding of who Jesus desired to be in
their lives, these girls began to trust. They began to trust themselves, their
friends and most importantly the Lord.
I was able to witness once timid girls who were
afraid of heights, courageously zip line for the first time. I walked with girls who came to camp terrified by the fear of the unknown accept that God has a good, perfect plan for their lives. Girls who had been controlled by a fear of vulnerability opened up and shared of their hearts inviting real, genuine relationship. I witnessed girls who feared God's wrath come to the
understanding that He is a good and gracious God in the work of Jesus Christ. By the end of the week, this
beautiful group of girls truly experienced life to the full in genuine relationship
with their Creator and one another! Many of our follow up conversations revolved around how this
trust impact their everyday at home. They were not just seeking a
fun summer experience; they were seeking truth about Jesus and how to really trust and walk with him everyday.
Over the course of this upcoming school year, I cannot wait to
continue this journey with this special group of girls. They are strong, confident
and fun kids! It has been an honor to lead alongside them. My husband, Brandon Bills, and I are excited
to announce that we will be hosting an all-school campaigners group for Auburn
Mountainview High School students beginning this fall. Campaigners is simply a small group bible study that does life together and dives deeper into Jesus' teachings. This will be open to all AMHS kids of all grades. We are praying about a consistent time for this group and looking for a location on Lea Hill that would host us [please email me at amandaabills@gmail.com if this might be you!]. It is our heart to daily walk with kids in their relationships
with Jesus, and to show them that despite how crazy life can be, we belong to a
good God worthy of our trust!
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