Camp Life Zambia-Africa Summer 2012 (slash)Great Adventure

" If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you." 2 Corinthians 5:13
I love this verse for several reasons, mainly this verse is so awesome to me because you can't read 2 Corinthians 5:13 and not believe that God is an exciting, adventurous God, and lets be honest those of you that know me know that I am all about the adventure, and doing things that aren't the most practical or the "safest" bet. I love that 2 Corinthians 5:13 reminds me that anything that comes my way doesn't have to make sense to me! All I have to do is faithfully GO... go and enjoy the journey the Lord lays out before me. This opportunity for me to go to Zambia is just that.... going and enjoying a journey I know I will never forget.

Zambia is a broken, lost, hurting, painfully sad existing place. It is a place that satan has stormed through and wrecked out of control havoc on through poverty, abuse, hunger, death, disease, and million of young children left alone, surviving only by fending for themselves. It is a place in desperate need of light... God's glorious glorious light. Camp life is a program through an amazing organization called family legacy. They exist solely to bring HOPE and HEALING, JOY, PEACE, and CHRIST'S LOVE to the Zambian people.

I have been given a gift, a truly remarkable gift of an eternity with Jesus, and a life here on earth lived daily with the Hope of the return of Jesus. Why would I hesitate for one second at the opportunity to go and give others that hope, especially to a truly remarkable group of God's precious children. I am filled with a peace and inexpressible joy that I relish in daily as I await HIS return. I want to do all that I can to give that same joy and hope to the Zambians. If you would like to support me in anyway I would be incredibly grateful. Support first and most importantly with prayer prayer prayer! If God leads you to give anything financial there is my link below that will go directly to my support funds I need to raise. Or perhaps you want to join alongside me, there is also a link below with more information about Zambia, the people, and how to help! Thank you so much for joining me on this adventurous blessed life the Lord has for me! I love you all!
Over the next 4 months I am faithfully praying that the Lord will provide $4,600 dollars in support for me to GO !! 60% of my funds are air travel and the other 40% percent will sponsor 10 Zambian orphans for a week at camp life... it insures them food, transportation to camp, supplies, and a week that will change their lives!Thank you so much for joining me on this adventurous blessed life the Lord has for me! I love you all!


In Him,
Carly
Support link; https://www.camplifezambia.com/carlysmith
 Info Link: http://familylegacy.com/videos/the-orphans-of-zambia/

Big girl job mixed with a still lingering College Girl mind set !

 "Trust completely in God, and when He brings you to a new opportunity of adventure, offering it to you, see that you Take It!!" This quote is still reigning true in my life, and I hope it continues to. My oh my how time has flown.  It's already been a from my last post (haha that is sad and pitiful I know) but wow, what a year it has been. In a matter of 365 days the Lord has been faithful to fulfill that adventurous spirit He has brought to life in me. Lets see... Big things I've experienced throughout this past year would be.... 1. I have a job :-) yes a real job! I have hung up the restaurant apron and check presenters and the repetitiveness of;  "will this be on separate checks, or altogether?", "would you like more chips and salsa" and "Hi welcome to chilis my name is Carly and I will be taking care of ya'll tonight." I have exchanged all that for the joy of teaching 5th graders and the repetitiveness of; "Miss Smith can I go to the bathroom?" "Miss Smith can I sharpen my pencil?" Miss Smith can I, can I can I can  I" and...I also try and teach them to read and write..aka teach them how to become confident, caring, proud young people :-) it's been a great gig so far! The Lord truly has blessed me more than I ever thought possible or deserve! I get to work at a school I am proud of, I have a team of teachers that not only support me as a teacher, but they support me as a friend. The students keep each day interesting, I learn new things about myself everyday, my best friend works right down the hall from me, and I laugh at least 5 times a day... minimum! It's nothing short of a blessing from the Lord. 

Aside from teaching, and that being an adventure in of its self, I have gotten to pacify my desire to travel as well ( thank goodness). In the last twelve months these things have gone down:

I have been on a spontaneous weekend trip to New Orleans

followed by a fun trip to Vegas, 

trips floating the river,

a trip to Boston with the church (included a spectacular firework show)

weekend trip to San Francisco (limo ride through Napa Valley all day) and

welcomed the first baby boy into the family...my uncles boy Brady Dean!
A first time ever unforgettable trip to Disney World with my fabulous family
New York City and experiencing Mama Mia on broadway

Worked with a biggest loser contestant celebrity

began leading a small group of high school girls at church

stepped into womens ministry involvement at the church
Blast from the past with a New Kids on the Block Concert

booked a trip to Colorado for a week to experience snowboarding and other awesome things

and have had countless days of: movie marathons, bike rides, festive parties, and karaoke.

Its been so fun! These past 12 months have been a rollercoaster of emotions. All the way from experiencing the heartache of losing my most precious grandad, yet still being able to rejoice in the truth of knowing I will be with him again, to feelings of overwhelming emotions of joy, laughter, sadness, exhaustion, youth, and having to trust God in everything. This rollercoaster, that I pray stays guided by the Lord,  has played a huge role in the development of who God wants me to be right now. My 26th season of life has been a good one so far. I am reminding myself of my true purpose here on earth, and doing my best to enjoy all of it! 

ps... Yayy for Christmas break coming up soon :-)