The Countdown is here...

Well, in less than ONE week I will be leaving my home state of Ohio and taking up residence in the state of California for 12 weeks- A vacation with my grandparents, and then 11 weeks in Santa Cruz.  As it is getting closer, I fight with the feelings of being nervous, excited, and content at the same time.  I have known that I was accepted since the end of February, and SCSP has just become a part of my summer plans.  I don't think that reality has hit me that I am giving over my summer to God and His work done through me. 

Honestly, in talking with my team on Facebook and planning various fun things to do, I don't believe that it has hit them yet either.  We are all so excited to spend an amazing summer together, yet we do not know what to expect in the ministry field.  The hardest part is remembering why we are all there for, not for a fun summer of living with these random college students but rather there to PROCLAIM the Gospel in such a real way that we are involved in the daily lives of the people that work on the Boardwalk.  We are living life with them to show them that we are different, we have a great hope, and want to share this with everyone-even in California! This is where I become excited, to see what the Lord has in store for us :)

I was reading Hebrews 6-10 last night, and I was overcome with understanding of how and why Jesus Christ had come to die for us. The priesthood demanded a change, and with that came a NEW covenant, one that came with eternal redemption from sin! Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross was a replacement for all the animals sacrifice that could not forever wash away our sins.  Hebrews 7:26-28 states:

26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints men sin their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

How awesome is our Lord and Savior, that He has come ONCE for all of us! To learn this, requires sharing with others! :) This is why I am spending my summer in California.

<3 Mel