This week has been hard, not physically but mentally and emotionally. My heart attitude wasn't one where I was overly focused on others, loving on them, taking the time to listen to them, to care for them. Have you ever known this struggle? It seems to creep up slowly with it's foot in the door of my heart and when I get tired, it slams the door hard in the faces of my "neighbors" and myself. My heart turns to stone almost, and when I try to pry that door open again, it's like turning your car over on a frigid early morning, gears grinding. Guys, the struggle to love others is real, and it's hard. But what did Jesus say is the second greatest commandment? "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Today at work, as a barrier, I plugged into my iPod and listened to podcasts by a church in Portland, I was introduced to this past summer while visiting a dear old friend on my journey to Montana from Alaska. Message after message was about relationships with others, close friends, actual neighbors, coworkers who are neighbors, strangers, everyone and anyone believers and unbelievers whom we come into contact. With each word compassionately being spoken into the earbud, I was being exposed. Faces of residents, family, friends, community members became present with a sting in my heart of mistreatment. Most of these "mistreatments" weren't said aloud to their face, if said aloud at all. But my friends, does the Lord not know our thoughts from afar? (read Psalm 139)
Love your neighbor as yourself.
what does that look like? what does that feel like?
Friday, February 20, 2015
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Returning to Camp
This letter is difficult for me to write as my initial heart attitude is to be self-reliant, yet here I am stepping out in faith, allowing God to step in and provide.
Dear family and friends,
Many of you know that the majority of my time spent in Alaska was centered on ministry at Solid Rock Bible Camp. I was first introduced to camp fresh out of high school in 2007 as part of a teen work group, sent to assist in the preparation of camp. I was there for a week and fell in love. In 2011, I attended camp as a Counselor, sharing for the first time, my faith and hope in Christ Jesus. Again, at the end of my time there, my love for Alaska and Solid Rock grew. In 2013, I moved to Soldotna, AK to work at camp as a cook. Over the winter, I lived at camp with a family that has been influential to my spiritual growth. I was working for an organization that served youth and families in the area and while this organization meant well in their purpose, I soon realized that they were missing a key ingredient to health and healing and that was the hope of Christ. Other circumstances in the spring changed in my personal life and I chose to leave this organization, with the intention of returning to Montana at the end of the summer in 2014. While I was considering my options on how to utilize my time over the summer, it was strongly suggested that I return to camp and serve there as a counselor. To be honest, I was resistant towards the idea of camp, I wanted to be free to play and do “self-care”. In the end, abandoning my plan was the best decision I have made as it has transformed my life. I constantly found myself praying and seeking God to renew my strength and energy multiple times each day of each week to love and enjoy each of the campers and staff. The Lord provided. I found myself learning things about God and his word in chapel’s formatted to be understood by 6 year olds. I was challenged to open the Bible and digest the word so that I could feed others. I can say that I have grown more in these nine weeks than I have most of my life.
Currently, in church and a college group I attend, we have been studying the “Good News” and the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make Disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.” As believers in Christ’s death and resurrection, we are ALL called to this; we are all responsible to this. For some that looks like going across the Globe. For others that means traveling across the U.S. But for the majority, it’s walking across the street. Talking to our coworkers. For me, while I am building relationships and seeking opportunities with coworkers and residents of the facility that I work at, I feel called and lead to continue serving my summers at Solid Rock with the hopes of sharing the Good News and making disciples as well as growing in my own relationship with Jesus.
My time this summer will consist of one week devoted to staff training followed by seven weeks of camp, meaning that for eight weeks this summer; I will be volunteering my time, energy and resources. While I am taking a break from a profitable income, I am still expected to be financially responsible for monthly expenses such as vehicle insurance, cell phone, and loans as well as travel expenses. This winter I was blessed with the ability to house sit and work 50 hours of overtime which has covered my airfare to and from Alaska, but as stated, I am still in need.
It is my prayer that you join with my in praying for the staff and campers this summer first and foremost, that the Lord would prepare our hearts and equip us in the coming months for the summer, that we would be eager to extend love to the kiddos that come to camp as well as obedient to the Lord in sharing the Truth. Pray too that the camper’s hearts would be open to receiving the word, that seeds would be planted, watered or harvested in Salvation.
Please prayerfully consider partnering with me financially, as my goal is to raise $1,000.00 to cover the cost of my monthly expenses. I am in the process of knitting/crocheting coffee cup cozies, dish rags and other goods to sell to help reach this goal. I am also willing to do yard work, house sit, housekeeping, pet care and other chores.
I leave May 17th and return to Bozeman August 2nd. Yes, this is longer than the seven weeks of camp, in part because I intend on spending a week in Anchorage ministering to a friend who is far from the Lord, but ever searching. Please pray for this time, that I would be gentle and loving, but bold in presenting the Gospel.
Much Love,
Rachel Rehbein
You may contact me on Facebook or by phone to schedule or obtain more information.
Financial support should be mailed to:
Solid Rock Ministries (Checks made payable to Solid Rock Ministries with the Memo stating my name)
36251 Solid Rock Rd #1
Soldotna, AK 99669
Dear family and friends,
Many of you know that the majority of my time spent in Alaska was centered on ministry at Solid Rock Bible Camp. I was first introduced to camp fresh out of high school in 2007 as part of a teen work group, sent to assist in the preparation of camp. I was there for a week and fell in love. In 2011, I attended camp as a Counselor, sharing for the first time, my faith and hope in Christ Jesus. Again, at the end of my time there, my love for Alaska and Solid Rock grew. In 2013, I moved to Soldotna, AK to work at camp as a cook. Over the winter, I lived at camp with a family that has been influential to my spiritual growth. I was working for an organization that served youth and families in the area and while this organization meant well in their purpose, I soon realized that they were missing a key ingredient to health and healing and that was the hope of Christ. Other circumstances in the spring changed in my personal life and I chose to leave this organization, with the intention of returning to Montana at the end of the summer in 2014. While I was considering my options on how to utilize my time over the summer, it was strongly suggested that I return to camp and serve there as a counselor. To be honest, I was resistant towards the idea of camp, I wanted to be free to play and do “self-care”. In the end, abandoning my plan was the best decision I have made as it has transformed my life. I constantly found myself praying and seeking God to renew my strength and energy multiple times each day of each week to love and enjoy each of the campers and staff. The Lord provided. I found myself learning things about God and his word in chapel’s formatted to be understood by 6 year olds. I was challenged to open the Bible and digest the word so that I could feed others. I can say that I have grown more in these nine weeks than I have most of my life.
Currently, in church and a college group I attend, we have been studying the “Good News” and the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make Disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.” As believers in Christ’s death and resurrection, we are ALL called to this; we are all responsible to this. For some that looks like going across the Globe. For others that means traveling across the U.S. But for the majority, it’s walking across the street. Talking to our coworkers. For me, while I am building relationships and seeking opportunities with coworkers and residents of the facility that I work at, I feel called and lead to continue serving my summers at Solid Rock with the hopes of sharing the Good News and making disciples as well as growing in my own relationship with Jesus.
My time this summer will consist of one week devoted to staff training followed by seven weeks of camp, meaning that for eight weeks this summer; I will be volunteering my time, energy and resources. While I am taking a break from a profitable income, I am still expected to be financially responsible for monthly expenses such as vehicle insurance, cell phone, and loans as well as travel expenses. This winter I was blessed with the ability to house sit and work 50 hours of overtime which has covered my airfare to and from Alaska, but as stated, I am still in need.
It is my prayer that you join with my in praying for the staff and campers this summer first and foremost, that the Lord would prepare our hearts and equip us in the coming months for the summer, that we would be eager to extend love to the kiddos that come to camp as well as obedient to the Lord in sharing the Truth. Pray too that the camper’s hearts would be open to receiving the word, that seeds would be planted, watered or harvested in Salvation.
Please prayerfully consider partnering with me financially, as my goal is to raise $1,000.00 to cover the cost of my monthly expenses. I am in the process of knitting/crocheting coffee cup cozies, dish rags and other goods to sell to help reach this goal. I am also willing to do yard work, house sit, housekeeping, pet care and other chores.
I leave May 17th and return to Bozeman August 2nd. Yes, this is longer than the seven weeks of camp, in part because I intend on spending a week in Anchorage ministering to a friend who is far from the Lord, but ever searching. Please pray for this time, that I would be gentle and loving, but bold in presenting the Gospel.
Much Love,
Rachel Rehbein
You may contact me on Facebook or by phone to schedule or obtain more information.
Financial support should be mailed to:
Solid Rock Ministries (Checks made payable to Solid Rock Ministries with the Memo stating my name)
36251 Solid Rock Rd #1
Soldotna, AK 99669
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Housekeeping Life Lessons: 1
There was a gentleman who moved into the facility not too long before I moved to Alaska. He was never a rude man, just very quiet, keeping to himself. I would often say "hi" in passing with a smile and no return of recognition of existence in return. I thought, maybe he was extremely hard of hearing, so I would speak louder and slower. Occasionally I would get eye contact. PROGRESS!!! Anyways, today, I had the pleasure of cleaning his apartment and the entire time He talked about this that and the next. The health issues of his wife, how the health industry handles cancer and some lady in Canada that made an herbal solution that healed him from his cancer and his craft (most of it I didn't understand quite honestly). I was a little taken back by it especially by the time I was finished when he seemed sad that I was leaving.
Maybe this man is just lonely?
Maybe he is frustrated with the lack of ease in conversation. IE: hearing loss, loss of voice control as far as volume.....
Maybe this that or the next but one thing I am sure of.....
Is that for each of my residents that are present when I am cleaning, for the 30-45 minutes I am there, in some fashion, I am their companion. Their confidant. And that is pretty cool.
Much Love,
Rach
Maybe this man is just lonely?
Maybe he is frustrated with the lack of ease in conversation. IE: hearing loss, loss of voice control as far as volume.....
Maybe this that or the next but one thing I am sure of.....
Is that for each of my residents that are present when I am cleaning, for the 30-45 minutes I am there, in some fashion, I am their companion. Their confidant. And that is pretty cool.
Much Love,
Rach
where my mind wanders
Most nights I am able to fall asleep fairly quickly and allow my subconscious to rule the night with thoughts that allow only minimal rest. Then there are nights like tonight where my mind is consciously writhing in deep thought, searching for answers and truth about something that happened last week.
A friend of mine, Joanna and I are reading through 1 Kings and we discussed the first 3 chapters. In chapter 3 God allows King Solomon to ask for whatever he wants. God literally comes to him in a dream and says, "Ask what I can give you." (1 Kings 3:5 ESV). Solomon, who was new to being King, asked for wisdom to discern between good and evil to govern the people.
This is what I was pondering this night, when I was hoping to be sleeping. I was considering, the daily life application of Solomon's request. The heart attitude of Solomon, who had a substantial authority over a large sum of people asked how to be a good leader. He didn't ask for riches or fame or _________________. So then, I asked myself, if given the opportunity to ask for anything, with the guarantee that I would get it, what would I ask for? Would I have the same heart attitude as Solomon or would I be self seeking. I was then reminded of an incident that happened at camp this summer, where 2 girls were both wanting sweatshirts but both were short of funds. One was a few dollars short and stated she would be willing to work around camp to pay off the difference where as the other girl who was more than half short, wasn't. Heart Attitude. Which spun me into my outlook at my current position as a housekeeper at an Assisted Living facility. It's not a glamorous job by any means. I bust my butt, making beds, laundering sheets, vacuuming, dusting, scrubbing toilets, moping floors - the works. It would be easy for me to check out, mentally. Pop in my headphones and crank out my work and be done with it...OR...I could be open to receiving life lessons. What it means to be a servant. What it means to have a servant's heart.
Then I started broadening my scope. What areas of life when there are choices to make am I selfishly thinking of me first and not others? Or more importantly without a mindfulness of God? Sadly, this reality is most of the time, even in the little things.
Much Love,
Rachel
On a side note, this passage of Scripture points to how God is a relational God. He cares for us and allows us to make choices. (Finish reading Chapter 3 of 1 Kings)
A friend of mine, Joanna and I are reading through 1 Kings and we discussed the first 3 chapters. In chapter 3 God allows King Solomon to ask for whatever he wants. God literally comes to him in a dream and says, "Ask what I can give you." (1 Kings 3:5 ESV). Solomon, who was new to being King, asked for wisdom to discern between good and evil to govern the people.
This is what I was pondering this night, when I was hoping to be sleeping. I was considering, the daily life application of Solomon's request. The heart attitude of Solomon, who had a substantial authority over a large sum of people asked how to be a good leader. He didn't ask for riches or fame or _________________. So then, I asked myself, if given the opportunity to ask for anything, with the guarantee that I would get it, what would I ask for? Would I have the same heart attitude as Solomon or would I be self seeking. I was then reminded of an incident that happened at camp this summer, where 2 girls were both wanting sweatshirts but both were short of funds. One was a few dollars short and stated she would be willing to work around camp to pay off the difference where as the other girl who was more than half short, wasn't. Heart Attitude. Which spun me into my outlook at my current position as a housekeeper at an Assisted Living facility. It's not a glamorous job by any means. I bust my butt, making beds, laundering sheets, vacuuming, dusting, scrubbing toilets, moping floors - the works. It would be easy for me to check out, mentally. Pop in my headphones and crank out my work and be done with it...OR...I could be open to receiving life lessons. What it means to be a servant. What it means to have a servant's heart.
Then I started broadening my scope. What areas of life when there are choices to make am I selfishly thinking of me first and not others? Or more importantly without a mindfulness of God? Sadly, this reality is most of the time, even in the little things.
Much Love,
Rachel
On a side note, this passage of Scripture points to how God is a relational God. He cares for us and allows us to make choices. (Finish reading Chapter 3 of 1 Kings)
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
collections
For most of you, you know that Organization is something that I struggle with to the depths of my core.
I could use help! I have papers from high school that I have held onto for who knows what reason. I have text books that I keep for "just in case". I have piles of books that I have wanted to read since high school and magazines that I looked through only once or twice. Don't get me started on the knickknacks of dried flowers, music boxes, and other trinkets. I find myself making ground in one area to only discover a domineering pile standing behind me. I'm trying to be thorough since a lot of this stuff hasn't been touched in the last year much less thought about. In which case, it's time for it to go.
How did I get this way? How did I get to be such a collector of junk. I mean really, I have receipts from my trip to Costa Rica in 2011 which at the time, I was like, "OMG I'm going to scrapbook these and keep them forever...because that one time when I bought __(fill in the item here)__." But now, I am wondering what the point of it was, because the pictures and the memories of actually doing things are so much better than a receipt typed in Spanish. <- maybe this is one of my quirks of sentiment. God help the man that wants to marry me!
I have had this idea of getting a binder to organize my monthly expenses in a really cool fashion with calendars in a Type A fashion and it's been a year since my attempt and desire for that was lit......
I have no methods of being organized which means I have no skills to remain organized once I obtain a level of order in this current state of chaos. So what I say I could use help, this is me, begging in desperation for tips, suggestions, motivation.
Much Love,
Rachel
I could use help! I have papers from high school that I have held onto for who knows what reason. I have text books that I keep for "just in case". I have piles of books that I have wanted to read since high school and magazines that I looked through only once or twice. Don't get me started on the knickknacks of dried flowers, music boxes, and other trinkets. I find myself making ground in one area to only discover a domineering pile standing behind me. I'm trying to be thorough since a lot of this stuff hasn't been touched in the last year much less thought about. In which case, it's time for it to go.
How did I get this way? How did I get to be such a collector of junk. I mean really, I have receipts from my trip to Costa Rica in 2011 which at the time, I was like, "OMG I'm going to scrapbook these and keep them forever...because that one time when I bought __(fill in the item here)__." But now, I am wondering what the point of it was, because the pictures and the memories of actually doing things are so much better than a receipt typed in Spanish. <- maybe this is one of my quirks of sentiment. God help the man that wants to marry me!
I have had this idea of getting a binder to organize my monthly expenses in a really cool fashion with calendars in a Type A fashion and it's been a year since my attempt and desire for that was lit......
I have no methods of being organized which means I have no skills to remain organized once I obtain a level of order in this current state of chaos. So what I say I could use help, this is me, begging in desperation for tips, suggestions, motivation.
Much Love,
Rachel
Monday, October 6, 2014
testing
Hey guys, I'm here at AT&T looking at a tablet promotion. Not sure what to think about it. Thoughts?
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Lessons Learned
I can hardly believe it's been a month since I've left Alaska, by now I'm sure the summer sun is setting by 8 or 9, robbing it's followers of their dance. I know I feel robbed without the multitude of daylight in my favor, but I press on. (Good grief, the drama in this post!! haha) For the last week and a half I have been with my grandparents, helping out around the house, and assisting in their care. It's been eye opening for me as my granddad has dementia and the reality of his struggle to hold onto information in a conversation hit me harder than expected. I blindly went into these two weeks thinking I was seasoned, as I had worked with Seniors (many of whom struggled with memory loss.) But the impact of not being remembered or of constantly having to answer for not finding an Eskimo in Alaska to marry or bring home was wearisome. I'm thankful for the time with him, though, especially breakfast,or brunch because we rarely ate before 10:30/11. He was in true form of his character, pushing the oranges on me because "they're good for what ails you" and reminding me that if I were to walk away from the table hungry that it was my fault and if there were leftovers they would be served for the next meal. :)
I have found time to slip away and venture out and figure out what this little town called Kalispell has to offer and so far - a quaint little coffee shop called Colter Coffee, it's pretty hipster but it's got the best cup of coffee I've had since my last cup of Kaladi's and the staff here are wonderful. I also searched high and low for yarn shops and have found two!! the projects are piling up, luckily, I have the time and the energy to stay busy. In Whitefish, I channeled my inner child, bought a loaf of bread and headed to the docks on the river where my brothers and I would go with my Grampa to feed the ducks. :)
The logistics of work and life are summed up as follows. Jobs applied for: 4 Apartments applied for: 1 the search continues, the hunt is strong.
This isn't how this post was supposed to flow so let's get down to it.
With the abundance of down time I have, mostly spent by myself, I have had a lot of time to reflect on this chapter in life. Reflect on where I've come, what brought me here and where I want to go. Through this time memories have flooded my soul of heart conversations with some of the most influential people in my life thus far. These lessons, at the time weren't directed at me, but I was attentive and present all the same. These lessons spoke to relationships, to life's focus and the driving forces that I let guide my direction. These lessons are things that I know have to apply. I feel like for so long, I have stood on the coattails of others, making sure that my actions met the expectations of my friends, my family, my employer regardless of my inner agreement to them - because keeping a smile on my face and keeping the peace is easier than to wade through the muck and bullsh*t. Prime example. I was asked "How are you?" I out of practice said, "I'm good." My simple robotic response was flagged with a follow up of "really?" answering honestly, "actually no. I'm really tired, it's been a hard week." The "I'm good" is a front, to refrain exposing myself - it has been for years. Another conversation that has recently been brought to my memory was one in 2011 that I finally understand, I was asked if my relationship with my best friend is a good one FOR me. Is the relationship healthy, is it producing fruit in my life that are good or is there poison. I still believe and forever will that yes, it is. But I have since applied that question to the other relationships in my life, I have my pruner in hand and am ready to purge my life of those rotten relationships. My focus is on the cross. Today I was reading from Romans 6. Romans 6:16 spoke loudly to my soul "Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness." then in verse 21, "But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life."
So I challenge you, whoever you may be. Test the fruit in your life; is it good to eat nourishing and enriching you or is it rotten and by entertaining it are poisoning yourself?
Much Love,
Rach
I have found time to slip away and venture out and figure out what this little town called Kalispell has to offer and so far - a quaint little coffee shop called Colter Coffee, it's pretty hipster but it's got the best cup of coffee I've had since my last cup of Kaladi's and the staff here are wonderful. I also searched high and low for yarn shops and have found two!! the projects are piling up, luckily, I have the time and the energy to stay busy. In Whitefish, I channeled my inner child, bought a loaf of bread and headed to the docks on the river where my brothers and I would go with my Grampa to feed the ducks. :)
The logistics of work and life are summed up as follows. Jobs applied for: 4 Apartments applied for: 1 the search continues, the hunt is strong.
This isn't how this post was supposed to flow so let's get down to it.
With the abundance of down time I have, mostly spent by myself, I have had a lot of time to reflect on this chapter in life. Reflect on where I've come, what brought me here and where I want to go. Through this time memories have flooded my soul of heart conversations with some of the most influential people in my life thus far. These lessons, at the time weren't directed at me, but I was attentive and present all the same. These lessons spoke to relationships, to life's focus and the driving forces that I let guide my direction. These lessons are things that I know have to apply. I feel like for so long, I have stood on the coattails of others, making sure that my actions met the expectations of my friends, my family, my employer regardless of my inner agreement to them - because keeping a smile on my face and keeping the peace is easier than to wade through the muck and bullsh*t. Prime example. I was asked "How are you?" I out of practice said, "I'm good." My simple robotic response was flagged with a follow up of "really?" answering honestly, "actually no. I'm really tired, it's been a hard week." The "I'm good" is a front, to refrain exposing myself - it has been for years. Another conversation that has recently been brought to my memory was one in 2011 that I finally understand, I was asked if my relationship with my best friend is a good one FOR me. Is the relationship healthy, is it producing fruit in my life that are good or is there poison. I still believe and forever will that yes, it is. But I have since applied that question to the other relationships in my life, I have my pruner in hand and am ready to purge my life of those rotten relationships. My focus is on the cross. Today I was reading from Romans 6. Romans 6:16 spoke loudly to my soul "Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness." then in verse 21, "But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life."
So I challenge you, whoever you may be. Test the fruit in your life; is it good to eat nourishing and enriching you or is it rotten and by entertaining it are poisoning yourself?
Much Love,
Rach
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