CBM Intern – New Places with Great Changes
By CBM National intern, Jamie Carpenter –
A year ago, I never thought I would be where I am today (quite literally, who would have known I would ever live in Tennessee?!). The Lord has brought me through so much within these last twelve months and I am forever thankful to Him for that. I was so unsure about beginning CBM’s National Internship, just because I was afraid and I did not have any idea what to expect. My first day here in Townsend was pretty chill because I got here at 8 AM and everyone else wasn’t supposed to arrive until later that afternoon. Being alone all day gave me plenty of time to think and spend some much-needed time with my Heavenly Father. It’s crazy to think that was just three months ago. That may not seem like a very long time, but so much has happened in these three months here at Children’s Bible Ministries HQ. The Lord has grown me in tremendous ways that I never knew were even possible. Pursuing the CBM National Internship is one of the best decisions I have ever made.
I have had some of the best, and hardest, experiences of my life. For the first time, I’ve had to give my testimony to a group of people that I did not know and also speak to them one-on-one afterwards!! How scary is that?! I have also been able to spend these months with some pretty awesome people. The other Team 5 interns, Jake, Joseph, Cati and Priscilla are something else. We are all different from each other, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. The Intern Coordinator, Jacquelyn, is also pretty cool. She always keeps me straight when I’m trying to go crazy and be dramatic about something that doesn’t even matter. Lincoln and Jamie are my second parents and sometimes, I act like their actual child, so that keeps things exciting. It’s been rather interesting having another Jamie around because I am not used to that at all, especially since she is one of the National Directors and people are constantly needing her, but that’s okay. As we like to say, “It’s a Jamie thing.”
Every day I feel like I’m even closer to the Lord. He continues to give me the strength to make tough decisions and to just go through my daily routine. Without Him, I am nothing. One of the biggest things that I love to do is just sit outside of Elk Lodge, with no distractions, and talk to God. I always take my Bible, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that I will use it because I enjoy just listening for Him. I sit on the ledge on the other side of the pool, look out across the mountain and take in His beautiful creation. It is often in those times that it is quiet and nothing else is going on that I will hear God speak to me through Scripture. One of my favorite Bible verses of all time is Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Being still isn’t always the easiest thing to do, but when I do, it is amazing. The fact that I get to experience a God, who is greater than anything else, just puts me in awe. I look around and see the work He has done in my life and it makes me smile every time. I am more in love with the Lord now than I ever have been, and it is glorious.
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7
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Bryan Carpenter
December 20, 2016 (8:13 pm)
Jamie, you are so much more than you know you are. I’ve seen it in your whole life. It’s hard to be live you’re where you are now, but you’re doing God’s will in your life. Stay strong. Alicia and I will see you Friday! Love you!