We just got back from week one; camp. We've talked about how much this season relates back to college. We feel like freshman again, and this week was opening days. Even being in the cabins felt a bit like being an RA again. Creepy, right? At some point the analogy falls apart, but I do believe that each stage of my life prepared me for the next. Camp prepared me for dorm life. Dorm life prepared me for being an RA. Being an RA prepared me for leadership in the workforce. Then, being a leader at CFA prepared me yet again for camp. First off, let me just say that we are so undeserving to be here. These people have loved on us, cared for us, and thought through our needs more than I've had anyone else do before. They've been so welcoming. At times it takes a while for me to really feel "at home", but it's already felt as though we are home. I love these kids. Yes, kids. I will forever unapologetically call them "kids" (knowing very well that they are "teens") because they are now my kids. They're kind of stuck with us now. Our week at camp with the teens was incredible. Some of these kids I had just met that day, but by the time the week was over, I felt we were all so much closer. Camp does that to you. If you live with someone for a week, they usually tend to open up and you find out a lot about them. These teens made the week. They were so sweet, and supportive - not only of us, but each other. It was encouraging to watch as we were constantly running up and down the hill for their competitions, and there was ALWAYS a group of our kids waiting to watch and support them as well. If we wandered around very long, there would quickly form a small group of the teens. They didn't avoid each other, and I appreciate that. They not only supported each other, but they also supported us. Not as much in words, but in actions. My mind goes back to Sunday night and we sent them into Walmart with 20 minutes to return. (Next time, additional time may be provided ;P) When we got back, every one of those teens were sitting, waiting on the bus. THAT was encouraging. Also, at least for the girls, they blew me away with how well they kept their things picked up in the cabin. I have been a counselor on a few different occasions, and obviously performed countless room checks as an R.A.... They did SO good! I didn't have to force them to clean, they were always on top of things. And if I did ask them to do something, they were quick to do it. On the occasions I did help out with cleaning something, I had multiple girls ask if I wanted them to do it for me. They're already familiar with serving, and I love that. I loved the opportunity to learn by watching other people. I am a people watcher by nature.. it comes naturally. ;) I think you can gain a great deal - both ways - by observing what others do. But also, I loved the opportunity to reflect on the faithfulness of God. Camp played a huge role in my life. I never went to JR Camp, but I started going to SR Camp a year early. Sagmount was a safe place. It was a place of protection, comfort, growth, and joy. Those weeks helped shape my life. It was an opportunity to leave everything behind and for one week, have a safe place to be able to focus on the important things. Thursday's were my least favorite nights. I knew I would be leaving in the morning to face yet again all I wanted to avoid. Yet for that short week, I could let it go. I can recall the struggle of learning to make friends my first few years. I remember meeting "Zebra Dude" who ended up being the best-man at our wedding. I remember sitting on the wooden railing every first night of camp, looking over the camp into the darkness, and praying for a friend; asking for the Lord to work in the week to come, and to also help me make some friends. Y'all, I struggled with friends - maybe due to equal parts high standards and trust issues. But then I also remember one year having this guy follow me around and the next year sitting up on the top of the hill in "my spot" with me as a very clear "non-date" as he told me he loved me for the first time... and I said, "okay". I remember the night I clearly knew He was calling me to full-time ministry, specifically youth ministry... all years before I had met that one guy who had also felt called to youth ministry. Or, how about the last year I went to camp when even though I was willing to go anywhere, deep down I had a desire to return someday to the same camp I went to as a teen. This past week we got to do just that. It was so cool to reflect on the faithfulness of God. Growing up, one of my greatest fears was not fulfilling God's will for my life. But God is faithful to lead us, if we just follow Him. As incredible as the past few weeks have been, I never imagined they would also be so hard. Talk about emotional. There were definitely moments I felt broken, hurting, or like a complete failure. But, my God is in control, the Bible is still relevant, and He is the greatest comfort. His grace is sufficient and the prayers of His people are very evident. Psalm 71.17-18- "O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come." Let me be that for the next generation!
1 Comment
Unknown
7/17/2019 07:08:51 am
Hi nice post
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Lizzy parkerMarriage.
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January 2023
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