Camp Pinewood (High School Church Camp) - July 18-23

So after a whole day of "rest" from Awana Camp, I was on a bus and back up to McCall, ID to help out with High School camp for my home church's youth group and a few other youth groups. I got to be a counselor for four ninth grade guys and again, had great opportunities to invest in their lives, just through conversation, cabin times, and of course, during the many eventful activities of the week.

This was one of my favorite "outings" from the week. We all (about 70 people) hiked up to Boulder Lake for the afternoon. It was beautiful. The hike was a couple miles and pretty steep at some places. This is just below the lake. The water is running right through the rock and had carved it out! Talk about cold water. When we finally got up there, we climbed up and around and down to a nice rock ledge (about 15 feet high) which we then jumped off of into the COLD water. It was great. On my way down, I took a different route and ended up on a higher ledge about 35 feet high...what could I do but JUMP! It was great...probably the closest I've ever come to "flying" outside a plane (yeah, more like falling without style...haha).

What a great week...lots of lives impacted! And an energizer for me (in a tiring sort of way). Now that camps are over for me this summer, I'm starting to get ready to head to Missouri in three weeks. Please pray for me as there's lots to do. It has been a great summer interning with my church and being involved with various ministries. It's not over yet though, so I don't want to "check out." Please pray also that I would not wear myself out right before I head to Missouri. That would be a bad start. Good to know God is in control. May you enjoy Him today! All for now.

Awana Scholarship Camp (July 9-16)

This year at Awana Scholarship Camp, I got to be a team captain! I also got to be a high school counselor and help oversee the worship team. Here's a look at the four team captains. To lighten the mood before lunch or dinner, our activities directors would always do a "team captains competition" to keep us on our toes and to keep the kids laughing.

I had a great week and was stretched a lot, with many responsibilities, and some things that I had never done before. But it was a very rewarding week, as God did amazing things in many lives! Awana Camp has always been a favorite for me, since this was my 12th year (8 years as a camper, and 4 years on staff). Wow, time flies...God is good! Totally worth living for. Keep on keepin' on, friends!

Well, now I'm off to another week of camp (this time, our high school camp for our church youth). Appreciate the prayers! God bless.

Camp Elkanah!! (June 26th-July 1st)

I just spent this past week up at Camp Elkanah (located near LaGrande, OR) as Camp SPEAKER for their Jr. Camp (3rd-6th grade)!!! I never would've imagined that at just 22 yrs. old I would have the awesome privilege and responsibility of spending TEN sessions (1/2 hour each) with a group of 75 kids, challenging them with truth from God's word. What a thrill!! Back in April when God set it up for me to come to Camp Elkanah, I never would've expected all the wonderful experiences and challenges I would encounter at the end of my 21st year (that's right, I got to spend my birthday up at Camp!). This past week was probably one of the toughest challenges I've ever faced, as I often felt inadequate to be the one standing up front. But God continued to remind me of the very passage that I was sharing from with the kids all week:

Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."
Day-by-day He reminded me to trust Him just as always and to look to Him to be my strength and sufficiency. Though it had its challenges, this past week was also one of the most exciting experiences of my life!

"So what made this such a great experience??" Without a doubt, I'd say it was the other counselors and camp staff who I was serving right alongside of all week! Mostly college students (18-25 yrs.) who had a passion to serve Christ and to impact the lives of these kids. It was so exciting to talk with them throughout the week and to hear what God is doing in their lives as they seek His best for each of them. Their love for the kids (rooted in their relationship with Christ) was infectious!!

To any of you who are reading this: "Thanks again for a great week! I'm praying for you as you continue serving with these last 2 camps!"

And thank you to all of you out there who prayed for me during camp. It made a big difference! So encouraging to know that you're lifting me before the Lord in prayer! He loves to work in answer to prayer as we look to Him and trust Him. :)
Some highlights from the week included:
-Talking with the kids about "Jesus stuff" outside of chapel.
-Crazy games of course! (counselor "bat relay")
-Monster Zipline (Superman-style...sorry the video didn't turn out)
-A soaking rivalry between two very persistent counselors. (& throwing my "only dry shoes" in the river on my birthday...haha ;)-
-"Find the Animals"
-Great Food!!! (thanks Mama T)