(I'll put pictures up later)
Church Camp was amazing, wonderful, and something I really needed. This year was different than the usual, like last year. But it was still great, and I wish I had stopped telling myself this is weird and not like it's supposed to be and instead would have had the best time possible. Don't get me wrong, I had a great time, but I don't think I let God do as much as I could have.
There are a few highlights from camp I just need to write about because I want to remember them, so this may turn into a book. I apologize in advance.
First off, it was so good seeing my church camp friends. Not all of the usuals came, but people like Heather and Amy Stewart are the reason I go back to camp. They make camp what it is. My friend, Michelle, who was one of my best friends between fifth and ninth grade came back to camp after taking a year off. Can I just say I missed this girl like none other? We spent the whole week together, and she is just one of the sweetest girls you will ever meet. I really think we're going to keep in touch now. She's already planning on coming to Cedar Point with me. Just that kind of stuff. You always have that group of friends you hang out with, and this year's group was great. I was blessed with their company and thank God for each of them.
Every night we have campfire and for the past two years, I've been able to help lead silly songs. Growing up, I could not wait to be a senior camper and lead silly songs. So after ten years of waiting, my eleventh and twelfth years of camp, I finally got to do it. And this year my brother was also there (along with the rest of the Ambassadors and Abbi) leading silly song with me. It was a pretty cool thing. We had a great time, and I just acted like a seven year old goof (which is how most of you view me all of the time). It was definitely one of my highlights of camp.
Last night, Rachel and I talked to a girl who has just been dealing with different struggles for awhile. And firstly, I was so honored that she decided to talk to me about her struggles. She just didn't understand why the church is turning their backs on her when they're supposed to be the people who love her most (which I think all of us can understand that). After Rachel and I talked to her for a good while, that evening she decided to get rebaptized. (Now, I'm not saying that I think rebaptism is the right thing to do because someone will get rebaptized a million and then I think it means absolutely nothing. That's not what I'm here to talk about.) That's what she thought she needed to do because she wanted to start over, and I respect her for that. Seriously, this girl is awesome and God is going to use her in big ways. I can't wait to witness it.
Now, this is the story that still makes my heart happy. I could re-live it over and over again and that would just be fine with me. There's a trail on the grounds that we use for our prayer walk. We didn't get to go on the prayer walk this year, and some of us really wanted to walk to the top of the trail because it is absolutely gorgeous. So, this afternoon Rachel, Michelle, Abbi, EJ and Adria hiked up the mountain to the top. After Rachel and I decided to hold hands and run in this field :), we all went to the top and started looking around at God's creation. We saw this squirrel hopping in the field, and then a doe jumping across the field, two butterflies flying around Rachel like in the movies, and an eagle soaring above us. Oh, and Abbi had her guitar. I felt like I was in "The Sound of Music". We started singing "How Great is Our God", "Mighty to Save" and some other songs with the guitar. We sang our hearts out, stood, got on our knees, raised our hands. Whatever we felt like we needed to do. Then we sang "Surround Us, Lord" and "We Shall Assemble" while we were sitting on the top of this mountain. And if you know the words to those songs, you know how powerful it was for us. After that each of us got in the middle of our circle at a time and we all put our hands on the person and prayed for us. We were totally open with each other about our struggles. It was amazing, and I think something we all needed. We cried together and just loved on each other. We sang "Reign In Me" and then went back down the trail.
At the end of camp we have our closing ceremony. So we give out awards and such. EJ got the sportsmanship award, Rachel got the outstanding student in bible class, Michelle got the servant hood award, EJ, Rachel, Abbi and I got on the all-star team. And I got the senior girl camper award which means I get a scholarship to go to camp for free next year. (Though I get to go free anyway since my dad is kind of the director..) We have teams each year that compete against each other in competitions like banner, skit and song for our group. Our groups were based off board games this year. So, I was the co-captain for Team Clue. We ended up getting second which was better than what I usually do. I've only got first once out of my twelve years of camp. It's a sad thing.
So, that was camp. It was great.. I loved it so much and cannot wait to see what God has in store for next year.
Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
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