The Starting Line

Hi friends and family!

So, I know it's still early...but I thought it would be cool to share with you some of the things God is starting to stir in me and some of the things that have been going on around school that have connections with Mt. Hermon and coming up with my day camp nickname (It's come down to Pip, Sunny, Cricket and Tiny...hmmm). But lets start with some new friends....

I found out that my lovely friend Christian will be up at Mt. Hermon with me all summer long. If you know Christian, you can just tell by her very presence that she loves God. She is a very calming person with a gentle soul. I cannot wait to spend some time with her this summer! She is probably going to be on Rec staff or doing Canopy Tours (whichever her pick). How cool is that?! She gets to run games for the kids and families all summer or lead people on the ropes course all day long high up in the redwoods...I don't know about you, but that is a pretty sick job! Its comforting to know that one of my Bible Study girls/good friend will be up there with me.

As for some new friends, I recently met two guys named Jeremy (Ollie) and Erik (Skitch). Jeremy will be working with me this summer as a fellow Day Camper Counselor and Skitch is a DC alumni. He now is the jr. high pastor at First Church here on campus. Anyways, Christian and I met up with these two and got to talking about camp. They literally glowed as they started talking about what life is like up at Mt. Hermon, but what was even more amazing is how much love they seemed to have for all the kids that go through Day Camp. It was just so refreshing to see two guys who share the same passion as I do: Loving God's children. Skitch gave us some really good advice. He said that how you go into day camp, is how most of the summer will be like and although the staff is amazing, the summer is REALLY all about the kids.

I'm so grateful for this advice. I know that, for myself, I was really looking forward to meeting my staff. They become like family and these friends will last your entire life. However, I began to start focusing on that more once I got hired. Its funny how that can get in the way sometimes...I almost forgot about the reason WHY I wanted to go up to camp! I answered God's call because I feel like He is going to use me up there...for what? I still don't know. But what I do know is that my heart prayed so much for the girls I would come into contact with. I just felt the need to pray for them, so I did. I prayed and prayed and prayed. I prayed that God would use me for His purpose because I know He has given me tools to serve with kids. I want my summer to be about the kids. Who knows? Maybe they will teach me more than what I can teach them...

Overall, I am pumped about this! I have fears about it too...will I be a good counselor? Can I really do this? What if I mess up? Will the kids like me? Every time I ask myself these questions, I can almost see Christ holding my face. His eyes are filled with love and joy and his smile is so reassuring, "I have called you, my daughter. I know you can do this. I know what you can do for my kingdom. Now go, and trust in me!" I do, Jesus. I trust you. I am your daughter and your servant. I will go. Open my eyes to see what you have for me. I will follow.