another update from camp

Well, the heat has become more intense. This week was the hottest so far, and there were days that it felt like I was melting. At the same time, I made the mistake of not wearing sunscreen two days in a row while lifeguarding, so my back was burned. On the plus side, though, my Chaco sandals tan is getting to be pretty awesome, and my watch tan is LEGIT. Good thing I wear this watch every day, otherwise my wrist would be glowing in the dark...

Camp has been incredible. One thing that I love about Brookhill is the fact that, since the counselors are the same every summer and all summer long, we have built relationships with the same kids for the past five or six summers, so our ministry really is a long-term investment. This last week, there was a camper who "graduated" (is going into 10th grade and can transition to being a counselor) who was in my bunkhouse when I was an 8th grade camper, she was a 3rd grade camper. We have kept in touch ever since that summer, so for 7 years we have been emailing and reuniting at camp every year. It was such a cool thing to see her step into leadership and prepare to be on the other side of the ministry. On Friday night, we had a time where kids could come pray with us if they were dealing with tough issues or needing freedom from something in their lives. This girl came up to me, crying, and I started crying too. She told me she had kept a secret for four years about an issue she had been struggling with and had never told anyone, then she was able to let go of the secret and had a long prayer session over this issue. It was incredible - both of us were crying and hugging, and I know that God is going to use this struggle in her life for good things.

Another camper was a 3rd grader when I was a graduate, so she still has one more year as a camper, but we have kept in touch as well and she wrote me a letter this week telling me that I was the big sister she always wished she had. I also got to spend time a couple of weeks ago with my high school campers and share my wisdom concerning friendships and singleness and becoming a woman of integrity - all the areas that are my passion to share about with young women - and they all walked away encouraging me and thanking me for sharing with them. It is just so cool to see how God has used my passions and my experiences to minister to other people - beyond what I can describe using words.

It's hot, and some days I wonder why I am putting myself through this, but I wouldn't change anything about it. I am so blessed to be in this position of influence, and I know that God will continue to be faithful.