Girls Camp Grace

God has shown me once again how powerful and loving He is. Last week I was given the gift of being a part of Girls Camp at Twin Rocks Friends Camp.

I went into the experience hesitant and unsure... I'd never been a camp counselor before, what if I wasn't as cool or fun or as energetic as the high school/college age counselors...would the kids like me? (It's all about me, right) And what if I didn't have the right words to say to these impressionable elementary age girls? (Don't lean on God's provision or anything Michelle) What if I missed my family, the house project, and spending the 4th of July with family and friends too much? (Are you starting to notice a very whiny "oh poor me" theme.) It's enough to make me sick now that I look back on it. Ok, so now you're probably getting a feel for my self-centered self-talk that wraps around my brain and continually holds me back from entering new situations in the Light of Christ.

The theme of Girls Camp was Light Your World-based on Matthew 5:14-16. I know Girls Camp is for 4th, 5th and 6th grade girls, but it also brings peace, joy and love to 33 year old first time camp counselors! God gave me so many gifts over the course of the week. Too many to fully explain, but I'd be selfish if I didn't share a few...

I found absolute peace in the first 30 seconds after gathering "my girls." God gave me the assurance that everything would be fine, if I just shared my self, my heart and my knowledge of Him. I spent the week following that call, and was rewarded by 7 precious girls who counseled ME by sharing enthusiam, hugs, laughter, and tears.

It isn't often you get to spend an entire week, with every minute of the day set apart to worship God, to follow Christ, to fellowship with other Christians, and to be focused on a common mission-sharing God's love for every camper-and helping them see how they can be a Light in the darkness. Being a part of the team that counseled and staffed Girls Camp was pure joy. Leadership that is Christ led, is truly out of this world!

Love at Twin Rocks comes in so many different ways. For a full time mom, a week without meal preparation, laundry, and cleaning house is HUGE. For me personally, a week without saying, "only five more bites" was another way God showed His love. I had a cabin full of good eaters who weren't the least bit picky. (Twin Rocks has awesome food!!) On a deeper level, I had a group of girls who showed love to one another and to me. They comforted one another in moments of homesickness and revealed the hurts of their hearts. God created a cabin full of girls who were eager to experience everything Twin Rocks had to offer. (Including fishing every morning at 6:30am!) How refreshing to be with kids who knew how to grasp on to goodness and enjoy it.

To put it simply, I fell in love with Girls Camp-The mission and its Maker. Thank you God for overcoming the darkness in my small mind and giving me the gift you offer to all-The LIGHT.