Camp was a blast. And a chance to relax. And time to spend with God. And time to work through things in my heart. It wasn't always easy or fun, but it was good. Here are a few snapshots from last week. I don't think a thousand words could do as good of a job of explaining some of these things and really, even pictures aren't enough.
I really enjoy looking over the water and being reminded of the appropriateness of the name of this place; stillwater.
Every time I'm at camp, it's a chance to grow out of being such a chicken about bugs. Specifically spiders. I couldn't see what was lurking in the back of this cubby in the tent, so I took a picture with flash to find out it was just a leaf. Phew.
I didn't get a picture of this, but half way through, Jake came out to visit me at camp. It was so refreshing and restful to be with him in the middle of a tiring and wearing week and it meant so much to get to hug my best friend sooner than I thought I would.
Lastly, but certainly not anywhere near least, is this. One of the whole reasons I could go to camp: the campers. Getting to take care of, share with, serve and learn from them is the most fulfilling part of being able to go to camp at all.
Every week of camp, counselors agree that there's at least one camper you especially connect with. This is that camper. It was her first time ever going to camp but she was so brave and sweet even though she had some hard moments of being away from home. I was honored to be her counselor and so thankful to spend the week the way I did.
Sipping coffee on the bench swing in the morning and looking out over the camp. Just me, Jesus, coffee, and beautiful scenery. Definitely something I've missed.
The awesome co-counselor. I love my Miss Maddy.
There was this game the counselors were playing with flamingos. You had to find where the last person had hidden them, hide them in a new place and take a picture without getting "flamingo-ed" (getting caught and the person who caught you yells "flamingo"). We got them on the zip line without a hitch. Score!
Nothing like watching the conniving smiles on their little faces as campers pelt nervous counselors with water balloons. Somehow I got out of it. =P
The infamous Counselor Burger. It's pretty much just a double cheeseburger with double cheese, but it just always seems better than any other double cheeseburger with double cheese.
Camper watermelon eating contest! The first 3 are mine!
Counselor watermelon eating contest! I did it once and regretted it. This time I decided not to put myself through that and instead get pictures of others doing so.
A sample of my daily schedule.
I got to hold this guy! Justice Henley. His mommy is a friend I've known forever and she and her husband (and Justice) live on the camp. I'm so happy for his life :) BTW, I was trying to look like this. He was crying and I thought it was a great awkward photo opp.
I missed this too- Campers sitting and listening in the foreground, someone wise speaking in the back. In this case, it's Mr. Jim, the camp director. I could probably write a whole post of stories about this wise man and his love for God and the campers over the years.
Doodling during class.
I got to go running after all! I got this stunning sky in front of me, this soulful song in my ears and my favorite running pants and shirt on. It was nice. Real nice.
My home sweet home for most of last week. It really is quite nice for being a tent in nature. I never found any bugs inside except maybe the occasional mosquito or moth, so that was a treat.
I didn't get a picture of this, but half way through, Jake came out to visit me at camp. It was so refreshing and restful to be with him in the middle of a tiring and wearing week and it meant so much to get to hug my best friend sooner than I thought I would.
Lastly, but certainly not anywhere near least, is this. One of the whole reasons I could go to camp: the campers. Getting to take care of, share with, serve and learn from them is the most fulfilling part of being able to go to camp at all.
Every week of camp, counselors agree that there's at least one camper you especially connect with. This is that camper. It was her first time ever going to camp but she was so brave and sweet even though she had some hard moments of being away from home. I was honored to be her counselor and so thankful to spend the week the way I did.