Church Camp Adventures 2011

I've been home from camp for seven days, and I don't think I'm quite back into a routine. Of course, summer changes my routine anyway.

One thing that's been wonderful this week is the weather. Nothing but sun and pleasant temps. Wish we could've had two weeks at camp just like this, but for whatever reason God didn't see fit to give it to us. We still had a good time, in spite of the rain and several days of cool temps.

So let's talk about camp a little. I woke up with a stuffy nose the first day we were heading out. I have frequently been sniffly in the mornings but not stuffy. Thinking the congestion would just clear up as the day wore on, I didn't worry much about it. I popped a Claritin and went on with my day. Only it didn't just go away. It made me miserable. And I was staying in a cabin among a lot of trees and grass and growing things that... you know... create pollen.

I woke up in the middle of that first night with my sinuses miserably congested and couldn't breathe. That warranted a trip up to Walmart first thing Wednesday morning before the kids even were up. Thank goodness that the state park is only about 25 minutes from the Walmart. I grabbed a couple packages of sinus meds and some throat drops and headed back to camp. Let's just say I sneezed a lot and used up almost an entire box of Kleenex all by myself over the next five days.

I just want you to know that although I never would've anticipated having an allergy issue during camp, God's grace carried me through it. It's not what I would've chosen for myself, but I managed and still had fun in spite of the discomfort.

So what do you want to hear about next? The volleyball games, the snake, or the nicknames the kids gave me?

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Busy Busy!

Hello. I'll bet you've been wondering where I have been. Or not... and that's okay.

I haven't been doing any book reviews of late. I needed to back away from any review commitments because I'm going to help at our church camp for two weeks in June.

Otherwise, I haven't written anything else simply because I haven't felt inspired. I guess this is a dry writing spell.

On the flip side of that, though, I started a prayer journal in January, and I have been keeping up with journaling almost every day. You might say I was challenged after reading A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller and also reading Jim Elliot's biography The Shadow of the Almighty. My desire to journal over spiritual things got kicked into high gear.

So as I mentioned, these next two weeks are going to be full and challenging. Next week I leave for teen camp, in which I will strive to keep up with a handful of teenagers (and their fearless leader) for 4 days.

Thank goodness, the girls get to stay in a cabin. With a toilet. And beds. What we're all praying for is that we get to keep our power this year, otherwise that toilet will only be a pipe dream. Last year we lost power during both weeks of camp. None of us camp veterans want a repeat of that.

Then I'll return on Saturday to do laundry, go to church, repack my things, and turn around to do it all again with the junior campers. They cut that week down by a day. I'm still not certain whether they do that for the young campers or for the adults.

But lest I forget to tell you... before all the camp fun begins I will be attending my 20-year high school reunion this Saturday. Did I just say 20 years?!? How did I grow old enough to even get here? I've been reading on Facebook of late about some of my classmates having children graduating from high school this year. One gal's daughter is going to make her a grandmother very soon. Yipes!!! How did this happen?

So wow! A lot happening around here, for sure. Hopefully I'll get a chance to fill you in on all the details later. Whenever that is.

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Things About Camp

Things I DON'T miss about camp:

1. The spiders in the outhouse
2. Watching out for the snake at the outhouse
3. Mosquitoes
4. Spraying myself with bug spray every time I walk out the door
5. Storms
6. Losing power in the cabin, not once but twice
7. Hearing a child ask for the 10th time, "When are we going swimming?"

Things I DO miss about camp:

1. My nieces and nephews
2. My rollaway bed (yes, I actually enjoy sleeping in it)
3. The early morning sounds coming through open windows
4. Not having to prepare meals
5. Bike riding
6. Watching the sunset
7. Having devotions with the girls
8. Getting tan
9. Being away from "real life"
10. Being spiritually stretched
11. The feeling of being needed by 6 little girls

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Could Someone Point the Way to "Normal"?

Hey, guess who's home from church camp.  Me!

I got home Friday afternoon, but I'm still trying to transition back into "normal" life.  I thought I was caught up on my sleep, but I'm still feeling groggy in the mornings and not always sure where I am.  5:45 AM came too quickly this morning, and I considered bargaining my time to fit in a little more rest.  Do I really need to wash my hair today?

I have so much to tell you.  Lots of spiritual challenges.  Lots of funny stories.  I'm not sure what all I will share with you.  Maybe vlogging is the way to go?  Wait and see.

I really just wanted to pop in and say, "Hello.  I'm still alive." 

I'm going back to my Monday work now.  Hope you have a good one.

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Grasping at Grace

Let the countdown begin!  I just looked at the calendar and realized I leave for teen camp in 21 days.  Twenty.One.Days.  I didn't realize it was less than 30.  I guess I better get my packing list started.

Do you remember last year and my first experience of helping at camp?  It went pretty well, and I am ready to do it again.  At least, I think I'm ready to do it again.

But am I ready to go for two weeks of camp?  Yes, the juniors' camp is the following week.  And yes, I am going.  It's a day shorter than teen camp, but the children are younger.  That requires the leaders to be a little more hands-on with the campers.

This time camp will involve a new experience for me.  Although I know what to anticipate, the newness comes particularly with the junior campers.  I've spent the last nine months getting to know them in Word of Life club and Sunday school.  It will be cool to spend those few days with them, acting as a stand-in-mom of sorts.  My nieces and nephews will be there, too, which will make it extra special for me to be able to spend those few days with them.

Needless to say, in these coming weeks I will be looking to the Lord for grace.  I'm anticipating good things, but the experience is not going to be easy.  This seems to be a season God has brought me to, in order to teach me more about His grace.  Lots of stretching and opportunities for growth these days. 

Some days I fully grasp His grace.  Still other days I fail altogether to grasp it.  I'm just thankful that His well never runs dry.

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

~Hebrews 4:15-16 (NKJV)

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Things I Miss

There are several things I miss about camp.  One of them is fishing.  I caught a few fish while I was there.  You probably didn't take me for a fisherwoman, did ya?

Another thing I miss are the sunsets on the lake.  Just water, trees and sky.

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Home From Camp

I got home from camp last night.  I'm still processing everything that I experienced.  There were challenges through the week but different than I had expected them to be. 

The biggest surprise of all?  I miss it.  I miss camp.  I missed waking up in the cabin this morning with a breeze coming through the window and hearing the birds chirping in the trees.  And I missed seeing 5 sleepy-eyed, teenage girls dragging themselves out of bed to meet for the morning devotion.

Maybe I'll tell you about it sometime...

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