Campers left on Thursday, so our staff was able to have a few days off before campers arrived again on Sunday. It ended up being a great time to hang out as staff away from a normal schedule and also a time to process the summer so far. The first day we went to Carmel and hung out at the beach and had a bonfire. It was such a neat time getting to know the staff in a different context. We spent the night at one of the counselor's houses in Carmel. My roommate for the night was one of my favorite staff members :). We stayed up a bit chatting and laughing a lot as usual. The next day we drove off to Moraga, where one of our staff members, Jono, lives. Another dinner of free food and fun fellowship. The Lord was really at work in the different conversations I was able to have with some of the girl counselors and He continues to direct my path in how to be a support and encourage them. I spent the night in Moraga at Sprite's house, which was so great to catch up on how she is doing (since she just recently got back from living over in Costa Rica student teaching for a semester). 4th of July was a fun day. We went to breakfast together where we joined up with Dave. Sitting around at a coffee shop, drinking tea, and talking about the Lord together was so uplifting. The rest of the day we spent lounging around, relaxing, and enjoying just being able to "be" and not "do" anything.
Being away from camp for a bit was something I didn't realize I needed so badly. The Lord blessed me with a break from it all in order to process through some of how camp has been going and also to refill me in order to keep giving from His strength. I felt an uneasiness in going back to camp on Friday/Saturday morning, but any effort I made to try to figure out what He wanted to be teaching me during my time away or how He wanted to fill me wasn't working. There was a moment though where I was able just to lay out on the grass by myself, immerse myself in the Lord's presence, and let Him do His work. My heart was longing for Him and He met me in so many different ways. It was such a neat experience that He had pre-planned and was exactly what He knew I needed. It may seem silly that it was just a random moment, laying out on the grass, listening to the quietness of the breeze and the bird's singing, but how profound is it when we listen to the Lord as He leads us into those unexpected moments? He is at work and He is revealing Himself to us in more moments then we probably realize! Our challenge is to live in this reality, dedicate our moments to Him, be attentive to His voice, listen to Him, obey Him, step into what He is calling us to, trust His love without fear, so that we can experience His greatness and His glory in whatever circumstance He lays in front of us.
Overall, it was a refreshing break, filled with conversations and times with the Lord that keep pointing me back to Him. We have lots of campers from years past that are stoked to be here at camp. Being surrounded by people would love kids is such a fun thing to experience. The kids brought so much energy this week, which has impacted all of us who just adore kids and has hyped up all of our energy as well. It is an awesome picture just to watch all of the staff loving on the kids with such a joy and passion. Walking around camp yesterday and having a conversation with one of the members on staff was a neat moment just to soak in everything that was going on around us. God has brought us here to this place this summer and it is seriously an incredible place to be. We were reflecting that we are at a place in our lives where we don't feel rushed, taking one day at a time, and truly are enjoying where the Lord has us at, knowing that the future is under control and there is nothing to fear. What a freeing joy it is to live in the moment, being open to where the Lord is leading, processing through things of the future when HE sees fit, and in the mean time experiencing HIM here in this place. What a blessing it is to dwell in His presence!
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