Summer of a Lifetime

It’s been nearly a month since I got on an airplane and made the trek home from Young Harris, Georgia to my home in North Carolina.

It’s been a month of adjusting to a new normal that doesn’t involve reminding my campers to stay hydrated and not to forget their water bottle or dancing to “What Makes You Beautiful” during swanky supper or reading picture books to my little first graders (shout out to sweet one) before bedtime.

It’s been a month without my camp staff family – women who were complete strangers at the beginning of the summer, women who I now know would have my back and come to my rescue at the drop of a hat, women who loved me so well for 8.5 weeks this summer.

If you’ve followed me on social media this summer, you know that I just finished working for WinShape camps for girls at Young Harris College in Georgia. You probably also know that it was by far (probably) the greatest experience of my life.

I sat down tonight to record some memories and pictures from the summer and I think it was the first time that I was really able to reflect on the magnitude of this summer and all that God taught me – all that God did in our midst and in the lives of the 2,113 campers that came to Young Harris for WinShape this summer.

To my own surprise, tears began to fill my eyes as I flipped through pictures from this summer – pictures of me and other staffers, of me and my campers at different events, of sunsets from Bell Mountain, and snapshots of dancing and ultimate rec and powder paint. Because I didn’t just have a fun summer filled with laughter and late night giggles and goofing off with 2,000+ girls.

While I certainly did all of that, there was so much more that filled my days for 7 weeks this summer.

Hands of shy, nervous little girls were held as we walked from the clubhouse (dorm) to chow hall (cafeteria) on the first night of camp when they didn’t have any friends.

Conflicts were handled, graciously showing my girls how important it is that our words are used to build one another up – not tear each other down.

My shoulder was cried on as girls missed their parents (or their dogs ;) ) or as one camper was reminded of the death of her brother four years ago, the grief overwhelming and too much for her eight year old self to bear.

Cards were dealt as friendships were built while playing spicy uno (so many games of uno) and spoons, emphasizing the importance of Christ centered community in our lives.

Bibles were read and verses were written down – many that were then posted on the wall to get me through the really hard days when my campers weren’t always easy to love and I needed to be reminded of the crazy, always-pursuing love God has for me.

I sat beside beds during thunderstorms and after bad dreams, rubbing backs until my sweet girls were back asleep. “I love you”s were said every night – and when they were returned, I felt that my heart would explode.

The gospel was shared every Wednesday night without fail. Conversations took place, tough questions about the goodness of God were answered. I was able to share my story – the hardest and most beautiful parts – with my campers who were walking some of the same seasons I had been through so many years ago.

Hugs were given. Oh so many hugs to girls I didn’t want to send home because God gave me a love for them that I never imagined I could have had.

Rejoicing happened – in heaven and in my heart – when I got to be the one that witnessed the moment that several of my campers chose to become a part of God’s family for the very first time. I had never – and will probably never – feel a greater joy than knowing that this sweet girl will spend eternity in heaven with her Father.

I sought the Lord early in the morning and late at night, running to Him when I had nothing left to give, resting in Him when I was tired, and praising Him for the work I was getting to witness in the lives of my campers. He continued to show me – day after day after day – that He alone not only provided what I needed, but He was my Provision – the only thing I needed to get through the day. He taught me to expect abundantly more, stretched me to be flexible and intentional in every moment, challenged me to serve others above myself in every moment, and loved me in more ways than I could have imagined.

I don’t think I’ll ever have exactly the words to describe all that God did in my heart this summer – and all the things I got to see. But for now, all I can say is that I am grateful.

I am so beyond grateful for the new relationships I have, for the beautiful girls I got to love, and for the heart He has given me to go into this last school year expecting exceedingly and abundantly more than I could ever imagine.

Tonight as I looked at pictures and flipped through all of the cards I received this summer (another way I felt so loved!!), I came across a postcard I picked up from a WinShape table at school back in September…one that I kept on my wall all year that simply says, “Find your why.”

And as I stared at the pictures of my campers from this summer, the only thing I could think was this: They are my why.

So I continue to pray that my Jesus will keep giving me the opportunity to pour into children and remind them of how loved they are by their Creator – because doing that for seven weeks this summer…it was the most rewarding thing I have ever been a part of and the most amazing opportunity to serve my God.

Find your why, my friends. It will be the greatest adventure you’ve ever taken.

P.S. Applications for Summer 2019 are now open!!! Apply today for the summer of a lifetime!