Wow. That about sums up the last 6 weeks of my life. As most of you know I have been working at Black Rock Retreat as a counselor this summer. The hours are long, the pay is low, and I forget what it feels like to not be constantly sweating, but I cannot imagine a more perfect place to be. God has blessed me beyond belief through this experience! Not only have I have the opportunity to witness to students in grades 2 through 12, but I have also been able to grow in my relationship with the Lord. There have been moments when I'm exhausted, irritable, and just plain sick of being around people and giving myself to my campers, but the patience and love that has filled me this summer can only be explained as coming from the Holy Spirit. Never before have the Fruits of the Spirit been so evident in my life (and I'm not trying to brag or anything when I say that!) and I feel as if I am truly living my relationship with the Lord, not just going through the motions. The passion and fire I feel for Christ now makes me wonder how I lived before. Where did I find my joy? Who did I seek to help me with my problems or struggles? How did I process different events in my life? In all honesty, I was completely lost. And while the barriers of camp do create what seems like a totally different world, being in such a loving and passionate place has filled me with the knowledge and wisdom that I need to carry with me during my year-long excursion.
(I can't ever seem to remember who I've told and who I haven't, BUT I have been officially accepted into Brethren Volunteer Service and will be leaving September 16th for New Windsor, Maryland where I will be for 3 weeks. I will choose my location for the year while I am in New Windsor. So, when I find out where I'm going to be, you folks will find out too!)
Don't be mistaken, there have been some incredibly hard moments at camp. There have been campers who are filled with apathy, grief, and confusion and based off of their life experiences, rightly so, but God has blessed me immensely with the ability to share his love and grace when speaking to these beautiful children and young women of Christ. To put it plainly, camp has been the best experience of my short life thus far.
While I am excited for my volunteer experience to begin, I am also dreading the end of camp and am processing what this next year will look like for me. The thought of being away from my family and pets (yes, even the pets) makes me anxious. I know I will miss opportunities to just be a "normal: teenage girl and hang out with my friends from home, school, and Black Rock, as well as work as a counselor again next summer, but I know that my Father in Heaven has grand plans for me! Prayer for peace and an unending joy as I move from season to season would be greatly appreciated!
I love you all and God Bless!!
