A Summer full of Sunshine...

View from the Fire Tower

     This summer I worked at Twin Lakes Summer Camp and it was the best experience ever! Really, I absolutely loved every single minute of it and definitely did not want it to end. The Christian Community found at camp was so neat to be apart of. It was nice to always be surrounded by people striving towards the same goal as you: using every opportunity to show the campers Jesus. An encouraging word, thoughtful prayer, and caring gesture were always available through these people I had grown to know and love! The bible story we told all summer long was the story of Elijah! Even though the story became so familiar to me, I still was reminded of God's truths every day. God really used the summer to teach me a lot about Him and I grew so much. One of the things God showed me is the importance of a Christian community and fellowship. Being completely surround by that 24/7 really opened my eyes to the importance of that. Whenever I left camp, I instantly missed the community found there. Thank goodness for RUF at Ole Miss, because I'm blessed enough to find that there as well. God also showed me what it means to truly be fully satisfied in Him. He showed me that my security is found in who I am in Jesus Christ. What a great feeling that is? To find all that you need and will ever need in your Savior who loves you beyond all measure? Lastly, God really showed me what it means to REST in Him. Really REST. Although camp was wonderful, it was extremely tiring. Often times my patience would wear thin and my frustration would get the best of me. But I learned to turn to God for rest... and Oh, what a wonderful rest that is. Resting in what Jesus Christ did to save me. Resting in the love and mercy God shows me every single day. Resting in the grace our Savior supplies to us without cease. Resting in the GOOD NEWS. 

Overnight 1 girls!

Loved the sweet Cranberris... they were the babies of the camp!

Day Camp 1- this little one was the sweetest!

After Treehouse Time!

The activity I worked all summer was the Ropes Course...  I loved it!

Chacos + Dirt = a fake chaco tan

Day Camp 2 Girls!

These two are precious!

Sugar Shack everrrryyyy Friday!

Overnight 3 girls... This might have been my favorite week!

:)

Favorite Camper all summer... She was so much fun and too sweet!

Fellow DG staff!!

Sad to be leaving!

Lakeside 7 and 8 with our wonderful unit director!

Absolutely love this picture. Our camp photographer took it. This was right before we went our the adventure with Elijah on Friday. We had to get with our cabins and go over all we had learned. I think it's so sweet how they are anxious to answer questions!

All the Lakeside Counselors!

     It's safe to say CAMP was definitely a life-changing experience for me. You may ask why I named this post a "Summer full of Sunshine" I thought it was appropriate because you can relate sunshine to anything that shines light. I saw the light of Christ shine through so much this summer. I saw it in the eyes and smiles of the campers as they experienced all the fun camp brings. I saw it pouring from the mouths of the staff as they told the campers about the gospel and how beautiful it is. I saw it in the hands of the cleaning and kitchen staff as they showed us their servant hearts. I saw it in the Leadership Staff as they offered us encouragement throughout each and every day. I saw it in the lyrics of the songs we'd sing every morning and night. I saw it in the God's beautiful creation that we got to be surrounded by all the time. I heard it in the laughter that resonated the whole treehouse during the afternoon as the kids had freedom to play. I pray that I'll continue to search for that beautiful, unending light that can be found everywhere. I hope that I can let the light of Christ shine through me, to bring glory to his name!

To God be the GLORY!