partying, partying...YEAH! {Op Camp 2011}

Would just love to jot down a few things that the Lord really taught me while I was at Op Camp. I love that 4-5 minutes I get to share with good friends when I get home either on the phone or in person & it's been a week full of "friending" as well as "working".

It was going to be pretty hard to top what God did in my life at Op Camp last summer, but God is so sweet to me and taught me so many little lessons along the way. He really put it on my heart before I left to pray against the attitude that "I did it better", "why am I not in charge", etc and I'm so glad He did. He really reassured me this week that He has a plan and when I got to hear Kate's (who has my old job) story I was really reassured that God has a plan and it's perfect. I missed getting to know every single high school counselor but I got to get to know my sweet campers more, which I didn't get to do last year.

In the end, God showed me that He can use anyone! Anyone who is willing & available He can use. It's NOT about us, but it's all about Him. So He really doesn't need us, he just chooses to use us - and that is pretty powerful!

God broke my heart for these kids. Almost every night this week I got a little emotional thinking about them. what a shift in perspective - to actually spend some time thinking about and focusing on OTHERS instead of me me me. He broke my heart for them. Once you know them they are no longer "those kids" - they are your friends and you want to do anything to help them. This verse kept coming up again and again...

Proverbs 24:12 (the Message)

^11-12 Rescue the perishing;

don't hesitate to step in and help.

If you say, "Hey, that's none of my business,"

will that get you off the hook?

Someone is watching you closely, you know—

Someone not impressed with weak excuses.

Once our eyes have been open to the hurting, to the things that break Gods heart - we have no excuse not to step in and help them. My prayer is becoming to ask God to send laborers to the Harvest. Matthew 9:37-38 says, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” May your heart be broken for what breaks Gods heart & may you be moved to action!

I've been challenged through the "Crazy Love" study I'm doing with my community group girls, to love those who can't love you back. We talked about this week how lukewarm christians only love those who have something that benefits you. My prayer is that I won't only love those who can love me back but I will get out of my comfort zone & love those who can't love me back.

To end this little recap, I just have to say that Op Camp is like family. Even if you haven't seen some of the people since last summer, you get back to camp and it's like no time has passed. It's a very special place to so many people. I just can't help but think what it must mean to the campers - if it feels like home to me, how much more does it feel like home to them? Some of them say it's the "best week of their life".

I'm praying that next year God would send more laborers to Op Camp. It's a week will change your life.

Ok and for a little humor.....

we dance A LOT at Op Camp!

independence day. {Op Camp}

Well it's no big secret that I LOVE the 4th of July. It happens to be my favorite holiday. Yes, if you ask me July 4th vs. Christmas during a friendly game of "this or that" I will have a REALLY hard time answering you. This is the second year in a row I have been at Op Camp.

My twinkie, Miss Bekah & I wore matching patriotic outfits. It was legit.

I love Op Camp that much that I skipped out on the family 4th of July at the lake to be here. But seriously, I love it and I love these kids. Last night after campfire, rather "camp light" thanks to the burn ban - I just sat there looking up at the stars talking to God and thanking Him for this opportunity He has given me. For the way he's burdened me and broken my heart for these kids. My life will never the same. God will continue to break my heart for them, to burden me to pray for them and to love them even more and more. I am thankful for that. Thankful to be a laborer in the harvest.

I heard something recently (Francis Chan, maybe?) about how once God reveals something to you and then you KNOW, that you can't ever go back to how you were before. You can't pretend that you don't know how God wants to use you or pretend that all the hurt that's in the world isn't there.

Please continue to humble me & to show me what you want me to see and to USE me. It's all for your glory.

{just a pretty picture of Annabeth doing a jig at lunch}

knight of champions {Op Camp}

Since our theme this year is HONOR we had a special night for the kids. Knight of Champions. It was full of all sorts of fun - a contest to see who had the best princess or knight costume, a parade to show off the costumes, 4 super fun games & then a hot dog eating contest by some of the high school staff. Everyone talked in a british accent all night & pretty much all week. It was very festive and fun & most of all the kids LOVED it.

Bekah & I were talking about how fun it is to see everyone use their gifts and talents. We have a lot of new adult staff this year & it's been so fun to watch them totally get into it and love it. It's a really fun group of people and we are so thankful to have everyone here.

The first night we got here I was just overwhelmed with how much of a family this place is. Someone asked me how long I've been coming to Op Camp & when I said this was my 2nd year they were stunned. It's so easy to fit right in, to learn the songs, know the people and fall in love. It truly is a family. I know the kids, the high school students and adults ALL feel the same way. There is something really really special about this place & what goes on here.

Thought you might want to see some of the pics....

this is my cabin :) aren't they fabulous?

God is cool {Op Camp part 2}

The cabin I mentor is full of beautiful young women. I love getting to go into their cabin every night to ask them how their day was, to read them a story, to play them a song on my iPhone and to pray over them.

The stories I have been reading them have really spoken to me and have been simple reminders about Gods love. He's teaching me as I try to teach these children. The first book I read was Stormie Omartian's book on "What happens when we talk to God?" and I LOVED this page about waiting. We are for sure in a season of waiting. Waiting for Camp. Waiting to start a family. Waiting to get over to Africa. It seems like we are spinning out of control a lot of times - you see, I am a control freak. But I have lost all control. But HE is in control and He reminded me the other night of that.

He reminded me that it's MY job to PRAY and it's GOD'S job to answer that prayer. So I need to do my job & let God do his.

Thank you for that simple reminder.

God is cool {Op Camp Part 1}

Well here I am at Op Camp. Just had to share a few quick stories that I think you will enjoy.

The day we left for Camp (Sunday) we were calling all the kids who hadn't shown up to see if they were still coming - we didn't want to leave them. One girl needed a ride so Mr. Ben asked me to go with one of the mom's to get her. Now, at first I can admit that I was sort of annoyed. But I went. now...a little backup...

You know how in my post about not being comfortable I talked about what God was preparing me to do next year? Well - a few of those things involve working with the kids at Sam Houston Elementary. Some good friends of mine started an after school tutoring program once a week that I am going to get to help out at & they are also starting a new After School Kids (through my beloved Community Bible Study) right across the street at First Baptist. Their heart for the kids that go to this school is inspiring and they have just asked God what He wants of them to influence these kids for Christ & they have obeyed. Out of a prayer group of moms from Sam Houston has come this after school tutoring program & shortly an new ASK CBS class. Wow...

So back to my story. I told Mr. Ben that he needed to pray really hard about what cabin I was going to be a mentor for at camp because I thought God had big plans. I was really excited when he told me he'd put me with the Sam Houston cabin, but then really disappointed when he told me there were NO girls from Sam Houston.

Back to picking up La'Keisha. She gets in the car. I ask her where she goes to school, and I bet you can guess that she said next year she's transferring to Sam Houston. God is so cool.

He planned this whole thing out. I even told her about the after school tutoring program & she said that she would love to go to that.

More stories soon.

I didn't have any other pictures from the first day - but you can see my excitement for Mr. Greg wearing his Camp shirt & my awesome pink pearly princess costumer :)

opportunity knocks

yep, that's right. In the morning (or I should say this morning) I leave for my 2nd year at Opportunity Camp. You might remember - I used to work full time for the ministry that puts it on. It's a free christian leadership camp for Midland elementary school kids. Several Title 1 schools participate & kids that are picked to go are going into the 5th grade - the goal is for them to continue on as a camper through junior high camp & eventually become a counselor.

You might remember, last year at Op Camp...

God taught me a lot about having a good attitude

God revealed to me that I do in fact have a story, and that story is powerful

{only because of Him - I once WAS lost but now I'm found}

God started to speak to my heart about adoption

God started to open my heart to a life connected with missions

I can't wait to see what He's going to do this summer! Could you please pray with me for the cabin of girls I'll be mentoring? I had a LIGHT BULB moment recently - reflecting on shepherding and discipleship and I realized that Op Camp does it right. The adult mentor mentors the high school students who in return mentor the elementary students. GENIUS! The adults aren't doing everything in the world, the high school kids are getting into it. They are loving on students & walking with them as we love on & walk with them.

My high school students this week are: Annabeth, Sara & Maddie! Please pray with me and believe with me that God can love powerfully through these girls.

Our campers names are: Brianna, Briana, Ruby, Sam, Megan, Victoria, Hannah, Kira, and Cierra. Please pray with me for them as well - just that this week will be full of God's love. That they will learn about HONOR (our theme!) and that their lives will be touched.

I'm seriously so excited about getting back with my Op Camp family. Because that's EXACTLY what they are - family. Even if you haven't spent time together for a few months, after a few minutes it's back to how it always was. We love each other and fight for each other and for them I am truly thankful.

Can't wait to tell you all about it! Thanks for the prayers!

Op Camp Banquet!!!

This week we had a banquet for all of the people that have supported our high school staff through camp this summer. We sent out invitations to everyone that donated money on our high school staffs behalf as well as the high school students parents. The hs kids were the hosts & hostesses/ servers! It ended up being really nice and I was really proud of our students for working hard and loving people.

My favorite part of the night was when the kids got up and shared their story of what they learned at/through camp. It was an sweet time to get to hear why they do Op Camp and what it means to them. Op Camp is a really special place & I don't even know how to explain it in words. I LOVE being a part of it & being a part of what God is doing in this city.

Just a few pics :)

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Op Camp end of year party!

I am doing some serious backtracking here but I don't want to forget about this fun night with our Op Camp counselors ;) We had a great night having fun & playing and just celebrating the summer! The Brown's were gracious to open up their home for the event & we grilled burgers, swam, played basketball, played dibble dabble, watched camp videos & just had a great time hanging out! I of coarse was on hand with my camera ;)

Here are just a few of my faves - more on facebook!

Op Camp Junior High

I just got back from Op Camp - Junior High. WOW. It was a great experience.

The first few days were a little rough with the rain & power outage but God's presence was there the whole time and lives were changed for Him. I really loved this camp & really felt like I grew a lot personally in my Walk with Him too. He has been showing me this summer how much better life is with Him - I am starting to appreciate and know His love on a deeper level and that causes me to see people and love people in a different way. I loved being a mentor this time - I had the best cabin and I really loved hearing their stories and knowing how to love and encourage and pray for them. What really blew me away is when one of my counselors tearfully told her story then proceeded to tell the cabin that she knows why she went through such hard stuff as a kid {to help/encourage/love on the girls that are going through the same thing!}. SERIOUSLY? For a 15 year old to really get that her pain was worth it for reaching others for God, that is amazing! Op Camp is a great community of believers and a true family. I am honored to be a part of it!

memories

belly flopping

dancing to Victory in the talent show with Bekah and Ben

worship every night after camp fire

making up funny songs about tie dye

midnight prayer

being a part of Thursday night drama

baptism @ 1:30 am on Thursday & two more within the next 12 hours!

power going out on jumper night - god turning it back on

the rain.....

5 hour energy

water ball with the girls

playing with all the children

decorated chickens

water balloon throwing

flour & whip cream wars with bekah

twinkies every day

flying squirrel

stephen getting to come up for the day

sharing husband journal during purity talk

my awesome polka, what? cabin and counselors!!!!!!!!

op camp retreat!

This past weekend was our Op Camp Staff training retreat at Camp Butman. To say I had a blast would be an understatement. I loved getting to hang out with all of our high school staff {shocking, I know} and loved getting to know our 2 interns for the summer {whom I LOVE!}, getting to see how everyone works together and how everyone {as Alex so graciously said} is "for God".

From the bus ride, to the amazing race game, meals, ropes course, playing over & under, Ben's rap, worship at the cross, communion on Sunday - it was all fun. It really made me excited about this summer & this ministry in general. It's amazing what happens when relationships are involved. All of a sudden these kids aren't just names on a sheet of paper - but living, breathing people that I now know. God is good. I am excited to see what the summer brings!

If you live in Midland & want to know more about Opportunity camp, visit www.opcamp.com

We always have a need for adults to help in :)

Enjoy a few of the pics - the rest will be on the Op Camp facebook page :)

my group on low ropes course

sweet friends

low ropes :)

working as a TEAM

watching the "over and under" game. pretty intense!