Summarizing my summer:

Week 1: I spent getting to know people. Staff training was interesting because I was nervous of change yet so excited about the cool stuff happening around me. People thought I was shy but really I was soaking it all in. At the end of the week I felt like I had been there forever yet it had gone incredibly fast. Which really is the story of my summer. But i also said that I felt refreshed and alive in the Lord. This was a very cool and very new thing because I'd been struggling with...everything really. "I'm pooped, but I'm joyful, and I am blessed to be exactly where I am."

Week 2: I dealt with stuff. I opened up to people and found rest for struggles I don't normally share, and I learned to talke it to God. Week two was also the planning week and I was so pumped and so terrified to get campers. Oh, also I learned a lot of guitar and had a spatula fight. "I will give thanks to my Creator for in Him I am made whole."

Week 3: Was my first week of campers. I was overwhelmed twice. Once by the feeling of inadequacy and once by the fact that my God is so big. It really was a crazy week with awesome awesome campers, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. "The thought of being a tool for the Lord is such a humbling thing."

Week 4: Day Camp lovin. This week was awesome. I spent time with three of the coolest guys I've ever known at a church in Lakeville full of God's eager children. I laughed more than I knew possible and I appreciated brothers. And I was so excited to see everyone when I got back. "Camp Omega is becoming home."

Week 5: I worked support staff, meaning I had no campers. It was a different yet cool experience to serve God in more or less manual labor and to observe God's servants as they did their thang. I missed having campers. Also, I had my self-proclaimed best day/night I've had in a very long time? "God is the creator of laughter. And today I enjoyed God's creation very much."

Week 6: DD week changed my outlook on life. It was positively amazing. The campers taught me more than I could have possibly imagined and the real joy that existed will last me for aslong as I can remember this week. I could literally write for hours on how much I loved this week, so I will not even start. "I couldn't be happier than I am working this week."

Week 7: I was tired. I'd been working for a long time without much sleep and it was a very long week. But my campers rocked and my co-counselor was an all-star. I learned much from her. I felt like I wanted to give my campers everything, but I had nothing left to give. It was a hard week. But when it was over, I missed it. I grew this week from brokeness and joy. "I am reminded that even when I have my reason and my plan, God knows better."

Week 8: I went out to Gibbon as a Day Camp leader. I was exhausted. And I wasn't looking forward to the week. But it was great. Frustrating at times but wonderful on the whole. I had time for craziness and for being serious, and God gave me rest for my soul. "I am here to do God's work. When He calls me to serve, who am I to question Him?"