Alright it's here....July is finally here and to the teenagers of Calvary Baptist Church of Joliet, that only means ONE thing....
NORTHLAND CAMP TIME!!!
I am extremely thankful that we get to go along on this exciting time with our youth group and jr. highers. Even though I kicked and screamed when it was my time to go to camp back in my day, I absolutely loved it when I was there.
It's a LOT different here at this camp then the one we used to go to. We get to come along as Sponsors because the camp provides their own counselors. It's almost like a vacation for us. We get the privilege to walk around and watch the teens run, jump, and scream during their games. There are games that the sponsors get to be involved in (water day, basketball, softball..) but we allow the men to join in on those while us wives bust out our cameras. I am hoping to be involved in the zip line again this year. This time I'm not pregnant doing it so maybe I'll go a little faster this year ;)
As much as I love coming and somewhat thinking of it as a "vacation", with two little ones, I'm not so sure about that. Right now, Daddy is playing basketball with all of the sponsors while I'm in the room letting my babies nap. They are so worn out and it's only day two. They (or at least Ireland) are having a blast. Dublin is too I'm sure, he just can't express it the way Ireland can. Devan has already told me today, "Next year, if we get to come, we are getting a babysitter". Oh boy!!! That sounds AMAZING.....but, hmmmm...we'll see when it gets here. Everyone we know has at LEAST 4 children of their own...who wants to add two more to that?
I love when one of the teens from our church will see you walking by and they get SO excited as if you're someone famous and they are passing you on the street. When you're at church they barely look up at you lol.
It's neat to see their personalities come out and breaking out of that shell that they dig themselves back in to not long after they get home. I pray these teens will allow God to work on their hearts this week and drastically change them.
I get the privilege to meet up with a few of the teen girls one on one and just talk with them and dig deeper in to getting to know them and what's on their hearts.
I get the privilege to meet up with a few of the teen girls one on one and just talk with them and dig deeper in to getting to know them and what's on their hearts.
God has allowed me to be in this position with these young people and I don't want to take that for granted. I remember being a teen and how I felt when a leader went out of their way to truly get to know me and have a desire to guide me in the direction to not waste my life. I pray that I can be that for our teens and our future teens.
I must say I love being here with a few of my nephews and my niece. It's neat to see them getting involved and growing in the Gospel.
