A Summer For Growth

This summer has been an interesting one to say the least. Going into it, I was not quite sure what to expect and, quite frankly, didn't care. All I knew was that I wanted to get away from school and life in Waco. So once again, I found myself at Zephyr. And oh, what a place to be found.

This is my third summer at Zephyr Baptist Encampment. Howevever, this summer I have served as the Program Assistant to our Associate Director. This new job has been a greater learning experience then I could have ever imagined. At the beginning of the summer, I prayed that God would place strong ministers and leaders in front of me to teach and grow me as I learned even more about camp ministry this summer. As always, He has provided. I have been able to serve and work along side some of the most interesting and coolest Christians in the ministry in South Texas!

Coming at it from another angle, this job has also streched and grown me personally. [P.S. Sometimes, being streched hurts] The adjustment that I had to make this summer, moving from a regular summer staffer into my new title, was not the easiest. I have had to learn to be "the boss" to many of my friends and to sponsors who are quite a bit older than me. This has not been easy, considering that I have worked along side many of our current summer staffers and my lack of knowledge and experience according to some sponsors. On the bright side of the adjustment, I have been continuously uplifted and assisted by my supervisors, much of the summer staff, our many camp directors, and plenty of others! What a blessing it has been to feel the love of the Lord through their encouragement and support.

I have met so many cool people this summer! Just to name a few: Alan Frans, Student Pastor at FBC Round Rock; Cathy Harwick, Children's Ministry Consultant; the Justin Graves Band and Justin's wife and daughter, Michelle and Gabby; Otto and Hotrod, Christian square dance callers; Lindsey Gerdes, Assistant Youth Pastor at Bay Area Fellowship; the Larson family from California, the Flecher family from Corpus Christi, and many others! These people have blessed my life so much more than they will ever know and I will be a better servant for the Lord because of their example of dedication and service to Him.

Luke and I have also had a great summer together. I have been falling more in love with him each day as I have watched him lead our summer staff. God has grown him so much through his job as the Staff Supervisor and it has been an honor to be able to work along side him. I am so amazed by his patience for people and his love of this camp. I am so blessed to be his.

God is continuing to do a great and mighty work in my life as He is preparing me for a life of complete service to Him. I can see and feel it. My calling into this ministry is constantly being confirmed by people and situations that God is placing in my life to teach and stregthen me. As I sit out here on the front porch of the office, typing this post, I am in awe of what God is doing right here, right now. At Zephyr, in my life, in the lives of the kids out here this week, in South Texas, and all over the world. What an honor to be a part of something so much bigger than myself.