Jesus Is My Forever Friend

I have had so many confirmations in the past 4 weeks that I made the right decision by jumping into the world of ministry.  One of those moments clearly stands out in my heart!  This moment needs documented to remember always....

Many of you know my passion for church camp with elementary kiddos.  The number of hearts that are reached and tapped into during one week of camp is simply amazing!  For two summers I have been praying that Braydon's heart would be touched and that he would make a commitment to Christ.  However, both summers, he didn't.  This is a young man that has many questions about faith...he needs understanding...just like his dad!  I knew that many seeds had been planted at camp and that I would continue to sow those seeds.  Yet, I must admit, my heart was feeling defeated.  I know the statistics on ages of kids accepting Christ and we were entering a crucial age...5th grade.  After 5th grade, it becomes that much harder...

So, we leave camp on a Friday night....we continue to talk about camp....we continue to talk about the lessons learned...and on that Saturday night, Braydon asks if he can go to Sonrise Church the next morning.  My first reaction was no, no, no...we need to be attending Emmanuel as a family...this is the church that I had just accepted a position with that week.  His face melted and he walked away.  My heart was heavy for Braydon...so many changes in his life right now.  My emotions were flooding over with finding a way to comfort him.  He really wanted to spend that Sunday morning with his counselors from camp, his friends that he was with, and of course, he wanted to wear his camp shirt to church.  So, I prayed about it and told Braydon that Jeff was going to take him to Sonrise and I would attend Emmanuel with the brothers.  His face lit up..."thanks mom!"

The next morning happened just like we had planned the night before.  We separated and off we went.  Jeff and Braydon got home before us.  As I pulled into the driveway, Braydon was outside waiting for me.  The brothers hopped out of the van and Braydon hopped in.  He immediately says, "Mom, guess what I did today?"  Uhhhh...no idea...what?  "I asked Jesus to be my forever friend at church!"  My head spun around, what?!?!?!?! Then the questions...Did someone pray with you?  Did you tell anyone?  What made you decide to do this?!?!?!?!  He quietly and calmly responded..."I knew that this would be my last Sunday at Sonrise and it is like my home, mom.  I knew that I needed to do this there at the church.  I just prayed to myself and asked Jesus in my heart.  I told someone but I don't think they heard me...mom, I felt so tingly inside...it was good."  Oh my golly, I wanted to run down the street and shout the news to everyone but I wanted him to have that glory and I didn't want to be the crazy mom :)  I hugged on Braydon...told him how proud I was of him...told him that this is just the beginning...so much more to come!!!  

We went to lunch together as a family at O'Charley's.  While waiting for our lunch, Braydon says, "mom, tell dad what I did today."  No way!  One of the lessons at camp is that once you make this decision, you are to go and spread the good news!!!  "You tell dad, Braydon!  This is exciting!!!!"  It was cute to listen to Jeff...he asked the same questions as me :)  

As I was seeking direction a few weeks before this event, my daily devotional, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, stated this...

You will never be in control of your life circumstances, but you can relax and trust in My control.  Instead of striving for a predictable, safe lifestyle, seek to know Me in greater depth and breadth.  I long to make your life a glorious adventure, but you must stop clinging to old ways.  I am always doing something new within My beloved ones.  Be on the lookout for all that I have prepared for you.  

That night as I sat in prayer for myself...I was thankful...truly thankful!  I realized at that moment that my decision to enter ministry was truly God's path for me AND my family.  Had we remained in our safe and consistent routines, I don't believe that Braydon would have felt the urgency to make this commitment to Christ.  

Dear Jesus, thank you for entering my heart and filling me with peace about being separated for one Sunday at church...thank you, Jesus, for entering my sons heart, thank you for Camp Lakewood...thank you for the ministry team at Sonrise that has poured into Braydon...thank you for this amazing opportunity to enter Emmanuel and begin touching more hearts...oh dear Jesus, I am honored to call you my best friend, too! Please remain at the center of our lives...speak to us...guide us...equip us...  I praise your Holy name...amen!

Top 10 Reasons Why Camp Lakewood ROCKS!!!

10. Camp Food...Oh my golly...SOOOO tasty!!!

9. Cabins...the bunk beds were a huge hit!  Taking ownership in their cabin title...Braydon was a Silly Squirrel and Bryce was a Turbo Turtle.

8. Horizontal Hour...Ahhhhh!  The counselors favorite hour...hee-hee!  Mail is passed out to the campers and time is given to relax or sleep QUIETLY!


7. Friendships...bonds are made that will impact these kids for life.

Turbo Turtles!

Whisper Chime during crafts

6. Discovery Time...I had SO much fun teaching the Bible story each day .  I was filled with passion and joy every morning to tap into the hearts of the campers.

Gideon's Army...

5. Godly Environment...the wilderness and lake are beautiful!

One morning I saw a family of deer...Gorgeous!

4. AMAZING Activities...opportunities that put the campers out of their comfort zone...adding an element of fear that had them leaning on the Lord for strength!!!  The Blob, Mammoth Swing, Zipline, and Tubing were the most scary, yet the most exhilarating!!!

Mammoth Swing!

The Blob!

Archery!

3.  The Counselors...I was honored to work along side this team!  The unity that was evident put me to tears...these counselors were truly the hands and feet of Jesus this week...God is smiling on each of them!

2. Worship at Vesper Hill...campfire...soft guitar...large wooden cross watching over us...campers hands in the air worshiping...hands folded and eyes tight, in complete prayer...BEAUTIFUL! 

1. Witnessing Campers accept Jesus Christ as their Forever Friend...quite possibly the most beautiful experience!!!

Reflections of Camp!!!

It is the morning after church camp and my heart is full!  As I am relaxing, yes relaxing on the couch, I am reflecting on my week of camp with 99, 3rd-5th grade campers.  We conquered SO much in the hearts of these children this week.  We had kiddos asking Jesus to be their forever friend by Wednesday!!!  On Friday, I had campers continually coming up to me and sharing the good news that they accepted Jesus in their hearts!  The joy that came from witnessing these testimonies was glorious!!!!

I am on such a spiritual high...the Holy Spirit was truly evident this week!  I am now more passionate than ever to jump into the ministry field...the Lord has placed a calling in my life...I am ready, truly ready...yes, my heart is happy and rejoicing...yes, I declare this morning that I too, recommitted my heart to Jesus this week...not only does He have my heart but I've asked Him to pave the path for me...equip me in the days to come...I LOVE YOU, JESUS!  YOU are MY forever friend!!! 

Off To Camp!

The big week is here!!!  My two big boys are experiencing church camp this week.  Last year was the first time that I had a child go away for several days for any type of camp.  I wasn't worried about Braydon because I knew that I would be attending camp as well.  I was intentional to not stand over his shoulder all the time...I wanted him to truly experience church camp without his mom hanging around.  However, their was one thing that truly unnerved me...his clothes!!!  LOL!  I spent so much time organizing his clothes while packing for him.  I had each outfit folded together and undergarments were placed within the clothes for each day.  Although I spent all this time organizing his bag, he not once wore an outfit that I had put together...geez!!!  The camp does a night of Messy Games and the kids are to wear older clothes because of the stains that will take place from this night of fun.  Braydon walked into the area of Messy Games with one of his nicest outfits...ugh!!!

I tried something different this year while packing and it has been a huge success!!!  I put each days clothes in a Ziploc bag and labeled each bag.  I even wrote the boys a note and slid it into each baggie.  A little lovin' from mom to get them going in the morning!  I also made a bag for the shower so that all they would have to do is grab their towel and the shower baggie.  Last year my campers would try to carry everything to the bath house and inevitably someone would loose something EVERY night!  I also made a swim bag for each of them that had sunscreen, bathing suit, and beach towel in one of those pull string satchel bags that we have.  So far, every day that I've seen my kids this week, they've had the right clothes on, been carrying their shower baggie, and have had the swim bag with them!!!  I'm pumped...so far this system is working!   I even think my boys were pleased with this organization.  It was so much easier to pull out a baggie every morning than rummage through their bag. 

My boys are having a blast at camp right now!!!  They are connecting with God and becoming stronger in their own faith walk.  I am truly grateful to all the counselors and directors that are investing in my children this week.  I plan to write each of the counselors that are investing in my boys, a letter of thanks and gratitude, before the end of the week.  I LOVE CAMP LAKEWOOD!!!