Power in a white tent

Mosquitoes, crazy games, amazing worship, a big white tent, and changed lives; this is camp.

It has been the highlight of my summer for the past eight years, and yet I am always suprised. I am always blown away by how incredible God is. I am always touched by a refreshing wave of his love. Even though I have known it for years, I am again dumbfounded as to why my God would love me.

Can I tell you about it?
My God has forgiven me for all of my mistakes. He died for my sins, and loves me despite my faults. He gives me the boldness of a lion when I have no courage. He makes my heart overflow with love when I have no more room. When people may fail, he is there. When no one else would understand, he is there to listen. When I am broken, he is my healer. When I am lonely, he is my best friend. When I am empty, he is my portion. He is all I ever need. He is the reason I breathe - the reason I live. He is my lover, my friend, my savior, my joy.

When I came home from camp, my grandpa jokingly asked me if I had found a boyfriend. No, I didn't, but I did fall in love.

"Oh God, you are my God.
Earnestly I seek you.
My soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods.
With singing lips my mouth will praise you."
-Psalm 63

Thank you Lord for your unfailing love. Thank you that your Spirit is everywhere. Thank you that I can be anywhere and be touched by your presence. Thank you for coming and speaking to me in a large white tent in the middle of nowhere.
I have true love.

Insight

Well, it's a new season. Summer is here. This past school year flew by so fast. And it was amazing.

Never in my past school experience have I learned so much. Sure I learned alot from the class material that my teachers taught, but half of what I learned wasn't in the curriculum. I learned so much that I could never tell you all of it.

By observing those I respect, I gained much wisdom. I learned that even the most amazing people make mistakes. I realized how many amazing people are in my life.

By observing those that I don't respect, I gained more patience. I was able to extend my love to those I didn't really want to love. I realized that it's okay if some people think I'm stupid; they don't really know me. I learned that popularity has always been a matter of opinion.

I learned so many lessons in each and every class. Many times I gained more insight from a conversation during lunch than I did during a lecture.

I realized that a simple smile can mean a thousand words;
that your eyes can give away all you are trying to hide;
that some people have far more wisdom than they let on;
that some people are less wise than they would hope;
that good music can make a bad day better;
that sarcasm is far too overused;
that good teachers challenge you to step out of your comfort zone;
that some people that teach me things are not real teachers at all;
that attitude is infectious;
that a very limited amount of people are honest about their feelings;
that life goes on despite various hardships.

I have become a different person. Those around me have influenced me in amazing ways. In short, I love school with a passion.
As much as I love summer break, this summer could be quite dull.

"If only you could sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person." -Mr. Rogers