After two weeks doing what I love most, it takes some adjustment to be back home again. It means that I have to set aside time on my own to read the Bible - I don't have a specific time set aside for that. It means I have to wake myself up every morning - there aren't fifty other girls in the building to do that for me. It means I have one bathroom to share with only three other girls - not four small showers, four stalls, and four sinks to share with sixty other girls. It means a lot of things. Most of all it means I don't have what seems like an obvious impact on the campers. But I do. My sisters are constantly looking up to me (scary, right?). And here comes another list: what I learned and how I can put it into action.
- I learned that people watch what I do. And they listen. And they repeat it. And they remember. For example, I was serving the campers supper. The supper consisted of mashed potatoes, chicken fingers, a biscuit, and gravy. Campers had the option of putting the gravy on the potatoes, or beside them. Now, serving gravy can get a bit monotonous. "On top or on the side?" Next camper: "On top or on the side?" And again: "On top or on the side?" At some point, I must have been talking too fast, because to one of the senior campers, most likely 12 or 13 years old, I asked him, "On top or underneath?" He laughed, as did I, and then he asked for them underneath. I obliged, and the camper behind him (also the same age) asked for the same. This was Tuesday night. I wasn't on kitchen duty again until Thursday, and I didn't serve the meal again until that night - that's six meals later. That camper came through, and asked for his corn underneath his chicken, as did his friend. Whoa. He listened and remembered! It made me watch my language especially for the rest of that and the next week!
- I learned that I am a total extrovert. In English, I love people, and thrive on being around them. Unfortunately, it also means that I care what others think waaaay too much. Much shorter entry, but way bigger problem.
- I learned that I can live without a phone, internet, or any other electronic devices. And live well, for that matter. Before camp, I would die without my phone. At camp, there's no service. It's very freeing, because it just has to wait. It feels good.
- I learned that feeling close to God is a choice. When I choose to spend time with other people and things, I pull away from God. "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." Take it literally, because it's true.
- I learned that first impressions stink. Those in my cabin I thought would be stuck up, they weren't. Oh, and that quiet girl? She can talk your ears off!
- I learned lots of other things. Like how to chop wood. Who knew how hard it could be? And how to take a shower with wasps above you. Actually easier than it sounds. And how to be open. Actually NOT easier than it sounds. The list keeps going.
Pray that what I learned will not just be head knowledge. That I would DO, rather than just SAY. Pray that I will be able to stay in touch with the friends I met, and that we would all be able to see each other in the coming summers. Pray that each of us will have a lasting impact, even later, and that we all learned something that will change our lives. Finally, pray that I can get back into normal life - it's been a bit of a struggle!
I am so glad for the opportunity I had to serve God by serving others. Thanks to God for allowing me to be able to go!
coplea
That's incredible, Coplea! (It makes me want to go with you next year...:)) I'll be praying that all of this will be more than just memories and will impact your life. :)
ReplyDeleteahhhh all the reasons i love camp too!! but im so excited that you learned so much from camp (i wish i had done the same in years past but... i didn't.) and i will be praying that you will put into action all the things you learned. love ya girl!! :)
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