Camp was amazing. I had the privilege of shepherding six second and third grade girls for the whole week as their counselor. I got to tell them again and again to change their shoes and find their toothbrushes. I got to pour their drinks at meals, so we didn’t wind up with juice all over the table. I got to sing to them at night so they wouldn’t be afraid to sleep in a strange place. I got to give them hugs and wipe their tears when they got homesick.

I also got to take them on long hikes in the woods to see the beauty of the forest. I got to listen to their excitement as they recounted what they had learned in their activity classes. I got to hear their squeals of delight as they splashed and played in the creek. I got to answer their questions about God.

I got to introduce them to God in new ways as we explored what it means to abide in Christ like the branches abide in the vine. We talked about important questions like, “Does Jesus understand what it’s like to be afraid?” and “How can you know for sure that you are going to Heaven?”

I came home weary, and foot sore, and ready to sleep in a real bed. By the end of the week, I was so spent that I was praying for the strength to just make it to the finish line.  Was it exhausting? Sure! But it was one of the best weeks of my life, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Thank you, Father, for the chance to join with you in the work you were doing in the lives of these precious little ones.