June 25, 2006

I had the awesome opportuity this past week to attend youth camp with some of the youth at our church. It was a great week. I enjoyed every moment of it (okay well maybe not the 3 hour scavenger hunt in the hot sun walking from one end of the camp to the next, but at least we won). I loved getting to know the girls I had in my cabin. We had so much fun, (sorry Faith for the frog that was thrown in your shower, it sounded funny in my head and I'm pretty sure the other girls were laughing, just not you). I think that I really learned a lot over the week and would even go as far to say that I think I learned more than the teens did. God spoke so many things into my life over the week. I came back a changed person. I kept asking myself why did God talk to me so much over the past week, why doesn't he speak to me that much on a regular basis. I think I might have figured it out.

First, I spent so much time with him, talking to him, reading his word, and fellowshiping with other believers. You can't help to hear from God when your seeking him out so much. It's like if you want to get advice from a friend, it's going to be hard to get the advice from them if your not talking to them and spending time with them.

Next, the pressures of the world were absent. No T.V., radio, computers, and limited phone use. We were just surrounded by nature where you can't help but to see the beauty of the Lord. He was all around us. I'm happy to say that in the two days I have been home our T.V has not been turned on one time, the best thing is that I don't even miss it. There is so much filth that we allow into our homes through this little box and we christians are pretty good at coming up with some good exuses why it's okay, I have done it for years although I knew God wasn't pleased.

I think that I have learned that if I will seek him out, spend more time with him here at home, that he will speak to me more. I think he has been longing for me to come to this point in my life. I wish it wouldn't have taken me so long to figure it out. All I know is that I serve an awesome God that is full of mercy and grace, and it's undeserved on my part. My hope is that the teens I know will learn from my mistakes and make better choices earlier in life than I have.

So I'm looking forward to returning to camp next year if the girls will have me back. I'd promise no more practical jokes but this would be a bad time to tell a lie!!!