Camp

If you ever had the privilege of experiencing camp in your childhood, you most likely would attest that it was an experience you will not forget. There's just something about getting away from it all to focus on learning a sport, or to get closer to God or whatever the camp you went to specialized in.

Personally, I've been to Volleyball camp--it was great. We got some instruction from an Olympic volleyball player! I've been to church type camp at a few places in Wisconsin, and I was a counsellor at an elementary aged camp in Indiana. I said all of that to say this...
in my experience at camp, I came away with so much and I never wanted the camp experience to end. Ok, I wanted the camp food to end, but not the rest of it. There weren't computers, cell phones, tv's, technology, or a lot of things to distract.

These past days have been what I would consider to be like camp in a sense during adulthood. No, we aren't learning to play volleyball, or be the best at outdoor games, or canoe a boat, or swim. Instead, we come together every night and are challenged. Challenged in so many things...how to be a great mate, obedience, discipline, forgiveness, finances, prayer to name a few. At first it sounded like a difficult task to get off work each day, gather the children, and go to the meetings. Actually, this isn't something that is very typical today I would bet. Today was the 14th Summit meeting. We have 4 more. As they have gone on, I have thought how much I will hate to see this team leave our church. It has been refreshing. Just like I hated to leave camp... The awesome thing is this isn't something that has to end just because we will finish having the meetings. I want to carry these things with me the rest of my life just like the memories and the things I learned at camp. I feel blessed to get this experience again as an adult. To get away from distractions for a hours each evening and meet with God, and allow my children to do the same--refreshing. Yes, I've missed my share of TV shows, but I've not really missed them. Yes, I've had to overlook laundry a couple of times, but it will always be there waiting =). My body is tired, just as it was during the times at camp, but I will rest it soon--thankful for having my spirit and mind refreshed from all of this!