A week at Camp Yamhill...

So last week I was at my favorite camp of all times, Jr. Teen. Directed by Johno (with the support of his wonderful wife and adorable children), Jr. Teen is packed full of spiritual encouragement, water hikes, and silly campfire songs. Although the camp food this year was not up to par, I really enjoyed my week of no T.V., developing relationships with cool middle school aged kids, and getting a better glipse of God and how I can serve him.

This picutre is of my small group, my favorite part of camp. It's a chance to get to know a handful of kids that are from different backgrouds (ranging from growing up in the church of Christ all their life, to, this was their first time at a camp with a religious emphasis.) My small group partner, Justin, was also pretty rockin'. We had great discussions, played games, and got to know each other on a greater level because God was our focus.

Now although the week was awesome, I did struggle with one thing when I was there. Because Eric just transfered to the Apple Store dowtown (it's at Pioneer Place, GO CHECK IT OUT!) he wasn't able to get the time off to go to camp with me. We had only been married for five weeks and this was the first time that we had been apart. I thought I could handle it. He dropped me off at camp and I cried, but I thought that it would be my only time. I was challenged to keep my focus on my counseling duties, but I failed every night when I called to say good night to Eric and couldn't stop crying. I MISSED HIM SO MUCH!

So my surprise was this: Eric had thursday off and was planning to come out to camp for the day. On Wednesday night I was walking to campfire and I dropped a book.... when I bent down to pick it up I heard a voice say, "Let me get that for you...." It was Eric! I didn't say anything... I just went straight to his arms and cried like a silly girl. I LOVE ROMANTIC, SAPPY, TEARY, REUNIONS! Needless to say I really appreciate my husband when we are away from each other.

But even more I see that I need to be spending more time in God's word and in conversation with him because I know that it will reflect the kind of relationship that I will have with my husband (and friends, and family.) Camp is always great because to me God seems so accessible, but when I get back to the "real world" I immediately put him on the back burner. So I listen to Bebo Norman's "Walk Down This Mountain" and I tell myself, "NOT THIS TIME!" I need encouragement with this!

I took 799 pictures at camp (digital is my new best friend...) So next post look for some great slip-n-slide moments caught on camera.