All glory to God!

OK. Most pictures won't be up until I get back into the office full time -- I'm having way too much trouble with my server at home. Some week 1 are up, and I promise promise promise they will be here eventually! And we're trying to have them available on CD or DVD for the Summer Fest too. I'll keep you posted on that. For now, though, have some actual blogging.

Nearly a year ago, I started preparing for this summer's Kids Camp. I had just bought Lifesong (the Casting Crowns album) on iTunes - kind of on a whim, because I'm hesitant about exploring "new" (to me) Christian music. The song "In Me" provided a lot of hope for me at the time. It was a cling to God mantra for me, and today I have such a better understanding of it. It is refreshing to not be needed, to be wanted. It's empowering. It's comfortable. Most importantly, it brings God so much glory -- I'm not doing any of this stuff; it's all Him. Please, there's no way I could accomplish the things that are happening at camp this summer. And that's beautiful.

I'll go, but I cannot go alone
'cause I know I'm nothing on my own.
But the power of Christ in me makes me strong
makes me strong.

When I'm weak, you make me strong.
When I'm blind, you shine your light on me
'cause I'll never get by living on my own ability.
How refreshing to know you don't need me;
how amazing to find that you want me!
So I'll stand on your truth,
and I'll fight with your strength
until you bring the victory
by the power of Christ in me

Heading in to this third (and last) week [by the way, can I tell you how happy my Trinity-loving self is that our 3rd year of Kids Camp is nicely divided into 3??], I'm really excited to see what else is in store for the campers, for the team, for the staff, and for me. This year has been very eye-opening, very enlightening for me. I'm a different person. I can recognize that I'm a different person. It's weird (and, you know, different), but I wouldn't have it any other way. I happened upon this "So Long Self" song that's now on my MySpace profile (totally by accident, because MercyMe tends to be a Christian band I avoid; also, yes, I do have MySpace), but I'm feeling it. Ask me about it in about a year.

Anyway. The whole reason I wanted to post was to share some feedback I've gotten from parents and campers. There's been a lot, and there's been a lot that's amazingly positive, but there are two in particular that I want to share.

From a week 1 parent:
I need to tell you that [she] is still singing camp songs, working on her lanyards, wearing her cross, telling us camp stories, trying new things to eat, is very helpful around the house (without me even telling her), and appears to have Jesus in her heart. She has always been a blessing to us , but I see a child who is even more happy and loving. Thanks again for a great camp experience.

From a week 2 camper:
This camp changed my life, that's how powerful the prayers are at this camp. I have so much to say, it's hard to. I felt my soul overflowing with the power of Christ. I feel reborn with a white clean soul, the camp is a total 100% perfect success. Thanks.

So way to go, y'all. Kids Camp, in its entirety, is only possible because of the teams' openness to service and ministry, each member of which is truly revealing the Jesus disguised within him or herself for the greater Glory of God. I am blessed to be a part of that.

AMDG!