Summer!

Here we sit, at the end of a successful week of camp.  We've had 3 successful weeks thus far.  That is not to say that they have been without challenges.  Each week has presented with unique yet equally challenging circumstances that have been placed in our way, most of which cannot be discussed.  Each day provided us with the opportunity....the opportunity to make a choice.  What attitude would we face the day with?  Would we allow ourselves to get bogged down in the enormity of tasks that needed to be completed by the end of the day?  Would we worry about what new challenges may come?  Would we grumble and complain about the circumstances we were currently in?  Personally, I can say that I have not always been successful in my choices.  I have allowed myself to break down under the weight of "all the things I have to do" or allowed frustration to take over in moments of weakness.  I've worked long and hard days, some lasting from 6 am to 8 pm. Sometimes feeling overwhelmed, overworked, and sleep deprived.  Then God comes along and reminds me of why I do my job and who I do it for.

I "get" the privilege of waking up earlier than most of camp three mornings a week to lead out early morning trail rides for our equestrian cabins.  This week, the sunrises were absolutely beautiful.  I wished I'd had my camera the first morning but I was blessed with a second beautiful sunrise.  There was a fog laying just above the ground and the sun peeking out just above that.  You can't tell, but as I had just rounded this corner, the horses were headed down the fence line in the fog mist.  A herd of 40 completely obscured from sight, but not from sound.  Absolutely gorgeous.  I work, every day, right in the middle of God's Creation, still broken by sin but absolutely amazing still.  Thanks!


Other times, I'm reminded of the campers and how much of an impact I make in their lives.  Sometimes they are tiring, ask endless questions, and never seem to stop saying my name in the barn aisle.  But when they race to see me, hug me tightly when they leave, and chant my name, I am still amazed of the impact we can have on these kids.  All I do is do my job.  I take care of the horses, I back up my counselors so they can do their jobs, and I pay attention to the kids who may or may not have someone at home who listens and pays attention to them.  I see them grow up over their time here.  Perhaps they go from a selfish bratty girl to the young lady who ends up earning our "Character Counts" award at the barn.  Or they're a shy withdrawn boy who grows up to be a man in front of me.  Or a young man who barely rides but with hard work and determination at camp (partially thanks to one determined instructor ;-) )  goes home with the Jr. Wrangler bolo in his last year and comes back to help when camp is no longer an option.  And countless other stories.  It's truly why we do the job.....to show the love of God to the kids.  And it's only through Him that we can continue to do the work we do, have the patience we have to have, and the ability to show love to those who aren't lovely.  Here's to another 6 weeks of crazy hours, hot and sweaty conditions, and whatever else God decides to allow in our path.  Things haven't been easy and I pray that no other circumstances are to be placed in front of us but one thing we know is that nothing is too great for our God to handle and I'm blessed to work with a staff that works together and has the right focus.  Until 12:30 pm tomorrow, it's movies, sleep, and relaxation.  After that, it's go-go mode!