It's All for a Reason

It's been a whole 3 weeks of preparation, little sleep, and late nights of working.....regular staff training is upon us.  We just completed a week of equestrian staff training that saw dusty arenas, blazing hot temperatures then finally a cool down and a bit of rain.  I met 6 brand new equestrian counselors who arrived on Sunday unsure about their new adventure.  I understand exactly where they are coming from.  Nine years ago, I arrived at camp completely unsure about the place and environment I was putting myself into.  This place was foreign, the closeness of everyone to one another, and the environment was friendly....almost too friendly it seemed?  Not too friendly, just the right amount.  These people weren't fake or putting on a front.  This was the way that life should be and how people should act.  Within a few hours or days, this place started to feel like home.  I wasn't sure if I could teach these kids but I knew I had staff behind me supporting me.  My staff was brought to camp this summer for a reason.  Hiring was a little abnormal with lots of declines but it was all His plan.  Every one of them was brought to camp for one reason or another and while they feel nervous, unconfident, and unsure....they will be okay.  I know they will be okay. I won't put them in a situation where they will fail and I will support them.  They'll be okay.  We'll be okay.  As I told them yesterday, if you love God with all your heart, sole, and mind and love those campers....then everything else falls into place.  It will.

So now we embark into regular staff training.  This will be a week filled with trail rides, preparation for the summer (pesky details), and chores.  We have an awesome dream team for a barn staff with Rachel, Karissa, Steven, and Sarah (and Sara W. too!) and I believe there's so much potential for the summer.  After a day of some relaxing and some work, tonight we will meet the staff and then we are off and running with a full weekend of guests riding, kidney camp, and training.  I'm ready....mostly.  :-)

Here's a few pictures of the adventures of the week....