The summer is in about as full swing as it's going to get. Two weeks of staff training, a week of Horsemanship, and now two weeks of Teen camp have come and gone. We're all quite tired, but the summer has gone well overall. One of the nice things about coming back every year that WM has been in service is that I've gotten to see several campers return year after year. One camper this last week mentioned some old counselor trading cards he'd collected years ago, and we had the similar conversation about my book that we had last summer.
Another camper showed up, and of course I didn't remember his name at first (just like last year...), which he endlessly harassed me about. It reminded me, though, that God not only remembers my name (and everyone else who's ever lived) but that He also has the very hairs of my head numbered (along with everyone else's - which may or may not get easier as I age!).
In other news, good things occurred in two areas. First, my second book finally went into its final production. (So... in about 3 months, it'll hopefully be available - and reasonably error-free, unlike the last one). More importantly, we finally received word that Ellie Moore has reached remission with the leukemia! Praise the Lord! Hopefully, the transplant in July will work and the doctors will be able to get a hold on the cancer.
Another thought God's worked on me with these past weeks is the verse that says, "The horse is prepared unto the day of battle, but safety is of the Lord." Yes, kids are clumsy, and they hurt themselves on a regular basis at camp, but this verse reminded me so much of the fact that we have to prepare as much as we can, try as hard as we can, and then simply step back and let God work. It's not a "God needs us to do 'this much' in order to get the job done," but rather a "God expects us to work," and to do all to the glory of God, whether it's eating, drinking, or whatever. We can't laze about, fail to prepare, and then blame God when things don't go our way.
I run a ropes course during the summer. If I haven't taken every precaution, any injury falls back on me. I can't blame God. If I've done as much as I can humanly do to assure training and safety checks have been performed, I must trust that God will work accordingly.
To that end, pray that the counselors will stay teachable and focused this summer. Pray they'll take the opportunities presented to them. Camp is hard work, and counselors are on watch 23 hours a day. Pray they stay spiritually strong, physically healthy, and mentally focused on the task (and not significant others). Pray for wisdom for the Resident Staff, as well as diligence so that we don't become lazy since we have help to cover some of our jobs. Pray for Deb and me as we navigate busy schedules and little time at home together. Pray for Ellie's bone marrow transplant in July to be successful.
Thank you for your prayers and support. May this update find you well.
