Youth Camp 2011

Independence Day this year was truly that for me, An Independence day! Early(very early) in the morning this 4th of July James and I loaded on a chartered bus full of 60 plus teens and 6 adults headed to Lift Student Ministries camp in Long view, Texas.

I don't think in my wildest dreams I could have envisioned how this one week would change my life so much! I have never been so tired and so sleep deprived at one time. Still I could have danced all day for my Lord and King.

I have never laughed and cried so much, sometimes within moments of each other.

I never thought I could love children I didn't give life to like I have fallen in love with these kids. I love them so much! I look forward to seeing them, their high fives, their hugs!

In that week I was truly able to see people love and worship God with a childlike faith. They were not ashamed of who they were or what they had done, they truly understood and accepted that they were forgiven and all was paid.

They sang and worshipped with hands raised high with true abandon as if no one were watching, as if it were only them and God in that room. I watched them pour out love onto one another. They held each other when they cried, they lifted one another in prayer, they praised each other. Friendships were made and friendships were restored were they needed to be. Life's were changed.

On the very first night we saw one of our youth become saved and by Thursday night there were 5 lives saved in all. Several of our youth dedicated their lives to God's service.

There were moments when I just had to sit back and take it all in. I was speechless and in awe of actually seeing God come in and work in their lives right in front of my eyes.

I have to wonder...what if we all loved and worshipped God in this way, with a childlike faith?

The world would be a far better, wonderful place.

James and I started volunteering in youth because we were feeling disconnected in our faith, lost in our church, we were running on empty. Our youth pastor told us that we must remember to fill our cups with God and his word and his love.

I can write you now with 100 percant assurance that my cup is now overflowing.