Volume 32: Rest in Mt. Ida
"So, why are you here in Chattanooga?"
*Insert my explanation of the off season* (And here's to the Lord and His goodness and provision over the last 8 months in Chattanooga - a lot of things to be thankful for!)
But, for the next 4 months, I will not hear that question because... the time has come... we have made it to Mt. Ida! And camp feels a lotttttt closer when you're here. Excitement and fear and memories and purpose. Frannie summed up it up well saying "So many incredible moments with Jesus have happened behind those gates!"
A lot of the off season was spent praying for this moment of returning to camp. Praying for a quiet mind and hope and joy. I honestly thought I would dread it... Therefore, I was encouraged and thankful for the excitement that I felt as I turned on to the road that leads you to Mt. Ida from Hot Springs.
This week, we've been reading a lot of Jesus's words in John and it's been refreshing yet challenging.
In perfect timing, last Sunday, we read John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."
What a beautiful reminder that we have access to peace 24/7 through Jesus. As I draw closer to Him and remember that His presence is always with us, I can find peace. I can't find my peace through succeeding in my job or the approval or others or reading a book. May I rest in His peace alone.
After reading that verse on Sunday, I felt a sense of hope of what is to come for this summer. A motivation to approach this summer differently. I thought through the last couple of days in Chattanooga before heading out for Mt. Ida.
Standing in my cousin's house and Paul asking Eliza, his 7 year old daughter, to pray for me, and Jessie told her "yes, let's pray for Morgan because she's going off to camp for the summer and it can be hard." To which Eliza immediately responded, "How is that hard?" And I oddly really needed to hear her ask that - to simply be reminded that I work for a summer camp! Yes, there may be challenging moments, but may I remember the pure child-like hearts of our campers that will be here soon!
Then, the next night, I ask Debbie how she continues to come back to camp year after year after year x31 (!!!), even when the summers are difficult. Immediately, without second thought, she said "The mission. Knowing that no matter how hard it may be for me, I know the kids are having life changing experiences." And sure, any one could simply say "the mission" but Debbie's genuine and passionate heart exemplify that she really does believe it. May I remember the mission and bigger picture of what we do!
On the way to camp, Merry Grace texts "Think about all the campers with signs and how they are about to pee their pants as they arrive. Envision yourself with a sign arriving today!!! Go caddo." We can all agree that she could have left the pee your pants imagery out... but what an important reminder that there are over SEVEN THOUSAND kids out there right now that are already so excited about coming to camp!! And although our work right now seems daunting and a little overwhelming, may I remember that it will all be worth it the moment the first kid enters those gates.
And Frannie's comment of "He's chosen you to be there to help cultivate conversation and relationship with each other and with Him. You are so gifted in that, Morgan! He doesn't want anyone else walking in your dirty (mean!) red crocs this summer - he wants YOU to be there and to join Him in what He's doing! Hallelujah!" This one had me thinking the whole drive to camp... He could have chosen me to be an accountant in New York City and have to wear a pant suit every day to work... Thank you, Jesus, for choosing me to work at a summer camp!! (And Debbie for hiring me for a job I guess!) May I be quick to step into this current role God has me in with boldness and confidence, allowing Him to work through me!
All of these small moments led to arriving at camp and served as such important reminders of the purpose of what we do.
But here's the thing... last Sunday, I was all ready!!! Ready to take on the challenges! Feeling motivated!
And then... I let the enemy win... pretty quickly... like on Monday... taking over my thoughts, self-doubting, questioning, and dwelling.
Do better Morgan!!!! (everyone say it with me!!) Do better Morgan!!!! (I know there's grace ok)
And then, doing what she does best, Debbie drops this wisdom on me "This is where the rubber meets the road. We have to trust Him at His word and keep the big picture perspective at the forefront. The minute we take our eyes off Jesus and onto ourselves, we plummet. It's our approach to this summer that can be different - a stance of confidence and perspective. We get to control the narrative and refuse to let the narrative control us!"
Amen, Debbie amen!!! (everyone say it with me!!) Amen, Debbie amen!!!
Later in the week in reading John, Jesus states, "and every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.... whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me, you can do nothing."
Yes, we will be pruned. We will continue to be pushed - Jesus doesn't see the fruit on the branch and say "Good job!" and be done...
BUT He does promise to be with us. And He is the one that is ultimately bearing the fruit within us - we don't even have to do any work...
Just simply ABIDE.
I end this post with an advertisement for El Diamante for serving me 4 times in one week....
But more importantly, we end with a statement of gratitude for Emily Pinkerton and how wonderful it is to be in her presence!!! Roommates and office mates and she makes me better in many ways. But, let's just say, even after just one week, she has helped me grow for marriage, as she talks in the morning... and we spend a lot of time together. So here's to Yellerton! For her friendship and for the summer ahead, doing it together and encouraging one another and a lot of laughter and joy! Amen.
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