Volume 36: Rest in our Universal God

 

There I was, sitting in the middle row of a 15 passenger van, on the way to the movie theaters in Hot Springs on our last day off before the summer staff arrived. Why a 15 passenger van? Was it a youth group trip? Or a road trip? No, it was simply a day excursion in which we needed a 15 P because we already had 9 international staff at camp, who don't have cars! 

I was stuck in the middle - between Cam, from New Zealand, asking Ty and Emily about the Chosen, and Aldo BLASTING his music and speaking very fast Spanish to the rest of the crew. As I was trying to engage myself in both groups, I couldn't help but smile. A beautiful moment of being surrounded by God's children - from Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, Texas, Ohio, and Arkansas - all in one vehicle. 

Well, now our crew has grown even more, adding staff from Ireland, South Africa, England, Czech, Slovakia, Hungary, and Scotland. And even more to come in the next week! 

It was not easy to get them all here - eight full months of effort and awkward zoom interviews and a lot of administrative work. But man was it worth it. 

Last night, we welcomed Erika from Northern Ireland and as I walked her into the large gym, there was a group of international staff who jumped up and all hurried over to us to introduce themselves and welcome her into the family that they have already created. 

It's easy to fall into the trap of believing that you deserve more recognition for all of your hard work, but let me tell you, wow have I been humbled. As I watch them interact with each other and buy into the camp culture, I couldn't be more thankful to have all of our international staff at Camp Ozark this summer. Their joy and enthusiasm and bravery and kindness! That this summer will give them friendships that will last forever. That some of them will have the opportunity to really dive deep in their faith. 

The other night, we had a worship night. In high school and college, it was sometimes perceived as "cool" to close your eyes in worship (sometimes I still do because it helps quiet my mind and focus). But, on this night, with my eyes wide open, I looked around at the people around me and I was so grateful. I've spent many nights worshipping on that small gym floor over the past eight summers but how incredible that God keeps providing different groups of people, brining each individual person to camp for a specific reason. Ranging from the international staff clumped up in the corner to the top staff that have come back another summer to serve to my fellow p-staff behind me who have walked through so much together. 

So this summer, may I continue to open my eyes. 

For when I do, it is so easy to see how BIG our God is. That He is always moving, even in the small moments. 

My frustrations and challenges are so small in comparison of what God is capable of doing when I submit to His plan. 

I will open my eyes in the moments of watching Luis and David lead the kitchen crew for their third year!

I will open my eyes in the moments of watching the staff let down their guard and anxieties as they dance and sing!

I will open my eyes in the moments of watching Ali up front guiding our staff with passion and enthusiasm!

I will open my eyes in the moments of watching my coworkers lead their groups and celebrate the newly certified ropes course workers and lifeguards!

Big things will happen at camp this summer, a majority that I will never know anything about. May I not lose sight of what God is willing to do in and through His people!

Amen!!

Now, a lot of this is easier said than done... because whew it can be quite exhausting to be at camp!!

Earlier this week, I had a morning that I reallyyyy want to snooze my alarm and go back to sleep instead of doing my gospel reading...

I started reading chapter 14 with half closed eyes (literally) and very slowly got through reading the death of John the Baptist. 

But then.... my eyes lit up...

The next section was Jesus feeding the 5,000 and walking on water! Thank goodness I did my reading!!

In welcoming brand new staff, it can be a little overwhelming to meet all their needs and answer all their questions. Often, I feel as the disciples did when they saw the large crowd approaching and said to Jesus, "This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves."

But how does Jesus respond!?

"They need not go away; you give them something to eat." 

To which they say, "We only have five loaves here and two fish."

And doing what He does best, Jesus takes the very little that they do have and turns it into a miracle. 

In a moment that Jesus could have snapped his fingers and satisfied the people's hunger, he chose to use His disciples. May I allow Him to use what I do have and multiply it and do something great. I sure am not perfect at this job, but what a beautiful opportunity to give what I do have and let God do the rest. 

My designated summer niece... Here's the thing... don't be fooled... for the first week and a half, Anna Claire would not even look at me... The only word I heard he say was "no." 

Well then came a hard day and I had just about nothing left to give and just when I was about to give up on becoming her friend, she GAVE ME A HUG and immediately turned to her mom and said (and I cannot make this up) "I make Miss Morgan happy!!" 

Therefore, Anna Claire Allred is an angel from above and I love how God works through even little children. 

Oh and don't worry, my real nieces are doing just fine!!!