Volume 87: Rest in Orientation

 

There we sat, at El Diamante, eating dinner after we officially finished 12 days of Staff Orientation. We went around the table and each shared a highlight of orientation. 

"The lifeguard whistle ceremony!"

"The western night band - freely dancing!"

"The Staff Relations girls meeting when all the Operations girls stood up and there were so many of them!"

"The staff participating in the Ultimate Solution race - such an unique experience for them to get cheered for by the whole camp!"

We were all at the same staff orientation, but we all had different answers - a testament to the way God works in big and small ways for each individual! He is worthy of our praise!

This morning, we had 7 chapters in Psalms. And Psalm 111 says:

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,

 in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the Lord,
    studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
    and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
    the Lord is gracious and merciful.
5 

In a given day at Camp Ozark, there are so many things to give thanks for!

For the moment the lights dimmed down after an hour of everyone dancing to the country band and the beginning chords of Don't Stop Believing began and everyone screamed. 

For the moment of Katie White doing the leg kick at the end of the song. 

For the moment of Megan driving the mule down the back hill screaming, "WAAA HOOO!!!"

For the moment of singing "Go tell it on the mountain" over and over again in the Chow Hall with the gospel choir.

For the moment of passing Finn and Ollie and them yelling my name.

For the moment of Paulina from Mexico walking across the waterfront bridge for the very first time and in mid conversation, doing a full 360 turn, taking in the view that surrounded her. 

For the moment of riding the golf cart up the hill yet barelllyyyyy making it.

Year after year, one of my favorite parts of Orientation is Time Out in the park. There is something special about all being together at Central Park, as I look around and think about the kids that will soon be filling this space very soon. 

In the song, Set a Fire, we sang out the words, "No place I'd rather be than here in your love, here in your love."

I thought about all 800 staff that were standing with me in that moment, at a camp in the middle of no where Arkansas.

Some of which would actually have probably wanted to be somewhere else in that moment... 

Questioning whether they wanted to be at Camp Ozark this summer. 

Wishing they were back home with their family. 

Thinking about their summer school classes. 

Whatever it may be... 

And some of which who want to be at Camp Ozark all summer long! Who absolutely love it and enjoy all parts of the program. 

Yet, God has us all, each individual, from the first year summer staff to the 30th year permanent staff, at Camp Ozark for a specific reason. He does nothing by accident. 

And I find great comfort in that - thinking about how all off season, everyone works so hard to recruit staff. 

Thousands of interviews.

Thousands and thousands of texts sent. 

Time and energy and effort spent. 

And then, it all comes together. All the staff arrive! And prepare for the campers to come!

It's a beautiful thing. A group of college kids coming from literally all over the world. 

Yet, despite all of the recruiting teams' hard work, all glory to God. For His timing and His provision and His guidance. His placement of all of us at camp this summer. 

We may never know His purpose of bringing the staff that leave after 1 day at camp. 

We may never know the impact camp has on some staff who don't seem to buy in. 

We may never know what is in store for the staff who are upset about their placement. 

But we can rest that God will honor our yes and our commitment when we show up and expect Him to work and trust His plan. 

That He will continue to show up. 

That He will never forsake us. 

And even if there is somewhere else you wish to be, you are always in His love.

Orientation has its highs and its lows. The highs may vary for each individual. Same for the lows. 

At dinner, we may have all shared different favorite moments of Orientation, but for all of them, we give thanks to the Lord! Because great are His works! And he is worthy to be praised!

Shoutout to the Caddo winners!!!!!