Volume 132: Rest in Ali's Resilience

How do I respond when things don't go my way? 

When my routine is rerouted? 

When my plan is met with obstacles? 

Everyone answers with a resounding.... "POORLY!"

How does Ali Monk respond when things don't go her way? 

When her routine is rerouted? 

When her plan is met with obstacles? 

Everyone answers with a resounding, "WONDERFULLY!"

Okay, sure... maybe on the inside not so much. But man, she sure is good at faking it til she makes it!

For the past 10 years, I have been amazed by Ali's resilience and the way nothing seems to be able to stop her. 

No matter what role she's in at camp or who's she's working with, she's always grounded. As she always encourages us, she plans ahead for any possible scenarios so that if something goes wrong, she has margin. 

On Friday night, as Ali was in a meeting about cabin placement for next session, Austin fell off the rock wall and cut his face pretty badly... The kind of cut that broke anyone's heart who saw him. 

I saw as Ali got to Austin and held him, making him smile, and even smiling herself. 

Yet, at the same time, the Special Event was being released down to the waterfront for the Magic Show finale... which last session, Ali had narrated to the whole camp...

So instead, Bentley handed Ben the script and he walked to the microphone to run the show, without practicing beforehand. Despite being worried about his son, he focused on the 1,200 kids in front of him, encouraging them to sing along to "We Don't Talk About Bruno" and speaking with excitement about the Camp Ozark magic. 

Ali headed to the Health Center to get Austin's face cleaned up and bandaged. On her way, she handed Debbie her Bible and talk that she was to give in about 45 minutes... Oh boy, Debbie is going to last minute give the All Girls Lifeline Talk in Ali's place, we thought to ourselves...

As the show ended, Ali and Austin came walking back down the Main Camp hill, in route towards the BOP. She's going to get the girls so they can head home and go to bed, I thought to myself...

I trailed behind them, only to realize I was following them inside the BOP - where Ali immediately met up with Ellie and Hayden, put Austin down, and they all began DANCING and laughing. She must be relieved she's not giving the talk tonight...

But then... the time came and low and behold, Ali grabbed her Bible and papers that she had handed Debbie earlier, and made her way up towards the stage. 

Hold up! Did she even have time to look over her notes? Is her brain not scattered after this long night? How is she going to go up there and give a talk right now?! 

Something that did not make sense to my easy to shut down brain... Or my easily flustered self when things don't go as planned...

Yet, something that is so normal for Ali Monk.

Who had just recently rescheduled an entire Final Friday because of rain.

Who had just recently dealt with a team not showing up to the right location for team comp. 

Who had just recently helped organize showers in a powerless Burbs bathhouse. 

It was not a coincidence that on Friday night, she held that microphone, and shared what it means to be a woman of God. 

A woman who trusts in God!
Who can laugh at the days to come!
Who fears the Lord!
Who is fearfully and wonderfully made! 

All things that Ali exemplifies in her everyday life. An example to thousands of girls who have met Ali or heard her speak with passion and complete confidence in the truth she proclaims. 

10 summers of learning from Ali -
the way she earns people's respect immediately.
the way she loves Scripture and delights in it's truth.
the way she leads with selflessness and humility. 
the way she gives her absolute best to every "yes" she commits to. 
the way she loves the people around her and never makes anyone feel like an interruption. 
the way this list could go on and on!!!!

Here's to Ali! A human I have NEVER heard anyone say anything bad about. 

Thank you to God to get to call someone like Ali a friend! And for the rest that is found in her presence because of the person she is!