When it's hard to find the words...

Well, leaving camp and going into the "real world" always takes some adjusting. When people ask me how my summer was, I can never conjure up the right words to express my love for camp. But, every time people ask me about my summer it never fails that  as I talk up a storm, I realize I could try and explain all that camp is and they would never fully understand. Strong Rock does that- it's an experience that leaves you speechless and full of words at the same time. You know that unless someone has experienced it too, all of the explanations, crazy stories and random inside jokes will never make sense to them. That's why we're a family. Families have bonds that nobody else understands, so here is an ode to that incredible family, Strong Rock 2011..

I feel like this summer we got to know each other so well, and really took the time to invest in each other day in and day out. It made a difference. I don't think I could've gotten through some days without the love and support of so many fellow staff members. There were times when unity was shaken and our level of energy dwindled, but God remained the center and I could tell that Strong Rock's mission statement rung true in each and every staff member's hearts, the Lord was our motivation and nothing stands stronger.

From Ladies (wink) to the ocassional crazy costume (jk, I mean all the time) people from the outside world would definitely think we were crazy. I mean, we throw socks at people for fun. Just sayin.

My awesome Awahili tribe members hold a special place in my heart. I absolutely love their spirit and enthusiasm, and all around Pride for their Tribe :)  Things ended on such a wonderful note, and God got us through all of our rough patches. I know that without them I wouldn't be as thankful. I must say that "which field is my fav???" constantly is on replay in my head. Not to mention, never say never, all you need is blue, a waya no, and somewhere over the waya eagles fly (to name a few)....When I sing those outloud I know that people outside of the camp world look at me funny.

I'd like to give  a shout out to all of the girl cabin staff:
Thank you for accepting me as me and for being such incredible sisters in the Lord. Each and every one of you has helped me to grow in Him.

Willow, your incredible ability to talk to little girls and dedicate your all to them is inspiring, along with your willingness to got he extra mile even when it might be more difficult


Broadway, you love to listen, are filled with the Lord's joy and are not afraid to be yourself which I think made you an amazing role model to your Pebblebrookers.

Hugs, I love how you live each day dedicated to the Lord's truth and the power of His word, it is evident in the way you lead your campers to a relationship with God




Muggle, your constant enthusiasm for life was contagious and your spontaneity just made things fun and exciting all of the time, and I bet your Lakeside girls enjoyed that as much as we did as a staff :)

Apple, your gentle spirit, ability to listen and constant dedication to your girls made it easy for them to talk to you I'm sure.




Button, you are just full of life and are so full of wisdom for those Waters Edge girls, its beautiful to watch you discipling them

Pistol, your freedom in the Lord and openness are so helpful to me, and I absoutely love how dedicated you are to camp and what it means





**The shout outs will continue on camp post number 3, coming soon!

Camp, an experience that is hard to put in words

How do I start this epic entry series about the amazing Strong Rock Camp...
right now it's one of the hardest things to do...

...It seems too soon to be writing about my 2011 camp experience, because in writing about it that means it has come to an end. I hate it when camp comes to an end.
It's an experience that has the potential of captivating the essence of the butterfly effect, of changing the world.
An experience of being unaware in the moment, but pouring out in humility and even sometimes seeing the fruit that comes from abiding in the Lord.
An experience based on the simple yet complex ideas  of loving unconditionally and being loved in return.
An experience that doesn't compare to any other.

There  is no other place and group of people that I cry about leaving as much as when I leave camp. There is no other place where I have felt an immense amount of encouragement, joy, and freedom in the Lord.

Simply, Strong Rock is a place incomparable to any other....

This entry serves as an introduction...but just that, it will take many more days to write about all of camp, so stay tuned...