Alert and Oriented (x4)

What an amazing God we serve! We had 4 kids from our group accept Christ for the first time. Every single person in that place was touched by God in a mighty and unmistakable way. Last night we baptized 20 people, 8 of them had been to camp. In all my years of camp, whether as a camper, a counselor, or a sponsor, I have never, ever experienced a messier, more gross end-games day. We will all be needing a course of Cipro, a tetanus shot and probably a flea and tick dip. It was an absolute blast (except for the vomit smell I am unable to rid my clothing of...I will be burning several items this afternoon). I am bone-weary tired. And have a stomach distress. As did 2 of my offspring last night. I will spare the details, as I know some of you may eat occasionally and would want that to not be spoiled. Concerned that this may be from the gross-out messy games. I am bone-weary tired. Oh, yes...I said that already. My eyelids may actually be scraping the ground. And I just found another bag o...

Each year when I go to youth camp, I come back changed. This year was no different. The way that God moved my kids (all 23 of them are "mine," regardless of parentage) is both humbling and inspiring to watch. Witnessing the brokenness that must happen before healing can begin is often painful, and fraught with messy, uncomfortable feelings that can either get in the way or pave the way for the work that God is accomplishing. We had more honesty and brutal transparency this year than ever before with these kids. Ranging in age from 11 to 17, we ran the gamut of wanting to know only when the snack bar would next open so we could get more nachos to those that clearly and deeply heard from God. The last day, while packing up, was when everything was brought into sharp focus for me. When I am physically tired, I tend to cry quite easily. Tears are independent of whatever emotion I'm experiencing...I can be glad, mad or just plain stressed. I averaged about 4-6 hours a night o...

I'm off to beautiful Inlow Camp tomorrow for a wonderful week with 24 spirited and incredibly bright, challenging teens and pre-teens (grades 6-12). I would covet your prayers this week that they would be able to keep their eyes on Jesus, to not be distracted from the focus He has for them and that they would come back ON FIRE and more in love with God than ever before. As for me, please pray that I would hear from Him in an unmistakable, clear as a bell way as well. And pray for Ted, who will be home alone all week, and missing us. I'm sure he'll be eating lots of Chick-fil-A while we're gone. I return the day before my 28th wedding anniversary. I'll be missing you all--especially my daily fixes....