Tonight was exactly how I thought it would eventually get - tense. It only takes being a woman for this many years to know that eventually we just get cranky. (Thanks, Eve). ;)
I love how the girls are at family time. Do they realize the life's skills they are learning that will help them with life? Careers? Family? Children? Marriages? Relationships?? These times will be a blessing in ways they.........no, WE, do not even realize yet. Just like I am glad God chose me to be Rory and Ian's mom, I'm glad He chose each of these girls to be in my cabin. Oh, if they only knew how blessed I feel by all of them.
The other day Doug came up to me and asked if I could get him some underwear at Walmart, so Marcy and I took a quick trip there. Several girls from G3 and also from KCC needed some "stuff." While I was in the store, I felt like I needed to get something for Rory, so I got him some silly underwear and embarrassed him at IP during FOB time. But, while Marcy and I were coming home from Walmart we shared some stuff that was personal. I told her about Jacquelyn. We talked about our dads dying. And, I remeember just letting out a big deep breath, almost like a sigh of relief, and saying, "Wow, I love being a mom!" From the time Doug asked me to get him underwear to the gals asking me for the stuff they needed, I just kept being reminded all day how good it feels to know that they know that I'm here for them.
Lately I have been asking God to show me what His plans are for me. I was so afraid I'd miss it. But He brought me all the way here to teach me that I am doing what He wants already. And He made me realize just how satisfied I really am, and that I'm already feeling fulfilled.
This week I have watched these girls struggle, succeed, get frustrated, overcome, cry at times, and then nurture and love their campers, and I know that someday God will likely bless all of them too, wiht a satisfaction like I now have. I am so thankful He used each of them so uniquely to teach me so much.
Katherine with her compassion toward Vanessa. She was always putting herself equally with her, like 2 girlfriends just hanging out. They were like sisters and they both brought infectious smiles to one another, and anyone around them.
Kailee- Wow! The patient endurance she developed after such a short time. She never showed anyone when she was tired. She just adapted where she sat, how she would eat, etc., and she smiled thru it all, even when we all knew she was exhausted.
Anna.... She learned quickly how to duck! Every time she had to walk away, Kelly would look around for her, and this showed showed how Anna made her feel loved and secure and safe. Her confidence during the week really made it possible for Kelly to enjoy herself at camp.
Audrey became pals with Megan right away. It was so endearing. They were like 2 peas in a pod. Cabin sisters - and sisters in Christ.
Addy - the frustration she had in the beginning just went right out the door when she got her first smile from Amanda. I think God may have been trying to teach her that He really DOES listen, and He really DOES deliver adn give us what we ask for.
Caitlin - Bouncing around wherever needed, loving ALL the girls and all the campers, adjusting to a new environment and new people. She handled that hiccup so well. I'm so glad we got to enjoy her with her other cabin! She was a big help to me!
Rachel and her cute little camper, Liz............ I loved spending alone time with them coloring and talking about home and the future. Rachel thinks very deeply. I loved how she held Elizabeth's hands like they were sisters.
Jessica - She just adapts to any situation. Nothing stopped her and Tasha. Jessica's confidence taking care of Tasha's physical and emotional needs was astonishing for someone of her age. Something tells me some day she will work closely with children. ;)
Macy and Muffin were like 2 silly college girls headed to the club. Macy's leadership and problem-solving skills were incredible. She quickly learned how to read her Muffin and communicate with her like she had known her forever. Anyone could tell how much Muffin loved and trusted Macy.
Someone during FOP time said, wouldn't it be cool if when we all got to heaven, all the campers would be there cheering for us like we did for them!
I can't help as I tearfully imagine that. I can just see Vanessa ready to paint all of our nails before we go brefore the throne of God, Katie being on the worship team, microphone in hand, singing her heart out, Kelly, arms flailing as she cheers for us each time her head pokes thru a parachute, Megan dressed to kill, fake eyelashes, ready to greet her cabin sisters and cabin mom, Lester of course, at her side. Amanda will be smiling ear to ear - a smile so big that one cannot help but LOL, Tasha, head up straight and confidently, looking us all in the eyes thanking everyone for a great week at camp. Elizabeth will be holding her baby doll, yelling, "WE did it!!" and Muffin will be in her bikini, pool side, yelling, "Pow!"
I pray that each one of these girls I fell in love with this week, continues to say YES to God, go where He says to go, do what He says to do, love who He says to love, so that at the end of the day our Father will continue to look down upon each of them and say, "These are my daughters, and I am proud of them all !"
As for Kelly and Katie, our cabin staff, Surely we will recognize them. Katie will be dressed as a ketchup bottle and Kelly will be wearing some goofy pair of glasses. What a blessing to all of us they were. Their leadership skills and compassion, not to mention problem solving skills, were unmatched, and they were, undoubtedly, the best cabin staff at camp. Not sure how they put up with us all this time. God must be preparing them for big familiest, with twins, or triplets, or something!
I just love each one of these girls............
No comments:
Post a Comment