Hey bloggers and bloggettes! I know it has been a while since my last post. I went with counselors Chris Wheeler, Haylee Hunt, Suzanne Carter, Director John Wheeler and 15 other Kennett campers to meet another 150 campers at Sanctuary Kamp (Spelled with a K to honor camp founder Don Kuhele). Sanctuary Kamp is one of many weeklong church camps at the Blue Mountain United Methodist Center near Fredericktown.

This is my second consecutive year as a counselor and I was a camper for the six years prior. Throughout high school I would consistently look forward to that one special week where I could be that silly camper who would sing songs around a campfire with the multitude of stars delicately suspended above, listen to counselors give a devotional as we watched the majestic sunset and its myriad of reds and yellows, and the other fun activities: sports, drama, swimming in the lake, square dancing on the slab etc. But there is so much more to it than that.

I often catch myself saying that camp has made a monumental impact on my life. However, after just returning from camp I realize that I am wrong. It is not that camp that made the difference. It's not the activities, the songs or even John Wheeler's dastardly attempt at NOT being funny that has campers leaving camp with a warmer heart and a changed life; it's God!

As the week goes along I see friendships being formed, people sharing about their faith journeys and tough times in their lives, I see people strengthening and becoming excited about their relationships with God and I see the love of Christ radiating from the youth in a "pray without ceasing" atmosphere. However, the pinnacle point in the week is when scores of campers say, "I choose Jesus." And to think that God might be using me as a counselor to help guide those campers to him is a powerful blessing.