Future plans!

Future plans:

*LRCC leadership, assistant day camp director from June 8- August 10, 2010.

*Immediately after, I move.

*grad school here I come...

*I need to find a church.  I only found 1 ELCA Lutheran Church in both the City of Orange and Tustin.  It had 30 people, all older....  Apparently the OC is very conservative... I had no idea... hope I will find my niche, and a great church.  It doesn't have to be ELCA, even though that's what I would like.  All my camps, youth gatherings, church family etc. is connected with the ELCA and it's where I feel comfortable.  We'll see what happens...

*This weekend, May 28-31 I'll be at a memorial day weekend camp with my church!  Goodbye youth ministry at Christ Lutheran!  This is my last hurrah with the church and the youth.  I will miss them all more than they know!

*Going to Disneyland with Eric, and Katie beginning of June!  Harmony is visting from Zimbabwe the next day!  It's going to be a fun filled week before leadership staff training!

There's my update on upcoming events in my life!  Thank you God for keeping my life exciting!!!!  I love God for that!

Love,
Kelly

God is faithful!!!

God is so faithful.  I wanted so badly to go back to camp this summer, but there was no spot for me.  I told God that he better have something pretty amazing planned for me for the summer because I couldn't think of anything that would be better and more rewarding than working at camp.  Then Anthony Briggs called me and told me a spot had opened up for a leadership position of assistant day camp director!!!  I was so excited and accepted the position.  I know God listened to my plea, that night as I sat on a bench under the stars, crying, telling God I was upset at Him.  But, God always comes through.  He is so faithful!!!!!!

I got accepted to grad school too!  I got into Fuller Theological Seminary, and I also have interviews the next two weeks at Alliant International University and Azusa Pacific University, which is my top choice!  I'm so excited to see where I end up!  So, I will definitely be moving out of Santa Barbara next year.  I'm excited but anxious too.  I've lived here my whole life, with the exception of my freshman year at the University of Denver (aka DU).  I had a terrible experience with that move and was completely homesick, but I was only 18 and just out of high school.  I'll be 25 in three days, so it's a little different now.

Also, I really like this guy, and he likes me too.  :) :) :)  He lives in a different state though so we are taking things really slowly and getting to know each other better.  I'm flying out to go to his graduation in May, and I'll be there for his birthday too.  We met at camp, and I really hope things continue to go well for us.  It's pretty exciting for me, because this kind of thing rarely happens to me.  :)  So, I'm very happy!  Yay!!!!

I auditioned to be on this TV show, Glee.  It was fun!  I don't actually expect to be chosen for the show, but it was fun auditioning all the same.  I recorded a 1 minute clip talking about myself, and then sang a 4 minute song, Lean on Me.  It was just a fun experience.

I'm so excited for my future.  Camp this summer.  Grad school in the fall, and maybe a guy in my life.  So exciting.  God is sooooo good!

God's love always,
Kelly

Readers:
When has God been faithful to you?
What things are you struggling with, that you wish God would help you with?
What exciting plans are in your future?

camp faith story

Camp is one of the most inspirational places I have been. I grew up going to El Camino Pines nearly every summer from about 3^rd through 9^th grade. My most memorable experience was confirmation camp, the summer after 8^th grade. I went up with my youth group, and on the night of the last campfire a pastor gave an inspirational talk and asked us if we wanted to rededicate our lives to Christ. I was inspired by the pastor’s words and felt called to make this commitment. I received a black wristband, along with many other people who came up. I sat back down at the campfire, looked up at the stars and began to cry because I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit deep inside of me. I felt this overwhelming peace and understanding from within, and knew that God was carrying all of my struggles and that everything was going to be okay. I still wear that wristband today as a reminder that my life is dedicated to God. It is one of those moments that I will never forget. The theme verse of the week was Micah 6:8, which is, “He has shown thee, of people, what is good, and what the Lord requires of thee. But to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.” This became one of my confirmation verses when I was confirmed the next fall.

About six years later I found myself working at camp as a counselor. This was my fourth summer working at camp, and this time as the staff in training program director. I trained high school students to become future counselors and leaders.

What can I say? We have a blast a camp. It is so much fun. We are a close-knit community of believers. The campers learn about God and grow in their faith and are able to simply be themselves. The counselors are fun and outgoing, and their energy is contagious. Camp is a place that inspires kids. It stirs in them a longing to pursue God in their lives and to pursue their faith in all circumstances. They learn how to love others who are different from them because every camper is unique. Camp is about acceptance of who we are as children of God, and I can’t think of a better place, than at camp, to learn about the one who created us all. The relationships built at camp are truly life lasting.

Also, kids do not get to spend enough time outdoors. They are inside for school, when they watch TV or play videogames, but at camp that all changes. We pursue and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. God’s creativity captures the kids when they step foot outside.

Here's just a quick story as I wrap up. There was a camper who at the beginning of the week, it was clear he did not want to be there. He was a high school football player, a “big, tough guy,” and he didn’t seem to want to talk about much when he arrived.” The week transformed him. We went white water rafting and I could see him open up and become vulnerable as he let down his guard. By the last day, he was telling everyone to keep in touch and that he would miss camp. This is just one story among many of how camp works in kids' lives. It has a lasting impact, as kids gain confidence and learn about discipleship. Camp has been a huge blessing in my life, and I see it bless so many kids.

http://www.lrcchome.com

This is the home page of Lutheran Retreats Camps and Conferences. Check it out!

camp goodbyes

When I took the position as one of the staff in training program directors, I never realized it would be the best summer of my life. Saying goodbye was even harder than I realized. When John left us yesterday I cried in the airport. Laughed and cried at the same time. He made me smile and laugh by just being himself, even as I was saying goodbye, tears welling up, and falling down my cheek, not knowing when I will see him again. Sean, John, Josh, Kris, and I became so close. With one more week of camp, the next three goodbyes will hit me like bricks falling on my head. The first one was hard enough. I really dislike goodbyes. When you become close to people, and I mean like this summer where we spent 24/7 together for 2 and half months, goodbyes are about the saddest things ever. It's worth it though to know that we made an impact on their lives and that we shared something truly "Holy magical!" as Anthony says.

Below is an article I wrote for the LRCC (Lutheran Retreats Camps and Conferences) newsletter. I hope it gives you even the smallest taste of the impact of this summer. Best summer ever!

“We would love for you to be one of our staff in training program directors, Kelly,” Anthony Briggs told me last December. After prayerfully considering this job option, I accepted, soon to be accompanied by Sean, a counselor I worked with two summers before. I did not know Sean too well, but once camp started, and we began writing music together, song after song, through conversations and laughter, we quickly became friends, and greatly enjoyed working together.

In June, four interesting and gifted young men entered our camp community. They were energetic and full of fresh ideas. Through these young faces we saw the birth of a new camp generation. The purpose of the staff in training program is to prepare sixteen and seventeen year old youth to become qualified future staff members.

This summer has been filled with fun and amazing memories. We began our first two weeks at Camp Yolijwa, learning the ins and outs of camp, and participating in lifeguard training. After two weeks into the program one of our SITs decided not to continue with the program. As difficult as it was to see one of our numbers dwindle, it grew us closer together.

We continued our time at beach camp, then half of us proceeded to New Orleans for the National High School Youth Gathering. The three of us that were there even got to hang out in Louisiana! We returned to Yolijwa, and next will be heading to El Camino Pines where the SITs will be staying in the cabins and observing the counselors in action. For the last week of teen camp they will be peer leaders and get to lead Bible studies, devotions, and activities alongside the counselors. Kris, an athlete and guitarist from Camarillo, California explains, “At first I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do the program, but I’m glad I did it, because it’s been the best summer I’ve ever had.”

We have enjoyed trips for frozen yogurt, singing loudly on road trips, but have also been deeply touched by our personal faith stories. Never have I seen such passion and eagerness to dive into the camp life. Josh, from Madison, South Dakota is a highly likeable, joyful person. He comments, “The SIT program is the greatest experience of my life. I know I wouldn’t be able to have done half the things being in South Dakota.”

Through the four summers I have worked at camp, this has been one of my favorites. God has inspired me through the creativity and joy in these young men. John, a down to earth, gifted artist from Tempe, Arizona says, “It’s been an amazing summer, full of laughs, memories, and meeting lifelong friends. The experience has soared passed all of my expectations. My faith has grown so much in these short weeks. I can’t wait till next summer.” I look forward to seeing these three guys work at camp for many summers to come.

Camp SIT program!

In my last blog I said I wanted to share a faith story, but I'm going to have to save that for another time.  I'm one of the Staff in Training (SIT) program directors for Lutheran Retreats Camps and Conferences (LRCC).  It is such an amazing, fun job!  I travel from Camp Yolijwa (Youth Living Jesus Way), to beach camp, to New Orleans for the National High School youth gathering with 36,000 people (but this is through my church that I'm the youth director at), to El Camino Pines.  I get to travel with 3 amazing high school guys, and the other SIT program director, Sean.  We originally had 4 guys but one of them went home.  It is so much fun.  I can't say that enough.  The first week was confirmation camp at Yolijwa and the next week we did lifeguard/CPR/first aid training.  I'm now certified in all of them, which is cool.

God told me something really awesome on July 9th.  I told Him with all sincerity that I need clear direction.  He told me, "If you turn to things that don't matter, that's what you will find.  When you turn to things that matter most, that's where you will find me."

God is so cool in the way He speaks to me.  He know when it is something I need to hear.

What has God been telling you lately?

How do you respond to what He has to tell you?

Camp 2009!

Leadership staff training has been a blast.  The people here are great and I love being able to see the people I've become friends with the past three summers.  People here really open my eyes to love and acceptance.  There are people here I would never be friends with had it not been through camp.  Some people are crazy and loud, others soft-spoken and gentle, still others full of humor.  I would go through and tell you about each person and their amazing qualities, but that would be a long list, and irrelevant to non-camp people.  So instead I would love to tell you about how God is working through camp and through the people working here.

We have come up with amazing ways to make camp new and exciting this year.  I see God through the joy, excitement, energy, and passion of the people here.  It's like we are creating a new world for the kids, a world where they can be themselves and be loved just the way they are.  A world where they can explore and go on adventures.  A world where becoming closer to God and learning about Him is considered cool and the social norm.  This is how God created the world to be.  We were created to worship God and in turn, to have an everlasting relationship with Him.  Relationships do not come without difficulties, and highs and lows, but our relationship with God is not one where we should ever break up, or become complacent, although this does happen.  It's awesome to hear God's voice, and camp is one of the places where God speaks to and has spoken to me.  It's late so I'm going to bed, but by next post I hope to share a personal faith story of why I continue coming back to camp.

What special place do you always go back to that reminds you about God or a spiritual experience?

What are some important relationships in your own life that you would never want to fade?  Can you apply those qualities to your relationship with God?

How has this world been an adventure to you?