Lessons From Summer Camp: Round 2

As I wrote my last post, "Lessons from Summer Camp," I realized that I could not keep my list to just five points! I learned so much during my time at Rocky Mtn. Camp and WaPac Camp this summer. So, here are five more lessons that rocked my world.

1) Avoiding volleyballs is a great way to connect with students: I do not consider myself a volleyball player. In fact, the last time I really played competitive volleyball was in junior high. In case you are wondering, I was on the "C" team. Yes, I said "C." (There was a "D" team and I wasn't on that, okay?). Anyway, so when the Woods End band decided to play in the camp volleyball tournament, I made no promises of contributing any mad skills. As the volleyball tournament unfolded, my main tactic was to stay away from the ball. I think throughout the day, I hit it three times. Yep. It's true. Yet, despite my lack of hand-eye coordination, the volleyball tournament ended up being a camp highlight. I loved connecting with students on the court!

2) My lingo totally changes at camp: In the two weeks I was at camp, I said "sup" way more than I ever do in normal life. Weird, right?

3) Lara Bars rock: Have you ever had a Lara Bar? They are so healthy, delicious, and the perfect way to get through a long afternoon at camp when you get the munchies.

4) Naps also rock: Just as Lara Bars can help get you through a long afternoon at camp, so can naps. Seriously though, I had to learn to make myself rest. I am usually a go, go, go person. Yet, before I left a friend and mentor of mine told me that I need to take time to rest, reflect, process, pray and discern. This means that I had to take time away from the hustle and bustle of camp in order to be effective in ministry. I learned that in order to give effectively, I had to rest effectively as well.

Trent Friberg, youth pastor from Centralia, WA. (Photo credit: Elevate Youth)

5) Youth leaders are invaluable: I love getting to know youth pastors and leaders at camps. I especially love seeing these folks pouring into their students throughout the week. As I spoke at the two camps this summer, I gained an even greater appreciation for youth leaders. As I spoke in the chapel services, I found myself feeling the burden of trying to speak to every students' needs in the room. However, I came to realize that I can only deliver the message that I believe God gave me, to lay the foundation for youth leaders to build upon with their students. After chapel, students had the chance to unpack the message with their youth leaders. Youth leaders know students better than I will ever get to know students. They have been on a journey with them before camp, and they continue to journey with them after camp. Students open up to youth leaders and process with them in deep, meaningful ways. I was thankful to have the opportunity to speak at camps this summer, but I truly believe that youth leaders were the main instruments of delivering God's grace and love in a personal way to students. With all of this said, youth leaders, thank you for all that you do for the Kingdom. You are indispensable. When you just want to pull your hair out, please know that you are making a difference.

- Carly

Lessons From Summer Camp

This summer has flown by! I seriously cannot believe it is time for school to start. I feel like I was just planning for summer, thinking about the road trips, family gatherings, and summer camps. I was able to end my summer by attending two camps with Woods End Ministries. I spoke at Rocky Mountain District Camp near Bozeman, Montana. My brother, Chris, our friend, Grant, and I team spoke at Washington Pacific Camp in Poulsbo, Washington. At both camps, our Woods End band led worship. I am so thankful for these two camps and the opportunities we had to share the love of Jesus through the spoken word and through music.

I learned some pretty incredible things during the camps this year. Some of the lessons are a little silly, while others were truly heart-transforming. In both instances, I will remember these lessons for years to come:

1) Flip-Flops are of utmost importance. Camp showers can get a little sketchy at times, and having a cheap pair of flip-flops can save you from stepping in slimy puddles.

2) An unexpected iced coffee from Starbucks is a great way to start your day. Some of the guys in the band went to Starbucks in the mornings and they brought me back an iced coffee a few times at camp. That little gift was such a great way to get me rolling. I am not a morning person, so a little coffee first thing is such a blessing! It is awesome to be a part of such a great team!

3) Yuck is awesome. Have you seen this stuff? Yuck is a gelatin type material, and it is looks and feels little pieces of jello. You can fill trash cans, buckets, and baby pools with the stuff, and it makes for awesome games. If you add Yuck to any game, it increases the fun factor by at least 157%. See, Woods End dudes, Grant and Nate, are loving it! (Photo credit: Elevate Youth)

4) Expect for your plans to change. I planned my messages before I arrived at camp. However, God changed my plans throughout the week. I told stories I didn't plan to share, and I ended up scratching some of my notes that I had been preparing for months. Flexibility and openness to God's movement was so important. If I would have been stuck in my ways, I would have missed what God wanted me to share.

5) God just wants us to be available. Going into camp, I had poured most of my time and energy into planning my messages. However, as I left camp, I realized most of my time and energy was poured into investing in others. Some of the most important moments of camp were not the times I was speaking up front, but they were in the conversations I had with students. As I walked to dinner one night, I had an in-depth conversation with a student who needed to know she was valuable. After chapel one night, I was able to pray with a student about issues at home, and I prayed with another about committing his future plans to God. Through these conversations, I realized that God doesn't want us to solely focus on serving Him in our preparation, but He wants us to serve Him with our availability. He wants us to be available to invest in others as we go about our days. As we make ourselves available to God, He will give us some of the most defining moments in ministry. We can't plan for those, we just have to be available.

- Carly

Airport Security Lessons

Earlier this week, I headed out to California for a quick trip to a Christ in Youth event. As I went through the security lines, I was so proud of myself. Pride usually isn't the feeling I get when I go through airport security lines, but on this day on particular, I had packed lighter than I ever had before! I had everything I needed for my trip in one small backpack and my purse. For this girl who packs WAY too much for EVERY trip, it was pretty much miraculous! (Just to give you an idea, on a 6 day trip I took last month, my bag weighed exactly 50 pounds. Whoops).

Anyway, back to the story....

Before boarding my flight, I went to the little airport store to buy a bottle of water and my debit card was declined. What?! I was confused and caught off guard. I asked the gentleman to run my card once more and again it was declined. By this point, I was fairly embarrassed and quickly paid with some of the little cash stash that I had.

My flight was boarding in ten minutes and I had a small amount of cash. I mean, who carries cash these days?! I called my bank and asked them what was going on. They told me that some fraudulent company in Michigan had tried to use my card multiple times in the last 48 hours so they deactivated my card. I told them I was traveling and that I needed some money; my card was the main way I was planning to pay for things! The bank was not able to provide a solution so I boarded my plane not knowing what to do with only $15 cash and a few days away from home ahead of me.  

As I sat on the plane, trying to think about what to do, my thoughts took a turn. Instead of being consumed with what to do, I starting thinking about how much this situation had rattled me. I felt totally ill-equipped for my trip because of this hiccup. I had to stop and ask myself, 

"In what do I find my security?

What makes me feel safe and in control?"

I am a planner and I like to know what to expect. I like to be ready for the road ahead and not have bumps along the way. Yet, in this life we live, this is an unattainable and somewhat silly goal. The unknown will always be present. In fact, some of the best gifts come as surprises. In order to embrace the unexpected gifts and overcome the figurative potholes, I must first be able to embrace the security that comes from Christ alone. If my security is found in my circumstances or stuff (including debit cards) I am placing my foundation on sinking sand. 

I was able to figure out my money situation after all... Thank goodness! However, I ended up being even more thankful for the unexpected lesson from Jesus. He is my security. He is my hope. He is my consistency in this ever changing world. 

"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness."

- Carly

Meet Izzy

This is Izzy.

She is our 75 lb. goldendoodle puppy. Isn't she precious?!

I didn't grow up with dogs, and I honestly had no idea how much I could love a dog. There is no denying it -- I love this pup.

Izzy is a quirky dog. She eats when we eat our meals, she loves goldfish crackers, and and she barks at puppets on TV. She also has no idea how big she is.

Izzy is a large dog, and yet, she is shy and becomes easily afraid. She is scared of dogs half her size! She becomes alarmed easily whether people walk by our house or when we begin to vacuum the carpet. Sometimes I wonder how such a strong and big dog can be afraid of such little things. I also think it is such a kick that such a big dog still thinks she is a lap dog!!

As easy as it is to think Izzy has totally irrational fears, I realize that I am in a similar boat -- or is it a dog house in this case?

I often become alarmed by little things and let unnecessary fear grip me. If I am not careful, I allow falsehoods and what-ifs to become a reality in my mind.

Yet, just as I am not afraid of what Izzy finds frightening, God is not shaken by what shakes me. He is my steady, protective and consistent Father. He is also the Father who empowers me to live and walk in power. He has given me power and authority through His Holy Spirit, so when I live in fear, I am not embracing the gifts He has made available to me. Just as I wish my large and strong dog would realize she does not need to be afraid of little chihuahuas, I think God wants me to focus on His faithfulness instead of my fears.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind."
- 2 Timothy 1:7

When I rely on God's presence in my life, I walk in power, love, and possess a sound mind. Instead of becoming alarmed by fears in life and letting my thoughts run wild, I must "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." - 2 Corinthians 10:5b

Thank goodness God is patient with me. I am working on breaking the chains of worry in my life. Yet, when I become fearful, I know that God is there to comfort and protect me. He holds me in His arms and reminds me of His promises, and encourages me to get back on my feet and keep going. After all, "We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." - Hebrews 10:39

- Carly

What Are You Waiting For?

"Wait on the Lord. Be strong, take heart, and wait on the Lord." - Psalm 27:14 (NIV)

Are you waiting for something? Are you waiting for someone?
Are you waiting for a job opportunity? An open door? The end of a season? The start of something new?

I am a go, go, go person and I am constantly trying to learn how to be more patient! It is a fruit of the Spirit after all. Yet, I have come to understand that when God calls us to be patient and wait, He does not want us to sit still and twiddle our thumbs.

The Message version says Psalm 27:14 like this,
"Stay with God! Take heart. Don't quit. I'll say it again: Stay with God!" 

I think more discipline is required of us when we are in times of waiting. When things are going our way, it is easy to be thankful and praise the Lord. Yet, in times of waiting and wondering, it is vital that we "stay with God" and keep our eyes focused on Him. I think another way of saying "wait on the Lord" or "stay with God" is "Keep up with God!" Don't lose sight of what God is doing. God wants us to keep up with Him and stick with Him even when the very thing for which we are waiting is unclear. Waiting requires thanksgiving and hopefulness!

 In Psalm 27:14, God has to remind us TWICE to wait on Him. Sometimes I need to be reminded of something more than once, so this particular verse hits home with me! He says, "Wait on me... Be strong, take heart (be hopeful)... and remember, wait on me!"

John Ortberg says:
"What God does in us while we wait is as important as what it is we are waiting for."

What is it that you are waiting for?
What does God want to do in you while you are waiting?

Be hopeful. Don't give up on your dreams and calling. 
God is faithful. God is moving. 
Allow God to move in you even when you feel as though you are standing still. 

- Carly

Changing a Room By Merely Walking In

There are people in the world out there that can change the atmosphere of a room by merely walking in. I look up to these people and strive be one of them. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit and living a life in pursuit of Jesus, people can tell. The general population becomes aware of this, even if it is only in their subconscious. I have witnessed people change the way they act and interact around these Spirit-filled "room changers."

The first example of this my roommate John. Not only is he a "room changer" but he is a "court changer." Jon has spent his last four years playing college basketball. I have had the pleasure of watching him play for the last two years. John is a good player, but his leadership on the court goes uncontested. When he is playing the entire atmosphere of the game changes. Just him being on the court affects the attitude and the play of both his team and the opposition. Jon doesn't work hard and pop up some 3-pointers or even foul every once in a while, but Jon plays hard for the glory of God. Everyone on the court can feel this even if they can't put words to it and it affects the way they act and interact in a positive way. We gotta aim for this kind of "room changing."

The next two examples I want to give are of two of my best friends: Roman and Shaun. Roman and Shaun are both "room changers" and when either or both of them enter a room the Spirit of the Lord comes with them. When a person holds the Spirit other people can feel that on a spiritual level. Both Roman and Shaun have accessible wisdom, because the Holy Spirit gives them wisdom for others. I have seen random peers be drawn to both Roman and/or Shaun and start deep conversations that they were unaware they were going to be starting. The Holy Spirit works through Roman and Shaun to feed others.

I have the great privilege to be a worship leader and a musician. With the privilege comes a unique opportunity: I get to look at the congregation during a worship service. Sometimes odd things happen to people near Jon, Roman and Shaun. The three of them and the other "room changers" create little pockets around them and in those pockets people are more quickly drawn into worship and more engaged in the sermon. When I look out and see these little pockets of sincere worshippers it makes me well up with tears and Roman, Shaun and Jon right in the center. They are worship leaders in their own way.

This is something I believe every Christ-follower can be. I think in some capacity all of us already are. The more we pursue closeness with God, the more the Spirit tends to leak out of us and affect of other people.

-Chris

"It's All About Them"

"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him." - John 13:3-5 (NIV)

As I read this Scripture passage this morning, the "SO" hit me like a ton of bricks!

"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; SO he got up....poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet."

Jesus knew that He had all power and authority, and yet, what was His response? His immediate response was to lay down His authority and serve others. 

This idea is foreign to our culture.

When power and authority are attained, we often see the "it's all about me" mentality, lavish lifestyles, and the forsaking of past values. Yet, Jesus, the One with all power and authority, embraces the "it's all about them" mentality, humbling Himself to the point of wiping the dirt and grime off of his friends' feet. He was willing to get into the messy and dusty parts of relationships. He wasn't worried about getting His cloak dirty or smelling like feet; He was focused on serving the hearts of the disciples.

Jesus' instant response to His power and authority knocked my socks off today! When God grants me a gift of any sort, I pray that I will be able to look to the needs of others rather than my own desires, and serve with humility and love. Instead of avoiding the dark and dirty parts of servanthood, I pray that I will find these areas compelling, and serve as Jesus did. I pray that I can learn, with God's grace, to embrace the "it's all about them" lifestyle.

"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." - John 13:14-15 (NIV)

May you and your families have a blessed Easter!

- Carly