at the half-way point

this summer is going really fast. its crazy - i've already been here for five and a half weeks. its been really good. i've met lots of people who i already love dearly.

i don't even know how to begin talking about the things i have experienced so far. everything is so intense, because we are all running on little sleep and have barely left the camp for over a month. and there is so much to say! my days are so full: creek-stomps, lake games, hiking, making crafts, building bottle rockets, night games where counselors get kidnapped and goons are running around, giant shaving cream battles, slippy-slides, pool parties, silly songs, making friends, planning Bible studies, staff worship on Wednesday nights, laundromat on Fridays, rock wall climbing, kettle corn made over an open fire...

and my heart is so full: prayer and worship. awesome friends on staff. being blessed by campers. meeting God at the outdoor chapel. mmm.

this is what i read today, outside under the rain-wet trees while birds sang and the wind whispered.

I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: "O Lord, save me!" The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. For you, O Lord, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living. I believed even when I said, "I am greatly afflicted." And in my dismay I said, "All men are liars." How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. O Lord, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, your faithful son; you have freed me from my chains. I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord - in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord. ---Psalm 116



It is really tiring to be here. I am exhausted. But my spirit is being refreshed and made new. And so I can say "Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you."