On to bigger... and then bigger things...

 
I feel I have committed an egregious error by not updating everyone on our housing situation after the first introduction to "Old Blister".  The reason this is even an issue is because this is a way that God has provided in some big and bigger ways and I want to tell you the story...because it is AMAZING! As you may remember, this dear 1960's camper is where we began our summer.  All of our stuff was put into storage and we moved into this little crackerbox where Adam...as you can see is not even able to stand up straight.  But we weren't paying rent for it...so we were grateful.

Towards the second part of the summer, Karisa's parents, Gary and Gloria Stahl approched us and said that they were planning on buying a new camper and wondered if we would want theirs.  Now incase this is not clear, they offered to GIVE us their camper.  Needless to say, after we recovered from our shock we gratefully accepted...and upgraded to this beautiful air conditioned monster...

We absolutely loved it!  And then it starts to get pretty chilly outside.  Winter is coming after all.  So we asked around to see if anyone knew of a place we could rent for the winter.  A wonderful lady that has been involved with the camp for a few years had some friends that were purchasing a house to rent just about the time we were looking to move.  Long story short, we met them and they are letting us rent their sweet little three bedroom house for much less then the market value because they are very kind and generous...but also because THAT is how good our God is. 

If there is anything that I have learned in the last three months, it is that God WILL provide...I do not need to be afraid.

How Can You Not Love It?

Hopefully no one noticed that I have yet to include the last two weeks of camp in my summer review...but now that I have revealed my secret, I will wrap up the summer...especially since it is October.  Wow.
As I look back on the last two weeks of camp this last summer, many things come to mind.  The first is how much I love and respect my husband and his leadership.  I know that sounds sappy, but Adam is a great leader and it is so rewarding for me to be able to work as his other half as we did at camp this summer! I was just telling a friend yesterday what a sweet thing it is to be able to work well and happily as a married couple toward one goal...and when that goal is seeing kids come to know Jesus and grow in Him... I don't think I have ever experienced anything so rewarding!
Every week of camp we have a new program director, and the second to last week we directed together.  It was a crazy week because some of our staff had to go home due to illness leaving us a bit short staffed, but God worked in it, and our staff pulled together in some really awesome ways!  Then on Monday our well broke so we had absolutely no water for over 100 people out in the middle of nowhere.  Thankfully Zach and Karisa made sure we had water for what we needed, and the Lord brought someone to fix the well on Tuesday so we were able to continue camp.  Despite the crazy that could have brought us down, God used it and worked in ways that were very visible, not only to the staff, but also to the campers!  It is so exciting to be praying for something so tangible with our little campers and to see God provide in an undeniable way.
The last week was a great way to finish the season with some new and excited staff and a great group of 4th-6th graders!  We were able to see more little ones come to Christ and make decisions of re-commitment which just solidified in our minds why it is we do this ministry in the first place.  
This summer God worked through and in spite of us sometimes to accomplish His plan in the lives of many youngin's.  It is hard to see it sometimes when you are in the trenches and things aren't going how you think they should, but after I have been able to take a restful step back I am amazed at God and how He uses so many things to work together for His purpose and glory.  Praise the Lord for the gift of being a part of such a ministry...