Camp Meeting 2008

This past week was our church family camp time. I was dreading going this year. All I could think of were; people will come up to me and tell me all about my parents who are no longer alive, I will be sweaty and grimy feeling all week long even AFTER a shower, who knows how Jesse will be this week and I hope the people in church services keep their eyes to themselves when he blurts out as he so often does during a church service, and the list of negative thoughts continued.

This year we were also taking a friend of Caleb's. I wanted Caleb and Cody to have a great time because I remember how I looked forward to church camp...hanging out with other teens, going to the beach, and all of that fun "stuff".

Before leaving, I decided I'd better change my attitude or this camping trip would be a bust. We were going to stay in the 5th wheeler of our dear friend and although she invited us to do so, I hoped we wouldn't be too much of a burden. Caleb and Cody would be in a tent.

We pulled into camp Monday mid-day. Our "neighbors" whom we met last year were there with their smiles. "Okay, this will be a good week," I told myself. Amazingly, it was a fantastic week. I felt grimy after every 6:00 A.M. shower but after my morning tea...who cared? I found all kinds of people to socialize with....people I had not seen since last camp meeting. We took an afternoon to visit the cemetery where my parents were buried (it's an annual camp meeting thing we do). The cemetery is only 10 minutes away from camp.

I enjoyed the "Christian Family Community". It seemed everyone was in good spirits and I loved seeing the smiles! Poor Cody had a kidney stone Friday and Phil had to take him to the hospital. Those around our camp site knew about it. All went well for Cody and when he returned he was surprised at how many people asked him how he was doing and said that they had been praying for him...Christian Family Community...there is NOTHING that can replace it!

My last 6:00 A.M. shower seemed even more grimy. The air was more humid that day. I was glad to be able to be heading home for a "real" shower (we have a water softener). My body wanted to go home and get cleaned up, feel refreshed on the outside...but I ALREADY felt ALIVE and REFRESHED on the inside. I didn't want to leave my "Christian Family Community". I had ben ENERGIZED this week. It's kind of funny; I came home looking forward to next year. Sure the sermons by various pastors in our conference were good. The morning bible study was very insightful. I desire to be back, energized, in the community of friends and family who truly care and will miss the smiles...even in the early morning. The hearts of concern and compassion were so evident in my "Christian Family Community". The energy will continue on inside my heart as I look forward to next year and being surrounded by such loving people.