…as a family…

Isn’t it perplexing how doing something for others results in rich blessings for yourself?

I knew that taking the girls to Family Camp at Forest Home would be a blessing for them. I feared I wouldn’t be able to handle it. The result was immense blessing for them and, I believe, even moreso for me.

Before I even left for camp, I made the commitment to journal daily about moments I never wanted to forget – moments I experienced God, moments I saw transformation, moments that brought smiles, etc. Little did I know that this commitment would keep me up an extra hour or two each night because there were so many moments to record.

The question is how to I sum it up for all of you so you don’t get bored reading it all?

We had a unique week at camp – 25 adults & 14 kids who all knew each other. Many of us work together at Forest Home. Several of us are part of Restoration Covenant Church. All of us were a family that week. Without the words of encouragement and love from this extended family, my week would have been less. God is good and knew what He was doing when He arranged this week for the girls and I to go.

A couple moments to share…

On Monday night, Sasha (14 years old) asked if we could go watch for shooting stars. So we made it happen. In the dark she and I hiked down to the creek, laid out a blanket and stared at the sky. As we lay there, we talked about camp, about life and about God. Then it happened. She saw the first shooting star she had ever seen in her life! The moment was priceless. Her excitement couldn’t be contained. It was the purest joy I’ve ever witnessed. It was the start to a nightly tradition. Thursday night Simone (13 years old) asked me to take her. And the same encounter with God through creation happened.

Also, just seeing Khrysteal (16 years old with Downs Syndrome) completely embraced by her teachers, the kids and adults at camp, brought so much joy to my soul. She was so sad when she had to say good-bye to everyone on Saturday, and so were many of her friends. Our God is good!

Those conversations under the stars and times watching Khrysteal play with others, coupled with our “family” conversations during morning devotions are my most cherished moments. I got to hear about their lives more. I got to ask questions about their experiences with God. I got to share my experiences with God. What a blessing!

I walk away from this week completely energized because of where God has me, completely exhausted from loving so deeply and actively, completely filled with hope because of the people God placed in my life and the girls’ lives, and completely in awe of how God orchestrates everything even down to the tiniest, seemingly insignificant detail.

The girls were loved for who they were. The girls grew closer to each other. Each of the girls made commitments like being nicer to each other, trusting people, overcoming fears and being more respectful.

I was encouraged by so many people – old friends and new – because of loving these girls. Some praised me and told me I was an inspiration. This praise made me realize that this “work” that I’m doing has nothing to do with me. If it did, I’m sure I wouldn’t keep on because it requires so much sacrifice of myself. It has everything to do with God in me. I can’t not love these girls. I can’t not give them my time and my care. I am humbled as I step back and look at how God is using me in their lives. I can’t believe He is using me like this. While at the same time, this is life to me. My life and their lives are one at this time. I don’t know how it will be any other way. And I thank God for it.

Thank you all for your prayers, your love and your encouragement.

I couldn’t have made it through this week without them. Keep praying for Sasha, Simone and Khrysteal as they grow in their faith and become women of God.

God’s words to me this week that spoke so deeply into my love and experiences with these girls come from Matthew 11:28-30 -

“Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

~ Carly Jones