Monday, September 23, 2013

There is Nothing like a Camp War Eagle Friendship


As I settle in to our new apartment, in a new city, begin to make new friends, find a new church home, learn my way around a new area, and thankfully live this new life with my new and wonderful husband, I have been remind of two things. The first realization that has come to mind, something that I have always known but have never experienced in such grand fashion before, is that life is full of change.  Change is a great thing and even though it is difficult at times, the Lord uses change to shape and mold us to be more like Christ.  Secondly, I have come to understand more than ever that one very important thing remains constant, and always has, second of course to our growing relationship with the Lord, and that is CAMP FRIENDSHIPS.  Today we are going to take a jog down memory lane, and I have no doubt that each of you are willing to take a ten minute break from studying for the test that you are so thrilled to prepare for. 

Most of you know that I grew up going to Camp Ozark as a camper from 1996-2005. Now, if any of you need proof that camp friendships can last forever, I give you Camp Ozark 2003:

July 2013. The day after Leslie and Darrick got engaged. Just look at those faces!
Trumbo, Leslie and I met in 2001 and the two of them are still, and always will be, two of my best friends. Their friendships are consistent and have never faded.  So, I have always been a believer in cultivating and continuing camp friendships.  Over the last seven years that I have been working at Camp War Eagle, as a counselor, top and permanent staff, I have made some of the most incredible friendships that I know will last a lifetime, just as my friendships with Leslie and Trumbo have lasted.  One of the greatest blessings is to see all of you continuing to build upon the friendships that the Lord started in the summer of 2013.  I truly believe that if I were to ask each of you to tell me about your top three CWE memories from 2013, each of you would spend about three hours telling me about the wonderful friendships that you formed this summer.  In fact, I know that you all could go on for days, because each time that I spend a few minutes browsing one of two social media outlets, Facebook and Instagram, I see more posts about CWE friendships and how much you all miss each other than anything else. Here is one post, from the wonderful Allie Featherston, that helped inspired this blog:

“Finally finished my memory wall. It doesn't do this summer justice.. But it's a wonderful reminder of the work God did in my heart over those amazing 10 weeks. Camp, thank you, thank you, thank you for blessing me with such a fantastic opportunity! Can't wait to come back! (And have a BLUE summer:))”

Now let's be honest, nearly every CWE girl counselor has a memory wall like this, most likely inspired by Allie's post. :)
Camp War Eagle friendships are so sweet.  The summer of 2013 was an incredible summer and I know that each of you will never forget the impact that you had on the campers’ lives, and when we really think about it, ours as well. God was so faithful in providing for us this summer and more than anything, I am seeing that He provided wonderful, lifelong friendships for all of you.

So, now that each of you have had some time to reflect on your summer and the wonderful friendships that you have made, I want to challenge you to do three things:

  1. Invest in each other.  Don’t let those friendships slip away.  The CWE and Ozark friends that I have made have been such a huge part of my life and the same will be true for you if you invest in each other.  Those girls and guys have been a part of so many memorable life events: great conversations, road trips to see each other, reunions and so much more.  Several of them were a part of my wedding several weeks ago as well.  These are the friends who will be there to encourage support and love you when you CHOSE TO INVEST.  God can continue to do great things in and through your friendships with each other. 
  2. Encourage each other spiritually.  The Lord can provide fellowship and encouragement, which are so important, even when you do not see each other often. Philippians 2: 1-2 says, “If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.”  Let this scripture take root in your heart as you remember to encourage and fellowship with each other as often you can.  
  3. Come back to camp next summer- 2014!!!!  There is no better way to deepen these friendships that to come back to CWE next summer and serve together.  You know you want to!


In closing, I hope that all of you experienced the blessing of friendship this summer and are continuing to experience the love that the Lord shows us through camp friendships.  It has been such a joy for me to see the fun posts on our Facebook page and the constant reminders of why we work for Camp War Eagle. Friendships were made and lives were changed- I saw this throughout the summer but social media has confirmed. J  Please continue to share those memories, deepen those friendships and for goodness sakes, go visit each other.  There is nothing like a good CWE road trip!  For those of you who really like to travel, Richard and I are always up for visitors here in Atlanta.  Atlanta is great, but we all know Arkansas is better!  I guess I would please my husband and make even more camp friends if I signed off by saying, “Go Hogs!”  But really….”Go Pokes!”  Our Camp War Eagle full time staff love all of you and are blessed by your friendships.  Have a wonderful week! 

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