2018 Camp Season

Michiana Christian Camp's 2018 camp schedule has been released and we are getting ready to kick off our Camp Scholarship Program. We should be getting official camp brochures and registrations forms soon. Online registration is already up on the camp's website. You can earn up to $100 off a camp session by...

• Attendance - Attend Sunday School, Kids Praise, or BSM
• Bible Memorization - Memorize the books of the Bible and a selection of verses
• Christian Service Project - Volunteer to serve your neighbors, family or church through special service projects.

For more information about Michiana visit their websites at www.michianacamp.org. 
For more information about the camp scholarship program see Sarah,  Jeremiah, or a member of the missions team.

Summer So Far - July Version

July kicked off with some thing our family doesn't do often, a trip to the beach We went to Tunnel Park in Holland and had a picnic, went swimming, build some sandcastles and of course played some Frisbee. It was a blast!

Somehow I managed to not take a single picture of High School week at RLCA. However I stole this from picture from my friend Caiti because she is awesome. This was one of the most interesting weeks I've ever been a part of at Rock Lake. I've never had a group of high school student be as honest and open as the students were during this week. They took huge steps and have huge dreams of building the kingdom.

A few days after camp, my brother's foster boys went back to their birth mother. I had already made plans to hang out with my friend, Chris, who was in town but he was gracious enough to make a surprise visit with me so I could to see them one last time. We played Apples to Apples and watch the kids ride bikes. I already miss these boys a ton. I pray if they remember nothing else from their time with our family, they remember how much God loves them. I probably told them that a hundred times that night.

Since I've been able to spend more time at home this month, it was time for a party. So the Impact gang came over to eat lots of sandwiches and play some games. Scum was the big game of the night and some how Nicole spent lots of time sitting on the king's throne and I spent a lot of time sitting on the floor in the scum of the earth spot. Oh well it was a very fun night with some amazing friends!

Since most of the time I've had with my family this summer has been tied to trips for Impact, I decided to take a weekend and spent it in Vestaburg with my parents. That weekend started with the annual Lugnuts baseball game with the church. I use to babysit for all the boys in this picture. I've seen them a few times this summer and it was exciting to hear some of their stories about what God is teaching them.

Part of that weekend at home included a day trip to Indy for the Boehm-Sheese Summer Party. It was VERY hot but it was great to see part of the family we only get to see once or twice a year.

July has been full of exciting conversations. Some over a picnic meal on ND's campus. Some in an empty Burger King restaurant. Some over a cup of coffee or a simple glass of water. I really enjoy just hanging out and talking with friends. Hearing the stories of how God is moving and leading His people never gets old.

Summer So Far - June Version

I know it is still July but if you are an educator or in student ministry you know that the school year is quickly approaching. Since I haven't blogged much this summer I thought I would share a few thoughts from the summer so far.

June started with a trip to my parent's house to do some work around the house with Anna and Ryan. We did some landscaping and assembled a swing set. After all that hard work we spent plenty of time eating and playing game. One of my new favorites, bocce ball!

A couple weeks later it was back to Vestaburg to lead worship for Vacation Bible School and share more about Impact's ministry. VBS week is always a bit crazy but I had the chance to have some really good conversations with my nieces and nephews about how much God loves them. And I get to tell all the students how awesome camp is!

Then it was off to MCSC for Deeper Life, a high school week of camp. This year was probably one of my favorite weeks I've done with this team. It was a powerful week of digging into what it means to BE. My highlight was watching my friend Jonathan (one of our Impact students) have the opportunity to baptize one of his campers.

Impatient Dreams

February is my least favorite month. It is during this month that I wrestle the most with my lack of patience. Winter has been here forever and spring is too far away. The blanket of snow out my back window is beautiful but it has over stayed its welcome, at least in my book.

In recent years I've tried to do less complaining about the cold weather and start dreaming more of what spring and summer will hold. I can't say I've been all to successful but at least I'm trying. Today I've done lots of dreaming and praying about some of the things I'm looking forward to this summer. Things like...

Vacation Bible School - As much as I'm not a fan of little kids songs, I love serving alongside my family and helping young students learn what it means to worship God.





Family - Coming from a family of educators, there is always more time to be together once school is out for the summer.






Chicago - This will be the first year I haven't been able to go with our GSM students to serve in Chicago. I'm pretty disappointed but I can't wait to hear what God does on their trip.









Golf - Since my brother finally taught me how to play last year, I've decided this is the summer to demolish him in the game! As a sidenote: provided there are no ankle injuries in May, I'll be back on the softball field as well!!!









CAMP!!!!!! - I'm very excited about Deeper Life and Rock Lake's High School week. I really wish I could add Camp Adventure to the schedule but unfortunately that isn't going to work out this summer.





Dear summer, PLEASE come quickly!!!

Summer Flashback, Part 2

I've been sharing some thoughts from my summer that were never blogged about when they happened. Today we take a look back at the events of July. Now July was suppose to be a rather relaxed, unscheduled month. Yea that didn't happen and I'm glad.

High School Week 2009 - Rock Lake Christian Assembly
While I was home for the Fourth of July I found out only one high school student from my home church was signed up for camp. Well that didn't settle well with me so I started recruiting. There was one student in particular, Kyle, that I felt strongly I needed to get to come. I was having no luck. So I went home several days before camp started to try to change his mind. I'll be honest the encouraging words became begging very quickly. The good news is after recruiting his friend, Lexie, to come a few hours before camp started Kyle decided to come too.

It was an incredible week to watch the transformation happen in both Kyle and Lexie's lives. I got a front row seat to watch faculty members pray for these two and watch God grab hold of them and show them his love in a new way. On Friday Kyle's dad baptized Kyle and I had the privilege of baptizing Lexie. It was humbling and incredible to have God so very clearly include me in His plan for the week. It reminded me once again how present his Holy Spirit is in my life and how active the Spirit is.

Prayer Journey - South Bend, IN
A couple weeks after camp, I met up with some friends from Impact Ministries International to pray over the college campuses in South Bend. I'll admit at first I really didn't want to be there but after about ten minutes of praying for ND and the students there everything changed. God spent the 2 days I was on the journey throwing new insights and reminders at me from every angle. God completely shattered what I thought student ministry would look like for my future. My journaling during these is one massive list of bullet point ideas that just kept coming my way. I couldn't do anything else because I was so overwhelmed my the information I was being throw at me.

I left that prayer journey with my head spinning and absolutely no clue what was going on in my life. Nothing made sense. Nothing seemed right. Something was missing and I was just waiting for God to make sense of it all. That chaos in my head was only the beginning of the whirlwind that would take place over the next few weeks. More on that tomorrow!

Summer Flashback, Part 1

Since I never really blogged much about my summer, I decided I'm going to spend the next few days sharing some highlights. These posts will lead up to the big news I've been anxiously waiting to share.

Road Trip #1 - Quincy, IL and St. Louis, MO
I spent the first week after school ended with my younger sisters. While on that trip I asked God to use this summer to prepare me for the next school year. I didn't know what that meant exactly I just wanted to give him the next two months to do whatever he needed to do in me. He should have made the buckle your seat belt sign a little bigger!

VBS 2009 - Vestaburg, MI
It has become a bit of a tradition to travel home and help my home church with their VBS each summer. This year it was held at Rock Lake Christian Assembly, where I grew up going to church camp. During this week I had the opportunity to reconnect with several of the students from our church. Some of those students were in the Sunday School class I taught in high school. Others were students I use to baby sit for. Little did I know some connections and conversations that week would come into play later in the summer. (Sorry have to wait until part 2 for the rest of that story!)

Deeper Life 2009 - Michiana Christian Service Camp, Niles, MI
I can't hardly make sense out of anything I wrote during this week. It is so scattered and random! And truth be told, I'm still processing this idea of covenant. But there are a few things that caught my attention. There is a continuous theme of belonging to Christ and letting him completely reign in my life. It all started with two simple phrases God spoke very clearly to me on Day 1.

Sarah, I will fulfill my purpose for you.
Sarah, I am worthy of your trust.

When I first wrestled with them it became clear that it wouldn't play a huge rule in the week but that God needed to keep them in my heart and mind all summer. Much like the notes in my journal I left this week a little confused. I felt God confirming my call to minister to students but more uncertain of what that looks like than I ever have before.

Chicag09 - Chicago, IL
If you really want to know what happened on this trip and more of my thoughts, go check out the team blog. There are stories, pictures, and reactions galore there. I learned much more about myself than I would have ever expected. I discovered new things about how I process, lead and communicate with others. I learned more about how present the Holy Spirit really is in my life. At one point in the trip I journaled at length about this weird tension that seemed to be rising up in me. I was beginning to feel pulled in a couple different direction and I didn't know what to do with it. I couldn't articulate any of it. I simply wrote, "Abba you are doing some thing deep inside me that I just don't understand. The awkward, uncomfortable feeling of being stuck between an impostor and the beloved."


So that was the month of June and July got even better. Come back tomorrow for that part of the story! Until then I've got to get some sleep. I'm not even proof-reading this. Don't judge me!

Living Examples of Jesus, Part 10

I love camp!!!! Over the last year or so I've had the chance to reconnect (Thank you facebook!) with some of the faculty members that allowed God to use them to impact my life when I was a camper. Their obedience to God literally shaped the rest of my journey. And yes I stole all of these pictures from facebook. Stop judging me!

TODAY'S LIVING EXAMPLES OF JESUS: Camp Faculty Members

Don Stowell (you should add a picture to facebook so I can steal it)
When I was in middle school I insisted on attending the 8th & 9th grade camp lead by Don. At first it was because it was closer to being high school week than the 7th & 8th week but after that it was because the week was so incredibly amazing! Every time you walked by Don at camp there was a high five or a hug followed by incredible words of encouragement. I imagine Jesus was much like that, encouraging the people he came in contact with. I remember one summer I was frustrated and didn't think there was really anything I could do well. I don't know if he had caught wind of this or not but one night he pulled me aside and listed the things I had done that week that had impacted someone else. He even gave me a nickname the reflected that. Reminds me of when Jesus gave Peter his name.

Tracy and Wendy Tooley
At one of those weeks of middle school camp, Tracy and Wendy Tooley were my family leaders. WOW!!! Talk about one incredible family group. I never thought I would meet people who were so passionate about Jesus and knew how to have a ton of fun. I remember family discussions about God's forgiveness and unfailing love. Every time we had verses ready to recite to them, Tracy will drill us with questions about the meaning of the passage. Tracy and Wendy understood the value of taking family time and pouring into a group of students. They shared so much wisdom with us and I tried to soak in as much as I could. I'm sure the conversations and silly things we did were much like the times Jesus sat around with his 12 disciples.


DJ Weiss
When I was a high school camper, DJ lead the high school week. I also considered him my adopted youth minister. We did a ton of things at our church when I was in high school but we didn't have an official youth minister. DJ followed up with how things were going through out the school year. He would invite me to come along on trips or join Bible studies with his youth group. More than anything he always challenged me to spend more time in the word. He would ask how things were going and then immediately ask how my time with God had been. It was that accountability that helped me develop the discipline to spend time studying and praying daily. He never judged me when I got lazy. He just always pointed me back to the Father, just like Jesus.

Matt Schantz
I first remember meeting Matt when my brother, Matthew started attending CMU where Matt is the campus minister. I remember tagging along with Matthew to hang out with friends from His House or sit in on a Bible study. Then I went to high school week and Matt was there. Matt is another one of those incredibly encouraging people. I'll never forget the summer I was the only girl who decided to play ultimate frisbee. After the game Matt pulled me aside and said, "You're a pretty good frisbee player. Don't let anyone else ever tell you you can't do something because you are a girl. You have special gifts. Use them." Over the next few summers at camp and the times I saw him during the school year he helped me discover some leadership skills I didn't know I had and taught me how to start embracing them as a gift from God. Kind of reminds me how Jesus pulled out the gifts in some crazy fishermen.

There are many more stories and many more people. Check out some of the previous posts in this series or stay tuned. There will me more to come!

Privilege and Blessing

I love watching students grow and take steps towards Christ. Some students run full speed ahead. Some students may fall down a few times before them move forward. Anyway you look at it, I love being a part of it.

And every now and then you have students who you get the privilege of serving along side after watching them grow in the walk. I've been blessed to be able to do that with several students over the last few years. I decided I would share two of those stories with you.

Tomorrow my good friend, Kari, leaves for the Dominican Republic. She will be spending her summer doing an internship there. I first met Kari at youth group shortly after I came on staff at her church. After I finished college, we continued to meet for coffee on a weekly basis. Then we worked on camp staff together one summer. It has been an awesome experience to watch her grow and learn from her as well. I love that I'm still able to go and visit her at school about once a semester. I don't know what I'll do when she graduates. I'm so proud of her for committing her summer to serving Christ!

This is a picture of our family group from camp last week. Standing behind me in the white and blue baseball shirt is Tyler Piercefield. I found out several weeks before camp that he and I would be leading a group together and I chuckled. I first met Tyler when I was in high school working at Rock Lake. He was probably only about 9 years old at the time. He was one of those campers who made you laughed. I moved away and didn't see him again until he was a high school camper. Since then he would randomly come to mind and I would pray for him. I had no idea I would have the privilege of serving along side him for a week. He also is spending his summer serving Christ as a part of GLCC's camp team. I'm proud of him too.

Two different students that I never would have imagined being able to work with again once they were out of high school. Two students that I now call friends. I can't wait to see where God takes them from here. It is such a privilege and blessing to be a part of what God is doing in the lives of students. I'm so thankful I get to be a part of it!

Deeper Life 2009

There is so much I could share about Deeper Life and I'm sure I will eventually. Right now all my focus is on our Chicag09 trip. So until then you can check out these pictures and follow our Chicag09 team HERE.

Just for laughs...

Only about two of you will even get the humor of this but I don't care. I was reading David Joe's blog tonight and he mentioned Sweetwater's Donut Mill in Kalamazoo. I've only been there once with the camp staff. The following conversation took place during that visit. But first a little background info.

1. I can't eat wheat, which includes donuts and communion bread.
2. Before I take communion I always pray that the wheat won't cause me a ton of pain for then next 2-3 weeks.
   
3. I had just finished doing a huge study on transubstantiation in one of my seminary classes.

Sarah: I don’t think any of these are good for you and not just because I can’t eat it.
Heidi: When we want your opinion we’ll ask for it.
Kelly: Yeah we aren’t allergic to wheat.
Sarah: Well I’m giving it anyway.
Heidi: And you can eat it but you are choosing not to.
Sarah: I could eat it but I don’t want to die.
Kelly: I don’t feel like spending the night at the hospital either. May be you should pray, like you do for communion.
Heidi: That is a good idea.
Kelly: Oh hey! Transubstantiation! Look I’m eating flesh not wheat.

--------------------------------------------------

Another funny quote from that same week.

Sarah: It isn't clergy appreciation month is it? (after reading newspaper) Hmm…well I guess it is.
Kelly: Thanks for being a clergy.
Sarah: Umm…I don’t think you can say that.
Kelly: Sure I can. If not thanks for being a member of the clerg.

Looking Forward...

A few things I'm looking forward to in the next couple weeks:

• Teacher Record Day - No classes tomorrow. Just a day to work on finishing grades and preparing for conferences. I'm cleaning my office!
  
• GSM! - We wrap up the Chaos Theory series talking about trust. This is going to be an incredible week.
• RLCA's High School Retreat - Next weekend I get to spend the weekend with some of my incredible people including some awesome campers!
• Parent/Teacher Conferences - Only because we have half-days. No one ever comes to see the band director during conferences so they tend to be rather boring.
• Journey Classes - We are looking at chapter 3 of Colossians next week. Have I told you how much I love that book.
  

End of Summer Struggle

I just finished looking at pictures and reading the updates from our Mexic08 team. I accidently got a little carried away on one of my comments but it is a subject that has come up every summer I've worked with students. We use to call it "I don't want to go home" syndrome when I was working at camp.

About the morning of the fifth day of a week long camp or mission trip, you start to hear students talking about how they don't want to go home. For some it is the fact they don't want to leave the friends they only see at camp. For some it is the fact that life at home is hard. For many it is that they don't know what to do with the changes God is doing in their lives.

I remember being the same way when I was younger. I was at a high school week of camp and I said to one of my family leaders that I didn't want to go home. His response has stuck with me. I wrote it in my journal and refer back to it almost every summer.

"You know sometimes I think that is exactly what Satan loves to hear. It is easy to live for Christ when you are at camp, at a youth conference, or anywhere you are surrounded by people who are following Christ. But if we were to all stay here, who will tell others about Jesus? Who will share with those at home what we love about this place?"

It is easier to live your life centered on Christ when you are surrounded by people who are doing that same. It is even easier when your whole day focuses on studying, learning, worshiping, serving and breathing Jesus. That is exactly what happens at camp and on mission trips. The reality is that you are changed after a week long experience like that and the home you are returning to might not have changed at all. I think that is the root of the problem.

For the past few years, I've been intentional about helping students understand that and prepare to face the return home. I don't know how helpful these have been for others but some of them have been very helpful to me.

1. Journal about the changes God is doing in your life, especially any commitments you've made, and refer back to it through out the school year. It can be easy to slide back into the old you and forget about commitments you have made.
2. Find some accountability. Yea it is a big word but really all it means is find someone who is willing to walk the journey with you. Someone who can lift you up and encourage you when you get down. Someone who can push you when you start to lose your focus.
3. Continue to surround yourself with people who are walking the same direction. I've had a significant number of students who tell me they don't go to church or attend youth group during the school year. The journey was not intended to walked alone. I've tried it. Doesn't work! Plug into a church family where you can be refueled and serve together.
   
4. Don't stop your quiet times once camp/the mission trip is over. Even if you've never done a quiet time outside of one of these settings, continue the discipline when you get home. Will it be hard? Probably. Set a realistic goal for yourself, ones that stretch you but are attainable. Set aside the specific time in you schedule just like you do at these events. Be patient with yourself.

Like I said, I don't know if any of that will help you but it gives you a starting point. Allow God to continue to change you. Those changes might just be what he uses to change the people and the environment you return home to at the end of the week.

I'm back!

We are back from a wonderful week in Chicago! Our team did incredible things. I was so proud of our students and leaders. I'll post pictures tomorrow. Until then enjoy some camp pictures.

Camp Adventure

Talk about a phenominal week of camp!!!! This last week was a fantastic one. I haven't had a chance to get my pictures developed and it probably won't happen until after Chicag08 but let me share some highlights.

• spending a week taking steps together with some of my favorite people
• aving a wonderful family group
• sharing a cabin with Angie Aquila
• watching Jasper being blobbed half way to outer space
• canoing with Gabby and Olivia
• watching a student I've been praying for the last seven months take a HUGE step on commitment night
• watching God shape students into leaders
• celebrating with students who made it a priority to memorize Scripture because they knew they needed more of it in them - one memorized an entire chapter
  
• sitting at the feet of some incredible teachers
• watching Halley get a bull's eye in archery
• watching our students be stretched in worship on Friday night - Great leading by Jeffrey!

There are many stories to share. I won't take up all your time by sharing them all. I will share about the one thing that made this week very different than any other week I've done. Camp wasn't over when the last camper left. Our team packed up and headed to McDonald's for lunch but that wasn't the end either. We all worshiped together at the 7:30 service, where God spoke through Mark in a powerful way. Still not over! Then it was off to BWW for some great fun. It was late when we left and you would think we all went home to crash but we didn't. It was off to J and Angie's for movies and more fun. It was great to celebrate the week and just relax with the people you served with all week long.

God is doing something great in our student ministry at GCC and I'm blessed to be a part of it.

I Timothy 1:12 & 14
How thankful I am to Christ Jesus our Lord for considering me trustworthy and appointing me to serve him...Oh, how kind and gracious the Lord was! He filled me completely with faith and the love of Christ Jesus.

I'm back!

I'm back from a phenominal week at Camp Adventure. I have been stories and thoughts to share but it will have to wait until tomorrow. I'm am tired but super excited to see what God has in store for this coming year in our student ministry!

Off to camp...

I had a great post all planned last night and ran out of time. Oh well.

Camp Adventure here we come!

See everyone on Saturday.

Deeper Life 2008

Finally I've got a better connection. I thought I would share my thoughts from camp through pictures. Here are some highlights...

Since I part way through the week I spent most of my time helping the leadership team with behind the scenes work. It also meant I got to spend a ton of time with my little sister Hannah. I love this girl!!!!

When I got to camp with a lot on my mind. The enemy was attacking our student ministry department and my family. I was so thankful for the encouragement and prayers of other faculty members. A five minute conversation with Day can give you enough encouragement to energize you for a week!Thursday we celebrated our place in community by washing each other's feet and celebrating the Lord's Supper. Since the leadership team doesn't have small groups, our campers stepped up and washed their feet. This interaction was one of my favorites.
New to Deeper Life this week was the Sean and James Show. No it isn't like the old school 2nd and 3rd grade morning show at RLCA. Seriously the two of them together is dangerous and incredibly hilarious. As a duo they are climbing up my list of favorite funny people. And Kelly's face in this picture is priceless.

Our Deeper Life Team dominated First Chance camp. There was so much energy Friday night during training. It was unbelievable watching our students step up and serve. It made our job as adult faculty ridiculously easy. Our first project of the day was painting the camp bell before the tiny campers arrived. You can tell Jill and Tom had a blast with this project.

But best of all was celebrating as campers took steps towards Christ.

A fantastic week!

Internet issues...

I've tired to post my thoughts on camp for several days now but have had no luck. Internet in Vestaburg is a it tricky most days. So once I get back to Mishawaka I should be able to get everything posted.

VBS has been going really well. I've had some great conversations with a few students. Tonight I finished the video for the closing program. Now I have to work on slides for the morning. Tomorrow is going to be a very long day so hopefully it won't take long.

Camp Visit

I just returned from a wonderful visit to MCSC to see the Deeper Life gang. I absolutely love that team. It is incredible to watch them all lead together. In the midst of leading students, caring for their team is a priority. Sure I'm not a member of the faculty this week but today they made it a priority to encourage me in the process of serving students.

I stayed longer than I intended because I got up there later than expected. If you've ever been to an evening worship session at DL then you will understand what I mean when I say worship at DL is a unique experience. What happens when put 60+ high school students hungry for truth, a killer group of counselors and a leadership team extremely passionate about students in one room and tell them it is time to worship? Words can't describe it.

Eric and Wally make me laugh. They can switch roles faster than just about anyone I know. We are hanging out in the spa one minute and the next they are giving me very specific instructions about what I'm doing the rest of the week. So I'll sleep in and get some good rest tonight (I did not sleep last night.) and go back to the camp tomorrow to stay for the rest of the week.

YEA CAMP!!!!

No camp

This has been insane couple of days. So many changes to my schedule! I'm really bummed I won't be spending this week at camp. It is all a very long story. All I have to say is I hate the devil! Pray for my family. The piece of trash, Satan, has been attacking big time. Does he have any idea who he is messing with?