Some more fun things from camp

It’s nigh on Friday. That means it’s almost friday. I have a burn on my thumb. It’s my fault, I touched the burning log…no. Not poop. Fire.

Here’s how the day mostly went as I remember it. I woke up early again, lifeguard time again.

Time out. Yesterday we did all sorts of team building shenanegins up at the challenge course. This year I was a facilitator who stood in a tree 30 feet of the ground and told groups “Permission to transfer granted.” Last year I was in the groups trying to meet people and get to know them as a counselor, this year I was the leader-type guy who helped other people do that.

It’s weird, my job seems to blend into the background really well. I guess I don’t mind, but at the same time sometimes as the waterfront director (who doesn’t have anything to do without people using the waterfront) I feel so out of the loop at camp. I’m here. I’m on staff, but am I really a part of everything? I help people do something I think. I think I am a part of counselors showing Christ to kids, but what part exactly? It doesn’t feel like a huge part. It’s not that I need a huge part, it’s just that I want to be used by the Lord. I don’t want to feel lazy and selfish.

After that time yesterday we leadership folk met and prayed for our team. We prayed for everyone. There’s a whole lot riding on this summer in the sense of kids meeting the Lord. Big stuff. Pray for us. Especially the counselors. They’re going to need it.

I had a great conversation with a somewhat-more-than-friend of mine last night. It lasted somewhat later than I had expected, but nonetheless…some things are more important than sleep. Talking to her is like that.

It’s odd, especially considering that all this some-what-more-than-friends deal started happening while I’m at camp. She’s not here, but we’re going for it anyway. (No, I’m not giving you anymore details than this. I share what I choose to.) I suppose some people might think this is dumb. Long distance at camp, you ask? Well, yes. My mom and I had a conversation once where I told her that I didn’t feel like dating any girls because I didn’t see the point. I was going on study abroad, I said. I was going to camp, I said. My mom replied with “Chauncey, there’s always going to be something.” She was right. If I don’t take what I am blessed with when I am blessed with it I think I could label myself an idiot.

It’s an odd lately though, because for the first time in my short and messy history of dating and trying to date girls I have my priorities in order. I’m trying to put Jesus first. I doubt I was before. Also I find myself being able to say and believe that I am valuable apart from her. What this means is that I don’t need her quite as much as I needed any other girl, I like her more than the others…but I need her less and need Jesus more. Does that make sense? I hope so…she’ll probably read this…Long story short: she’s great, I’m excited, and I wish she was here. Since she’s not I imagine we’ll have to try and manage longish distance communication. Seattle area to Bellingham isn’t that bad though. It could be worse. She could have been imaginary.

Seriously. She’s not though.

Anyhow that’s enough of that. Time for today. Like I said I got up early. I then sat in on a lecture we hear every year about child molestation and whatnot. It’s dark business. Important topic for a summer camp that works with kids, but it hurts my soul that it’s a conversation we have to have. The world is a dark place when you hear detectives talk about things like that. A friend of mine named Dr.Jeff Keuss has a facebook religion status that reads “Kicking at the darkness until it bleeds daylight.” I like to think that this is what we’re doing with kids here. Kicking at the darkness that is in their life with the love of Jesus. Go team Jesus.

Okay. So it’s time for bed now. BUT I’ll tell you the rest of the day in several sentences. Studied for test. 2 hours. Looked at facebook profile of girl to see her face. It was nice. LP dinner night up at the challenge course. Good foil dinner. Then I blogged. THe end.