Happy Birthday (to me)

So this begins my summer camp blog, chronicling my summer in the woods teaching kids about Jesus.  Today was my birthday, representing the start of my last year of being a teenager.  The complete immaturity that is assumed of college freshmen is now forever behind me as I learn more and more about what my responsibilities (many) will be this summer.  We learned about how to handle issues that might come up with our campers through role playing using positive and negative examples, and child abuse recognition.  It's been a pretty good week so far as well.  I'm getting to know my fellow staff (big groups are not my strength) as we learn about what our summer will entail.  It is SO beautiful here.  I'm in the foothills of the Cascades, in the woods, where sunlight comes in slants and green is everywhere.  Yesterday we took a hike that leaves right from camp and goes up to the top of a peak with a view that is beyond words.  We could have been in an ad for REI, but thats actually my life this summer.  I'm continually humbled by the awesomeness of God's creation.  Wednesday night we were told right after dinner to pack some essentials for a surprise overnight trip.  We went to a ministry in Plain, Washington that has a ranch and a challenge course and is used by various groups.  We did a challenge course which taught us a lot about communication and teamwork.  We also took a super intense hike literally straight up the side of a hill.  We weren't expecting the intensity at all and were told we were going to a "high ropes course," meaning we walked up the hill around the valley and back down to the challenge course where we had been earlier in the day!  There, we became the first ever team to complete one of the elements of the course.  We were divided into two teams, each starting at the end of a series of wires about a foot off the ground.  We had to balance along the wires assisted occasionally by hanging ropes all while continually touching the teammate on either side of us.  My group had to start a few times before we started to perfect our technique and were anxiously making our way along when the other half of the group, discouraged by their own falling off, came over to support us through the entire course.  We were the first team because we worked together and put the needs of the group over individual desires for success or competition.  So thats been my week.  The camp is going to be based off of the book of Daniel this year, so were learning about being faithful servants in spite of what the world says.  This is my prayer for me, my staff, and my campers.  I'll try and update this whenever I can, though I will get MUCH busier when campers start coming this Friday!!  I'm so excited!!