And the chaco tan is beginning to form...

So sorry for the delay for all of my adamant followers.. camp life is prettty full these days. Let me give you all a brief run-down because I again don't have much time :/

Dreams Begin is truly (as our song says) the greatest cabin in the world. The girls are so so encouraging, precious, and we have formed quite lasting relationships I anticipate will carry on for a long long time. The co co's (co counselors) are AWESOME - we're constantly laughing together and encouraging each other as sisters in Christ, and these relationships as well I anticipate will be life-long friendships.

I've made some other incredible friends/mentors/mentorees. The Lord has really blessed the relationship aspect of the summer.

Big news is I am currently planning to leave camp July 9th to be with my family who I feel the Lord is calling me to more than camp for the latter half of summer. As much as it grieves me to cut my commitment and leave all of what I've started, I must obey the open and closed doors I feel the Lord is leading me through. More deats to come.. Just be praying as I have to tell the bosses on Wednesday of my decision :/ But, the Lord is faithful and my dependence on Him will not end now. He has proven faithful and will continue to be where ever he leads me.

Also, be praying for a few of my non believing campers who have been inquiring a lot about my relationship with the Lord, reading the Bible, etc... Can't wait to see what will come of this in the future!

Love you all and sorry for the brevity

Still loving being Miss Merri-Mac

Poor old Pale Face, the worst is yet to come!

Oh friends how in the world are yall?

So sorry, but looks like this blog updating is going to be quite occasional (once a week :/) But it's only because I'm pouring every bit of my free time into these sweet campers. Yall, the Lord is so good. It's been an incredible first week of camp and I only have 5 girls! The majority of them come on Saturday and I'm PUMPED. 15 year olds definitely have their challenges, but investing a personal relationship with them and staying humble is so so key. They've responded well and I absolutely can't wait for the next 4 weeks I have with them.

Another blessing is the activity I'm teaching... I didn't realize how much I'm in love with volleyball and especially being able to share that passion with these girls when they're willing to learn. I now know why so many of my friends love teaching.

What's up with the title? Well, Monday night was initiation into our tribes. There are 3 tribes at camp (Seminoles, Iroquois, and Choctaw). It's like the biggest deal of the entire camp to these girls to be a part of a tribe. Once you're initiated, all of your family will from then on be a part of that tribe. Legendary. So about this initiation... Monday night all of the counselors were initiated into our tribes and the chiefs, medmen, etc pour, literally drench us, in paint from head to toe and we have to sleep in it. Sanders can attest - such a good bf even let me in his car fully painted/wet (and took me to get a milkshake)! I can honestly say that night of sleep, or lack thereof, was the most miserable night of my life haha... Nevertheless, I'm a Seminole!!!

God is so good. I've been learning so much from Him about the learning process of contentment and total dependence on Him. This has been a lot harder than I'd expected, but I know I'm where He wants me and I cannot wait to keep drawing nearer to His heart.

Specific prayers are again for a passion for these girls and this camp like no other and that I'd continually prioritize a heart of service to them. Also, if you'd like to pray for my girls by name they are Kendall, Sammy, Emily, Abby, and Delanie.

Yall are so awesome. So much love folks.

Sami

Straight from the pit of Hell

Good evening faithful followers,

Whaaat an eventful past few days. Let's see, I'll begin with cabin draft... I'm in Dreams Begin. Yes that's a cabin name. They are 15 years old. The same age as my cute sissy ;) Although I'd requested the wee ones, I couldn't be more thrilled for this age. The Lord knows what he's doing I trust and I'll gladly put my own agenda behind His any day. Also, my 2 co-counselors are AWESOME. I am soo soo excited to get to know these girls and learn from them. Haley, an App State climber, has been here for 10 years so knows the scoop and Sagan is a cute NC State English major. This is gonna be fun! Pluuuus, our "counselor section" is like a mini apartment.. Well, it's pretty rustic (no windows), but it's got new wood! Boy, never thought I'd say that.

Secondly, yesterday was a rough day guys. Those of you who I texted/called out of some major doubt/emotional break down, thanks. Yall are the bomb. I finally realized that Satan has been speaking these awful lies into my mind that I'm incapable of relating to this age, don't belong at camp, can't make friends, am neglecting a better life with my family and friends at home. Yall, the Devil is one deceptive guy, but my God is bigger and His plans far outweigh any doubts my sinful self can contain. After some heavy duty devotions and encouragement from my great friends, I can safely say I belong here. The Lord has called me to Camp Merri-Mac for this summer and will equip me with whatever I need to make it through. I am a servant, not here for my own comfort, but here to give myself, all of myself, to these girls. Oh the power of prayer and fellowship with my Father and the beauty of divine trust.

Specific prayers needed.. that I'll wake up not only begging for the strength to get through the day, but for a burning passion to serve these girls and a desire to serve. That these girls will be my priority this summer.

6 days and I've already learned so much. Gracious goodness wonder what 2 months will do.

They get here at 8 am (ahhhh!)

Peace friends

p.s. Know you are all specifically in my daily prayers :)

Tweedles Please?

The teepees are up and anticipation is in the air...It's cabin draft day (eeek!) This means the directors have, after getting to know our personalities, strengths, weaknesses for the past 4 days, placed us into our age appropriate cabins which we will be in for the rest of the summer. It's kind of a big deal because the other 2 girls I co-counsel with will be like my roommates for the next 2 months! My preference is the tweedles - the tiny ones :) But, I know that whereever I am placed the Lord will equip me appropriately.

The meetings are coming to a close as we start specifically preparing/praying/discussing the girls we will have in our cabins. Also, did I mention I am the one volleyball player in the team sports category? Thus, it's all up to me to make sure these girls effectively learn and come to love the game of volleyball. Oh gosh.

Gooood news (drum roll please)... I've made friends! There are a few girls I have really clicked with and have already learned from. Not to mention our few "laugh til you cry" sessions, which might I add are some of the best ways to deepen a friendship ;) Though those super close friendships take time, the Lord is and has been faithful and I can't wait to see where he takes these budding relationships!

Good knight I miss yall! Know you're all being covered in prayer and I already can't wait for our re-unitings. As the internet password is, campisgreat

Blessings,

Sami

Hi I'm Sami and I go to Clemson

Heey friends :)

Well, I've made it 2 whole days! One word to sum it all up? Overwhelming. This week is called staff training week so right now it's kind of like "camp for the counselors." We're basically (the girls Merri-Mac and boys Timberlake camps together) just meeting and greeting and cramming 65 years of camp tradition into 6 days. If I could give you all an idea of what it's like think of your first few weeks/months at college where we met a ton of people and knew a lot about their backgrounds without having those deep friendships we long for >hence my title. So, spending lots of Jesus time has been and will be essential. Needless to say, the camp folk are amazing - all from so many different walks of life, but all with something I can learn. I am too excited to build those Christ-centered relationships with them! Prayer in that area would be priceless :) I've got some free time this week to do Sami things (i.e. blog, run, short phone chats), but when the campers get here Sunday that will all change. I hope you all are doing so well and I love and miss ya!

Expect the Unexpected

Early to bed, early to rise makes a camp counselor healthy, wealthy, and wise. 3 weeks of waking up at 8am.

I strongly believe Hillsong is Mighty to Save. $44 of worship music purchased on ITunes.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, with prayer and petition, present your requests to God that peace surpassing all understanding may guard your heart and mind." And countless hours spent on my knees begging the Lord for sustenance and a heart of service.

I never have been fond of the unexpected, but I guess that makes me rely more faithfully on the Father. Though I am trying not to expect, I can tell you what I hope. My idea of a perfect summer would end with a heart completely humbled, where my vulnerable view myself leaves me completely insignificant in the shadow of the cross. I want to give myself to these girls, to this camp, solely through the power of the Lord. I want to forget about my own wants, needs, and desires. I want to forget Sami in an instinctive and natural way. Unfortunately, my sinful nature inhibits me from doing this on my own. This is where your prayers come in. Yall are awesome. God is awesome. I can't wait. Be there in T minus 7 hours...eeeeek!

Ok, Dad, I think I'm ready