Missouri 

Color team flags flying outside the dorm during registration 

Seal of Evangel University where camp was held

I got to go to a new state and it made me happy :)

My darling roommate for the week, Katie Cook

Some of the beautiful staff women on my team.

   God showed up at camp this week in ways that blew my mind. Not only did he bless us with glorious non humid weather, an epic cafeteria to eat at during the week, safety on the road when traveling, fruitful small group times with my girls, and lots of laughter....but God also allowed a student at camp to trust Christ as her Savior and Lord this week. :) My mind has been blown as I sit back and watch my God work in mighty ways through Worldview Academy and in the hearts of students.

This summer my camp director challenged our whole team to be characterized by consistent and faithful prayer. As we have taken time to pray daily for both the details of camp and the hearts of the students, God has so tenderly worked. One specific example happened on Wednesday of camp when the students went out and did evangelism at Missouri State University. There weren't very many people for the students to talk to, but just when I was getting discouraged, God had a whole group of about 100 football players walk across campus after practice and right past where the students were, so some of them got witnessed to. :) Later during evangelism when the crowds were waning again, God caused a fire alarm to go off in one of the buildings so all of the people in that building had to come out onto the quad on campus which was right were the students were once again. :) And that was just one example from MANY of how God worked at camp this week. 

A lesson that I learned during the Missouri camp was that I should not desire anything in my life that will begin to steal my love of the Lord or distract me from Him. This lesson came when my sweet mother sent me a card in the mail that contained this quote from Nancy Leigh Demoss. 
"I've asked the Lord not to give me any blessings that could ultimately end up turning my heart away from Him. Because to have those things if they turn my heart away from God, then those things would prove to be curses not blessings. We think we know what we need. But isn't it wise for us to say, 'Lord here are my requests. Here are the things I think I need. But Lord, would you sift these through the sieve of your love and your wisdom and your providence, and would you determine what is best for me. And Lord, please don't give me anything that I think I want, that I would consider a blessing, if as a result, my heart is going to be turned from You." As I read those words, I was and still am so convicted. God used this quote as a catalyst for me to be able to process with Him emotions that were building in my heart and then realign my heart with truth.

As mentioned earlier, the Missouri camp was filled with so many rich blessings. Here are just a couple. 

• Hugging a new state sign :)
• Shopping in happy stores in Branson, Missouri over the weekend
• Crazy southern downpours of rain
• Having the opportunity to squish a large spider in one of my girl's room. That was a moment of victory for me because I hate spiders, so I had to put on a brave face and act like killing a spider was no big deal for me, even though it totally was. :)
• Rooming with Katie Cook and being consistently encouraged by her sweet spirit 
• The blue skies and refreshing wind on opening day
• A good cafeteria with LOTS of gluten free options
• Sunday morning sermon from Joshua 1
• No stomach aches during the week
• The sweet reminder from one of the lectures that God makes EVERYTHING with a specific and intentional purpose
• Singing our girls to sleep during "lights out" with So Long, Farewell from the Sound of Music
• My flameless candle that my girls named "George"
• Doing Secret Sisters with my girls throughout the week
• Singing Phantom of the Opera with two of my girls as we walked between classes
• Sweet connections with my team members
• Getting to describe different team member's personalities as vegetables during one of the van rides.....I know, it is such a Rachel question, but it made them giggle. I mean, who couldn't when you are being described as an eggplant, avocado, or a Hubbard squash ;)
• Hot and sweaty staff vs. students ultimate frisbee game
• Free laundry machines on campus
• Having one of my girls teach me how to do "hand hugs". They are seriously one of the cutest things ever. :)

I praise God for what he has done and will continue to do this summer. He is so very good and is walking with me so tenderly.

The Texas camp starts tomorrow and the whole adventure begins all over again. :)

~Rachel