Enough

We had a harrowing Target experience the other night.  On our way in the store I told the girls if they could be good, they would get a little treat on the way out.  Well, they did a great job behaving and when it came time to check out, they reminded me of my promise. However, they waited until my items were being scanned by the gracious Target employee before running towards the candy.  As they go running, I try to scoop JJ up in my arms and shield him from the whereabouts of his sisters because he loves candy.  I don't mean he is a casual fan of candy.  I mean he LOVES candy, in any shape or form he can get it.  It was very near his bedtime, and I, thinking I'm being a responsible mother denied him.  As the girls go sprinting for the candy, I was able to distract him, until....until Madelyn twisted her ankle in her rush and started screaming at the top of her lungs.  This of course demanded JJ's immediate attention.   As he broke free from me, he realized the object of the girls pursuit....CANDY.  This is all happening while I'm paying (I wasn't about to make the people behind me wait!).  Jason is dealing with Madelyn as I finish up, as I go over and get the Lifesaver gummies out of JJ's hand and grab him kicking and screaming, candyless away from the scene.  I stealthfully one handedly, pay for the girls candy choices and hand them to a limping, still tearful Madelyn.  All the while holding JJ's head far away from my own so that I don't get a fat lip in this amazingly loud, flailing tantrum.   As Jason and I are giving each other the "we will never bring this child in a store, ever, ever again" look, I couldn't help hearing a gentle whisper from God....  

I was thinking and processing the situation as I strapped a still screaming baby boy into his carseat, wondering how many times I have had a reaction like this when I didn't get something that I wanted from God.  See, I knew that the candy tasted good, and of course so did JJ.  He was also aware that his sisters got candy and I know was wondering what was up with that.  But what I understood that he did not, was that it was about to be bedtime, and really, should a 19 month old be eating that junk anyway?? It wasn't good for him, and even though I knew it, he didn't understand. Sometimes I WANT things.  God has reminded me though, lately in fact, that some times enough is....well, enough.  What we want may not be best; it may hurt us in the end rather than benefit us.  JJ won't understand this for awhile, but even though I hate to see my baby boy cry over something that he desperately wanted, I knew best.  I was probably 18 before I fully wrapped my brain around that concept, but what I know now is that God knows best.  He loves us enough to protect us, and sometimes that means protecting us from ourselves, and the desire for things that aren't good for us.

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Camp 2

Friday afternoon I arrived back home after a great week at camp.  We took 21 kids from Bethel, and packed what seemed like a million activities into 5 days.  The theme for the week was Trek West - this year is a major anniversary year of the Oregon Trail.  We played a week long game which at times was really fun, and at times really frustrating, but the kids loved it.  (Nevermind that 2 of the Bethel girls cabins came in last...)  We canoed, fished, learned archery, shot BB guns at the rifle range, made butter, rope, ice cream, t-shirts, whirligigs (google it), went tubbing on a ski boat and went swimming everyday.  Talk about a packed week!  

Even with all of those fun activities, I think the highlight of most of our kids week was the chapel services.  I haven't been in very many services where kids sang so purely at the top of their lungs "Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, here I am to say that you're my God...."  It was enough to cause all the adults in the room to be reduced to a puddle of tears.  We saw 3 kids from our church filled with the Holy Spirit, 1 called to be a missionary, and 1 called to be a pastor.  Even though I got to pray with every single one of those kids, the highlight for me was when one of our boys from Bethel came up to me and said with tears running down his face "Pastor Aimee, can you pray for me to get closer to God?"  I love it when kids get what it means to be a Christ Follower.  

I didn't get much sleep, and I spent the bulk of the week with 5 pre-teen girls and 1 nine year old that made up my cabin.  I thought I knew everything I needed to know about Hannah Montana and Camp Rock, but apparently, I did not.  In short, it was an amazing week, one that I will not soon forget.  Now, I will be praying that what transpired at camp will keep growing into a deeper love of Christ in these kids.  And that that passion will spread to all of the kids who could not go.   

Camp

Tomorrow I head to Kid's Camp.  I'm leaving my iPhone and MacBook behind, and will be armed with only my Bible, journal and a suitcase full of play clothes (and a few minor necessities)!  I'm looking forward to this week.  I remember how much I looked forward to camp when I was younger.

Tonight I blog mainly to ask those of you who read it to pray for the kids who are heading up on Monday.  That God will work in their lives, and do things that some people think don't happen in the lives of children.  That they will become more passionate Christ Followers, that they will be filled with the Holy Spirit, and when we return, their love for Jesus will spread to all of the other kids who couldn't go.

I'll let you know how it goes!

Last Night

I love being a Children's Pastor.  I get caught up in it enough that sometimes I feel sorry for those around me that don't get to do what I do...just kidding....kind of :)  Honestly though, it's nights last like last night that give me the most joy and excitement about this calling that God has placed on my life.

We had "salvation night" at Mega Sports Camp last night.  We have had 7 weeks of building on our theme "Undefeated" teaching the kids how to live an Undefeated life in all areas.  Last night we learned how we can live an Undefeated life over the power of death.  I told the story of the crucifixion, but focused on the resurrection and the power that Jesus had over death.  

After the story, we broke into Huddle Groups, which are small groups of kids that meet with their coaches to reinforce the story.  Side note -I have to say, I love my church so much and the amazing workers that have given up their Wednesday nights this summer to work with these kids...  Our Huddle Coaches used an evangelistic tool - the EE Cube, to visually show the kids the message of salvation (you'd have to see it to appreciate it.  Come by my office and I'll show you!)  We had several kids respond with a desire to pray and ask Jesus into their hearts.  Awesome!  I'm so excited about what God is doing this summer in our kids, and I know even better things are yet to come!