girls camp 2016

GIRLS CAMP 2016

I learned 200+ things at camp this year. But I decided to narrow down the best 20 for the sake of time and anyone ever really reading this.

1. God has a divine purpose for each of us.

2. Despite race, background, status, or wealth, girls can find things in common and learn to love each other.

3. Tennessee has the most beautiful hikes ever.

4. Everyone is insecure about something. Seriously eVErYone.

5. You have way more fun when you don't care what people think.

6. After four in the morning, you start to hallucinate a little.

7. Follow the rules and you'll save yourself a lecture or five.

8. The uglier you dress @ camp, the more respect you receive.

9. When you're selfless, you slowly forget about your own problems.

10.You shouldn't be ashamed about crying or not crying in a spiritual situation.

11. You should sing even if you suck.

12. The weird kids and the girls in cliques are both the opposite of what you think. Don't label people.

13. You have way more fun when you branch out of your main friend group.

14. People who you don't even know look up to you.

15. You should sleep the first two nights.

16. Rumors spread really fast, there are no secrets.

17. You should eat a lot of the food, even if you're dieting.

18. Focus on the girls in your year and try to be close to them- even the ones on the other side of the cabin.

19. Think of the person you dislike most in your year and try really hard to be their friend.

20. God never forgets about us or gives up on us.

For some reason, this year at camp the thoughts that kept surfacing in my mind repeatedly were those of identity. Who you are, why you're here. God has a plan for each one of us individually- we have a purpose and worth and a mission to fulfill in this life. We aren't just here aimlessly wandering around, trying whatever feels good. & we should stop trying to conform and follow a group- we are unique and are given unique gifts, don't be afraid to use them. Ordinary people, people who follow the crowd? They don't change the world. Camp made me not want to waste another second walking in the wrong direction or living ordinarily.

Sometimes we aren't even walking in the wrong direction- it's just that we're immobilized. The problem with standing still- doing absolutely nothing- is that it'll catch up to us. My big brother once explained to me that life is like a conveyor belt. If we stand still, the belt will automatically propel us forward. But if we turn the other direction and move against the belt, we will eventually make it to the other side. But if we stand still, we are being pushed without choice in the wrong direction.

I was reading The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey (a life changing read, I completely recommend), Sean explains it like this: When ships are out on the ocean, often times they pick up barnacles. Barnacles are small, penny sized plants that latch onto ships when a ship passes it in the water. If you don't immediately get rid of the barnacles, though they barely weigh anything, over time more barnacles will latch onto the bottom of the ship. In time, the ship can become completely submerged. The weight of so many tiny barnacles can take down an entire ship!

Don't let little mistakes and words go unnoticed- make it right before it weighs you down and drowns you.

We make so many small decisions every single day of our lives. Who we will smile at verses who we ignore. Whether we get diet or regular coke. Whether we wear mascara to the gym or don't. Every second, we make choices that make us or break us. Can you imagine how different your life would be if you tweaked the little choice failures everyday? Success and failure are made up of the trivial choices in your everyday life. It's the little things.

These were the thoughts running through my mind during camp. A few days after camp, I came across this on Pinterest:

Wow.

This sign totally struck a chord in me- this is sososo true.

Just saying you're Christian, or saying you are apart of whatever religious affiliation, does not automatically save you. You are not given a free ticket to heaven by saying you're christian. You are not a 'good person' because of what you believe- it's how you act that makes an effect. Who you help, who you smile at, the words you refrain to use, the people you hang out with, the music you listen to, the generosity you give, the kind energy you exude- this makes you a better person.

Some of the most beautiful, kind-hearted people I know don't share the same religious beliefs as me. Some people who attend church with me act in such a nasty, selfish way. Your actions ultimately make you a better person. I'm not saying beliefs are unimportant- my beliefs are so crucial and dear to me. But if I say I believe in Jesus Christ and then go leave a girl out and talk all kinds of awful crap about her, does that make me a good person?

Camp was enlightening, refreshing, inspiring, and left me in awe. It's always beautiful when a bunch of people with the same fears and beliefs come together and love each other. Thank you so much for all of your testimonies- every single one of them has strengthened me. Even the most simple testaments of Christ- in word AND deed- have made me stronger. Thank you.

Love, Skylar.