Can't sleep after CAMP?

This morning at 6am, I couldn't sleep...  Of all mornings to sleep in, THIS was the one!  We are totally beat from CAMP!  Full of amazing stories of God's faithfulness, exhausted from late night conversations with fellow staff and students, and tired muscles from almost daily ultimate frisbee! But this morning, my mind was spinning at 6am because of 1 little thought....

This is the last time at Mid-Atlantic camp for us.

I teared up a lot yesterday while pulling out of that place.  It's not only the beautiful Young Life Camp that we crash every year, but this place has been a place of significant spiritual development for 10 years now for both of us!  It felt like the end of a chapter in life.  Here are just a few camp highlights from the last decade:

2005 -Lehigh friends & staff

10 years ago this week, I sat in a room with fellow Lehigh students looking at list of characteristics of Jesus.  I was overwhelmed with this bigger picture of Jesus, and my life has never been the same since.  I remember Jamie, our staff worker, leading the discussions.  I remember sitting on the floor to get a better view of the list.  God met me powerfully that day and set me on a new life trajectory.  Jesus is AMAZING and unlike anything else in this world!

5 years ago, I led this little 2-day weekend track for InterVarsity alumni at camp.  This sweet friend named Gretchen showed up.  A mutual interest began that weekend that wasn't mutually realized until months later.

2008-Alvernia & Albright @ 1st camp!

4 years ago, Tim Diehl & I brought our first group of students from Albright & Alvernia to camp!  It was a catalytic moment for the Alvernia fellowship that led to future growth back on campus.

2 years ago on May 18th 2010, two of our students gave their lives to Jesus at camp!  I will never forget that moment as Gretchen prayed with one of them during worship.  She is a completely changed woman!  Recently this formerly cripplingly shy woman shared her testimony on campus with great joy and freedom to a group of our friends. 2 years later, she is one of the strongest leaders in the fellowship and has a growing heart to bring others to Jesus!  PRAISE GOD!

2011 Alvernia

And this year, God showed up again!  2 Alvernia students made decisions to follow Jesus for the first time as an adult!  Over 200 college students from dozens of campuses chose to spend their first week of summer spending over 7 hours a day studying scripture together!  Can you believe that?!  I can't!  Still losing sleep over the whole deal.  :)

Side note: I did fall back to sleep at 7am and didn't wake up till after 10am.  Thank you Jesus!