Oh man, let's talk about people I miss a lot: Camp peeps! Unfortunately, this also happens to be the group of people I have kept in poorest touch with. Fortunately, I plan on visiting them sometime between Christmas and New Years. Let's just fill everyone who isn't blessed enough to go to CRBC every summer in on how cool each of these dearest friends are.

I suppose we'd have to start with
Peter. I have only really gotten to know him these last few years, but oh man, better late than never. This guy rocks my world. His heart for God, his energy, his open-mindedness, and his mad skills in the band make everyone want to idolize him. Which is it is so significant that he always overtly gives credit to God and displays a humility uncharastic of guys our age. I've picked up quite a bit of wisdom and perspective from this guy, not to mention a great friend and brother. Thanks Peter.

And this is the amazing
Ashley Eggar. I only really met Ashley E. last year at camp, but the past two years have been so friggin' awesome. Mostly, she is just inspiring. Let me tell you a little a bout her, and why she makes me so happy. I guess the most important part is that from what I can see of her, her heart is dead centered on God. We're talking a wonderful young woman of God. But what makes that so powerful is that people look up to her. So often I hear about how Christians should be making non-believers wonder "what have
they got that I don't?" Do I ever actually see that? Well I do with Ashley. She is extremely athletic (I've never seen a girl... well, anyone actually, in person, as buff as her). She is also funny and intelligent. And one of the most amazing things about her is her modesty. She is about the most beautiful woman you'll ever see, and we've already mentioned she's athletic... but she's humble, and dresses humbly as well. Like Peter, she is pretty uncharacteristic of American youth, and it's refreshing. Thanks Ashley.

Now let's talk about
Missy and
Kelli (left to right). I only just met Missy this year, but I got to hear her testimony and see her interact with campers and counselors quite a bit. Hers is one of those unbelievably powerful stories, where friends steer a Child of God down a bad path, and God waits until the perfect moment to bring it all back to His glory. She alone is evidence enough that CRBC is worth it. I look forward to seeing more of you in the years to come Missy. Kelli has been a dear friend for ages, though you wouldn't know it given how much I write her (sorry friend) . I don't remember which year we met, but the last two summers with her at least have been pivotal points in my life. Two summers ago the whole experience got me back in line with God. Last summer though, was real crucial. See, for years and years I've been seeking God - saddling up next to people I knew were in close contact with the Big Guy, and hoping to catch every drop of knowledge and wisdom they might send my way. But Kelli was the point around which God gave my life a spin this summer. See, though I'd been a Bible Study leader for a full year, I was still the type who wanted to glean all I could from others, and hog all the holiness I could contain for myself, so I could try and figure things out for me. I've also struggled a lot with my imperfection and depression. This last year, Kelli got a little dose of that herself. And God finally brought me out of the shadows of others, and demonstrated, through my interactions with her, that no really, I can lead people. I can affect them. I can even <
gasp> help them sometimes, and effectively point them to God. I'm not professing a hidden arrogance, or even saying I do that all the time now. But I do know that it is possible, and that God is using me. He uses me! Thanks Kelli, for letting me see that, and for being an unwitting accomplice to the Will of God.

Aaaah, my Sumo brothers.
Jesse and
Patrick are both critical figures in God developing male-fellowship into my life. They've been around a few years now, but it was really only this summer that I really became friends with them and let them into my heart, so to speak. They are both pretty talented musically, and
obviously cool. I mean just look at their picture! Anyway, we got to talk a lot about male issues, and keep each other accountable given the abundance of immodesty, even at a conservative Christian summer camp. We really impacted one another, and though I'm horrible with keeping in close contact with them as well, it isn't unheard of for us to still keep each other accountable and in prayer. I truly love these guys and the time we shared together. They again made me feel as if God was so almighty and powerful that not only could He hand-craft the cosmos, He could even change stubborn and rebellious little me. Thanks boyos. I'll be visiting over Christmas break my friends, look for me...

And this would be
Jessica Cline, who I only met this summer and is now going to Ecola Bible College in Cannon Beach last I heard (I hope to go to Ecola after Whitman). She is my example of someone flexible to God's will. First of all, she had a heart just breaking for many of the girls at camp. She is full of love and compassion over the family situations, bad attitudes, and just poor judgement some of the young teen girls had to deal with at camp. Then, as she's seeking God as to her purpose and His will for her throughout camp, being frustrated with not being able to share with her girls the forsight they are lacking, God calls her to Ecola. Camp is at the beginning of August folks, and she didn't decide until the end of camp to up and go. Now I don't know how that worked out for her, I'm too lame and haven't written her since shortly after that, but I do know God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him, and she fits that description! May God bless all you do Jessica, and be a Light unto your Path.
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