my friends are having babies and i'm loving on foster kids...

Last summer I went to Teen Leadership Camp for the very first time and instantly my heart was captured and a new passion was born. Working with teenagers who have been impacted by the Foster Care System is heart-breaking and yet full of hope. They are the strongest kids I’ve ever met with stories that are devastating and include moments no child should have ever experienced. However, at camp, for this brief moment in time, they’re the same as everyone else, they have the same struggles, and they can fully relate to one another. For this one weekend every summer they get to just be kids and it is incredible to watch them laugh, play soccer for hours on end, paint nails all through the night, eat ridiculous amounts of junk food and candy, raise their hands in worship, and feel truly loved, accepted, and worthy EXACTLY as they are.

This summer I was on the leadership team for camp and spent several months planning everything out. Camp was June 20-22 and everything went as well as we could have hoped and again we were able to create this special space where these broken kids were full of life and joy. I really can’t explain what an amazing thing it is to watch and be part of. It is one of my greatest joys in life. This summer I was the “Queen of Fun” and led all kinds of ridiculous games. We played things like ATTACK OF THE FISHIES and BALLOON POP FRENZY, we did the Twinkie Dance and had a Comedy Sportz night. We were undoubtedly ridiculous, but that’s kind of what camp is all about, right? Being all kinds of crazy and loving every moment of it. TLC is my favorite weekend of the year.

I’ve been home for just over 2 weeks now, and I already miss the kids like crazy funky. I hate that they have to wait until next June to be reunitned. SO…In addition to camp, we’ve decided to create a “club” which will closely resemble a youth group for our kids to come to once a month. We’ll have games and worship and a speaker and FOOD and give the kids a place to connect with one another and many of the camp counselors. Hopefully it will be a place where they can re-establish their feelings of being loved and wanted and celebrated as they grow. A place where healthy adult relationships are modeled and real conversations can take place. A place where the foundations for a healthy and successful future are laid. I am so honored to be directing club alongside one of my dear friends Rachel and I have no doubt the Lord has great things in store for us. There is much to still be determined and I don’t fully know what will unfold, but I can’t wait to see the Lord at work and truly praise Him for allowing me to have any part of His journey with these kids. I absolutely love them!