The Armor of God

Isaiah 52:7: How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

Before I head off on to further adventures. I want to reflect on a few adventures I've had in the past few years.

In the summer of 2007, I had the chance to be a camp counselor at Mt. Cross in Northern California. I packed my bags in early June after returning from Airborne school and headed off to the redwoods. Mt. Cross is an unlikely camp. It is situated off a California highway on the mountains of Santa Cruz. It was a time to share my love of Christ with kids and meet other "kids" my age who shared that love.

In the permanent shade of redwoods I spent a summer making light through friendship. I met four incredible co-counselors who touched my life forever: Kara, Mary, Kate, and Stephanie. Every week was a new adventure of how to teach kids about the reality of being a Christian in this world and putting on "the full armor of God."

The best part was, we weren't secluded from the outside world at all. Each week it seemed like as counselors we were faced with challenges of the world. We had kids with real issues who needed love. On the weekends, we got to explore northern California in all its glory and reach out to the "natives".

I will always look back on this special time of my life with a sigh of longing to go back to it and thankfulness in my heart for the chance to experience it. I am forever thankful for the chance to meet such interesting people from all over the U.S. and experience Northern California nature.

This summer restored a spirit in me through living at the camp, loving on kids, and letters I received from a special friend. My spirit had been broken earlier in college. This camp adventure was one of renewal of spirit and learning how great the love of God can be in friendship.