Last summer (2011) I spent about 4 or 5 weeks volunteering at a summer camp as well as getting my CIT training (Counselor In Training). Three years ago I wrote a song named " I Don't Wanna Go," and dedicated it to the camp that has helped me grow up for 7 years. Last summer after being there for 5 years summer was coming to a close and I unfortunately had to leave a few days earlier than everyone else. In this picture I am preforming "I Don't Wanna Go," for my last time in 2011. It was much different this time though because I made so many relationships and because someone very special made me my very own guitar strap with words that said: " I don't wanna go, I don't wanna leave you..." So after singing and playing my song everyone walked back over to get ice cream and i put my guitar away I went over to my friend and fell into her arms sobbing. I will tell you I have to this day never cried so hard. We walked over to the lodge together while I was still crying and seeing everyone was coming up to me hugging me telling me they loved me and all I could do was cry. I sat down for a while but nothing was stopping the tears, not this time. One by one it seemed like everyone in that camp that night came over and talked to me. I remember very few but one I do remember is with one of my best and longest camp buds Matt. Still crying he came over and pulled me close and gave me a hug but this was the longest hug ever because he was actually talking to me whispering in my ear. All week before this I had been telling him I didn't know if I wanted to go back in 2012, he told me that I wasn't finished there because of how much I was crying. Matt if you ever read this you were the one that helped me so much that night, even after I stopped crying and we were talking on the porch. It seems like so many of my favorite summer memories have you in them because for the past 6 years you have been apart of my summer in one way or another. I also loved coming home from camp and getting calls with Matt singing Jason Maraz on random evenings. Thank you and love you lots.
At the end of last summer I got to see the marriage of Uncle Sam and Aunt Whitney. They were legally married before the ceremony but it was great to spend time with my family in Michigan on this beautiful lake. I got to spend time with my two adorable cousins Arlo and Magnus. I got to try many new things like tubing and water skiing and lots of new vegetarian foods (this was when I was still a vegetarian). It was great to see God work in these two people as they raise two beautiful little boys and share an undying love for each other!!
At the end of last summer I was asked to audition for a Christmas show but it was a bit different than other auditions. This audition was for a live audience on the Main Stage at Cantons First Friday in August. I sang 'Once Upon a Dream' from Jekyll and Hyde and was told by many people I stunned them but little do they all know that if it wouldn't have been for that audition I may have never gotten on stage again. This audition was such a blessing in SO many ways. God brought so many new people into my life and helped me reconnect to an old friend.
#4. Getting and completing my Gold Rag:
At camp I am a part of program called raggers where it focuses of bettering yourself, the world around you, others and your relationship with Christ. I have been apart of this group for 4 years and plan to continue it as long as I can. This year I received my Gold Rag and my goal for myself was to impact the life of others through my music. I feel I have done this so I hope to go back to camp this year and get my next rag. Last years raggers ceremony was probably the most amazing I have ever been apart of, because the minute you open your eyes Gods beauty blinded you and any of you who were there know what I'm talking about. Although it was the earliest I have ever woken up at camp it was totally worth it.
Summer #15 was so incredibly amazing and if I named all the amazing moments this would be super long! I cant wait to see what Summer #16 has in store with ALIVE12 and the mission trip this summer is dedicated to my relationship with Christ and of course camp and all of my amazing friends!!! Happy Summer 2012!!!
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