Joy, Jewlrey, and Jesus

It's been a long, hard two weeks. However, I would not have traded a minute of washing spoiled laundry, listening to Grease Lightening again, or wearing an abundance of pony bead jewelry for anything that this world offers. I love my job. Every moment of frustration was coupled by the pure joy one can only experience when working with exceptional people. These are the people that continually teach me more each year about the joy of life and the love of Jesus.

For the last two summers now, I have co-directed the Exceptional Person's camp at Wesley Woods, a place that I have called home for the last seven summers. The first week we welcomed 60 adults with a range of abilities, and this last week we welcomed another 52 adult campers with special needs. It's an amazing thing to see campers from 19 year of age to 91 all enjoy the opportunities that camp offers. We pontoon, sing songs, ride horses, make beads, dance all day, swing outside, make friends, perform talents, and experience so much joy together. To be honest with you I would not have been a part of this unique community this summer if it were not for my exceptional campers. I had far better plans for my summer, but once I stopped telling God what to do, he lead me here.

For weeks now I've been struggling to find the words to express my love for what I get to do week after week. Words cannot describe one experience that has become a passion. Those of you who share this passion for the exceptional may relate in my struggle as words fall short to express the hard work, heart ache, and joy that go far beyond the job description. How can I share this life God has set before me - that I have chosen to follow?

If you have the time, I have many stories to share of unconditional love, unmeasurable failure, and of uncontrollable joy from these last two weeks. In the past I have always hesitated sharing these experiences in fear of being misunderstood. I find that people easily understand my "camp counselor" job description and that many of my peers can relate. Not many people have the time of day to understand my heart for all of God's children and to listen to my experiences. The only words I seem to be able mumble when asked why are "well I love it".  Maybe that's just it. Maybe all you need to know is that I have chosen to follow Jesus, I have chosen this life, and I love this life.

I love slowing down my high-speed life to accompany the slowest walker on a stroll back to her cabin. It allows me time to talk about life, to laugh at a joke, and enjoy the presence of this 72 year old as she enjoys camp. I love calming down campers, some times literally helping them off the floor because it means I get to use my gift of a calm spirit as I share in the excitement and joy this may be camper struggling to express. I love their hugs after a frustrating 40 minutes of trying to convince this child of God to put on their shoes, or to load the van, or lay down in bed. And I even love it when they don't. I love it because that's the life I have chosen to follow.

These weeks are long, hard and I am worn. But my heart is full with uncontrollable joy. When I lay down in bed at night... okay maybe it's more like collapse in the early hours of the morning with my hair in the same braids as two days before, dried sweat on my forehead, the faint smell of laundry detergent on my hands, and beads strung around my wrists, neck, and back pack - I finally close my eyes. As I drift off I am sure of one thing. I am sure of the love God has for his amazing children. While I'm still at a loss of words to explain my heart's tether to exceptional people this one thing I am sure: We are all children who are loved by a good Father.