Let's get a baptizer!

Another God-filled summer week has past, and I'm gearing up for week five of our day camp. Our numbers were down a bit last week, but our 30 or so kids still kept us plenty busy. Our theme for the week was "One Way to Serve Others." Through small groups we challenged the kids to take Jesus' example of washing the disciples feet and apply it to their lives. It's been encouraging to see kids own these challenges and come back to tell me the things they've done at home, for their parents, and even for the people on their block! We sealed off the week with our final beach trip- a sunny day at Chicago's 63rd St. waterfront. My favorite part of the summer is just hanging out with the kids and talking, and Fridays are filled with that. The kids always make me smile when we talk, especially with their questions about what sunburn is like! :)

The weather didn't stay quite as nice Friday night for our peace campaign. We were all set up and the grills were going, but God had other plans as a thunderstorm rolled in. The few hours we had went well though, and we're excited to host another Friday Night Lights in our community in a few weeks. We won't let our prayers stop though... God- BRING YOUR SHALOM TO OUR STREETS!

This weekend God blessed me with the opportunity to go home for one of my best friend's baptisms- Kelsey Cameron. Kelsey and I have been friends since the beginning of high school, when God uniquely placed us on the same traveling volleyball team, and high school softball team. (there's an amazing story about this to be told later!) She started attending church events with me and ended up accepting Christ the winter of her sophomore year. Taking the challenge from a camp message, we went back to our high school with a fervour for evangelism. Within 2 weeks, 4 or 5 of our friends had made decisions for Christ. Kelsey is someone that I bond deeply with spiritually, and her faith that was initially child-like and is now mature and inspiring. To make a long story short, she joined me at Moody and is now there for Women's ministry. To see her in the baptismal this morning not only brought tears to my eyes because of how proud I am of her, but stirred deep within me a gratitude and passion for Christ and his gift to us of eternal life. I praise Him for Kelsey and pray that His name may continue to be spread in this same way.

I was able to take three of the girls home with me for a sleepover, church, and a day at my parents pool. We had a blast, these girls always make me smile. We celebrated one of their birthdays with pink cupcakes! My favorite part of the weekend was laying next to one of them last night and talking. This little 9-year-old was asking me about what baptism was and why my friend Kelsey was doing it. Upon explanation, she was very persistent that she was ready to be baptized. I told her I didn't think it could happen the next moring, but that we could talk to Pastor Pete about it when we got back to the city. After a pause she said, "Yeahhh and we could put a baptizer tank right in the front part of the office!!" Praise God for her excitement about baptism! We'll have to see what Pastor Pete says about that baptismal next to the copier. :)