Choose the Better Thing :: Girl's Camp 2013

 

At summer's close, we gathered with 13 dear girls for our church girl's camp!

Our theme this year was "Choose the Better Thing" by sitting at the feet of Jesus! It was based from the story of Mary and Martha from Luke 10 ~ how neat it was to focus on this familiar story!

The three days were filled with skits, times of singing, games, swimming, devotion time with Jesus, and sweet friendships!

^"Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." (Luke 10: 38-42)

A skit about Esther ~

Cupcake decorating ~

The last evening, we had a tea(lemonade) party ~

The girls all looked so lovely!

So blessed by these older girls in the next 3 photos who served as counselors this year at camp!

In the evenings, some of the parents came to share with us!  One night, when the parents to speak arrived, they carried 2 posters with the outline of a person & piles of scrapbook paper & materials! They challenged us to split into 2 teams & each team to "create" a girl. We created her outfit, her name & her story. After our time to create her was finished, we gathered together & shared about "our girls!" The speakers challenged us to consider how beautiful it is to know that the Lord has created us & our story. As girls, it was a special time of working together and thinking on God's love!

~
Playing "Chopped" in the evening! (A timed food making contest from designated ingredients!)

(The team who made Chocolate Covered Cherry Bombs in 15 minutes!)

(The team who made a Cherry Crumb Trifle in 15 minutes!)

At night, the tents were lit with lights ~

(The Loving Listeners!)

(The Hearing Hearts!)

The Mary & Martha story is one that seems so familiar...yet, as we talked about it over these late summer days, there was so much more to learn!

 Always before, I had thought of Martha as the "bad" sister, the ungodly, the sinful one - why couldn't she see what she was missing!?!  At the same time, I have known that I was a Martha. Yet, it seemed a bit confusing to me, like a no win situation! How can I be a Mary (sit & read my Bible all day) when there is so much to DO?

Through the speakers & devotions, it was beautiful to consider the important of CHOOSING to sit at Jesus's feet first, to purposefully listen to His Voice & then to serve others. To be filled to be poured out. One of the speakers challenged us to consider ~ did Jesus do more things like Mary or like Martha? Jesus choose to sit at His Heavenly Father's feet & purposefully listen. Yet He spent more actual time serving others. It was freeing to realize that "being a Mary" is not doing nothing but read & pray, but rather really realizing my dependence upon God before I serve...And that I serve others out of my love & relationship with Jesus!

Another speaker challenged us to Martha was jumping ahead to what was ahead instead of being faithful to the opportunity placed right in front of her. She was focused on making the future a success, & in her worry, she was missing out on being with Jesus. How challenging & convicting when I consider my life ~

Learning to listen, trust, wait & praise (that only God can see) before jumping into the outward service that others can see...

with love, nikki