– but life in ministry is pretty good right now and I owe it to day camp [among other things].
First of all, day camp gave me a chance to do what I really love. Plan a whole bunch of crazy things for kids to do. And then do those crazy things with them. It gave me the opportunity to get to know some of the youth at ROG a bit better. Day camp made me happy. [I had lunch with my synod friend, Karen, today. She told me, It was great to hear you so excited about day camp. And she’s right. I was excited. And that is great.]
Second, day camp got me mucho brownie points with the congregation. The older members LOVE seeing kids at church. They are, after all, the future of the church. Older members were astonished at how many kids came and they ate it up. Yesterday was a wonderfully affirmative Sunday at church and while not all of it was related to day camp, a lot of it was. The people are excited that the kids are excited. And that makes me excited.
Third, day camp has given energy and excitement around children and youth ministry at Red Oak Grove. [I should add day camp AND the national youth gathering of last month.] I met with a few parents and interested people in working with kids and they are on board with what I have to say. I think they are learning to trust me. Not to say that all of my ideas are the right ones or that I always know what I’m doing, but seeing the success of a few things in the past has given me a bit of clout, I daresay. [We talked about my want of a youth space. A youth room. They’re totally on board. I could carpet that room for you, said one member. Make it more cozy and a more welcoming place. Yes! Deal!]
Ministry is good and it only took me a year of being here and a day of day camp to say that.
Here’s hoping it continues.
there's no place like gnome. 
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