July 5, 2026

Today is a beautiful, warm, slightly muggy summer day. Slightly overcast with not a breath of wind to ripple the waters of Lake Edith. We are running Stumblers next to flowering water lilies under the watchful eyes of the blue heron family (whose giant nest overlooks the river trail). Spirits are high after a wonderful week that was marked by traditions both local (5-Year) and national (the 4th). Memories of cabin night join with more distant memories of that first cabin lip-sync to make us love our friends more. Memories of favorite classes that were marked by moments when everything finally “clicked” and our gifts became evident are joined by anticipation for events that are still weeks away (the play, the water show, our completing advanced art projects) to form a complex appreciation of this experience. Camp is good, a fact that most of us fully embrace on this second Sunday of Main Camp. In this setting, worship can flourish.

We will meet in the FORT, a comfortable setting that was set up after the carnival last night. Setting up is harder than you think, for we must move the benches (10-foot-long, heavy wooden things) from the Pavilion “basement” across the softball field, down a steep hill, into the FORT. This work was done by the counselors who don’t have cabin responsibilities after the Carnival closed. The counselors did this sweaty work with big smiles, despite the fact that it was a job they all dreaded (it was obviously a difficult chore). Their attitudes made me thank God for how He once again provided such a remarkable community for this place. It made me look forward to today’s worship time.

Sunday worship is good at camp. I have made this point before, and it is on my heart this morning, because I know that our hearts will once again be moved… in a way that resonates with the very best days of life. We (at least I) anticipate this hour quietly. Not like going to a movie (when I finally go to one I know is going to be good), not like going to a Broadway show, not like a concert… but similar. Sometimes, in worship, God makes Himself known. Not every worship experience has this effect (at least not with me), but it often happens at camp. Tears well up unexpectedly, and I can’t continue singing or even take notes because the feeling of awe overwhelms any capacity to do anything but wonder. God is awesome. He is fearful. He is good. These realities are driven home sometimes, and when it happens, we remember the moment.

For several days I have been looking forward to listening to a favorite sermon that Brother Reid preached three years ago. The audio on this sermon is not great, and it doesn’t matter. Listen to it if you are a fan of great sermons. In it, he acknowledges that we might struggle with our faith and that this struggle is not something to be avoided. That God welcomes the struggle and that our doubts are not something to be ashamed of but are something to embrace. God reveals Himself in time; all we have to do is keep looking for Him. His fishing illustration (around 20 minutes into the sermon) is profound; it keeps coming back to mind, and there is no substitute for returning to this sermon a couple times every year. No guarantee it will impact you as it did me, but if you are struggling with your faith or have a family member who is, this sermon is for you!

The familiar Sunday routine is underway, and the rest will be welcomed by all. The week has been marked by some couple late nights, some intense programs, and some joyous marathon schedules (Challenge Day and the 4th go from breakfast to taps). We are weary, but we are happy. A restful day is just what the doctor ordered.

The high temperature today is forecast at 84 degrees, a BIG change from the 93 degrees a couple of days ago. Afternoon thundershowers are a big possibility today and for the next week. This is the weather we have been waiting for, and those campers who have attended Main Camp before (most of camp) are really looking forward to the change.

Thanks for checking in and thanks for reading!

Weather 84, partly cloudy, 98% chance of showers
Lunch Beef Stroganoff
Dinner Picnic (with personal pizzas and awesome leftovers)
EP Concert on the lawn

P.S. We join you in prayers for the families of those who were lost last year in Texas. The feelings are still raw, the hurt will never go away, and our questions will never be answered. Why God allowed this to happen is beyond our comprehension, so we just look to Him with hearts that groan. Remember who it is we worship: He is good, He loves us, Loves our children, a righteous judge, a powerful king, and worthy of our faith.