This was my third year serving at Young Life Camp and every year we continue to improve and raise the bar.  From the games, to the costumes, to the decorations, to the testimony time...everything is being brought to a new standard.  Last year, after camp, we met with each area and received feedback about what went well, what could be improved and I know that we worked very hard to take into account all of the feedback we received.  More people on the work crew to help keep us on schedule.  Snack bar.  Then there were my personal reflections.  For example. this year I brought my own coffee maker to camp with me.  Learning from the past and knowing that having some fresh brewed coffee in the morning would help motivate some of us to get out of bed a little faster.  :)  This year, at the end of camp each work crew member and leader was able to fill out a comment or suggestion card to help us to evaluate and continue to grow.  As I read through the papers, I was encouraged by some and challenged by others.  There is still room to improve and I think it will always be that way.  Thanks to one of our YLX teams, we now have our own professional camera!  One of my main jobs this year at camp was taking pictures.  I`m still learning how to be a good photographer and really have no idea what I`m doing, but I enjoy it. 

Looking through the camera lens I was able to disconnect from the chaos of the moment or seeing things that needed to be done and focus on just one moment. 

One smile.  

 One friendship.  

 One laugh.  One hug.  

I was able to see that moment where a kid feels loved.  

Where God is transforming a heart.  

Where words are being planted into good soil.  

But as soon as I removed the camera and looked around and lost that focus on those special moments, I became focused on everything else.  The poster falling down.  The music being too loud.  A kid standing aloof with no leader to be found.  (ie. the problems).  Instead of trusting others to complete their responsibilities, I wanted to swoop in and take charge, delegate tasks, and well, boss people around.  (Personal reflection from this year:  I`m still way too bossy).  When I took my gaze away from the camera lens, the stress would take over.  The tension would rise.  Is it not the same in my relationship with God?  When I stay focused on Him,  letting Him show me moments, revealing His character to me, I find peace and joy. 

When I begin to look away or let the surrounding circumstances become my focus, I become overwhelmed and frustrated and tired.  When I allow my eyes to shift to the outward, I forget that God is in control and that it is not up to me.  In camp I was supposed to be focused on taking pictures, looking through the lens and finding the moments to capture.  If I did my job, others would take care of the rest.  It`s how you work in a team, how God uses each of us in our talents and strengths to accomplish something greater than ourselves.  I think it is what God asks of us all.  ¨Stay focused on me.  Look to me.  Don`t worry about what someone else is doing (or not doing), all I`ve asked you to do is keep your eyes fixed on me and what I`m showing you.¨ I pray that I would see through the lens that God has for me, that I would keep my eyes fixed on Him each day.