Well… one year later here I am letting you guys in on one of the best summers of my life. So, grab your coffee, a cozy blanket, and snuggle down for the ride!
They call me “Boots”. Let’s start there.
At orientation, it's called "The Name Game". You are in the hot seat and several people begin to ask you multiple questions. People are standing on chairs, there's yelling involved and a whole lotta laughter! It’s one of the best games of your life. A decision is made and boom! You walk off the stage with a "camp name". For the rest of the summer, you say goodbye to the name written on your birth certificate and hello to campers yelling your name across the campgrounds! "Hey Boots", is one of my favorite sounds in the world! I couldn't wait to return to camp after that week-long orientation!
"Finally, finally", I thought to myself as I’m winding through the gorgeous tall pines of Tyler, Texas, "I am back!!"
I could hear the camp cheers, I could feel early mornings and I knew sweet friends all awaited me! I was driving down the road to a summer I will never forget and I knew it! This place had already reminded me that the truest joy comes from the Lord and only Him and the joy I felt was overwhelming!
Let's talk campers, first! Friends, there’s nothin’ like ‘em. Their energy is boundless, they too are full of joy, fear and curiosity and of course they are ornery! They never failed to keep you on your toes. One of my favorite things each week was running the fields towards the new group of campers! My heart was racing, my lungs were burning, I was smiling ear to ear and I could feel God all around and it made me feel as if I were floating on air, (and gasping for it all at the same time!). It was incredibly exhilarating!
Camp starts! As a Wrangler, 5 am hits your face early each morning! All thing camp are all around you and there's nothing like early summer morning in a horse barn. You are getting ready for the hard work that is coming your way and the energy is high! New mercies, new grace, same God all around you. And, then there's this feeling that overtakes you when you walk up to one of those amazing creatures. It's the best feeling in the world! I had a lot of those "best feelings in the world" at Pine Coves and I wouldn't change it for anything!
Wrangler devotional time is next! These sweet moments are something that I will forever hold close. The sweet words that flow from the mouths of the Wranglers around me are words that brought so much life to my soul. Hearing each one pray over the other and diving deeper into the Word, it's a true bond. Understanding that we all have the same eternal goal is a feeling that brings such peace and comfort. And, full disclosure, this gig wasn't always as easy as it was beautiful, friends. So, I am very grateful for these devotional times with prayer & friends. And, I am also grateful for the tack room in the barn, because to be completely honest it holds quite a few of my tears.
Those quiet moments at 5 am won’t last long though..... Now, it's time to get the horses groomed, tacked and head to our own breakfast. Let me just say this, my horse, "Rodeo" was easily one of my favorite parts of camp. We bonded each morning over worship music, tacking up, lots of lovin' and getting ready for the long day ahead. I love that horse so much that I may have shed a few tears the day I had to say goodbye. Alright, more than a few.
The weeks progressed and age groups, experience of riders and our working partners shifted as the weeks did. The routine of getting new campers, laughing with them and even praying with them before they rode was priceless.. Some of the best conversations are held with a little bitty human on top of these grand creatures. As you're walking alongside them, you look up to see them feeling empowered, happy and trusting of you. Kinda sweet, huh?
I can’t help but think that’s how God views us as we ride this crazy rollercoaster of life. We are sitting up big and tall in the saddle, thinking we are the ones holding the reins, and talking His ear off while He walks patiently next to us listening intently to every word guiding us through this life safely.
However, let's keep it real. This girls loves Pine Cove, the horse has always been her first love, BUT, by end of some weeks I wanted to take my sweet little alarm clock and chunk it as far into the tall beautiful pines I could as I could, but that just wasn’t a part of the Lord’s plan. I told myself this countless times! So, onward and upward, the horses and campers were waiting!
Wait! Can you hear it? The thunder of the hooves, the rattling of the metal gate, and the yee yee’s that rang through the air as we sprinted to the finish line to wrap up another incredible week! And, that meant it was time to "run the horses". These beauties would run up to a pin at the top of camp to rest for weekend. And, this...well, this was magical. Truly magical. Not only a favorite time of mine, but of many staffers as well!
Well, we've talked campers, horses, early mornings, Wrangler devo's, and routines, now let's talk friendships. The friends you encounter on these camp grounds become family. There's no doubt in my mind that the Almighty was involved in each one of those relationships. A connection with people through the movement of the Lord and letting Him guide fruitful conversations lead to many "Heart Sparkles".
OH yes! Heart sparkles!! Each day I decided to randomly ask camper or staffer 'What made your heart sparkle?' These conversation starters became incredibly special to me. Many times these "Heart Sparkles" sparked a conversations with campers and staffers alike about how the Lord had shown Himself to each of them. I truly enjoyed hearing what was on their hearts.
The Lord revealed Himself in countless ways on this wonderful summer journey and seems even more so in the middle of a Pandemic. I have memories I will take with me for a lifetime and I am fully convinced that I will one day walk through those gates again and hear the joyous sound of so many that love me calling out..."BOOTS!". Until next time!
xoxo, boots
