Life is chaotic; I think we can all attest to that. Even when we think something isn’t stressful, if we try removing it from our lives for a while and then bring it back, we often notice almost immediately, and tension knots and headaches can slowly re-emerge. Luckily, I've found a reset button... a little piece of heaven with a lakefront every summer filled with my favorite people.

I spent the past week at a family Bible camp. It’s an annual tradition; one I never consider a vacation, but rather just where to find me that week of the year. The gathering is somewhat of a family reunion, seeing as even those who aren’t technically blood relatives have always been referred to as “my camp family.”

Our verse of the week was Hebrews 10:24-25: "And let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching."  We were encouraged to get caught in the act of doing good works. Kids even took it upon themselves to help with chores and after meal clean ups, which enabled everyone to have more time for fun and fellowship.

Each day started with "Morning Watch" where we'd all come together in the chapel. We clung to the verse from Matthew 18:20 describing how "where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them." After that, we mosied down the hill for breakfast, followed by an hour-long Bible class. This year, the class I attended watched Francis Chan sermons on YouTube, and even though the sermons weren’t live and he wasn’t in the chapel with us, it always felt like he was. That’s God, folks!

The sermons tended to hit people in different ways, which shows God truly meets us right where we are. No one is ever in the same spot on their spiritual walk with the Lord, which I can appreciate. That means we get to lean on each other, question, and help guide one another. Each of us has a one-on-one connection with God. But it’s through that one-on-one connection that we are then able to share our journey and the Gospel with others in unique ways.

Topics discussed included how we sometimes expect others’ Godliness to rub off on us instead of actually putting in the effort for a relationship with God. We discussed believing fully in Him and not being lukewarm about it. The points were eye-opening and bold free of fear of offending anyone. After all, Jesus offended people. God doesn’t change. We need to change.

Midday was spent at lunch and in free time/games. I am always thrilled to see and hear fellow campers conversing about class or the Bible during this time. Everything we do is based on the Bible! For example, when the week starts, we’re split into two teams, and the captains hide team flags each morning using Bible verses as clues to find them.

Each night after dinner, we attended chapel, and the nightly sermons revolved around this question: “Are you a fan of Jesus, or a follower?”  Those who followed Jesus in the Bible, for example, dropped everything and went. Peter and Andrew dropped their fishing nets and followed Jesus. Matthew was told, “follow me” and immediately got up and did as Jesus said. Luke 9:23 says "then Jesus said to them all – 'whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." That sounds so easy, right? They didn’t ask any questions like: Who will tell my family where I went when I don’t return home tonight? How will my boss react when I don’t show up for work? What will my friends think? They just went.

I like the reminder of just how simple it is to follow Jesus. It’s black and white. Romans 12:2 shares "don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." It is an excellent reminder as I re-enter the real world after a faith filled week at camp.

Time with other believers provokes us. While speaking with my aunt a few years ago, I admitted “there’s something different about this camp; you can just feel it.” Without hesitation, she stated how that feeling was the "Holy Spirit moving on this holy ground.” It was then that I realized I can take that feeling with me. It doesn’t have to remain closed up at camp, in church, or in my Bible reading time. God is in me – in my mind, thoughts, speech, and heart.

My memory verse was Isaiah 40:31: "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  I feel renewed after my week soaking up God's truth at camp, and I know it’s because we are constantly in the Bible while there. Together, we lived and breathed for the Lord, something I pray to continue throughout the entire year, and through His grace – into eternity.

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Bible verses for your own summertime reset:

“And He who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ Also He said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'”
—Revelation 21:5 (ESV)

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.”
—Isaiah 55:6 (ESV)

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
—Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
—2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)

“Though your beginning was insignificant, yet your end will increase greatly.”
—Job 8:7 (NASB)

“For every house is built by someone, but the Builder of all things is God.”
—Hebrews 3:4 (NASB)

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.”
—Isaiah 40:28 (NKJV)

“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
—Romans 6:4 (ESV)

I’m Jenna, pictured above with my sweet husband, Jared! I'm a lifelong resident of southeastern Wisconsin, although in my heart I’m a total Florida girl. I love being outside enjoying God’s nature. I’m deeply involved in a local Bible Camp, volunteering my time and energy year round. Camp is my Heaven on earth; it’s also where I got engaged and married to my husband. 

I am an introvert who has a healthy obsession with running and traveling. My favorite way to explore a new area is by running through it. I love to spend my time reading, taking photos, and loving on all animals. My hope is to one day have an animal rescue as I was raised to take care of anything that needed help. I’m the girl who asks if you have a dog as soon as I walk into your home. I can sing along to every Disney song. I believe in 'God-winks' and that we meet everyone for a reason. My life is held together by Jesus... and peanut butter!