Out of my Comfort Zone

Last night I accomplished a first in my life. I spoke in front of a crowd of a couple hundred. Although when I stood at the podium it looked to be a couple thousand.

The cause to which I spoke of was very important to me so I wanted to say out loud all the words I can easily write. Writing is natural for me. Speaking the words that I write surely is not. But It was an opportunity to take myself out of my comfort zone, way out, and show not just to my children but to the world that some things are worth overcoming your fears for.

The speakers before me appeared confident and had no notes while I felt like I was going to pass out and kept my notes close at hand. I had many supporters at home, from a distance and sitting right in front of me and so I took a deep breath, said a silent prayer and spoke of our love of Pine Springs Camp.

If I had spoken of everything I had written, and that my children had written for me to say, I would have been there for hours. This camp is just that amazing. I limited, at least I think I limited it to the impact this camp has had on my family as well as myself. The love and support they have given our family over the years has changed our lives.

Obviously, I cannot write my entire speech here; seriously it was 10 pages long. But for those many who keep asking what was in my speech I will summarize it the best I can.

I attended this amazing camp known as Pine Springs just a few years ago in Moms & Tots. My mother had passed just two months before. My friend Kim trying to convince me I would have fun. My friend Dennis trying to convince me I needed to go to get past this difficult time of my life.

Both were very right.

I often write of stories of my children such as how they count down the days to next camp. I too count down until the next time I can take my children to camp. We are almost always the first to arrive. Most times at least an hour early for registration. Not because I am excited about a week of slower pace although that does have its benefits. We are almost always the last to leave when picking my children up from camp. Not because I dread the weeks’ worth of laundry they will bring home full of whatever adventure they were on, in duplicate. Neither of those explain my irrational anxiousness to get to camp nor the despondence to leave.

When asked the other day in a conversation why I love Pine Springs Camp so much, after all I don’t attend since my children are too old for Mom’s &Tot’s, it didn’t take me long to explain. When I enter the road, and turn into the lot at the A-Frame my heart and mind begin to feel at peace. My everyday stressful life is silenced and I can feel a oneness. A feeling of complete calm serenity takes hold. Here, on this ground, breathing this air, surrounded by the Staff, Campers and Parents I can feel a closeness with others. They inspire me to sync my life with Jesus for its intended purpose. I can only imagine how much more real and important this is for my children who often emulate my feelings. They too have busy lives that leave little time for the silence needed to see and feel a oneness with God.

Is there a special place your heart and mind can feel peace and oneness?