The coolest thing happened today: I got a new family. Not to say anything negative about the other families I have, but for the next six weeks I get the joy of standing alongside four beautiful sisters in our family of five.

[[picture to come]]

I'm thankful. Just thankful. I firmly stand on the truth that the people by whom we are surrounded will together be the greatest catalyst for change in our lives. So the fact that I get to be changed, shaped, molded for good by these women is the biggest blessing.

Camp is a very unique place, and I don't mean that as a euphemism. Camp is the place where crazy is normal, being drenched in sweat doesn't actually warrant a shower, being vulnerable is expected, loving is easy, and remaining the same is darn near impossible. Camp is a dream come true... And I'm still only in staff training.

I'm already learning the joy of celebration in lieu of the life-sucking pain of comparison. People are cool. Sky Ranch people are, unbiasedly, the most incredible conglomeration of human beings on this planet. Everyone is awesome, including me, which is the hard one to believe. I don't typically feel that, but I have this incredible God in me who actually makes me awesome. I can already tell camp is gonna be the hardest, most rewarding experience yet.

My idea of leadership is going to have to shift. Leading, much like love, is a choice. It requires all of you and more; demands you to die every day to yourself; expects you to never settle; rewards you beyond belief. I love leadership. I love leading leaders. I love being led by the most loving, gentle Spirit. I love learning to lead more and more every day and love that it never has to stop.

post-grad summer ain't no bummer

Here we go.

Blogging ain't my thing, but it could be. Although I am a linear thinker, I am not just a linear thinker... so here is one way to break the mold and be creative. "Writing for fun?" they say. I'm not quite sure who "they" are... but I definitely feel the invisible critique of my actions. Yes, writing for fun. For no reason.

Today I find myself at the beginning. I kind of feel as if someone dumped a packet of pop rocks in my stomach, the green kind because they're the best. It is the beginning. You know when you close one chapter and begin another, but the page hasn't quite fully turned yet? Your eyes are begging for the page to turn faster so you can catch a glimpse of the next chapter's title. So you can be clued in to what the heck is going on. That's today.

I go to Sky Ranch today. Don't know what that is? Click here to find out. I love it, even though I've never been. Let me tell you a quick story.

Last summer I lived alone, so I would often find myself rambling to Jesus while lounging in the hammock among the fireflies. I was frustrated at work at the time; I was unhappy and telling my sweet Daddy all about it.

He asked me, "Avery, what is a dream of yours that has died?"

Caught off guard, I replied, "What do you mean, Jesus? I am twenty years old, a young'n. I haven't had time for a dream to die yet!"

Sweet Jesus and His patience respond, "Avery, what is a dream of yours that has died?"

The whole not-changing-the-phrasing-of-the-question thing clued me in that I should probably think a little deeper. Summer camp counselor. That is the dream that has died. I had wanted to be a summer camp counselor forever and ever, but never had the opportunity.

Jesus told me that I could go to camp the next summer, but I told Him I had to grow up and be a big kid and start a big kid job. He laughed and said I could go to camp the next summer.

So I am.

God is a dream-restorer, a patient ear, a best friend, a good gift-giver, a great daddio, a big ol' belly laugher, a great counselor, and a believer in my life. He is quick to deposit dreams in us, and I recommend not shoving them down. I recommend letting Him restore them. It actually doesn't matter how old or young you are. It's not too late. It's never too late with Him.

Love Him, love you,

Aves