The Last Week at Camp

  It's been an adventure this past summer seeing how God's kept working things out in my life to bring me to places that I never expected to be. So, I spent this last week counseling at Northland Camp again. There were several things keeping me from being there last week, but God removed each and every obstacle in incredible ways, and while it was another long hard week, it was totally AWESOME watching God work.
   One of the coolest things was the night that an astronomy guy came in to talk about God's handiwork in the stars, and we were all praying for a clear sky. That evening there was a thunderstorm, but by the time we got outside to see if we could see anything, there were thunder clouds and lightening to the north, south, east, and west, but right above us, there was a circle of clear sky and we were able to do the lesson. Not only did God open up the sky for us, he gave us something to watch with several shooting stars, and a meter that we hadn't been expecting. While I was standing there, watching the stars, and the storm, I just kept thinking of the hymn, How Great Thou Art. 

"I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, THY power throughout the universe displayed. Then sings by soul, my Savior, God to THEE! How Great thou art! How GREAT THOU art!"

So, while this summer hasn't gone as I planned, it's been super awesome to watch how God kept working things out for His glory. And not only did He do amazing things, I had the privilege of seeing a lot of it firsthand.

On the drive out to Northland, we got to stop at the hospital and see my cousin's new baby!

And on campus, K. gave us a ride around on the golf cart.

And of course, Wacky Wednesday!!

Northland has THREE Escape Rooms, and I got to run the Bank Heist one. I just loved this bomb prop, so I had to get my picture with it.

It was a super long week, but at the end of the day, I could really sit back and thank God for each and every day. When I couldn't go on, God was my strength. When I cried, God was my comfort. When I felt alone, God never left me. When I was weak, HE was strong.

Tomorrow, my sister is getting married, so hopefully next week, I'll have some great wedding pictures, but until then, this is Priscilla Krahn reminding you to stand on the SOLID rock of God, because ALL other ground is sinking sand. Whether that ground is friends, plans, status, or relationships, ALL ground is sinking stand apart from the SOLID rock of GOD.

Just a Thought for the Week

2 Corinthians 12:10 "Therefore I take PLEASURE in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN AM I STRONG."

I've been thinking about this verse this week. How often do we take all the distresses, and persecutions, the infirmities and reproaches and necessities and take pleasure in them? Yet, God's given them to us to make us weak so that HE can be strong. Just a thought to dwell on this week. Can you take pleasure in the problems so that God can be glorified?

   Also, I'll be teen counseling at camp this week and would appreciate prayers for wisdom and patience.

Once More, God Brought me to Camp

Staff Training here at Northland Camp has come to a close. Every time that I’ve been here, it’s been neat to see how God worked it out, because every time I’ve come, there have been a million and one reasons in my eyes why I shouldn’t be here, yet God always works things out for me to be here at just the right time.

I’ve been really challenged this year, as I’ve sat through the training sessions and messages. I’m so blessed to be here with this awesome team. One of the things that I’ve been reminded of this week that has really been an encouragement to me is to keep my focus right.

I mean we hear about things like the Notre Dame fire, and thing, “How sad!” But looking ahead, everything here is going to burn up anyways. At the end of the day, the only thing that’s going to matter from this life is how we lived for God.

It’s easy to get caught up in the little things of life that seem big at the time, but keep it in perspective of eternity. At the end of the day, most things won’t matter, and we need to make sure we're investing in the things that do matter. Bringing glory to God, and showing the world HIS love.

So, yes. It's been a great week! I'm excited to see what God is going to do this week in my life, as well as in the campers.

A verse that I've been thinking about a lot lately is Matthew 13:58 "And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief." Sometimes, we want to see God working, but He's not doing mighty things in our lives, because of our unbelief. How often do we pray . . . "God, change this situation!" But don't actually expect to see a change? My encouragement to you? Have faith. Don't expect God to do great things if you're not living by faith.

I'll try to post again next week, but I do have very spotty internet connection and may not be able to. I guess we'll see. :)

Pictures from Northland :)

So, we had a great team helping out at Northland!

Two guys in there? Seriously!? We went out for ice cream at this awesome little place and this was sitting outside.

We also got to visit this huge hotel resort on an island that used to be one of Al Capone's hideouts!

And what fun is it visiting a costume room if you don't try some stuff on?

I love the kitchen there!

Selfie time!

Oh yeah, and we did some work to. :) 

Northland Camp and A.C.E.

As many of you know, I've spent the last two summers working at Northland Bible Camp, and this summer I'll also be helping out for a few weeks.
  This past week and a half, I've been volunteering at Northland with an AWESOME group for the A.C.E. regional convention which I also competed in as a high-schooler. Which is why I'm late with this weeks post, because I've been out of town, and haven't had the greatest wifi connections.

 Over these two summers at Northland, I've seen God do things I would have never imagined possible.
I'll be honest, camp is hard. But I would NEVER trade the experiences I've had. For every dark night, there was a glorious sunrise. For every storm, there was a rainbow. And the darker the struggle, the more amazing the victory felt. I was able to watch God use our team of staff to lead people to Christ. I've had to leave my comfort zone, but it's ALWAYS been worth it.

Everyone should spend at least one summer working at a Bible camp. Now, I know that many of you are unable to commit for a summer of camp, and that's okay. I don't ever want to encourage you to be somewhere where God doesn't want you. If God doesn't want you at Northland, then I don't want you there either. But what I do want, is for you to pray for Northland. Pray that God will continue to bless the work there. Pray about becoming a summer staffer. There are always needs for maintenance help, kitchen help, counselors, housekeeping help, and many other areas. If you don't have plans for the summer, consider helping Northland. There will be tough days, days you feel like quitting, but you won't regret it. When you step out in faith, you'll see God doing things that you never imagined, and Northland is an AMAZING place to see God work.

Not only are the facilities amazing, the team is great to work with. Yes, the staff is human, and we make mistakes, there's going to be times when you get irritated, but God doesn't give us challenges without a reason. When you embrace the challenges, God can use them to change you to be more like Jesus.

Not only have these past two summers been the hardest and BEST summers of my life, I've grown closer to God because of them. I've gotten to do MANY cool things I'd never done before . . . like be in a dunk tank, belay, zipline, counsel, and dozens more fun things!

So, if you don't have plans this summer, pray about Northland. I'd love to see you there this summer!!!!!

  I know you've seen a lot of pictures from Northland in the past, but I just want to re-share a few.

We have AWESOME teams at Northland!!!!

 But the best part, is that we're really all part of one team. We're all there to glorify God, and every week at the testimony campfire, we can sit back and be amazed at what God has done through us, and at times, in spite of us.

And of course, there's always lots of fun work!

Wacky Wednesday is awesome, because not only is it fun, it's a neat way to get the 'non-participating' campers to relax around us, and be more open to listening to God's Word.

And the memories will last forever!

Come see me at Northland Camp!!!!!

More Pictures From Volunteering

I love this one of us scrubbing the tiles because of the stain-glass windows in the background.

One of the biggest blessings of this trip, has been getting to spend time with these AWESOME girls!!! I've been REALLY encouraged by our talks, and have learned a few things about myself that I didn't know . . .

If you've ever worked in the dish pit, you've probably run into this pole, swung on it, or tried to scrub it clean. Well, I've done all three, and after Miriam gave it a fresh coat of paint, I just had to get my picture with it! :) 

The kitchen is a TON of fun, and we got to help make pizza!

Miriam working hard as ever! :) 

So, maybe we have a little too much fun!! But that cream cheese frosting was AMAZING!!!!!! :) :) :)

The coffee shop is one of the best places on campus. But I'm still not much good at taking these panoramic pictures . . .

And my usual tired self with COFFEE!!!! :):):):)

Almost Done =(

So, we're nearing the end of camp! I'm sad to have to be leaving soon, but excited to be seeing people at home. I hope I haven't already posted any of these pictures, but if you've seen them already . . . well, I hope you don't mind! :)

Our 'housekeeping' team had an impromptu run to town, and ended up with ice cream . . . I LOVE my job!!!!!!!!! 

A few of us took Francisco to a church where he was preaching and we had a great time!

So, I'm on the green team . . . if you couldn't tell. :)

When we were with Francisco, we stopped at a candy store. It was the COOLEST place!!!!

And yes, I do work too! :):):)

God Won!!!

  So, God ALWAYS wins, but this week, I saw it in a whole new way. We had a lot of unsaved campers, and I'd never felt Satan working so hard to hinder our ministry, but looking back, it was the greatest week of the summer so far. MANY young people came to know Christ, and many others were able to deal with some sin in their lives and get committed. Praise God!!!! And thank you for your prayers.

Thinks have been going well in the camp store, where I spend the afternoons. It's kind of a 'hang out' place and I enjoy watching people visiting and enjoying themselves.

On Team Spirit day, I decked out in green and got caught on camera with my stash of pop! JK, I was restocking the store. :D 

Although she's on the other side of camp, Hosanna still stops in the store once in a while, and she also happens to be on the green team.

It was GREAT to have my 'Brother' volunteering for a few weeks. It was a HUGE encouragement to me, and most all the staff. If you get the opportunity, encourage someone this week. You have NO IDEA how much that can mean to them. And if you don't get the opportunity, MAKE the opportunity.

So . . . WACKY Wednesday is  . . . well, it's WACKY!!!!! 

I looked across the dining hall and saw this hair-do . . . Are we even related???

Then there was the staff party.

So, all in all, it was a GREAT week!!!!! Please keep praying, as we only have a few weeks left. It's been AWESOME to see how God's been working in campers' lives, the staff's lives, and my life. Take the time to encourage someone today!

FUN at camp!

In the mornings, when I'm not in the store, I work on the housekeeping/hospitality crew and . . . well, sometimes, we work to fast, and have a little bit of time for fun! :) :):) 

So, we took a bunch of pictures to describe our summer. . . yeah, Wendy and I have had some issues with our ice machine . . . but thanks to our wonderful maintenance team, it's up and running!

And sometimes . . . we have rough mornings and we sit on the floor of the cleaning closet and cry . . . JK!!!!!!! I mean okay, maybe there's days, but we have a TON OF FUN!!!!!!!!!! It's actually really fun to fake cry for pictures. . . Just saying. . .

And when there's a tray of cookies, and a camera . . . well, you just got to shove your face full.

So, maybe this is staged, but it was fun to pretend!!!!

Go, Itsy Bitsy!!!! I love how A. is calmly driving and we're all dying around her! With cookies . . .

And when you go to the kitchen . . . and your 'little brother' is there . . . and you want a fun picture . . . you chew him out! Nicely, of course. :) :) 

And sometimes, you just gotta crash.

So, the cookies were good, but the oreos were AMAZING!!!!

And when you have no idea what you're doing, and all else fails, you just have fun!!!!!

But seriously, it's been a great week. I was more encouraged this week than I've been all summer, which is odd because it was a VERY challenging week. A lot was going on and it was hard to stay focused. We're going into our last week of teen/junior camp, so if you think of it, pray for us. It's amazing watching young people getting saved, and/or growing closer to God, but there's also challenges, and we can all use prayer.

So, have a GREAT week, remember that . . . "It's NOT about you!!! If you're day is going wrong, you're probably thinking about the wrong person." - Mr. M.