What REALLY happens at Illinois Cog Youth Camp...

I bet you can't guess what really goes on at Youth Camp?

You probably think its fun or that its just a 5 day break from your kids.

I've stated this multiple times this week, I have a WHOLE NEW RESPECT for all my state leaders and those who make this week possible (Chad, Jennifer, Roger, Tashya, Jenny, Michael, Amber, Jerry, Mike Mayberry, Paul Avery, The ministry team, MTip for the media work, that's just to name a few).

They do SOO much and there is so much that goes on behind the scenes that you don't see.

Being part of staff this year was so rewarding. It was definitely different than being a camper.

I feel as I've grown in my walk with God and matured, it was rewarding serving God in any way I could at Youth Camp alongside the people who've impacted my life in such a positive way. They truly love, live, and show the love of Jesus for this state, and the passion they have to serve God in his ministry is truly humbling. Thank you leaders! We appreciate you.

I'm going to give a quick recap of what really goes on at Youth Camp.

Day 1 - Got to camp, unpacked in my room, played field games with the kids, went to dinner, cleaned the cafeteria, went to service, worked the candy land canteen, worked fun time, cleaned, went to bed.

Day 2 - Got up early (5 am), prepared for the day (praying & reading), went to breakfast, cleaned, got the game schedule ready, cleaned all the bathrooms on the campground, got the field games ready for the day, went to lunch, cleaned the cafeteria, swept and mopped, worked field games, walked around to video for MTip, worked candy land canteen, did boy field games, picked up the sports, went to dinner, cleaned the cafeteria, went to service, cleaned the bathrooms in the sanctuary, worked candy land canteen again, worked fun time, cleaned the gym, and after a long day finally went to sleep.

The same thing pretty much goes for day 3. These were probably the hottest days (1,2, &3) of Youth Camp EVER!

Night 3 was so humbling to me, it was the only night that I got to spend time praying for the kids at the altar because I had to work candy land canteen (which by the way was AWESOME). Watching the kids at the altar gave me chills, they ARE the future of the church. We need to be living examples to them because they are watching us. My heart breaks for not only teenagers but for these younger kids. Many of them probably don't have christian homes so seeing them humble themselves at an altar trusting that they have Godly men and women interceding for them and praying for them was so humbling. I don't know any other way to explain it, I felt humbled, I felt an overflow of anointing during the altar service. There is nothing more encouraging than seeing little kids praying at the altar accepting Jesus and praying for their lives.

By night 4, I was definitely feeling exhausted lol. It was going to be a long night anyway because we had planned to get everything packed up, all the sports equipment and everything. After a days work, during service Pastor Paul Avery (camp speaker), asked the adults to come forward, this included leaders, cabin leaders, nurse, rec staff, ministry team, etc. He asked the kids if they trusted him, they said yes, he asked the adults if they trusted him, we said yes. As the adults stood up front he had the kids repeat this line, "I AM the future of the church", then he had the adults repeat this line "I AM the church." He explained to the kids how we had prepared and worked all week to make this an amazing week for them, he explained that most of us (if not all of us) were tired, drained, exhausted. He had the children come pray for each adult up there (Honestly the anointing on this was amazing).

In return the adults then prayed for the children, uplifting them, because as stated before they are the future of the church.

Then began a long night of work considering it was the last night and lots had to be done. Myself, Gary, and Emeri cleaned the sanctuary, bathrooms, swept, mopped, vacuumed, did garbage, did the gym, packed up all the rec sport stuff, etc. It was a very long night, but worth it.

So leaving day was bittersweet, I loved serving God and making this an amazing week for the kids to encounter God. I enjoyed seeing my friends and those who have made such big impacts in my life, so it was sad saying bye to those, considering some of them I wont see for a while because I'll be leaving for Lee in 4 weeks. There was work to be done too on leaving day so it was pretty fun getting to work hard one last time before leaving. :) HONESTLY, it was fun :).

This is what really goes on at Youth Camp, yes its a place of fun, learning, and seeing friends, but there is much more that goes on behind the scenes to make this week possible for the kids.

Honestly, I'm humbled, blessed, and thankful. This week was great.

-Tiffany Elaine

You are for me.

Hey!!! :)

Hmm, where to begin. There seems to be so much running through my mind as I try to write this. Its been a while since I posted. I love writing, its a place where I can just pour myself into. Lately, i've just had this fear about all sorts of things. School, life, etc.
I think what if my classmates dont understand my life, what if they dont like me, what if my roommate doesnt like me, what if I miss home more than enjoying walking in my purpose, what if I get lonely and am not happy in Tennessee. Its scary!

I've noticed that lately i've just been so stressed and so worried.
I knew this journey was going to be a hard one filled with ups and downs but honestly, I never thought I would feel this way. I think though that we try and play things out in our minds and plan things in advance but Gods plan is different than ours. One thing that I find that has been weighing heavy on my heart is just being me.

I never want to be someone im not. Believe it or not, being yourself is one of the scariest things you have to decide to do. You have the fear of rejection of those who dont like who you are. I know you cant please everyone and not everyone is going to like you, but it still doesnt change the fact that you want people to like you. I dont have the luxurious lifestyle, I dont live in a 2 story house thats absolutely gorgeous with my parents who are married, but none of that makes me any less of a person than someone who has all of that. I've worked hard, been through alot, and have come out stronger because of my life. Im no different than any other Christian. I still worship the same God they do, I still love to serve Him, I love melting in his presence. Its hard, but one thing I choose to do is to be myself.
Roommate assignments are going to be given out soon and i've been talking with my friends telling them that I hope I dont get a skinny roommate, cause I'd feel insecure. That right that really tugs on my heart. NOTE to self & anyone else: I need to know im beautiful because God made me, regardless of my size. The thing is I KNOW this, but there's those little moments of insecurity that always weigh on someone.  Hey, what can I say im human? :)

There's times I think about my life, my testimony, how to me it feels shameful, but the facts is regardless of how I feel about it, its miraculous, its strength, its a literal testimony of how God takes broken pieces of someone who surrenders to him and shows them the purpose they were created for. I am strong, I dont say that boastfully, I say it because I need to remind myself all the time. Sometimes being strong is the only thing that keeps me going through trials and hard times. So many times you could just give up, but there's always an ounce of strength that God has placed somewhere deep inside and you keep pushing on.

I think about how lonely it might be in Tennessee. I've known loneliness and how sometimes you feel like no one cares, but you know that there is always one who cares and who is always there with you. Its a scary thought to think about especially when you've been there before. I never thought that loneliness would ever be a feeling about moving to Tennessee.

I feel like I have so much to do, so much stuff to think about, and so little time. I dont feel like I have enough clearity in my mind to think properly everyday lol. Its been crazy, its been so hard, its been painful, but I know my reward will come.

Lately, with all these scary thoughts i've just been reminding myself God is for me.
He's still Holy. He's still Sovereign. He's faithful.  He's Gracious. He's merciful. He's love. He's stronger. He's greater. He's my help. He's on his way. He's constant. He's truth. He's patient. He's on time. He's for ME.
Its been a struggle, but as I write this I think i've literally clicked replay on Kari Jobe's "You Are For Me" atleast 15 times. Lol.

Im me. Im human. This post is real. Its truth.
 Its life, my life.
Its my story.

But....
I know that You are for me Jesus.


Xoxo,
Tiffany Elaine.