Girls Camp Boot

Our church group had an organized Girls Camp every summer. The emphasis was to have some new experiences, expand friendships, feel the blessings of service, enjoy nature and grow in appreciation for God‘s incredibly beautiful world.

However… I hated it. I knew I was supposed to love it. My sister’s loved it. It seemed like everyone else loved it… Except for me. We had many rules. One specific requirement was that we had to wear jeans for protection against mosquitoes. My super thick oversized hand-me-down jeans and the hot and humid typical midwest summers were not a pleasant combination. I never felt creative nor the need to sit around the picnic table and make a craft. I would’ve preferred to run around, play a game or go canoeing. But those activities weren’t always options. Camp songs… Tents… Portable potties… A strong “No thank you” to them all!

Nevertheless, when I was 13 our church group traveled over 250 miles to Girls Camp with me in tow. I was assigned to a small four-man tent with three other girls I didn’t know. I’m not sure whether they knew each other beforehand or made quick friends with one another but they were everything I wasn’t: crafty, content to wear jeans, friendly, outgoing, and above all – happy at camp. The first day we were given a long list of rules for our safety. We were also given a stern warning that noncompliance to these rules would result in us being sent home immediately. I saw the light. I hated camp. I wanted to go home. And apparently all I had to do was break the rules and I would be set free. And so I did…

Unfortunately, since we had traveled over 250 miles for the camp that year,  my leader refused to make the long drive home. So I was assigned to spend my long hot days in a tent by myself. I guess I was in what can be called “Girls Camp Time Out”. It was a miserable punishment.

At the end of the week, my leader drove me home in silence. Upon dropping me off at the meeting place with my parents she turned to me and asked me to never return. I felt completely relieved.  I had been officially and forever kicked out of Girls Camp. I put my gear in my family’s station wagon and sat watching Mom and my leader have a conversation. I knew I would be in trouble. I didn’t care. I figured whatever my punishment would be, it couldn’t be worse than Girls Camp.

Mom got in the car and began the drive home. She didn’t say anything, making me incredibly nervous. Finally, I couldn’t handle the silence any longer and I asked her what my camp leader had said to her. Mom didn’t say, but she simply asked me about my experience at camp. I told her how much I hated everything! She was quiet for a minute and then helped me understand the sacrifice that my camp leader had made to take me there. She told me about how much work was involved to prepare to leave her family and all of the preparations that she had to do ahead of time to make camp enjoyable and safe for all of the girls. I began to feel terrible. I had not thought of the impact my behavior would have on somebody else. I was only concerned with myself. The sick feeling in my stomach was made worse as my mother went on to explain more about this lady and her life.

I realized that I had made a very selfish series of mistakes. I wanted the terrible feeling to go away, but I didn’t know how to do it. Mom then reminded me about repentance and seeking forgiveness through Christ. I was ready to try. When we got home Mom dialed the number on the telephone to call my camp leader. I was nervous. As soon as she said “Hello…”
I said a quick “I’m sorry”.

It was a short conversation but I did feel a little better. Mom then helped me understand that I needed to repent to my Heavenly Father. She reminded me that Christ had already paid the price of sin and we can be clean again after we repent. I remember the long walk upstairs to my room knowing that when I got into my room I was going to need to apologize to my Heavenly Father for what I had done wrong. I expected it to be awful and hard. However, the moment my knees hit the floor by my bed, I felt intense peace and a type of love only possible from a perfect Heavenly Father whom I had been taught so much about.

I had spent much time in the previous years rationalizing my lack of spiritual progression.  I knew I was different from my family members. Instead of seeking to know whether God would take me as I am, I used my differences as an excuse to take a different path.

In a desperate attempt to rid myself of inner chaos, I turned to Him.  As I did, I knew my loving Heavenly Father was aware of my inner struggle.

It was a monumental experience towards my progression of acting on faith. Perhaps God’s love and the blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ were available to all who sought them.

-JC

As I reflect on this experience today, I ask myself:
Do I recognize there is no sin that Christ’s Atonement does not cover?
Am I grateful that Christ delivers me from spiritual death?

Cowboy Cookies

½ cup soft butter
½ cup butter flavored Crisco
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 XL eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups quick oats
¾ cup lightly toasted shredded coconut
¾ cup chopped lightly toasted walnuts
1 ½ cups semi-sweet or milk chocolate chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Cream butter, Crisco and sugars with an electric mixer on medium high for 1 minute or until fluffy.

Hand stir in eggs and vanilla; don’t overmix.

Add dry ingredients all at once and mix until fully incorporated. Add an additional 2-3 Tablespoons flour for high elevation.

Stir in coconut, walnuts and chocolate chips.

Scoop out approximately 24 2” balls of dough.  Gently roll. For a richer flavor and smoother texture, form cookie dough balls, flatten slightly and refrigerate or freeze until ready to bake. Place on greased or parchment paper on an aluminum cookie sheet.

Bake at 375 degrees for 12-14 min. Share!