Perhaps Boyz II Men had it right, because it certainly is hard to say goodbye. There have been a few things I have said goodbye to, a few that I have put off, and a few I am holding on to. One thing I have had to say goodbye to was my favorite week of the year – Kids Camp. I love this week. Love the people that make it so special. Love watching the counselors build into the next generation. Love watching the kids have fun away from all the distractions of media. It is an amazing week. And perhaps, why I love it so much is because it was this week 7 years ago that I started at Lakewood. My first week in children’s ministry was 1 week before Kids Camp started. Talk about being thrown into something! But I fell in love with it, fell in love with the people. So saying goodbye to this was pretty hard. It is weird to think about not being there next year. In fact, it has been weird to think about that in all aspects of my life. Life here will certainly go on, just without me. And, if I were honest, I am having a hard time with that. It will be hard to know that all the things I love will go on and happen, but I will be on another continent! I am excited about what is ahead but the sweetness of the life I lead here is grand! I am loved more than someone should be. I am respected in my work and ministry, more than I deserve. I have been allowed to love and reach lost people and disciple others to do the same. Oh yes, this is quite a life! But in my attempts for closure, I keep telling myself that I am trading what is good and comfortable for something even better. I am expecting God to surprise me with His goodness, even better surprises than the greeting at Kids Camp by some of my favorite people clothed with T-shirts that had my face on it!
