Ask anybody who knows me pretty well, or stop by my room (at school or at home) and you will see that I love pictures. I have photo albums and boxes full of pictures. Now, I am NOT by any stretch of the imagination, a good photographer. In fact, I kinda suck. The point and shoot, while simple in concept is still difficult in execution. True Story. A lot of my pictures come out blurry or off center or really just not what I was trying to get when I held the camera up. But regardless of how poor of a photographer that I am, I still love pictures.
Pictures- for me- don't just capture smiling faces or pretty pieces of creation, they capture memories and moments that I don't want to ever forget. I look at a picture and I feel like I am back in that moment. I can tell you where we were, what we were doing, what the weather was like, how I felt. It helps that I have a kick-ass memory, but it isn't dependent on that memory. Show me a picture and I am back there, with those people, in that place. And I love it.
Picking one picture that I love is hard. Because I love them all-- well that is probably not true, but for the most part. So I am just picking one- following the rules. Just one...
Fact. I didn't take this picture. Which is probably why it looks so good. That and the people in this picture-- clearly. I have spent the past four summers working at Camp Westminster, a place near and ever so dear to my heart. Each week is a different session, with a cabin full of different girls. Different age groups depending on which week it was- ranging from 7-year-olds to 15-year-olds. My favorite week- of all of my four summers, was Summer 2010's Senior Session with these girls.
These 8 girls had ALL been in my Cabin at least once before. And some of them, every summer, every week that they came. This past summer, perhaps our final summer together, these girls were heading into their Freshmen year of High School- young women, no longer little girls. Girls who had grown in wisdom, and stature and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52) I have never really experienced what it was like to watch people grown and truly transform, like I have gotten to with these precious girls. Watching them mature, how their questions and concerns changed, how our interactions moved from one of an older "adult" leader, to a friendship. They are sweet, full of life and excitement, and they-like myself- love Camp.
So for me, when I am having a bad day, I look at this picture. When I see it, I am back in the 95 degree heat, braiding my hair, wearing my one piece, going around the dining hall, "cooking class," dancing in the cabin to Justin Bieber, singing in the Tabernacle, Speedball and the best Cabin ever. I remember our summers spent giggling, praying and pursuing relationships-with each other and the Lord. I remember the little girls they once were, and smile at the thought of the young women they have become. Here's to Cabin Esther, and the girls who have resided in it for the past 3 summers (or 4 if you include the summer in Cabin Miriam). Mary, Emily, Kat, Nicki, Caroline, Madison, Megen, and Katie-- this one is for you.
Pictures- for me- don't just capture smiling faces or pretty pieces of creation, they capture memories and moments that I don't want to ever forget. I look at a picture and I feel like I am back in that moment. I can tell you where we were, what we were doing, what the weather was like, how I felt. It helps that I have a kick-ass memory, but it isn't dependent on that memory. Show me a picture and I am back there, with those people, in that place. And I love it.
Picking one picture that I love is hard. Because I love them all-- well that is probably not true, but for the most part. So I am just picking one- following the rules. Just one...
Fact. I didn't take this picture. Which is probably why it looks so good. That and the people in this picture-- clearly. I have spent the past four summers working at Camp Westminster, a place near and ever so dear to my heart. Each week is a different session, with a cabin full of different girls. Different age groups depending on which week it was- ranging from 7-year-olds to 15-year-olds. My favorite week- of all of my four summers, was Summer 2010's Senior Session with these girls.These 8 girls had ALL been in my Cabin at least once before. And some of them, every summer, every week that they came. This past summer, perhaps our final summer together, these girls were heading into their Freshmen year of High School- young women, no longer little girls. Girls who had grown in wisdom, and stature and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52) I have never really experienced what it was like to watch people grown and truly transform, like I have gotten to with these precious girls. Watching them mature, how their questions and concerns changed, how our interactions moved from one of an older "adult" leader, to a friendship. They are sweet, full of life and excitement, and they-like myself- love Camp.
So for me, when I am having a bad day, I look at this picture. When I see it, I am back in the 95 degree heat, braiding my hair, wearing my one piece, going around the dining hall, "cooking class," dancing in the cabin to Justin Bieber, singing in the Tabernacle, Speedball and the best Cabin ever. I remember our summers spent giggling, praying and pursuing relationships-with each other and the Lord. I remember the little girls they once were, and smile at the thought of the young women they have become. Here's to Cabin Esther, and the girls who have resided in it for the past 3 summers (or 4 if you include the summer in Cabin Miriam). Mary, Emily, Kat, Nicki, Caroline, Madison, Megen, and Katie-- this one is for you.
No comments:
Post a Comment