Through the last seven years it has been a blessing to be a part of this place. I liken it to raising children; you do what you can to teach and prepare them for LIFE. Hopefully a part of that is the development of their central core, what makes them unique and who they are. Throughout this process you are not alone. Friends, family and God’s Grace all factor into their development. Then comes the time for them to be on their own. As a parent it is scary, wondering if you have done the right things. Who are they? Will they be strong enough to face life’s challenges? If you are fortunate, God, family, friends and you will still have an opportunity to be present for them while stepping back and allowing them to grow into all they can be, with­out you. A casual check-in makes a lot of difference.

Camp Cross is a special place, in part due to the history of what has been here but more importantly because of the life that is still in it. It is a safe place to learn and grow, a place where values are taught, judgments are not made and where we love enough to share with you a sense of hope, love, and wonder that you are Beloved. A safe place, a place that grows leaders. The staff are and have been caring commited people who in the process of learning and growing give so much of themselves to all of us. To have walked a part of this journey with them and all of you is a blessing for which I will be eternally thankful.

Please continue to be a support system for Camp Cross and Youth Ministries as they live into God’s New Creation.

Evita can now be reached via email at evita@krislock.com.

Time passes on. The mes­sage is the same, WELCOME, and yet the mat ceases to function as originally designed. It no longer col­lects the dirt and bits of mud, moisture, or debris. In fact it can often become a source of those items that are then carried into your home. In addition, the WELCOME is not quite as fresh and certainly no longer as bold in its message. It becomes time to replace the WEL­COME mat.

When I started in this position, there was some angst surrounding new expectations. The older youth and campers were fearful of changes that might occur. What would happen to their very special place? After all, it was their camp, and no one knew what was needed better than they. It was a difficult season, and the second season was even harder.

By the end of the second season, the campers began to understand how deeply they were loved; and that by hav­ing standards and expectations, we were in fact providing a safe, emotional and spiritual camp that welcomed everyone. The hardest part was the realization that it was okay and healthy to change, to look at and celebrate who we were and who we could become.

It is healthy to ask questions and realize when it is time to adapt and rediscover. The tragedy occurs when the lives of our youth are so chaotic and unsettled that any thought of change instills feelings of fear or abandonment. They may fear for some reason that a part of what they hold so precious can no longer be enjoyed. Who will walk with them? Who will be there to comfort them and let them know that it is okay? Camp Cross is still their special place. It is growing and becoming more than they could ever imagine, all with God’s Grace and Love.

When we see our WELCOME MAT through the eyes of our neighbor or a stranger, we need not be afraid to ac­knowledge what it actually says and what we want the message to be. Then we can boldly dust it off or put out a new one to WELCOME all into our special place.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said no, it was covered with green buds and full of promise. The third son disagreed; saying it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, and it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said the tree was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.

The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but one season in the tree’s life. He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.

The seasons are changing at Camp Cross. As we look at its history and ministry we can each see life cycles that have been a part of its 84 years. At its core Camp Cross is good, solid and never changing. The outer layers do change, just as the seasons do; it is healthy and an important part of the life cycle.

Reflecting on the seasons, we are reminded again how important it is to look at the whole picture, the importance of each of the different seasons. The camp leaders are preparing for their sessions, prospective staff members anticipate the best season ever, and new docks are being built! There are good things in the works; all are visible signs of God’s New Creation. This is what we strive to live into everyday. It is keeping this in mind that I prepare for my transition out of Camp Cross as the Executive Director.

As students in the Fine Arts department at WSU, we were trained to prepare before we started a drawing, having supplies and subject, time set aside to start, being in a comfortable position. All of which are practical preparations, none of which provided the creative idea which would eventually emerge from the paper. Getting everything ready was similar to how we prepared during Advent, now comes the time when we actually put the mark on the paper. We have done all the preparation; it is “time for action.”

The action, depending on the medium, may be tentative, but the time comes when you move ahead boldly and trust that the final product will be more than you ever imagined. As you commit to the project there is always reworking going on — perhaps this line was too bold, balancing in another section, watching and working as it evolves into its own unique work.

There may be times when it is necessary to step back and come at it again from a new perspective, that ability to remove yourself from your point of focus and come back into the “whole picture.” When we get caught up in one section, the whole piece becomes unbalanced; it just doesn’t work any more.

As we look at our ministries, it is important to step back, refocus and see how we can draw the whole, work with and use the strengths of each component, not forgetting or ignoring that which is not our main focus. It does not need to be the center of the ministry but it is a part of the picture and we need to figure out how all of these parts work to support each other and create a true masterpiece.