Growing up as a Delanco camper of the ’90s I can say without a doubt that Delanco was a part of shaping my fuller life, both symbolically and literally. The archives of my memory are filled with pages written out at camp. Special service, messages, classes, people, and locations all played a role in the abundant life that I feel honored to live.
As cliché as it may sound, growing up, the desire that God placed on my heart was that I wanted to be a mom. From a little girl playing with dolls, all the way through my teenage years babysitting, whenever I contemplated what I wanted to be when I grew up, the only answer I ever had was, “a mom.” The world often tells us to strive for big bucks, so we can drive the fancy car, park it in the driveway of the beautiful house in the suburbs with the picket fence and the 2.5 kids and a dog. I would spend many times at the altar in the tabernacle telling God He could have all of me; that I would go where He wanted me to go and do what He wanted me to do….
The fuller life he lead me to started, of all places, on the basketball court of Delanco Camp during the summer of 1995, where as a camper I was first introduced to a visitor – a shy guy named Nick whose only word to me that night was “hi.” Fast forward to today, and Nick and I have been married for 22 years, we have 6 kids (insert Duggar jokes here), and I have been a stay at home mom since our oldest was born 20 years ago…
So our lives are literally full – with an overflowing house of 8 people. However, the size of our family is not what makes life full; it is the time we have poured into listening for God’s direction for our family over the past 22 years. To listen to His voice even when the world is pulling us in a different direction. To listen to His voice when the doctors told us to abort our baby. To listen to His voice when He called us to start a business. To listen to His voice when He called us to homeschool our kids. To be grounded in His Word so that we are sure to know Him and discern His voice from all the other voices trying to lead us astray.
All those years ago out at camp, God knew right where he wanted those two young kids to end up. Our marriage has been full of great times, and some incredibly tough times that many couples would not have survived. I am thankful for Delanco Camp being a part of the foundation that we have built our marriage and our family on.
My prayer for all of you, is that whenever you find yourself back on the grounds of Delanco Camp, you take some time of solitude to just listen for the voice of the Savior, and follow where he leads. I promise that if you do, you will be led to the fuller life that He already has planned for you.
Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
