As far as I can remember, the Central Missouri Restoration Branches Senior High Camp at Odessa, Missouri, has always been the same week as the South Crysler Restoration Branch Reunion in Lamoni, Iowa. I have attended SCRB Reunions with my family almost every year since I was eight. Most of my friends, my parents, and I look to Reunion has the highlight of our year. We plan fifty-two weeks around that one week we get to spend with the Saints there at Graceland University. Since that's the case, I was never able to attend the CMRB Senior High Camp. I was never bummed by that, though, because I had been to Junior High camp and retreats, and I wasn't too impressed with the Spirit there.
This fall, I got the email of the CMRB Fall Retreats schedule. As I saw the dates for the Senior High Retreat, I felt impressed that I should go. Reluctantly I signed up, and I became really excited about going! The Friday night finally arrived, and my parents dropped me off at Odessa. As soon as I walked in the door, I was greeted with hugs and happy shouts that I was there. My cousins surprised me by coming, and I got to see many dear friends I hadn't seen in awhile, including some from Nebraska and Iowa.
I was so impressed by the Spirit on that first night. The staff, especially the camp directors, Stu and Milee Gage, were very nice and wanted to help in any way they could. It was in no way like Junior High had been. Junior High was full of cliques. A lot of the kids had sported a "I just came because my parents made me" attitude, or the "You aren't part of this clique, so don't talk to us" stance.
You could tell the Senior High kids were there by choice. There were no cliques to speak of, and everyone was willing to pray for everyone else. We talked of Zion and prayed together, sang together and laughed and joked with each other.
That night, lying in my bunk, all I could think about was coming to Senior High Camp for the week the next June. But, I reminded myself, camp was always scheduled the same week as Reunion, and my parents would never allow me to skip Reunion. Or would they...? I decided to pray that the Lord would prepare a way for me to either come to camp or be able to attend both Reunion and camp. I knew it would take a miracle already performed for that to happen, but I decided to pray anyways.
The next night, Saturday, I happened to be able to talk to Stu, one of the camp directors. He told me that he wasn't quite for sure, but he was pretty certain that Reunion and camp were not the same week. I couldn't believe my ears! I told him I had just been praying about that, because I wanted to come! As soon as I could after I got home, I went to my grandma to see if she knew anything about Reunion. She told me the dates for Reunion are June 11th through the 17th. I remembered Stu had informed me that Camp dates were June 18th through the 24th! It will be a tight squeeze, but I will be able to attend both this summer! I praise God knowing He has performed this miracle in my life. Like one of my friends reminded me...
That night, lying in my bunk, all I could think about was coming to Senior High Camp for the week the next June. But, I reminded myself, camp was always scheduled the same week as Reunion, and my parents would never allow me to skip Reunion. Or would they...? I decided to pray that the Lord would prepare a way for me to either come to camp or be able to attend both Reunion and camp. I knew it would take a miracle already performed for that to happen, but I decided to pray anyways.
The next night, Saturday, I happened to be able to talk to Stu, one of the camp directors. He told me that he wasn't quite for sure, but he was pretty certain that Reunion and camp were not the same week. I couldn't believe my ears! I told him I had just been praying about that, because I wanted to come! As soon as I could after I got home, I went to my grandma to see if she knew anything about Reunion. She told me the dates for Reunion are June 11th through the 17th. I remembered Stu had informed me that Camp dates were June 18th through the 24th! It will be a tight squeeze, but I will be able to attend both this summer! I praise God knowing He has performed this miracle in my life. Like one of my friends reminded me...
"And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." Isaiah 65:24
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