Announcing Camp Cherished!
I have had a skeleton key tied to a piece of paper hanging near my computer for the last 3 years. It reminds me daily of the idea that God placed in my head one weekend in February of 2020 as I sat in a living room with a group of my closest friends from church, watching Jennie Allen speak at "IF: Gathering” and challenge us to take a step towards something God had placed on our hearts. I even recorded a video about it and posted it to my Facebook page and honestly, I get emotional every time I watch it. I had no idea how this was all going to come to be, and honestly through the years, the doubt has crept in with whispers of “you’re not ready” or “take some more time.” But as loud as those whispers have sometimes gotten, I’ve also continued to hear “Keep going,” “You can do this” and “Trust Me.” Finally this last year, I was able to really move forward as the pieces have really started to fall into place. (For more on that, read this blog post about a grant I received through a photo competition!)
I have always wanted to use my gift of photography to show others just how beautiful they are in God’s eyes, and especially with my oldest entering middle school, there’s so many challenges she may face with peers, social media, self esteem…it’s so important that she and girls her age have a foundation of positive truths about who they really are and not what the world tells them to be. And that’s why I created Camp Cherished. Each week, I’ll lead a group of girls ages 9-12 through a devotional from the book “For Girls Like You!” by Wynter Pitts. We’ll talk about the way that God sees them, as well as practical topics about some of the challenges they may face like friendship, hurtful/helpful words and more. On the last week, we’ll end with a celebratory photoshoot with the girls! Check out the video below for a quick 45 second overview!
Typing this out has me so excited and so proud of where I started and now where I am. It has not been without bumps in the road, but I am so excited for the future and where this might go. I would humbly ask that you share about it or pray for me as I continue down this path that God is paving. I am so thankful for all of you!! If you are interested, be sure to sign up quickly - spots will be limited!
Camp Cherished
Make this the summer that she knows without a doubt, that she’s cherished.