ONE BODY.

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;  if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

-Romans 12:4-8

I haven't told my staff this, but I think this may one of our resonating verses for the summer.  The 8 of us could not function as a CCC Staff person if the others were not around.  Think of it literally as a body, in order to function correctly, we need every part to work.  

So world, meet the West Wilkes Staff!

(in order from left to right)

·         Luke is our rock.  I know that if I EVER needed ANYTHING, he'd be there in a heartbeat with no questions asked.  When I get stressed, he brings me back to reality and reminds me what we're here for.  I know he gets asked a million questions a day, but I'm pretty sure he has a million answers.  No question is too dumb, ever.  He's pretty much the most amazing Lead Field ever.

·         I'm beside Luke!

·         Amy is the heart of our staff.  I'm not really sure how she does it, but everything gets done and we still get as much sleep as possible.  This may sound silly, but when you have a million things going on, sometimes you need to be reminded to go to sleep for everyone's sake.  We joke and call her our mom, but she really is like our mom who would hurt someone if they touched her babies.  I know I could count on her to listen to me no matter what time it is, no matter what is going on. 

·        Jenny is the most incredible, ridiculous person I've ever met- in the most amazing way ever.  She is this tiny little girl who can scream louder than anyone on our staff...and does.  She keeps our vision focused, but nothing is more important than staying calm and not stressing out.  If something doesn't go according to plan, the world keeps spinning.  Shocking, I know, but in the moment, that is exactly what we need.

·        Caroline is the spunkiest, most fun-loving person.  When you meet her, she seems sweeter than sugar, but after a while, her crazy side comes out.  I'm pretty sure I laugh at most things that come out of her mouth.  I'm pretty sure I could talk to her for hours and never get tired of doing it.  Plus, she shares my love of Goodwill!!

·         Lauren is the biggest servant of all of us.  If something needs to be done, she is right there asking what she can do.  If no one answers, she'll ask again or find something to do to help.  He heart is so HUGE!  In fact, we're teaching her how to yell because she physically can't.  I'm pretty sure it hurts her heart to scream.  

·         Beth is unlike any other person I've ever met.  She is so much fun and her laugh is infectious.  I remember one night when her giggle box was really turned over.  It wasn't  a few seconds later that we were all rolling.  It Beth that reminds us not to be serious all of the time.  Without her, I doubt we'd made it through our first camp week. 

·         Dalton- aka: Walton Dally is so goofy, yet his heart is made of gold.  I don't know if I've ever met anyone who genuinely cares about people more than him.  I'm pretty sure if Dalton could not only work for every person he meets, but sit and talk with them for hours, he would be content with life.  He also makes up some great bedtime stories about Batman.  While we pick on him for taking FOREVER with EVERYTHING, he's the guy that makes us slow down and enjoy the moment for what it is, keeping us sane. 

...And she got two.

Training is over, campers will be coming so very soon, and my summer "job" is in full swing.  I say "job" because this is one of the most amazing experiences I've ever been involved in.   To fill you in, here is a little story straight from my journal on one our home visiting days.  The name of our waitress has been changed.

Today was amazing.  Our morning started out extremely slow with only two visits before lunch.  With our tummies requesting lunch, Mr. GPS offered many treats to satisfy my partner in crime, Caroline and me.  We decided on what sounded like a local diner in a small town called Dobson, NC.  To our dismay, Mr. GPS took us to a field.  Luckily, on our way to the middle of no where, we passed a hole in the wall place simply called "DINER".  We both agreed this was the place for us!  


We placed a flier on the community board promoting CCC and then took a seat.  Our waitress was very sweet and patient until we both decided to try the Philly Cheese Steak and homemade potato chips.  Half way through our meal, our waitress came up and apologized for getting teary-eyed earlier.  She explained that her son had died a year ago at the age of 19.  Taken aback, both Caroline and I immediately said it was okay and that we were sorry.  She smiled a sad smile, replied with thank you and walked away.  I looked at Caroline and just told her we needed to pray for her.  Caroline nodded  quickly.


Soon after, we headed up to the register to pay for our meals.  I caught the eye of our waitress in the back of the kitchen.  She smiled, walked up, and said the classic," Thank you and ya'll come back!"  I quickly told her I would.  All of the sudden, this desire to know the name of our waitress came over me. I asked her, "What's your name?"  She said, "I'm Donna."  That wasn't enough for me.  I told her that I was going to pray for her.  Donna smiled her sad smile and thanked me again.  It was then that Caroline walked up and immediately said, "I'm praying for you."  She thanked Caroline too.  


Still, that wasn't enough.  I can't really use words to describe the emotions that flooded over me.  The next thing I know, I'm asking Donna if we can pray with her now before we leave.  Kind of to my surprise, Donna nodded quickly and ran around from behind the counter and scooped up both of our hands.  Clinging to each other, we showered her with prayer in the middle of the hole-in-the-wall "DINER".   She looked up and told us briefly that her son was on his way home for a cookout to celebrate his 19th birthday. Afterwards, all three of us misty-eyed girls exchanged hugs and we promised we'd be back soon.  

Here we are, the task of the day being to visit as many houses as possible, hoping to change the lives of our homeowners.  What we didn't realize is that even the people we randomly come in contact with can no only we touched but embraced.  Our jobs as CCC staff never ends, but also our jobs as Christians never end.

Later that after noon, I was recounting the story to my mom.  When I finished rambling on about my new friend, mom simply said," Maybe she was praying for an angle to come to her today, and rather she got two."  I've been praying for God to use me and the staff as His vessel, and He did just that!  Please pray for Donna.  As you can imagine, losing a son would be devastating to a mom.  Pray that she would feel comfort from the Lord.  Pray that the Lord would move in her life.

Finally, continue to pray that the Lord will use all of the CCC Staff as vessels for His love, mercy, and work.  That we would be Jesus with skin on.

Hasta Luego Amigos!

In just a little bit, I will be leaving for training.  I'm not really sure of anything right now.  Those of you who know me pretty well know that I love control.  I like to know the plan....well that isn't going to happen!  Please pray for me to embrace the unknown!  Also be praying for everyone to get there safely.  I know the Lord will do amazing things this summer.  Pray that all of us will become humble enough to be the hands and feet of Christ.  However that may look.  Pray for everyone we come in contact with this summer: the campers, homeowners, and people of the community.  Thank you for your support.  I will know my camp location when I return for a break.  Until then, pray pray pray!  I love you all, very much!  Thank you, again!

Love,
Carly