It's Just the Beginning, This Isn't the End...

I log onto Facebook last night.

It's all over the place.

"Friends are friends forever,

If the Lord's the Lord of them

And a friend will not say never

Because the welcome will not end

Though it's hard to let you go

In the Father's hands we know

That a lifetime's not too long 

To live as friends..."

I know exactly what this means. These are the lyrics to a song I hold near and dear to my heart from Camp Lakeside church camp. Some of us started at Rap n' Rhythm in 5/6 grade, and moved up to Sports Camp from 7-9 grade. We were a team, a family. We stuck together. And now one of us is gone.

I loved that camp more than any other place on earth. I didn't have many friends back home, and those people welcomed me in as one of their own. Unfortunately, I didn't have the opportunity to go to Senior High camp this past summer because that conflicted with my mission trip. But that proved to be an amazing experience for me, just like camp was those five years. I would love to return when I get a chance, whether it be as a camper or counselor.

Another reason camp is such a special place to me is because that is where my life was saved. I had been dealing with depression and suicidal thoughts for ten months or so. I knew I had no choice but to tell someone. I was running out of options, running out of time, running out of hope. On the night of communion, I pulled aside my counselor Hannah and poured out my struggles. She had no idea; no one did. From the outside I looked like the happiest girl alive, but on the inside I was fighting to survive. My two team leaders, Hannah and Joe, helped me out so much from that point on. Hannah told my mom about what I was dealing with and helped me get the counseling I needed. But the counseling didn't save my life...Jesus did. Hannah and Joe were just the two angels who helped me realize I needed something greater--rather, someone greater.

That was the year I met him. We were on the same team together, the Red Rampaging Rappin' Romeos. His laughter was contagious, his smile lit up the room. He was my date to the camp dance....

I'm not sure why sometimes it takes a tragedy to open people's eyes. You never know who could be trapped in a dark place. One of my daily prayers is that God would give me His eyes to see those who are hurting and the courage to do something about it. I wish I could've done more to help; sent an encouraging message and tell him how much he is loved. Let this be a reminder to us to our words for the good. You never know who's life you might save. 

We love you. Sending love, prayers and support to your family.

This isn't the end, it's just the beginning. Stay strong.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." -Matthew 11:28

His Biblical Beauty.

Paige