Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Uncovering God's Little Gifts

I mentioned in "I'm Back" post that I was a counselor at Centri-Kid Camp in at San Marcos Baptist Academy in June. It was my second experience at camp and hopefully not my last. I have throuroughly enjoyed my camp counselor experience mainly because I have had the priveledge of spending five days hanging out with girls! What a treat!
Let me explain: Five days of strictly girly stuff; braiding hair, bows, pink and purple frilly things, hugs, girl chit chat, quiet voices (most of the time), compliments, and all around sweetness. Oh my gosh, I can't even express to you how much I enjoy every minute of it!

This year my special group included: Jordan, Madeline, Mikinzi, Kailey, and Lauren. Got to love all those cute girl names! I enjoyed all the girls and their uniqueness. I especially enjoyed becoming friends with Lauren.

Lauren was a little homesick most of the week and hung closely to me for those five days. Lauren is a beautiful girl. She has long straight golden brown hair, big brown eyes, and a sensitive sweet spirit. She reminded me of myself at her age. Lauren and I ate meals together, walked to worship together, sat by each other, and attended Kitchen Kaos together (one of the daily activities we were both assigned to).

I learned alot about Lauren that week. She and her mom are best friends! Her parents are divorced and she rarely spends time with her dad. He is remarried and has other children. Lauren was constantly putting the other campers before herself. For a third grader, I was extremely impressed with her positive attitude and huge sensative heart.

I really connected with Lauren that week. One of the counselors teased that I had a new adopted daughter. The truth is I would adopt Lauren in a heartbeat. Today I found the sweet little note she wrote to me during that week at camp. It reads:

Dear Mrs. Peggie

I am haveing alot of fun at camp.
Thanks for being there when my mom codn't.
I love that you are my conserier.

xoxo (she drew a cute little heart next to this)
Lauren

I teared up when I read it and gave her a big hug!

I have missed Lauren. She hasn't been at church in a couple of weeks. I will look forward to talking with her about how her summer is going. We are both excited about her being in my Sunday School class next year. Getting to know Lauren has been such a blessing to me. It has also made me realize (again) that I have real issues with not having a daughter and knowing I probably never will.

I love my precious boys with all my heart and I would never want a life without them but I definitely have a big empty spot in my heart for a daughter. In spite of that, God has led me to the great joy of sharing Jesus with girls through Sunday School and camp. I am glad I was listening when He called me because I would never have discovered His great blessings for me!

4 comments:

elizabeth said...

I just saw your comment on JettyBetty's site and thought I would take a look.

I read you words about not having a daughter and read the link to a previous post about that and my heart began racing.

I was in that very same spot several years ago. God had blessed me with two beautiful sons, and I felt guilty thinking it, but I felt there was a hole in my family that only a little girl could fill.

I got tired of every single one of my friends talking about great sales for girls clothes, fixing girls hair, dance class, and yes, even hearing In My Daughters Eyes made me so sad.

Two Christmas's ago, I was sitting in a Beth Moore bible study, and one of the discussion questions was "What is the deepest desire in your heart?"

I confessed that I wanted a daughter so badly. It was something that I had been asking God for for years and for some reason he hadn't answered it.

THE VERY NEXT DAY, I found out I was pregnant with my baby girl, Mary Elizabeth!! She was 11 months old yesterday.

I just thought I would share that with you. I remember that pang in my heart like it was yesterday.

Saija said...

:)

and i enjoyed the date night post too!

jettybetty said...

I know I miss blessings because of all kinds of reasons--but I am so glad you didn't miss Lauren!
God is using you powerfully with the younger female set! I can tell you would really love to have a daughter--so I will look forward to how God resolves all that for you!
I know it will be good!!
JB

TMK said...

Hey Peg~ As you know that I also have 3 boys. I prayed so hard for a little girl, but he answered my prayers with just what I needed, another precious boy. I too have a special place in my heart for a little girl, but it wasn't in God's plan for me~ I am a camp counselor next week for girls and boys and I know that God will place me with who he wants me to minister to as he did with you and Lauren. I have accepted that I will not have a girl in our family, but the love that my boys have for me is so special, as you too know with your boys!! Have a blessed day.