Summer will soon be coming to a close. Kiddos have gone back to school. Clothes in stores have changed from flip flops & bathing suits to boots & slouchy sweaters. Before we know it, the leaves will have changed color over night! That means all the summer campers have packed their duffel bags & are heading home until June.
My summer was particularly productive, creative, & spiritual & I owe a lot of that to Illustrated Faith Revival Camp. This online class was one of the best, most introspective creative courses I’ve ever taken! I wanted to pop in today to share some of the things I’ve learned while “camping” this summer.
1. Pack your knapsack with the essentials.
I found it SO easy to create pages for camp because I worked from a homemade “kit.” I pulled products from my stash that matched the color palette & kept everything in a little box. I didn’t necessarily limit myself to only using items in that box, but that’s essentially how it worked out. It was just SO convenient to grab things from my little camp kit because I didn’t have to think about it. I was able to soak up the devotionals instead of deliberating which products to use.
2. It might take you longer to hike a trail than someone else.
Worrying about whether you’re staying “caught up” with your camp lessons isn’t necessary. This isn’t school, so there are no bad marks for being late. The class is designed so that everyone can work at their own pace! Taking your time is absolutely fine & definitely encouraged!
3. A good scout takes detailed Field Notes.
The more I worked through the devotionals, the more I had to say! The words just started pouring out of me. Getting things down on paper was the name of the game: lists, prayers, thoughts, questions, reflections, favorite scriptures, devo notes, everything. The more we take the time to actually STOP & write down our prayers & meditations, the closer we’re getting to the Lord.
4. Adventure is everywhere.
Taking a grand adventure doesn’t necessarily mean you’re climbing Mt. Everest. Each of us has an adventure to experience just by being Christians with unique goals & talents! Treating this life that God has given you like an exotic expedition is the perfect way to get as much out of it as you can & honor our Lord God.
5. When camping, use the “Buddy System.”
God has equipped us with people in our lives to share these experiences with! It was SO refreshing & motivating to have others in our tribe to talk to during camp. Working through the content at the same time as someone else was a great accountability booster. Do it with a friend!
6. Exploring new territories can be scary.
I worked through lots of deeply personal things on this camp journey that I haven’t spent a lot of time thinking about before. It was a little unnerving to answer some of the questions because writing things down on paper oftentimes feels a lot like admitting the truth. It can be hard to take sometimes, but you’ll be a better Christian for it on the other side.
7. Merit badges aren’t earned by checking off a task.
Earning favor with God isn’t just checking some qualities off a list & calling it a day. It’s a lifestyle. It’s something to commit yourself too 24/7 to be the hands & feet of Jesus. It’s hard work. As much as I’d like to have a list of achievements to accomplish & check them off one by one, that’s not the way it works. But trust me, favor with the Lord will earn you a LOT more than a little embroidered merit badge. ;)
Revival Camp is still available for sale in the Print & Pray Shop! We’re having a 50% off sale in the shop until end of day Wednesday September 7 with the coupon code IFTURNS2SALE. Go enroll in Revival Camp & work through it at your own pace. I promise you won’t regret it. :)
<3 Elaine
Illustrated Faith Revival Camp online class | Illustrated Faith Adventure digital set by Elaine Davis | Illustrated Faith Altitude digital set by Elaine Davis | Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd GO paper pieces | Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd Genesis Kit | Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd Homespun Alpha stamps | Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd Date It stamp | Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd Amen washi tape | Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd Homespun Alpha stickers in Apple of His Eye, One in a Melon, Practice What You Peach, & Olive You | Bella Blvd Tiny Text alpha sticker sheets (various colors)
