Jesus is With You

5 years ago I took 12 of the greatest girls I'll ever know to Young Life camp. Those girls rocked my world and changed my heart forever. I got to experience them experience Christ, some for the first time. They shared their doubts, fears, struggles and supported one another in the most beautiful way. It was real. Very real. They laid it all out. Some of them surrendered to the love of Jesus, all of them experienced an unforgettable week. I don't know the Lord's plan for each of them, but I know that it is good. They are in so many different places now. Some have graduated college, some have kids, some are married, some are starting new jobs, some are going to grad-school. One thing is for sure. Jesus has not forgotten them.

This last weekend I had the greatest privilege. I got to baptize one of them. She is a true picture of God's relentless, redemptive love. Her story is hard and very real. But the most beautiful part is that Jesus has redeemed her and she has been made new. 5 years ago at Frontier Ranch, she surrendered her life to Jesus. She walked away clean and renewed. She said goodbye to the old self and ran into the arms of Jesus. It hasn't been a perfect life but God has been faithful to be by her side. When people ask me how I know that God is real, I tell her story. God put her on that bus to YL camp with a great purpose and she met Jesus face to face. On Sunday, we remembered her story. She walked into the creek at New Life Ranch and was baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. She is a new creation in Christ and I'm so very thankful.

Girls, wherever you are, you are so loved. You may not know this but you are stamped on my heart forever. I think of you often and pray for you always. There isn't a group of people who have impacted my life more. I love you very much. When you feel lost, remember that He created you and knows your very needs. Wherever you are, Jesus is with you.

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come." 2 Cor 5:17