You often hear pastors tell us that God longs to pour out His blessings upon us, but if He actually did, they would be too numerous for us to handle them. When I heard that, I told God to try me—and boy, have His blessings been pouring down.

This summer God blessed me in the most powerful ways; ways that not only made me see how great and loving He is, but ways that went straight to my heart and changed me. God has never been so real to me before. I've never before been in a room where you could see, hear and feel God so strongly, yet that is what I've longed for—and what I believe we all long for in our very deepest heart.

I was at Camp Au Sable for Tween Camp last summer, and it was Friday night—the night everything leads up to. The staff prepares a special vesper program, and everything is made to be just right. So I was sitting there watching the skits, video clips and listening to the songs, and as the program progressed, any apathy that may have crept in at the beginning completely faded away.

The well-done program brought tears to my own eyes, and I know to the eyes of people around me. But it was when the pastor began to speak that we were all especially touched. He asked for people to stand up and share anything that God had impressed them with; and somehow, God gave that group of 12- and 13-year-olds courage and a voice to speak. People began to stand throughout the chapel, spilling over about what God had done in their lives.

God was there. I could see Him—see Him in the kids standing up around me, waiting their turn to talk of their Jesus. And that's where I heard God—in the testimonies of my brothers and sisters in Christ, some saying that they had just decided to fully commit their lives to Him in baptism. God was there, I could feel Him. I felt Him in the tears sliding down my own cheeks as I tried to grasp exactly what God was doing in the room at that moment, and when I did grasp it, the tears only flowed harder.

God was pouring out His blessings—just like I had asked Him, too! And as the most intense joy I have ever felt in my life enveloped me, I couldn't help but wonder: Why didn't I ask God to bless me sooner?

Livvy Knott is from the Berrien Springs area. She attended Tween and Teen camps in 2007.

It won't take you long to discover that Camp Au Sable is located in an amazing setting and is obviously a gift from God. The scenery at camp is awe-inspiring and therapeutic. As you experience camp, you will find healing for your soul.

Come, experience adventure, explore, discover, tame your fears and reduce stress while taking time to hear the still, small voice of God.

Explore the exciting possibilities waiting for you at Camp Au Sable—new friends, morning worship with our camp pastor, interesting classes, go-carts, horses and exciting water adventures. Not only do we have five weeks of youth camps, but we have four weeks of family camps.

Registration for Camp Au Sable began in March. The best way to register is online at www.campausable.org. If you have any questions, you may e-mail Lyn White, Youth Ministries Department secretary, at lwhite@misda.org.

If you live in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and would like to attend Camp Sagola, please contact Nathan Stearman at campsagola@gmail.com, or call 906-748-0059.

Lyn White is the Michigan Conference Youth Ministries Department secretary.

Camp Au Sable Dates

Adventure Camp, June 8–15 (Ages 8–9)

Junior Camp, June 15–22 (Ages 10–11)

Tween Camp, June 22–29 (Ages 12–13)

Teen Camp, June 29–July 6 (Ages 14–16)

Specialty Camp, July 6–11* (Ages 10–16)

Family Camp 1, July 13–20 (All Ages)

Family Camp 2, July 20–27 (All Ages)

Family Camp 3, July 27–August 3 (All Ages)

Mini Family Camp, August 6–10 (All Ages)

*This is a five-day camp. Campers are picked up on Friday.

Camp Sagola Dates

Junior Camp, July 13–20 (Ages 8–12)

Youth Outpost, July 20–27 (Ages 13–16)

Camp Au Sable

Youth Department

Michigan Conference

P.O. Box 19009

Lansing, MI 48901-9009

Call: 517-316-1500

E-mail: lwhite@misda.org

Website: www.campausable.org

Camp Sagola

2885 SR-M69

Sagola, MI 49881

Call: 906-748-0059

E-mail: campsagola@gmail.com

Website: www.campsagola.org