As Monday, July 4, 2016 draws to a close, the first day of MSC 2016 was deemed a HUGE success. Once campers registered and opening ceremonies were held, campers met their brand new friends, their teammates, and their team captains, before a fun-filled and encouraging day of activities. Although rain showers plagued Shakamak throughout the day, no one’s spirit was dampened as we all know that as long as you’re at MSC with friends and family, the sun is always shining, whether the rain is falling, the sky is blue, the winds are howling, the sky is gray, or the lightning is striking.
After lunch, the team activities began as teams rotated activities including: softball, volleyball, lip sync practice, team crafts, and hymn practice led by Derek Gould. Many new seeds of friendships were planted, and many existing friendships continued to blossom among campers and staff.
After the amazing homemade lasagna dinner, our compadres presented the following paper plate awards:
- Most Enthusiastic — Kaleb Hopper
- Best Softball Slide — Karissa Evans
- Poster of the Week — David & Jessica McGaughey’s poster of the Green Team dinosaur performing push-ups
Following dinner, Blue team captain Eric Mizell introduced the campers to the theme of this week’s camp: “Blessed.” This theme will continue in all our Bible classes throughout the week with the following focus on our blessings:
- Joy
- Peace
- Family
- Salvation
After the MSC Talentless Show wrapped, Group 1 & 2 campers were dismissed to their cabins for devotions and lights out to rest up for another exciting day of MSC. Purple team captain Corey Willis and Hunter team captain Todd Walker spent nearly an hour with a very profitable, interactive session with the Group 3 campers discussing their futures in the next 2, 5, 15 years. Corey began by explaining how to own your faith:
- Do It
- Know It
- Live It
- Press On
Todd continued by stressing the importance to develop yourself now to who you will become and determine your trajectory. You need to be intentional:
- Know why you do what you do and why you don’t do what you don’t do
- Do the things that are important to you, even when they’re not easy
- Define your values and make choices that reflect those values
- Set a course for your life rather than just wandering aimlessly through life
- Ensure that each step you take is helping you to be intentional to achieve that direction or goal that you have set
Fear God and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13); be steadfast and immoveable (I Corinthians 15:58); set your mind on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2); and seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33).
As we turn the lights out tonight, bringing MSC Sr. Week Day 1 to a close, may we always remember and be thankful for the many ways in which we are continually blessed, and may we always make the right decisions on this journey as we strive for a heavenly home.
Below is a photo recap of our day here at Shakamak. Good night from MSC!
