An Attitude Adjustment from GOD
by Sue Henley
I just spent 3 days at a camp for special needs campers. It's called Camp Discovery and it's in the mountains in Jackson County, Tennessee. The view is absolutely breathtaking. The campers are either mentally challenged or physically handicapped......or both. My daughter and son-in-law are the camp directors this year. They met at the camp when they both were counselors.
When my daughter approached me about being camp nurse........I wasn't thrilled at all. It wasn't the campers. I had worked in Special Education for 7 years while my daughter was in school. It was the heat.........the bugs.....the other critters........the exercise.....and the HEAT! None of those were anything this tired ol' fat lady was looking forward to. I found all the nurses that were needed for the 7 weeks of camp. I was so thrilled that I didn't have to go.......but, God had different plans for me.
They needed me for 3 days.........that's all. Would I do it? Of course, I said yes.......but, my heart was very unhappy. I dreaded it like the plague. I went to church on Sunday morning and was minding my own business when the Lord started talking to me. It wasn't audible to anyone else, but I can assure you that they weren't my words. I would never admit to being as self centered and ungrateful as this voice was insinuating I was. He explained that my children were healthy and I would not be walking in his light if I walked into camp acting like a martyr and with an unhappy heart. He was sending me there to do what I do best and he expected my best. I walked out of church that morning looking forward to my big camp adventure! It definitely was an adventure.
It was 3 days of sleep deprivation........the mattresses were 100 years old. The little mice that shared our cabin tended to get on my nerves.....only because I was afraid they were enjoying my food.....the snacks I ate instead of the kitchen's corndogs and salmon patties. (God is so good.....they only nibbled on the gum!) I wasn't too crazy about that skunk that sprayed the porch that was connected to my cabin.......but, yes, I got used to that, too. I wasn't prepared for the unconditional love I received from the moment I got there. I had forgotten just how very wonderful and loving those campers are. I immediately got caught up into how very excited every camper was about swimming, arts and crafts and even the sports events taking place OUTSIDE in the HEAT! They loved showing off the necklaces they made or how well they could sing. They loved taking your hand or just embracing you.........just because you're you.
I was so impressed with those teenagers who chose to spend their summers unselfishly making sure the campers were clean and eating and having fun......how they remembered to put sunscreen on each and every camper and how patient they were when changing diapers or feeding those who needed it. I cannot begin to tell you how much I laughed or when I felt more appreciated.
We had a camper who kept having digestion problems and we finally had to send him home. Joe, a sweet, wonderful blind camper asked out loud to anyone who was listening........"Has anyway prayed for him?" Very ashamed, I told Joe no and would he like to pray. I want you to know that I have never heard a sweeter prayer in my entire life......Charles Stanley or Billy Graham couldn't hold a light to Joe standing there in the middle of the dining hall. It was so heartfelt and genuine and there wasn't a dry eye within 20 feet. It was such a blessing and one I probably wouldn't have appreciated as much had I not gone to camp with a happy heart.
My time was up too quickly and as we left, my 13 year old asked me why I loved those kids so much. I tried to explain the concept of "Where much is given........much is expected." God knew so much better than I that I needed those 3000 hugs I got in that short 72 hours. I received so much more than I gave. All because of my attitude adjustment from God.
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Sue has written the beautifully touching story "My Friend Betty", which can be found in our archives. She has been a nurse for 25 years and continues to thank GOD for all her blessings and all the lessons he continues to teach her. Send Sue and email!
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The Letter Box:
Susan,
I am so touched by your story - you were meant to live and spread sunshine. I, too, have found it advisable to listen to the still, small voice. It feels strange that Ronnie and Gay are no longer near, but don't feel so far away when I get his terrible funnies on my email. I send my love to you all and invite everyone to share my happiness when I remarry on 29 July after 6 years of widowhood. John and I have been in 'like' for over 3 years and it has blossomed into love. We're so happy.
-Margaret Allott, Yorkshire, England.
** Congratulations Margaret!!!! Love everyone from 2TheHeart!
Susan,
"Never Give Up" was a great story. It reminds me of a teenager who was
in the LDS Hospital when I was there with my broken back. A kid in a car
was fooling around and drove right at her with his car. As I recall, she
tried to jump onto the hood when he came at her, somehow fell off, was
dragged along...ended up with broken shoulder, broken back, severely
scraped back and concussion. She was put in a body cast, too. And the
surgeon who took care of us was so impressed with my husband's and my
positive attitude through our ordeal that he asked if we wouldn't cheer
the girl and her family up. A great friendship has developed. Her mom
is a hair stylist, cut my hair when I was in the hospital (because I
couldn't get up to shampoo for six weeks, so we had to devise something
creative). Now whenever we're in SLC, Pam does my hair.
-Mary Emma Allen
Dear 2theheart,
I just found your web site and read the story "Never Give Up". What a touching story - 2TheHeart is right! I wanted to tell you what an incredibly gorgeous web site you have and I can't wait to start getting my daily stories!
-Rochelle Smith, Maryland
