Seven years ago this past April our lives took a significant turn.
After sixteen years working in Maintenance at Camp Homewood, my husband was invited to step into the role of Camp Director.
On the surface very little changed—our address stayed roughly the same (we did move into a different on-site house a year later), our children continued at the same schools, and our friends remained nearby. Yet his new position brought a subtle but meaningful shift in how others viewed our family and what they assumed I would do.
Friends who know me well will tell you I’ve stumbled my way through the learning curve of discerning other people’s expectations from God’s call on my life. Some days I joke, “life was much easier in maintenance,” because the lines were clearer and the demands felt simpler.
I don’t have a perfectly defined job description for my role here, and I’m still learning what it means to support my husband while staying true to what God asks of me. What I do know is that God placed us here for a purpose, and my heart is to be obedient—supporting my husband, serving the community, and sharing Jesus’ love with those along the way.
From the beginning I drew a clear boundary for myself: I wanted to help in any way I could—but I was certain I would not be the cook. I said it with a laugh, thinking I could avoid that responsibility. Never say never, though—life has a way of changing plans.
Now, for a season, I find myself stepping into the kitchen. I’ll be honest: I’m scared and overwhelmed. At the same time I’m hopeful and eager to see how God will work through this unexpected responsibility. I’m trusting His promise to be my strength in weakness, and that trust brings a deep peace that helps me sleep at night.
I am incredibly grateful for a wise, godly, and experienced woman who has agreed to mentor me through this transition. Her guidance has been a lifeline as I learn the rhythms and demands of feeding groups at camp.
I share all of this because my blogging schedule will likely be unpredictable for the next few months. I had hoped to follow through on makeovers, crafts, and a month-long series, but those plans may need to wait. If posts become less frequent, you’ll know why: I’m often juggling camp life and a whole new set of responsibilities.
Please pray for our camp as we search for a full-time cook. We need someone who loves Jesus, loves people, and loves to cook. My work in the kitchen is a temporary solution, and we’d be so thankful for God’s provision in filling this role.
Another reason I’m managing to keep panic at bay is the incredible support we’ve received from friends and volunteers. When I realized the camp kitchen needed a deep clean and I wouldn’t be able to finish the job before the first group arrived, several caring people stepped up.
We held what we jokingly called an “Extreme Makeover: Camp Kitchen Cleaning Edition.” By calling it a party we hoped to encourage helpers, and they came—ready to work. They scrubbed, organized, removed old wallpaper, and reached into every corner. I honestly don’t know how I would have coped without their help; they worked far harder than I did, and I’m still feeling the effects in sore muscles.
To every person who pitched in: thank you. Your service and generosity mean more than words can express.
P.S. The first few photos included here are a bit random. I’m using my husband’s computer at the moment, so his photo collection looks different from mine. While browsing his images I found some older shots I liked and decided to include them—the first two are taken at our camp, and another was captured somewhere else on the island.