New Love

Dear Surrey Two,

I am currently sitting on the bus trying to hold back tears. I am so overwhelmed with emotion that I want to contain it and release it all at once. But I can't contain it -- I shouldn't and my heart won't allow it. I am both excited and nervous, but hopeful in the Lord for what is to happen next.

You see, my heart is overwhelmed with Love. There are seventy new brothers and sisters joining Camp Exalted. Seventy! How gracious is our God to bless us with so many new brothers and sisters to love, and how capable He must know we are of doing so. Oh, how He must desire that these brothers and sisters feel His Love and witness His wonders through us to bless us like this. How great His Plans must be for this Chapter to have us grow so vastly!

But here's the thing: quantity does not matter. Seventy is a glorious number, but it is not meant to be rejoiced over and simply forgotten once this weekend passes. No, seventy is a dare. It is a challenge for us to rise up to our call to love one another with the heart of our Mother and the sacrifice of our Saviour. But do not fret at the thought of these things, for the Lord will work through us, so long as we empty ourselves to be His.

It might get difficult and may make us want to retreat, but every time it does, ask yourself this: what if I am the only person the Lord wants to use to reveal something specific to this person?

Do not love because you have to or because I'm telling you to. Rather, love because the Lord loves you. Love Him back through one another.

I am beyond pumped for camp. Let us continue to pray for Camp Exalted!

St. Ignatius of Loyola and St. Michael the Archangel, pray for us.