This Summer

While the majority of high school seniors have the luxury of finishing up senior year and graduation while looking to a long summer of tanning, pool parties, and goodbyes...I am preparing to leave home in less than a month.

This summer, I am serving at Catholic Youth Summer Camp as a member of the Program Mission Staff.

Last summer, I attended CYSC for the first time and it was beyond anything that I could have ever imagined. Despite loving my faith, I was hesitant to go. I'm not about that whole rugged-rough-and-tumble-shower-with-spiders life. I wear dresses every day of the summer and high heels to go grocery shopping. 

But I went with an open heart. And God worked some mighty wonders in my life.

The thing that struck me the most about CYSC was the community. The staff members were so genuine, so loving, so giving...they seriously poured themselves out for everyone around them. They were so uplifting and encouraging. 

I had never been a part of a community that was so on fire for Christ. Jesus used those young adults to just love on me and lead me closer to Him, to ignite a passion in my heart to live for Him.

Because of the great impact the incredible staff members had on my life, I wanted to give back and serve as they serve. I felt God tugging on my heart to go beyond my comfort zone (ahh! no heels!) and get my hands dirty, bringing His heart to middle and high schoolers.

I am beyond excited to be serving the young church in this way. I am so looking forward to just loving on kids, to sharing my heart and my testimony. I am pumped to be spending the summer introducing kids to a deeper relationship with Jesus, and to growing in my own relationship with my Beloved.

God has been reminding me all of this year that what He calls me to, He'll provide for. So I keep reminding myself of that, even as spiders and bugs freak the heck out of me. Even as I'm the least athletic person in the world. Even as I won't be getting the most sleep. Even as I'll be living with other flawed (yet beautiful) human beings.

I don't understand why God is calling me to be at CYSC this summer. But I want to be used for His glory. I want to bring souls to heaven. I want to comfort the heart of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I know that God has a plan and my deepest desire is to do His will. 

God is calling me out of my comfort zone. He is bringing me forth from my home and my family...and He has given me wings to fly. 

I would love to pray for you this summer. Please let me know how I specifically can do that!

Lastly, unfortunately, I will be unable to blog over the summer (end of May to the beginning of August). However, fear not, for I am planning on keeping a detailed prayer journal, so I will definitely be posting how God is glorified this summer upon my return. 

Praying for you always. And, seriously, hit me up with prayer requests!

CYSC is a high adventure summer camp for middle and high school students that seeks to foster a faith that is “deep, contagious, and joy-filled” and helps young people to live the adventure of their Catholic faith through an encounter with Jesus and his Church. If you would like to help financially support me in this mission, please prayerfully consider donating in one of two ways:

1. Visit www.cysc.com/missionsupport and make an online donation
2. Mail a check payable to “Catholic Youth Summer Camp” with my name in the memo line.

Mail to: Catholic Youth Summer Camp

7881 Bluefield Street

Canal Winchester, OH. 43110

Missionary Support For: Annie Schlueter