I spent six weeks intentionally reflecting Jesus as beautiful to hundreds of kids at two different camps. What I learned will be etched into my heart forever—whether that is a good or a bad thing, I’m not sure. As summer comes to a close, here are nine things I learned after spending my summer as a camp counselor.

1. Six weeks without a phone isn’t that bad.

Who needs FaceTime when you have face time? Am I right? Well…missing family members' birthdays and the semi-annual sale was a bit heartbreaking, but I’ll get over it.

2. Missing home is completely natural.

By day three, there are at least 12 kids who “sprained their ankles” and want to go home. With 13 more things on the day’s agenda, you learn to just put the kid on your back and keep moving. But suddenly, you get a few weeks in and start to miss your own home, bed, dog, etc. and feel guilty for not being more understanding with the children.

3. It’s okay to not be the “cool counselor” all the time.

Some children just don’t want to talk. Some would rather talk to someone else and that is completely okay. And by okay, I mean the first time it happened to me, I wanted to roll up in a ball. It’s nice to be reminded that not all personalities mesh.

4. Some kids need a lot more love.

There were kids who have gone through things that I could never imagine a child going through. It doesn’t take much to spend a little time reminding them not only how much they are loved but by whom they are loved. #Jesus

5. Everyone can be gross—regardless of gender.

I was on bathroom duty. The hairballs and dirt in every restroom were just plain nasty.

6. The quality of people on staff at a camp surpasses that of everyday people.

You could also interchange “quality” for “weirdness” or “goofiness” or “innate ability to craft a perfectly corny dad-joke.” Regardless, there are people who are the bee’s knees and it makes being in a new place so much easier.

7. You can’t set something on fire without your own flame to start it.

In order to present the gospel with and without words, there must be a solid foundation in your own heart. The best part is that we have the God of the universe at our fingertips if we need him.

8. God provides.

I cannot stress this enough. Think about this—my body went through weeks of walking 7-10 miles a day carrying a backpack full of who knows what while focusing on the eternal salvation of about a dozen kids each week. Yet, through it all, God gave me the strength, patience and joy that I needed. He is good, all the time.

9. Leaving is not a forever goodbye.

Being so far from home, I knew that there would have to be effort put in on my part to maintain relationships. But just like any good thing in life, the efforts are worth the treasures. (Of course, by treasures I am referring back to my lovely fellow counselors in #6 of this list.)