The sound of 'church camp' made me sick. I didn't want to go, I didn't want anything to do with it, and i sure didn't want to be there for 5 days. But i went anyways. So as we loaded everything up in the van i just kind of stood there with my dad, apprehensive about what the next week would bring. Then we left. The car ride was pretty boring. But once we got in the van, it was way more entertaining. BUT still, i didn't want to go. I wasn't very religious, nor did i want to be. I thought it was useless. I think this was because majority of my friends don't go to church and they weren't Christian, and they didn't even believe in god. I think that really affected me though, I had pushed away every bit of spirituality i ever possessed. I think my parents were concerned and that's another reason they sent my to CIY. Once we got there it was absolutely nothing like I thought it would be. I had just heard stories of my dad's baptist church camps and it sounded horrible. (he said they couldn't dance at their camps :O) Anyways, the whole week really opened my eyes and I realized what I believed before I met these people was what i needed to believe now, and stop letting them influence me. Going into the camp I wasn't really close with majority of the people that were also going except for Jessica, and kinda Gabe. By the end of the trip I can honestly say that I have a whole bunch of new friends I can depend on. Like literally everyone else that was there I've become friends with, and i've become better friends with the ones I was already friends with and it's really hard for me to make friends sometimes because of reasons which you will most likely find out about later so making all these new friends is really comforting. and i'm so glad that i have you guys to back me up no matter what. I did open my kingdom challenge card and it was to organize a community clean up that involves other youth groups around your city, i don't really know how to do that, but i'm counting on you guys to help me out, and i would gladly help any of you out with your kingdom worker challenege, i really enjoy getting to know all of you better and make a difference in the community by working with you guys, it makes me feel a whole lot better as a person, & by hanging out with you guys and being active in the youth group I feel like i don't really have to depend on the bad influences as much to hang out with and be my 'freinds'. (cause TRUST me there are a lot of bad influences). ANYYYYWAYS. I love every single one of you and cannnnot wait to hang out with you guys some more and overall next CIY :)

-McKinnon

p.s.- i love my shawties.