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FOR TEENS
CAMP SWAP ... AND SAVING SPIDERS
I WAS so excited—my summer was going to be a blast. I'd been accepted as a CIT (counselor in training) at a summer camp for Christian Scientists. I'd flown down to camp, and I was ready to meet new people and tackle all the fun challenges I'd be faced with—knowing God would be taking all weights off my shoulders.
I don't remember exactly when it hit me, but as the session started, I felt my happiness beginning to fade. You see, I was used to attending another camp. However, since I really wanted to participate in a summer-school art program at home, I wasn't able to sign up for my usual camp's longer CIT session. So I did my research before choosing a different camp: I'd spent quite some time at this new camp's website, bought a DVD showing highlights from the previous summer, and finally made the decision to go for their shorter CIT session.
Now here I was, faced with a new routine, and so many things were different. I started comparing—which I'd learned is one of the four elements of "C4," an explosive, and also a "mental explosive." (The other three elements—besides comparing—are criticizing, complaining, and condemning.) I remember calling a Christian Science practitioner about the idea of lost opportunities. By not going to my usual camp, it felt like I was missing out on so many things that I knew the CITs did there each summer. This included the CIT trip and project, both of which I'd been looking forward to for several years.
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About the author
Ann Sebring is a senior in high school and will be attending Principia College in the fall. This summer she will be focusing on her art—taking private lessons and going to museums—and reading philosophical books.
May 17, 2010 issue
View Issue-
LETTERS
with contributions from BARBARA FLEMING, PATRICIA EDWARDS, MARGE THORNTON, CAROLYN WORSHAM
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MODERN-DAY SAMUELS
STEVE GRAHAM,
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ITEMS OF INTEREST
with contributions from Adelle M. Banks, Kelly Hughes
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DON'T GET STUCK IN BREAKING NEWS
GREG JARVIS
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OUR TRUE HOME
MIKE HAMILTON
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THE POWERFUL STILLNESS OF LOVE
BY IFIGENIA ZUVIA
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LET IT BE ...GOOD!
BY HELEN STEVERMER
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A spiritual lesson from homing pigeons
BY PAUL AMES
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A KITCHEN TABLE CONVERSATION WITH GOD
BY LOIS HERR
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Yielding*
Elizabeth Mata
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Time to listen
BY LARISSA SNOREK-YATES
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CAMP SWAP ... AND SAVING SPIDERS
BY ANN SEBRING
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DEAR ANNIE,
BY TOM BLACK
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WHAT IT MEANS TO 'BE THE BEST'
BY MARILYN WICKSTROM
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DIAGNOSED SKIN CANCER HEALED
JOSEPHINE BAYARD
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BURNS HEALED QUICKLY THROUGH PRAYER
ERIK CARLSON
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QUICK RECOVERY AFTER BIKE FALL
CINDY SNOWDEN