The mountains of Tennessee have welcomed me so sweetly home. It has been a complete 180-degree change in pace from my life in Michigan for the summer. God has called me sweetly home to whisper sweetly in my ear once again.

I had no idea what to expect with training camp, and I strangely found butterflies fluttering around in my stomach as we pulled into camp. I was filled with anticipation with what I was going to learn, who I was going to meet, and what I was going to do. But never would I think I would leave with a new voice.

A lie Satan has always told me was that my voice is weak and not beautiful. Consequently, I have always sung softly in crowds or cars, as I have never wanted to let my tone deafness to bother others. But I have found that is how I am created to fly. My voice is how I am going to speak the truth of the kingdom into lives, and this will be at times the only thing I have, which came to fruition one night at camp.

All twenty of us lovely Real-Lifers had the wonderful adventure of camping out under the stars one night. At 2 am, I was woken up from a loud patter on top of the tarp and the scurry of some of my teammates. We were soon all informed that a heavy rainstorm has descended on us. As some of the guys took on the task of fortifying our shelter, I looked for something to do. I always find myself filled with the desire to do and help. However, it seemed that adding more helping hands would add to the confusion so the only thing I found myself able to do was to sing. It just started coming from my lips….”Cumala cumala cumala vista…hey hey no not la vista…” I literally sang myself to sleep with that melody.

God gave me my voice to speak words of truth, and at that moment those silly little words were words of comfort. They brought glory to Him as I sang Him praises as I let go of my routine in my box and took a step into His dreams.