Gratitude & Joy

How Working at HoneyRock Has Changed My Life

By HoneyRock Center for Leadership Development

April 18^th, 2022

For Taylor Chiles, summers working as a cabin leader at HoneyRock have been transformational.

This is her story.

When thinking about why I have loved working at HoneyRock, I have a hard time deciding where to start- every moment was packed with opportunities to grow alongside an uplifting community. As I spent time mentoring campers, worshipping daily, and going on adventures in nature, I grew so much in my faith and leadership skills. I loved getting to invest in and be invested in by the other incredible counselors and staff members. Plus, the atmosphere of HoneyRock itself is simply amazing; there are few chances in life to go from swimming in the lake in the morning to hiking in the afternoon to watching the brilliant stars from a canoe in the middle of a lake at night.

Reflecting upon my time spent at HoneyRock, my first thought is gratitude. I couldn’t be more thankful for the nights spent talking with campers, the hours spent jumping around in enthusiastic camper worship, the opportunities I had to love and invest in students who are walking through the same questions I had when I was their age. I am so grateful for the ways the Lord challenged and grew my own faith, passion for discipling others, and my confidence in leadership.

My next thought is joy. When I think of my time spent working at HoneyRock, I can’t keep a smile off of my face, and I think this reflects the contagious joy that is part of the daily experience at HoneyRock. Getting to look into the faces of one hundred kids shouting praise to the Lord at the top of their lungs inspires joy like little else. Additionally, whether it’s a clear night spent in a tent next to the lake, a cool evening spent around a bonfire with other counselors, or a sunny afternoon spent on the lake in a canoe, spending so much time in creation makes my heart come alive!

"Working at HoneyRock taught me how to handle the challenges of life with a steadfast confidence in God, who is always working."

During my time at HoneyRock, I learned so much.

I learned a lot about what it looks like to depend on God daily. There were days when I knew I didn’t have the energy, patience, or joy that I felt like I needed, but it was consistently true that God provided exactly what I needed when the time came. I reflected on my days with amazement, seeing so clearly how it was truly none of my own strength, but His alone.

I also learned so much about what supportive friendships look like. At points in the summer when I felt depleted of energy or concerned with different issues outside of camp, I was surrounded by compassion, encouragement, and prayer from many people who cared about me deeply. I have formed some of my strongest friendships at HoneyRock. Many of the people I met while working there have taught me what Christ-centered friendships look like.

Finally, working at HoneyRock taught me how to handle the challenges of life with a steadfast confidence in God, who is always working. I had chances to witness his faithfulness and providence time and time again at HoneyRock, and these instances are encouragements to me often. I also feel more equipped to care for people in a compassionate, gospel-centered way because of my time spent working at HoneyRock.

I would recommend working at HoneyRock because it will truly change your life.

It will teach you how to love radically, how to serve sacrificially, and how to worship and seek the Lord faithfully. You will be challenged alongside incredible friends and leaders who are there to support and help you as you lead with love. Working at HoneyRock has prepared me to always be seeking to worship the Lord, no matter the circumstances, as I seek to love and serve those around me in the name of Jesus. It has truly transformed me, and I wouldn’t trade the summers I have spent at HoneyRock for the world.