The definition of Jolly: happy and cheerful. This definition can be used to describe Caitlin Jolly (we call her Jolly), my Young Life leader. It was sophomore year when I heard about Frontier Ranch, a Young Life camp in Colorado. I immediately signed up and anxiously anticipated what was supposed to be “the best week of my life.”

Sophomore year was the year of struggles, a year where my relationships turned rocky. Growing up I had the same best friends. When high school rolled around, it was like magnets forced us apart. This was hard for me to cope with. I felt like I was trying to row a sinking ship and drowning was inevitable. I used to fall back on my faith, but I started to give up and blame it for everything.

The first day of camp, we were told Jolly was going to be our leader. I was ecstatic because while I did not know her very well at the time, she was described as a ray of sunshine.

Throughout the week, we talked about what I can do to get back on track. And despite her getting sick, the smile never left her face. I had conversations I never realized I needed to have. As our relationship grew, not only did we become closer but so did my relationship with God. I felt like I had a relationship with God, but after hearing Jolly’s story, my mentality flipped. Jolly showed me God has a plan for me and that I have to have faith.

On the last day of camp, we had a meeting with our leaders about the week, and what was going to happen after. The last thing she asked was, “What can I pray about for you?” That one question (she asked on the beat up picnic table by the sand volleyball court) is one that will resonate with me forever. Nobody had ever asked me that before, and I was not sure what to say to her. 

Jolly truly cared about me, and wanted to take time to pray for me. She wanted to pray for me. Not once throughout the week did she question me or my feelings, judge me, or make me feel guilty.

Jolly, I believe that God put you in my life at the exact time I needed you. You changed my perspective of not only God, but life as a whole. I realized that yes, bad things do happen. However, you need to roll with the punches because God has a plan. Thank you for being the most considerate, compassionate, and counseling person I have ever met. Thank you for playing a crucial role in the most impactful week of my life. Thank you for changing my life. Still to this day I ask myself, was it real?