"The Honor Camper Award"
by Barbara (Bangs) Krueger, about the author

The "Honor Camper" award was a BIG thing at Tapawingo. It was hard to get, and those of us who did never felt truly worthy of it. At least I know I never did. But, it was a code to live by, and it is a code I still try to live by. There was something very spiritual about it, and Carolyn took it very seriously. Although I learned many spiritual lessons from Carolyn, probably the one that I would place at the very top is that you must live every moment of your life for Jesus Christ. That, over the years, has translated into "I can't call myself a Christian, if I'm only a Christian on Sunday." For Carolyn, it meant being 110% given over to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We were to be holy, as God is holy. That's the
lesson that has had the most profound affect on my life. Through the Honor Camper award, girls were able to see themselves living for Jesus in ALL aspects of their lives. Carolyn's one desire was for God's best for each of us -- always! What did Honor Camper stand for -- how were we to live for Jesus? Here it is --
H-onesty
O-bedient
N-eat
O-rderly
R-ighteous

C-ompassionate
A-ttitude
M-annerly
P-unctual
E-xample
R-esponsible

"Tough Love and Compassion"
by Kristen Gurly, about the author

I remember two contrasting sharp characteristics about Miss Carolyn that somehow complimented each other and made complete sense. When I was a counselor my first year, it was her last year as the Tapawingo Director.

The first thing I noticed is that even though it was her last year of some 37 years serving at Tapawingo, I never once saw her break down and get all blubbery about leaving. She stuck to her guns, kept everything and everyone in order and on a tight schedule, and maintained complete discipline, just like she always had.

At the same time, however, whenever she had any time out of her office, she was with the girls. She was the most gentle and loving person with the young ones, showing compassion and grace on a daily basis. In every staff meeting, she shared her keen sense of insight into several of the campers' hearts and lives. It was amazing to see how much insight and discernment she had into the lives of our campers! Many times she picked up on things we (the counselors) hadn't even noticed yet!

So in short, she was the toughest and kindest woman I have ever worked with, just a complete meshing of tough love, and compassion. It has stuck with me, and she is one of the people I respect most, and I am so glad that she is not gone forever. I know the Lord will be using her continually through the effect on me and every other woman she came in contact with here on earth. What a joy to think that someday, we will all be reunited with her again in His kingdom!!!

"He Has His Ways"
by Cara Leigh MacKnight, about the author

I count it a rare privilege and blessing to have known Miss Carolyn Ray in my lifetime. My first summer at Camp Tapawingo was a difficult one. I had never heard anything about Jesus Christ and was very uneducated on the typical Sunday School stories that everyone else seemed to be so familiar with. Miss Carolyn was so gifted at making every girl feel special. I can remember several times that she came up to check on my sister and me. We both accepted Christ at Tapawingo and have never been the same. During Miss Carolyn’s last year, my sixth, a very close friend of mine was very sick and had to leave the island for some medical treatment. Miss Carolyn sat and prayed with me as I cried and tried to understand why the Lord works in the ways that He does. She simply said that ‘He has His ways, and they are not our ways.’ She will always be fondly remembered as a triumphant woman of God in my eyes.

"She Served Him Well!"
by Judy Hardin, about the author

Carolyn often prayed "Lord, increase my heart with a greater capacity to love you more". This prayer became a personal prayer of my own, because I knew I wanted that too!

The Bible verses Carolyn often used in her correspondence or for encouragement were also implanted in my thoughts. Here are a few:
1. Psalm 138:8--"The Lord will accomplish what concerns me..."
2. Psalm 84:11--"For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly."
3. Psalm 16:11--"You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In your right hand there are pleasures forever."

Carolyn's messages showed her love for the Lord and her heart desire to press on and keep serving the King she was so devoted to each day of her life...She served him well!!