Whew! Four days away and I'm finally feeling the burn! I'm actually leaving my home, my family, my friends, my bed, and my comfort zone to be gone for two months without a single return. And now, with the move being so close, it's becoming real. Not as real, I'm sure, as it will be once I actually start packing... but very real and very scary when I'm saying bye to people for the last time for two months. Which doesn't sound very long even to me when written down... But it's some scary stuff.
I never have handled adjustment well. I'm not really sure why, but I have my theories. I have been through depression, extreme OCD, and some messed up weirdness that is even surprising to me as a result of adjusting to a new world. But through it God showed me how big He is and He took it all away over night. Literally.
Now I know that He can beat it but I can already feel the attacks from the devil and I'm worried that it will only get worse. Now, just the attacks bring me to tears.. I guess because I don't want to feel the way I felt when I was depressed. It was a very lonely and scary time.
I know that He will provide and bring me a new light and new truths and new friends through this summer camp life that people come from all over the world to experience. I know that it will be an amazing time. But over these next few days I'm going to need constant sustainment from Him and strength I don't know that I have to say goodbye. I love the people I am surrounded by and I love knowing that they are right around the corner when I need them. But this summer God is going to teach me to rely on Him and the people He gives me and not the ones I already know how to rely on.
I know it's going to be hard and worth it. But I am begging you for prayers. I know from experience the power of prayer and what our Lord will do through honest and persistent prayers. So, please, even for just a moment, say a prayer for me. And I know you will be blessed. I promise that I am and will continue to pray for all of you! I love you all, you have made such a difference in my life and I am truly blessed to have you in my life. And now it's time to go learn some new stuff.
"The Lord fulfills the desires of those who hear Him; He also hears their cry and saves them."
Psalms 145:19
God is good.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Unexpected Awesomeness
I have never had many exciting thoughts about North Carolina. For me it's just always been one of those states that is just there and not a lot happens, it's just not an "exciting" state for me. I have also never spent much time there: A trade show with dad as a child, maybe a ski trip or two, and a few drives right on through it to get to another, more "exciting" state. But yesterday, whew!, yesterday it exceeded all of my expectations.
I drove up to North Carolina Monday evening and stayed with some people that work at Camp Hollymont, then got up yesterday morning and drove to another camp a little less than an hour away. As soon as I got into North Carolina the scenery immediately changed. It went from boring interstate-flatness to high mountains and many trees that seemed to never end, and they didn't. I was driving through mountains the entire time I was there. I spent the night up on Black Mountain which is where our brother camp, Camp Rockmont, is located. Then I drove, with one of the girls behind me, over to Camp Carolina where we would be learning to do archery and teach it to children this summer.
Now you must understand our mindset going into this training program. We are two girls who will be working at an all-girl camp for the whole summer. We new that there would be guys at the training too, but we weren't expecting what we got. Also, if you would have told me how bizarre the day would have been, this situation would never have crossed my mind. We got there quite a bit early and it took us a minute or so to find our way around but eventually we found the dining hall and that's where we met the first males of the day. Mostly older guys but all very nice and we ended up sitting with them once the doors opened for breakfast. We learned quite a bit from them. Come to find out, Camp Carolina is an all-guy camp. So we were two of maybe 10 girls I saw all day. Also, these aren't your typical guys, really. They're mostly from another country!! (And when this was first mentioned we didn't truly see the extent of "mostly"). I heard a few of the guys speak and they had "British" accents... then a few more.
After breakfast we went to the skate park thingy they had on their campground, that's where we were told to meet. Here we're sitting and people start coming over a little at a time, all guys. By the time we had all introduced ourselves, Hallie and I had come to a realization: not only were we the only two girls in the class, we were the only Americans. And a conclusion to follow: today is going to be an interesting day.
These guys were awesome. There were two Scottsmen, Ali (allistor... or something) and Hani. Two Australians, Kriston and Matty. Three englishmen, Gary, Neil, and... Tom?. A South African, Hanno (pronounced Hanu, with a South African accent, of course). And one more guy who I do not remember the name of or the country he was from, but I remember his face.. BAH! The guy who instructed the class was from Augusta, Georgia. He was a character, too.
Back to the guys, Hallie and I spent the day saying "huh?" (mainly to Ali who, if remember correctly, was from west Scotland... he had the most difficult accent to understand), and asking them to repeat things and the spell them (so we were sure we heard it right) then explain the meaning.
A few interesting things and mythbusters: (all said with the proper accents)
- Scotland: "Have you got a giraffe?" has the same meaning as "Are you pulling my leg?"
- England: A "Trolley" is not one of those red double decker buses, it's a shopping cart. And they just called the buses, buses. They don't go grocery shopping, they go fruit and veg shopping. The red phone booths are only there for tourists, people don't actually use them and they had to remove some of them from the streets because they are becoming vintage items and people were stealing them. They graduate from "senior school" at the age of 15. Then the system gets very complicated... but there's a lot of education opportunities.
- People from every country thought our idea of "Middle School" was ridiculous and we should just have two schools instead of that extra one in the middle.
- OH! And this one is my favorite. All these guys came to America to work at a camp. Why? Because they want the "American Camp Experience".. Apparently it's a big deal in other countries that we have camps. I didn't know it was so exciting, I'm missing out. HA!
- There IS a difference between British and English, like it would be insulting to call a Scottsman English, but he is British and you can call him that.
The coolest things I learned were through just sitting and talking. Once the conversation moved to God and faith and they saw that I was a Christian, they were shocked. They said they expected American Christians to talk and do and be all about God all the time and not have any fun. One of the guys said "But you guys have normal conversations and stuff". It really showed me how much the stigma of Christianity has spread outside of our borders. They really thought that as a Christian I would tell them they were bad people when they cussed and make them accept Christ. It makes me sad that this is the reputation our Religion has.
I know many people who hate the word "Religion" because it represents tradition and a lack of emotion and relationship. And I too don't like the word because that's not what we should have as Christians, but that's what Christianity has turned into and thus I have come to hate the word "Christian". I was talking to a long-time friend the other night and we were talking about words, and how the meaning of them changes, like in the song "Mayberry" by Rascal Flatts. I think the meaning of the word "Christian" has changed so much that I don't want to be associated with it.
One of the guys from Australia, Kriston, said that back home him and his friends are called "churchies". I had a hard time explaining to him that around here, that's a bad thing. That I would never want to be called a "churchie" not because I don't want to go to church but that "churchie" would mean that I was pushing my faith on others.
I really enjoyed talking to everyone and the day could not have been better. It ended with a beautiful ride back to Athens, full of winding roads and sunsets over the water. Misty swamps in front of trees and mountains that go on forever. I saw things you only see in pictures in that state. After this first day in the NC, I am very much looking forward to spending the summer up there and I hope to go back and see these guys on my off time and talk about their "American Camp Experience". Haha.
WHOA! I leave one week from today.
peace.
I drove up to North Carolina Monday evening and stayed with some people that work at Camp Hollymont, then got up yesterday morning and drove to another camp a little less than an hour away. As soon as I got into North Carolina the scenery immediately changed. It went from boring interstate-flatness to high mountains and many trees that seemed to never end, and they didn't. I was driving through mountains the entire time I was there. I spent the night up on Black Mountain which is where our brother camp, Camp Rockmont, is located. Then I drove, with one of the girls behind me, over to Camp Carolina where we would be learning to do archery and teach it to children this summer.
Now you must understand our mindset going into this training program. We are two girls who will be working at an all-girl camp for the whole summer. We new that there would be guys at the training too, but we weren't expecting what we got. Also, if you would have told me how bizarre the day would have been, this situation would never have crossed my mind. We got there quite a bit early and it took us a minute or so to find our way around but eventually we found the dining hall and that's where we met the first males of the day. Mostly older guys but all very nice and we ended up sitting with them once the doors opened for breakfast. We learned quite a bit from them. Come to find out, Camp Carolina is an all-guy camp. So we were two of maybe 10 girls I saw all day. Also, these aren't your typical guys, really. They're mostly from another country!! (And when this was first mentioned we didn't truly see the extent of "mostly"). I heard a few of the guys speak and they had "British" accents... then a few more.
After breakfast we went to the skate park thingy they had on their campground, that's where we were told to meet. Here we're sitting and people start coming over a little at a time, all guys. By the time we had all introduced ourselves, Hallie and I had come to a realization: not only were we the only two girls in the class, we were the only Americans. And a conclusion to follow: today is going to be an interesting day.
These guys were awesome. There were two Scottsmen, Ali (allistor... or something) and Hani. Two Australians, Kriston and Matty. Three englishmen, Gary, Neil, and... Tom?. A South African, Hanno (pronounced Hanu, with a South African accent, of course). And one more guy who I do not remember the name of or the country he was from, but I remember his face.. BAH! The guy who instructed the class was from Augusta, Georgia. He was a character, too.
Back to the guys, Hallie and I spent the day saying "huh?" (mainly to Ali who, if remember correctly, was from west Scotland... he had the most difficult accent to understand), and asking them to repeat things and the spell them (so we were sure we heard it right) then explain the meaning.
A few interesting things and mythbusters: (all said with the proper accents)
- Scotland: "Have you got a giraffe?" has the same meaning as "Are you pulling my leg?"
- England: A "Trolley" is not one of those red double decker buses, it's a shopping cart. And they just called the buses, buses. They don't go grocery shopping, they go fruit and veg shopping. The red phone booths are only there for tourists, people don't actually use them and they had to remove some of them from the streets because they are becoming vintage items and people were stealing them. They graduate from "senior school" at the age of 15. Then the system gets very complicated... but there's a lot of education opportunities.
- People from every country thought our idea of "Middle School" was ridiculous and we should just have two schools instead of that extra one in the middle.
- OH! And this one is my favorite. All these guys came to America to work at a camp. Why? Because they want the "American Camp Experience".. Apparently it's a big deal in other countries that we have camps. I didn't know it was so exciting, I'm missing out. HA!
- There IS a difference between British and English, like it would be insulting to call a Scottsman English, but he is British and you can call him that.
The coolest things I learned were through just sitting and talking. Once the conversation moved to God and faith and they saw that I was a Christian, they were shocked. They said they expected American Christians to talk and do and be all about God all the time and not have any fun. One of the guys said "But you guys have normal conversations and stuff". It really showed me how much the stigma of Christianity has spread outside of our borders. They really thought that as a Christian I would tell them they were bad people when they cussed and make them accept Christ. It makes me sad that this is the reputation our Religion has.
I know many people who hate the word "Religion" because it represents tradition and a lack of emotion and relationship. And I too don't like the word because that's not what we should have as Christians, but that's what Christianity has turned into and thus I have come to hate the word "Christian". I was talking to a long-time friend the other night and we were talking about words, and how the meaning of them changes, like in the song "Mayberry" by Rascal Flatts. I think the meaning of the word "Christian" has changed so much that I don't want to be associated with it.
One of the guys from Australia, Kriston, said that back home him and his friends are called "churchies". I had a hard time explaining to him that around here, that's a bad thing. That I would never want to be called a "churchie" not because I don't want to go to church but that "churchie" would mean that I was pushing my faith on others.
I really enjoyed talking to everyone and the day could not have been better. It ended with a beautiful ride back to Athens, full of winding roads and sunsets over the water. Misty swamps in front of trees and mountains that go on forever. I saw things you only see in pictures in that state. After this first day in the NC, I am very much looking forward to spending the summer up there and I hope to go back and see these guys on my off time and talk about their "American Camp Experience". Haha.
WHOA! I leave one week from today.
peace.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Less Than Pleased
So. Last time I expressed my excitement about being assigned the 10-12 year olds. And receiving a devotional book for "age appropriate" devotions to do with the girls. I began reading through the devotions with excitement but was quickly disappointed by their, for lack of a better word, corny-ness. Now, I have spent a decent amount of time with girls of this age group considering I practically raised my neighbors: five girls who range in age from 17 to 2. These devotions wouldn't even begin to challenge the minds of these little girls.
These girls aren't going to learn or grow in the Lord if they're not being challenged. If you have never spent time with children then you would honestly be surprised at how insightful and well connected they are. They really understand things.. and just like any other person if you don't challenge their minds they're not going to learn or grow. So I've pretty much decided that I'm going to do devotions how I want to do them. I'm not going to pray and seek Our Lord. Because I think that to make a difference in these girls life I have to get them thinking. Get them asking questions and seeking the Word for answers.
I am really looking forward to these girls. Meeting them and being a part of their lives. I can't wait to see what Jesus is going to teach me and these girls about Truth. What truth? I just don't know yet.
A few weeks ago, after finals ended, I invited a friend over. Her name is Holly and she was the one who prayed with me the night that God took many burdens and pain from me. That is a night I will never forget and since then she and I have had some good prayer time but we had not been able to get to know each other. So I invited her over to chat and for us to really get to know each other. As we were talking she asked me if the color yellow meant anything to me. And it really doesn't. She said that yellow usually symbolizes truth and that she felt that God was going to revel a lot of truth to me come fall. I have been feeling a lot that God is going to teach me so much this fall. It has made me what to skip over the summer. But I was walking down the beach Monday morning with a friend and he said "grow where your planted" I think he said it's somewhere in Psalms. So I'm really excited about this summer. And everything it will bring. If I know God (and I do.. just not well), then He's not going to wait til fall to start teaching me things.
Check out 1 Peter.. it's pretty cool.
K. I'm out.
These girls aren't going to learn or grow in the Lord if they're not being challenged. If you have never spent time with children then you would honestly be surprised at how insightful and well connected they are. They really understand things.. and just like any other person if you don't challenge their minds they're not going to learn or grow. So I've pretty much decided that I'm going to do devotions how I want to do them. I'm not going to pray and seek Our Lord. Because I think that to make a difference in these girls life I have to get them thinking. Get them asking questions and seeking the Word for answers.
I am really looking forward to these girls. Meeting them and being a part of their lives. I can't wait to see what Jesus is going to teach me and these girls about Truth. What truth? I just don't know yet.
A few weeks ago, after finals ended, I invited a friend over. Her name is Holly and she was the one who prayed with me the night that God took many burdens and pain from me. That is a night I will never forget and since then she and I have had some good prayer time but we had not been able to get to know each other. So I invited her over to chat and for us to really get to know each other. As we were talking she asked me if the color yellow meant anything to me. And it really doesn't. She said that yellow usually symbolizes truth and that she felt that God was going to revel a lot of truth to me come fall. I have been feeling a lot that God is going to teach me so much this fall. It has made me what to skip over the summer. But I was walking down the beach Monday morning with a friend and he said "grow where your planted" I think he said it's somewhere in Psalms. So I'm really excited about this summer. And everything it will bring. If I know God (and I do.. just not well), then He's not going to wait til fall to start teaching me things.
Check out 1 Peter.. it's pretty cool.
K. I'm out.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Let's Hear It For Middle Schoolers! Woot Woot!
YAY!
Just got a phone call from the madre... She had a package for me from Hollymont and when she opened it there was a book for Devotions for 10-12 year olds! That means I get to work with the middle schoolers!! God has really given me a heart for Middle Schoolers this past year and now I'll get to put it to good use. Another awesome thing about that is that lights-out for them is 9:45 so I will get a decent night's sleep each night since we don't have to get up until 7:45.. I can only usually make it 6-7 hours before I wake up anyway. I'm going to need my sleep if I'm going to be a fun counselor and not a cranky one.. haha.
This summer is going to be super fun and a great learning experience! Woot! Any and all prayers are welcome! Prayers to prepare my heart and the hearts of other girls in counselor positions; preparation for what the Lord is going to do in us this summer and for the leadership roles that we will be holding. Prayer for the girls and what the Lord is going to teach them through us this summer. Prayer for safe travels and safety on the campus and in the water. Prayer that we, as leaders, will hear God's Voice as we go through our planning and our summer and that we will learn what He wants to teach us before we get up there.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Phillippians 4:6
Just got a phone call from the madre... She had a package for me from Hollymont and when she opened it there was a book for Devotions for 10-12 year olds! That means I get to work with the middle schoolers!! God has really given me a heart for Middle Schoolers this past year and now I'll get to put it to good use. Another awesome thing about that is that lights-out for them is 9:45 so I will get a decent night's sleep each night since we don't have to get up until 7:45.. I can only usually make it 6-7 hours before I wake up anyway. I'm going to need my sleep if I'm going to be a fun counselor and not a cranky one.. haha.
This summer is going to be super fun and a great learning experience! Woot! Any and all prayers are welcome! Prayers to prepare my heart and the hearts of other girls in counselor positions; preparation for what the Lord is going to do in us this summer and for the leadership roles that we will be holding. Prayer for the girls and what the Lord is going to teach them through us this summer. Prayer for safe travels and safety on the campus and in the water. Prayer that we, as leaders, will hear God's Voice as we go through our planning and our summer and that we will learn what He wants to teach us before we get up there.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Phillippians 4:6
Friday, May 9, 2008
New Friends In New Places
So I went searching on facebook for groups about Camp Hollymont. And I found one for 2008 Summer Staff so I requested to join (because it was one of those) and the creator of the group was a girl named Emily. So she added me as a friend and we did some "chatting"... you know. She seemed really nice and helped calm my nerves and some of my fears about the camp. And she answered a lot of my questions. I also looked through her pictures and saw a lot of what the camp is like. I'm even going to get to sign. Unfortunately, it sounds like I will know more sign than anyone where, which isn't enough and means that I will not be learning anything new this summer... at least no new signs.
I have been told by many that I am going to learn so much, spiritually, this summer and I know I will. But what I am looking forward to more than learning and teaching these young girls... I am really looking forward to coming back to Athens and Wesley in the fall and learning all the lessons that God is going to teach all my friends this summer in their endeavors.
I joined a Women's Small group this January. The actual group began in August but my fall semester was far too busy... well that was my excuse but we won't go into that right now. Anyway, one of the first nights there one of our leaders, Katherine, showed us how God can teach me one thing and my friend another. And then it is our job to share what we have learned with each other. I can't wait to learn what everyone else will learn this summer.
I really feel like God's going to rock my world again in the fall. And I know that thinking that way will cause me to mentally decrease the value of this summer... and I already know that God's going to prove to me that this summer is going to change my life. I am so looking forward to it! I'm probably going to meet some really awesome girls... and I'm going to teach some middle school girls some things they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. And they will teach me things that I know I will carry with me, especially as I go into Youth Leadership at AFUMC. I hope that I don't end up adding to the already long list of girls that I plan on having as bridesmaids.. that list really is long enough already.
Alright, now I'm just babbling so I will go. But it is kinda weird to think that in less than a month I will be in North Carolina.
It's gonna be one heck of a summer, people!
In Him,
:D
I have been told by many that I am going to learn so much, spiritually, this summer and I know I will. But what I am looking forward to more than learning and teaching these young girls... I am really looking forward to coming back to Athens and Wesley in the fall and learning all the lessons that God is going to teach all my friends this summer in their endeavors.
I joined a Women's Small group this January. The actual group began in August but my fall semester was far too busy... well that was my excuse but we won't go into that right now. Anyway, one of the first nights there one of our leaders, Katherine, showed us how God can teach me one thing and my friend another. And then it is our job to share what we have learned with each other. I can't wait to learn what everyone else will learn this summer.
I really feel like God's going to rock my world again in the fall. And I know that thinking that way will cause me to mentally decrease the value of this summer... and I already know that God's going to prove to me that this summer is going to change my life. I am so looking forward to it! I'm probably going to meet some really awesome girls... and I'm going to teach some middle school girls some things they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. And they will teach me things that I know I will carry with me, especially as I go into Youth Leadership at AFUMC. I hope that I don't end up adding to the already long list of girls that I plan on having as bridesmaids.. that list really is long enough already.
Alright, now I'm just babbling so I will go. But it is kinda weird to think that in less than a month I will be in North Carolina.
It's gonna be one heck of a summer, people!
In Him,
:D
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Hey Guys!
Well I'm going to North Carolina this summer to work at Camp Hollymont as a counselor. I don't know just yet if there will be internet. But I will find a way to post on here at least once a week so I can let you know what's going on with me and what God's doing. I can't wait to hear about what all of you are going to do and how your summers are going! My e-mail is heather@uga.edu so PLEASE e-mail me as often as possible or put me on your e-mail list!
Have a great summer! Yay for God!
:D
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