Spectacular Now

The most spectacular thing happened yesterday.

I walked out of this restaurant:

And I did not look back. I marched on, head held high with happiness.

My itch has been relieved. A change has occurred and I am happy. 

I spent this past week receiving a little taste of what 2015 will bring for me.

Being nanny will have difficult moments, but I think it will be filled with more meaningful and beautiful moments than cheesecake.

The restaurant industry has blessed me in many ways.

It began in 2008. I applied for a job at the YMCA and was accepted, but I wanted to be a hostess at a restaurant so bad that I practically begged for a position.

Thanks to a wonderful woman in my life, she called me up and gave me a chance and hired me after my first day. It became my first job and I have spent many hours, days, and years in this industry.

It has provided me with a way to live and get by, with lessons learned, opportunities to grow and become more assertive. It provided me with friends and a second family. It provided me with joy for a long time. 

But as of lately the joy disappeared so I needed to part ways before I became too bitter to ever look back on the goodness. 

Today starts the day of a new journey and I welcome it with open arms!

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The First Goodbye

Tess and I have been best friend since 3rd grade. You can read her post about how we met

 on my first impressions post.

This girl has watched me grow up, go through numerous breakups, cry over the most ridiculous things, and supported me through everything. She listens to every thing I say and calls me out when I need it. I act like a complete goof-ball and hilarious Rachel is present when she is around. Now she is moving to L.A. to begin her dream of working in the film industry. I cannot believe she is the first to leave. I have been on edge of tears for the last month. Two weeks ago I couldn't even say when she was leaving without tearing up. This week I couldn't even say her name without feeling the tears come on. I am writing this post in advance for the reason that I will be balling my eyes out today because my best friend is not in the room next door, less than a 20 minute drive away, and no longer working by my side at work.

 

In honor of her, we had a fun little adventure to celebrate our friendship and give her some moments to say goodbye to her life here.

 

We started the night at steak n' shake because the west coast does not have one! Can you believe that? Where is she going to get the best steak burger ever? And if you do not know what a steak burger is, well, that's very unfortunate.

 

During the evening we went on a country drive as it was tradition to do these while we were in our undergrad. These drives always led to deep discussions about our lives and our futures. It was a beautiful day so we drove with the windows down and admired farm life.

We made a visit to the school Tessa and I met at and played on the Adams playground. It had been years since we both had been here and it was crazy to remember that this was the coolest thing about elementary school.



And of course we visited the home I remember spending numerous nights in. Lucky for us, the owner of the house let us peruse the house again and show Michelle where we had sleepovers and parties. 

Tessa's old childhood bedroom. It was green when she lived in it. 

 

 And one of my favorite parts of the night was going to Kohl's to find our own "Sisterhood of the traveling pants" idea. We of course got a purple scarf because purple is all of our favorite colors and scarfs can be worn in all three states we will all live in. Tessa is taking it first to California along with the journal we will be passing along with it. Michelle will get it next for the start of graduate school and then me!

And we had to end the night with some karaoke. Tessa's mom joined us and sang some songs with us. We laughed a lot and were the youngest people in the joint so we definitely sang all the teenie-bopper songs we grew up with. 

 

We ended the night writing where we see each other in the next 5 and 10 years, guessing who would get married first, have the next kid, move in with their in-laws, and many more things.

 

To even try to explain to you how much this girl means to me is not even possible. She's my friend, role model, counselor, and so much more. My heart is heavy today and I am cherishing the time we've had together.

I look forward to Thanksgiving break where we will hopefully be re-united together living it up in L.A.

 

Love you Tess!

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The Evolution of Time

My roommate and I have been talking about how we have changed over the last for years. We've changed personality wise, look wise, and faith wise.

 

Freshman year:

My style was jeans and sweat shirts. I was studying youth leadership. I dated a guy named Trent who went to a different school and I spend the majority of my weekends at AU or in Angola. I went to Zumba every Thursday at 5 p.m., Floor Dinner on Monday's, and bible study on Wednesday. My favorite class was with Todd Faulkner teaching Into to Church Ministries which I took with Tessa. The biggest lesson I learned is to be carefree and have fun. I really lived up this year.

 

Sophomore Year:

Well this was an interesting year. I served on leadership staff as a Discipleship Coordinator. I changed my major to Psychology and Business Management. I lived the single life this year and tried developing friendships. We became friends with some pretty cool people and we lost some friendships. Biggest lesson: God sends some big waves to rock your boat, but if you hold on long enough he pulls you through.

 



Junior Year:

The year of surprises! Michelle was pregnant, I decided I wanted to move to Washington, and some more drama filled our lives. I was a Psychology and now a Business Administration major. We took a trip to California and welcomed in a new member to our friendship. Biggest life lesson: Three strands are not easily broken.

Senior Year:

The year of hair change-light brown, red, to dark brown. Business and Psychology major. Lightest semester loads. Took a week off from school to complete my graduate school interview. Met a boy at a party who after a few months turned into the guy I am dating. I make the big decisions to move to Washington for grad school. Spontaneity and living life up is of importance. Biggest life lesson: Sometimes your plans change, be willing to see where life takes you.

 



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So who loves the new Taylor Swift CD?

I do!

Taylor Swift has always been one of those singers whose words get to me. I am currently on my 4th time of listening to Enchanted this morning. Her songs are so real and connect to my life so well.

Just had to let you know how much I love T-Swift.

Spontaneity.

I told myself this year that I would be more spontaneous. In the past, I am usually the party-pooper who thinks of all the reasons we should not go tp-ing or speak to random strangers. I always think of the worst possibility to occur and end the fun right away. There was one event last year where I freaked out about something and could not stand the person I was being. What happened to this crazy full of fun girl I used to be? So I made the goal to be more spontaneous this year at school. I am a Senior so what do I have to lose?

Here's some spontaneous events I have taken part in.

Last night- I can't give you details, but it was definitely something I never saw myself doing.

Going to the movies on a Sunday night when I have homework and an early morning of work.

Driving home to support my brother even though I had a set plan for my evening.

Flying to Seattle, Washington in the middle of the semester.

Staying up late to have those deep talks with friends even though I know my sleep is much more important.

Trying out for Chapel and actually getting to sing on Stage. So out of character for me.

Letting friends tell people I once liked them and being secure enough in myself to not care.

Speaking to strangers and making friendships from it.

I am sure my list will continue to grow this year. 

Be Spontaneous.

Life is more exciting and full-filling this way!

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Hardest thing I have ever experienced

To sum it all up, I would say sophomore year.

I entered it off the high of my Freshman year expecting it to be amazing and life changing and let's just say sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for.

It was life changing, but not in the way I expected.

I broke up with my boyfriend, celebrated my sisters wedding, suffered from my dad losing his job, and then spent months fighting with a friend.

Sure, my sisters wedding was tons of fun and one of the best parts of the year.

It was just the other stuff that led to the hardest experience ever.

I have talked about it so much on here that it is becoming repetitive.

If you want to read all about it; just click one of the links at the bottom.

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10 Things I would tell my 16 year old self

1.) There is no need to be so dramatic.

The world is not ending and you are strong enough to get through it!

2.) Boys: they are not that important! This is the time to enjoy being single!

The right man will come along; just be patient!

3.) Love your music! Be confident and let others hear your voice.

4.) Watch out for the people you call your "friends." There will be some people you just need to say goodbye to.

They are not always worth the fight.

5.) Appreciate your family! Don't wait til Senior year to see the beauty of family.

6.) Put more emphasis on school. Grades do matter and you are smart.

7.) Invest in your creative side. You have no idea how talented you are!

8.) Stop fighting with your brother! You will be close to him in the future!

9.) Appreciate yourself! You are beautiful and lovely!

10.) Enjoy nature. Don't conform to the Internet craze!

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3.) Relationship with parents

Since I am growing up and about to enter the time in my life when I become independent from my parents, the relationship with them is a little confusing. I am finishing up my third year in college and each year results in my wanting to be more independent and learning how to rely on my parents less. Therefore, the relationship is hard to define.

I recently got my nose pierced and I feel like that might have been my first step to being almost independent. They were not very happy with me, but they also are allowing me to deal with the consequences of my decisions.

I love my parents and all they do for me. Sometimes I do not agree with their decisions, but I have learned they only make their decisions because they think it is what is best for me.

I thank the Lord above for my wonderful parents!

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The arms of the ocean

There is a part of my life that I am completely ashamed of. It is a weight that holds me down and brings me to nights of tears or nights of cheap pleasure. Yet, I find myself in the same spot every so often completely tired of my selfish acts. This is one of those times.

I am not proud, but ashamed.

I am hurting, not happy.

I am sad and mad.

I am lost and seeking.

My worth has been misplaced and my love for myself thrown away.

While I know this path for me is wrong, I creep back onto it and find myself in a worse place than before. I've gone months at a time standing strong, but my sense of comfort makes me think I can handle it again and I fall quickly into the lies all over again. Darkness overwhelms and my true self disappears.

Today is the day I say stop.

Today is the day I give it all to God.

Again.

Today is the day I remember my worth comes from Him and not this world.

Today is the day I start to love and respect myself again.

Today is the day I asked God to "Never Let Me Go" and to "Deliver Me."

Find peace in this song and discover the arms of the ocean.

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3 Legitimate Fears

1.) I am absolutely terrified of losing any part of my family. I have lost grandparents before, but I was too young to understand the value of life then. Since I tend to be pessimistic sometimes, I find myself occasionally thinking about getting a call with the horrible news on the other end. I instantly get teary-eyed just thinking about. I love my family and I am not sure how life could go on without any of them. My parents gave me life and keep accountable in life. My siblings give me joy and laughter and we always have the best time together. My grandmother is one of my best friends and we have way too much fun together. Family is life, love, joy, and a gift that I never want to lose.

2.) I always think of the worst things to happen so when I am buy myself I always anticipate I am going to die. Maybe it is because of all the scary movies I have watched, but I typically look under my car and in the back of my car getting in. I turn on all the lights in the house when I am buy myself so that no one can jump out at me in darkness. When walking by myself outside in the dark, I will place keys in between each of my fingers so that I can jab someone if they try to attack me. Overall, I am fearful of being kidnapped, hurt, or killed.

3.) Snakes. I hate snakes and I fear them so much. If I walk in tall grass, I instantly think of snakes and will run as fast as I can to get out of it. If there is a whole in the ground, I believe there is a snake in it. Sometimes I'm afraid a snake will crawl out of the toilet from the sewer (rational? not so much). I even sometimes think a snake crawled into my bed at night. We played a lot of pranks at camp this summer and for some reason I thought my friends put a snake in my suitcase before I left so I unpacked everything looking for a snake. They actually just stole my toothbrush and toothpaste and froze it in a cup. Yeah, sometimes I am a little bit ridiculous.

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1.) 20 Random Things about Me

I am going to be doing 30 posts about things that include: me, others, life, hearts, and passions. These posts have been inspired by

http://cherishinghopesanddreams.blogspot.com/2012/01/30-things.html

Today is 20 random things about me!

1.) I love Chik-fil-a. It is my favorite fast food place and it is the one place I would want to be taken out to on a first date (and I have been before). The Polynesian and chick-fil-a sauce is the best with ordering a number 5 eight count along with a Dr. Pepper.

2.) I have always had a desire to have 8 kids; 4 of my own and 4 adopted. I think it's because I have always wanted to have a big family and my family is not very big. Will this actually happen? I have no idea!

3.) I love DIY projects. Pinterest is the greatest invention ever because I have been inspired to do so many DIY projects and once I am on summer break I plan to do one once a week.

4.) I do not enjoy physical touch. It's #5 on my love languages. If I am close with you, sure I'll hug you, but I absolutely do not want you to hug me if I am not close with you what so ever. My friends think that is so funny to tell people, but it is the truth. Gifts are my #1 love language in case you wanted to know ;)

5.) I am the middle child and I definitely play the middle child card every chance I get. Sometimes it works and sometimes it utterly fails.

6.) I will sing a song I like over and over again for weeks on end even if I only know the chorus. My roommate wanted to kill me when the song "Whatcha say" by Jason Derulo came out because I sang it nonstop with only two lines repeating.

7.) I have been a hostess at a restaurant for 4 years now and I love it. I almost considered not going to college and doing that for the rest of my life (Thank God I didn't!).

8.) Resulting from hostessing, I love planning parties. I always said I would be an event planner if I did not go to school and still consider making that a part of my life.

9.) I love sandwiches. They are easy to make and they never get old. I especially liked them grilled!

10.) I am a big shopper. I love trying on clothes, buying clothes, picking out clothes for other people...clothes, clothes, clothes! I used to avoid shopping at all costs, but I love it now that I know my style and what looks good on me.

11.) When I get angry, I sometimes have a southern accent. I do not know why or how, but it happens.

12.) Sparkles are my thing. I love buying sparkly or sequin shoes and most things I have are blingy.

13.) I am currently learning how to love running. I am slow, but I always feel great after running for 30 minutes.

14.) Seattle, Washington is the place I want to call home. Previous posts cant tell you all about that!

15.) I am a big day dreamer. Boy can walk into a room and I can dream of our life together. That may sound pathetic or ridiculous, but I just blame it on my active Imagination. Shoot, I know I am not the only person who does it!

16.) I love the sport of soccer. I played for 8 years when I was younger, and still continue to play for fun. It does not bring out my most beautiful side, but it does bring out my most competitive.

17.) I have chosen Ohio State to win the Big 10 for the last four years. That's how big of a fan I am.

18.) Basketball is the one sport I can watch and really get into. I tend to yell even if I am not sure what the call meant.

19.) I love wearing leggings and a comfy sweatshirt. I just love comfort!

20.) I just got my nose pierced which is pretty monumental in my life because I was told not to do it and I went against my parents rules (probably a first for me) and it has been something I have dreamed about a lot. Pin It

Pain Changes Us

Pain. Such a strong and heavy word. A word that can hold so much to it or so very little.

Change. Such a strong and heavy word. A word that can hold so much to it or so very little.

Pain=Change

Just something to think about.

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Week 10: Bellingham, Washington

It's official! My last week in Washington is over and I am sitting at the airport trying not to cry. I have been blessed this whole summer with amazing friends, opportunities, and a loving God. I could not ask for anything more and do not regret any thing.

We spent this week with a band camp so basically we put the campers to bed and woke them up so it was a really easy week. While the kids were in band practice, we spent the day painting tons and building a new campsite for the camp. I only worked on the campsite for 2 hours because I could not handle nature this week (maybe I am still some what of a girly girl still). Instead of building, I painted tons; I even still have paint stuck in my hair that I cannot get rid of. At night, we played tons of loaded questions and spent time preparing each other for our goodbyes. Kool-aid and I also spent the week pranking each other. He froze my toothbrush, toothpaste, and toothbrush holder in water and I just died laughing. I miss all my friends here so much already and I haven't even made it on the plane yet. Yesterday, I pretty much spent the whole day crying. Saying goodbye to everyone was much more tough then I thought. Izza was the hardest seeing as we have become best friends in such a little amount of time. That girl is going to be in my wedding.

As I left this morning with my friends waving me off so early in the morning, I realized that Washington is my home. It is a home I will return to as much as possible and hopefully will call it my official home in the future. I will miss the beautiful mountains, people, and life that is created here. I cannot wait to return and be reunited with everyone again.

See you soon Washington!
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Week 9: Bellingham, Washington

This was our last regular week of camp. I had 5th and 6th grade girls and it was a pretty easy week. I had two CIT's to help me which I was so grateful for and a group of girls who never complained. I got engaged to Dundee on camp out night (no worries; it's a fake engagement) and we heard a pack of coyotes howling outside of our camp site. This week was a little rough because I'm homesick. I know I'm coming home in a week and I just long to be in my home state with family and friends. I am sad to leave here, but ready to be reconnect with my family and share all the stories I have. Once again this was a week of memories from two engagements, pranks, and tons of laughter.

I am sad to say that my time is ending here soon. This has been a summer of unbelievable experiences and a changed heart. I came to camp this summer after having a rough semester at school with my dad losing his job and tough relationships. I was emotionally tired and needed an escape and Camp Lutherwood did just that for me. It gave me a beautiful scenic landscape that I could spend hours looking at, friends that will last for a lifetime, and memories that could never be capture anywhere else. Although I miss home so much, I will miss camp just as much when I return. This has become a new home for me and a place I plan to visit as much as possible in my life. I keep getting asked whether I will return again next summer and I am not sure about that answer. There are three places I call home and each of them tug at my heart strings: Anderson, my family home, and Washington. Being at any of them creates a longing to be at another home and that is hard to deal with. I love camp and it is in God's hands as to whether or not I will return again next summer (but I will say its a likely possibility). All I can do is praise God for the path he has set out for my life. I am grateful for this experience and all that has come with it.

Indiana friends I will be home in 7 days. See you soon!
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Week 8: Bellingham, Washington

I spent this week as a CIT (counselor in training) counselor which means I hung out with high school students all week. It was a blast filled with sassiness, laughter, and ridiculousness. Kahuna shaved all his hair off, I learned how to skip a rock for the first time, and last friday I blobbed for the first time as well. I wish I could write more, but I've run out of time this weekend.

It was a blast all week so that's all you need to know! Pin It

Week 7: Lummi Island, Washington

Working at Lummi was such a rewarding week. It was long labor work filled with 6 hour painting days, but we finished two houses and the families were very grateful. I got to spend the week working with 5 other high school students. The students were great and I wish I could have spent longer getting to know them. We had deep talks about relationships and shared each others life stories. The best night of the whole week was Wednesday night. The Bob's, the family we painted houses for, made us dinner to thank us and then we went to the beach to hang out with their grand-kids. After the beach, we had campfire at their house and their great-grandmother shared her families struggles and how they found God in the midst of it. The stories were touching and truly miracles.

I wish I could go into deep detail about the week, but it is an emotional and very long week to share. This was just another week of showing me why I am supposed to be here. I cannot wait to reconnect with all of you at home and share with you the stories of friendships and fun I am creating and having here.

One thing I have learned for sure about myself here: I am terrified of snakes! A kid this week came up beside me and held it in front of me and I ran so fast and broke out into tears. I hate snakes! Pin It

Week 6: Bellingham, Washington

What a wonderful week it has been in Washington. It has been rainy, but I the sun has shined in so many ways. I spent my first week at camp as an on-site counselor and God blessed me with the greatest group of girls ever. They got a long, did not fight, and grew to become very best friends. It was a great transition for me into being on-site.

This was a confirmation camp week which means campers came with their church groups and had confirmation class for two hours a day and then spent the rest of the time with the counselors. I was very nervous for this week seeing as I am not Lutheran, but it was not a difficult week at all. We discussed how God thinks we are special in our confirmation groups and learned that there is nothing we could do to make God not love us.

My girls and I spent time laughing and growing together during challenge course and activity time. Monday night we got the chance to dress as super hero's for dinner and we looked awesome. Tuesday was a rough day, but my girls were tough and stuck through it. We spent all day at the challenge course which meant lots of hiking and then we had camp out night (even more hiking). Camp out night could have ended badly since it took Neon and I two hours to get our fire started to cook our dinner, but the girls kept great attitudes and we ended the night singing around our campfire and laughing about counselor codes. Wednesday night involved a game of Biffer which is a game where campers have to find counselor in number order so Izza and I spent the game in a canoe boat in the middle of the field representing the 7th and last counselor. We ended the last night of camp with a game of Commando. In this game, the counselor search out the campers and trying to catch them. All the campers have Cheerios which represent their life and if they get caught the counselor gets to take their life and they have to start over trying to get it from one side of the field to the other. Also on Thursday, the staff performed the "Everything (Lifehouse) Skit" for the campers and it was an awesome production.

This week was great and will be a memory for years. It was a blast to spend time with these girls and I wish I could have spent the whole summer getting to know them better. God reminded me this week why I came here (I was beginning to wonder why I came because I miss home a lot) and showed me a lot about myself I needed to know.

This was last week in Camano and this is Lyken playing frogger with a group.

Super Hero Night! Top Row L:R Super Sara, Ninja Turtle, Storm from X-Men, Ninja Turtle, Cat Woman, Uncle Fester. Bottom Row L:R Superwoman and Superman

Twin Night! Neon and I were the Dixie Chicks and sang "Goodbye Earl" when the campers chose us to sing a song during dinner.

Our Harry Potter Costumes after seeing the last and final movie.

In honor of the song of the week, Izza and I sang Goodbye Earl at dinner tonight.

P.S. Mom if your reading this. Prepare for a gigantic hug when I return home. I saw so many girls run into their moms arms today and all I could do was think of running into yours. I love and miss you! Dad you'll get a great big hug as well!

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Week 5: Camano Island, Washington

This week I was sent to do a VBS camp on Camano Island which is about an hour south of Bellingham. It was a relief to take a week away from camp and explore an area that I have never seen completely before. I was assigned 6th graders again which has been awesome because I love middle school students, but I forget that they are still maturing and dealt with a lot of random noisy students. I banned all things Justin Beiber and talks about which camp counselor I had a crush on (Side note- All the guys at camp are great guys and I enjoy getting to know them. I am not dating any of them nor am I engaged/married to any of them. Your welcome mom and dad!)

Being a camp counselor is a wonderful job, but also very tiring. I keep getting asked whether I will come back next year, but I am not at a point where I would be sure of my decision. At this point, I am in the middle and prefer to stay undecided since I still have another six weeks here.

Since my week was similar to one I have explained before I will just give some highlights and things I have learned/love about Washington.

Highlights

Morning greetings/hugs from Keith (a first grader)

Applause after every time I sang at B.O.B. (body on your bunk) time. I felt like a superstar.

Being asked if Keith was my son. If I was older, I would adopt him in a heartbeat!

Matchmaker Kylie; she was sure Pippin and I would be married in the future.

Bible encounters with honest, open hearts.

What I love/have learned about Washington

Thunderstorms do not happen often here, but today God finally granted me one!

Whales eat seals sometimes; sad, but true.

The weather is perfect for me. Never too hot or too cold and rarely is it humid here.

Waking up to mountains never gets old.

City life here is beautiful and filled with green grass.

Unique and one of a kind stores are everywhere.

The style for everyone is so different and unique; yet, accepted by all.

If anyone has any questions for me, feel free to leave a comment on my blog and I will do my best to reply in a timely manner.

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Week 4: Bellingham, Washington

Well this was an interesting week in Washington. I was on General Duty all week so I didn't have campers, but I did interact with campers. I spent most of the week painting, moving furniture, gardening, and planning lots of campfires, morning watches, and vespers.

Sunday we welcomed campers and planned campfire for the campers. Monday we taped the bungalow for painting and weeded a lot. I also swam with the campers every day this week. For vespers I played Katy Perry's "Firework" on guitar and we watched fireworks with a round of Ride the pony (a very funny, repitive game). Tuesday was more manual labor and swimming. This week was mostly a blur so I don't remember a lot of it.

The staff went to do high ropes course one day this week and I made it to the top of the platform climbing up and then just stood there until it was time to come down, but that was good for me. It was a rough week for a lot of people so this weekend was very much needed to rest. Tonight we are having a dinner prepared for us by the Australian and then I leave Sunday for Camano, Washington for a VBS day camp for the week. Pin It

Week 3: Olympia, Washington

Sorry for the delayed post, but life is very busy here in Washington. This past week four others and I went to Olympia, Washington to do a VBS day camp. It was challenging, fun, and a learning experience for all of us. Every single day we had chapel which I played guitar for and then we would break out into cabin times. I had 5th and 6th graders with another counselor because there was 17 of them. They were all fun to get to know, but boy do they push your buttons. By the end of the day, my voice would be scratchy with all the singing and yelling I had to do.

For cabin times, we did bible encounter which is where we go over the theme for the day and do activities that involve the theme. Then we went to game time and basically had the kids run around so they would be tired by the end of the day. Then we had lunch and went into more games with everyone. After games, we had environmental activity which was basically more game time since they didn't have much nature area for us. We ended the day with craft time and closing chapel.

When we were done planning for the day we would head back to our host family house and spend time relaxing or exploring Olympia. It was nice to be able to relax at night and share our lives with our Awesome host family (Tibbets). If I did day camps every week, I don't think I would complain because it was still fun, but I would like at least a couple of weeks on the actual camp site.

When we all returned from our day camps on Friday we had closing staff worship and dinner and then the group of people who stayed camped out in the mountains. Before camp out, we got to go on the boat and I went tubing for my first time! It was scary, but fun too. Saturday morning Maverick put on a Wake board event so we spent the day helping run it which meant more time on the lake. With all that time on the lake also meant a very sun burnt Rachel which I am still recovering from.

I am still loving Washington, but I wouldn't mind a quick trip home to see everyone and just be at home with family for a week. If anyone wants to come visit, feel free. I have Saturdays off and would love to spend it with you!

This was a superhero mural in Olympia that we discovered one night in Washington.

The kissing statue by the Puget Sound. Of course we all had to make our kissy faces!

The Olympia Wolf Pack! L:R Carmello, Izza, Me (Indy), and BC

And of course the three roommates for the week. We love each other!

Izza took this picture while in Olympia. It's just beautiful at night here!

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Week 2 of Staff Training

The time here fells like it is flying by. This was another crazy week of staff training and we did it at the Lummi Indiana Reservation due to another camp renting out our site. The week was filled with more games and getting to know each other. We planned for our Bible Encounters which is an hour we will have each day to teach kids the theme of the day and play games and read the bible.

This was on Tuesday. We went to the Beach and played Eagle's Nest which is similar to capture the flag. Then we practiced skits that we may possibly do at campfire. Isn't it beautiful?

On Saturday Night we had a talent show so I was Saylor Twift and played "Yellow" by Coldplay on the guitar. It was the first time I played for a live audience singing and playing.

On Thursday we had a people scavenger hunt in Fairhaven. We had two find 12 people who continued to move around and get their signature. We didn't win but 111 sure had a great time trying to.

On Sunday night we went to one of the staff's graduation party and had a campfire for the party guests. We then found this hamburger on our way home and all ran on to private property to get a picture with it. "It's all about the journey getting there; not the destination."


We've done too much this week to name every single thing but I'll give some highlights:

1.) Going to Camano Island with Izza and Cookie Monster

2.) 111 room chats

3.) Wrestling each other during a staff game

4.) Cutting my hair off (Yes I cut off 8 inches)

5.) Bonding with every one even more

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