I have a few stories to share, and I just am so excited about what God is doing and what he has done in these last three weeks of camp. In three week we have seen 42 children call Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior. It's amazing.
Alec's story:
Week two in Powder Springs Georgia, There is a camper with cerebral palsy. Let me backtrack for a second... a year ago, the mighty green team was going to eat at a Subway, but their credit card machine was broken, so we hopped back into our 15 passenger vans and went across the street to Arbys. There, inside Arbys we met Alec and his family. A couple of guys from our team started talking to him and his family while waiting for our food, and his mother (who was his adopted mother, because Alec was previously in foster care) expressed how she wished he could go to camp like that. Our director told him to come, that he promised it would be a great time and so the next day Alec showed up to camp. Now, onto how God grew this story even bigger this year.... We as a team heard that he was coming back. Alec was going to be in the Alpine!! His mom told us that he was so excited! I was excited just because it was such a good story, and more importantly, it was God's story. So the week goes on, and in one of our meetings at the end of the day we were expressing out cares and our feelings toward him and his family, and we all decided that we wanted to reimburse the family for camp. See, the day before, when Alec was getting dropped off, his mom told us about how they saved all year to send him to this one camp. That when WinShape camps c3 was brought up to him, a smile swooped across his face. The next morning, at registration a gift was donated of $200 for Alec family, my volunteer didn't know why she did it, but just felt that she should. (GOD IS SOOO GOOD!!) As leadership, we still decided that we would open it up to the staff that if they wanted to donate anything to this family then they were welcome to, but it was no pressure. We collected over $700 dollars as a staff. On Friday, at Chick-Fil-A Friday Family Fun Day we gave an envelope to the family...later to learn that the Dad recently lost his job due to illness and hospitalization costs were so expensive without insurance. Alec is needing multiple surgeries, and his poor mother was working all that she could just to take care of the family. It warms my heart to see how much God is doing in the lives of so many campers, beyond what I don't even see.
Satan's attack will not break us down!:
During week 2 we had MULTIPLE people get sick the stomach bug went around. For one day of camp we had 3 staffers missing. Now for the normal person, three people wouldn't make a difference. But in a setting like this we have people that are specifically trained for their jobs, and yes, someone usually can wing it and get by... but camp suffers. USUALLY. Let me tell you... Those 150 campers didn't know that we were staffers down. We have a staff full of people that know how to hold each other up. I swear my team is the epitome of Ephesians 4:29. SO encouraging. All the time, so faithful to Christ, and I am so thankful that we have a heart to ward off the enemy. Last week we were in the dirtiest school full of cockroaches and huge bugs and ants, but that didn't knock us down either. Currently I am nursing a pulled muscle but I'm giving the glory to God because he has something for me to do. He has a volunteer or a camper or a church staff for me to pour into and that's just what I'm going to do. I'm going to love the Lord, rejoice, and keep praying for Joy. God is good all the time. I will NOT LET SATAN WIN!
Please pray for the Green Team. Time is short. HOWEVER... God can do great things through us!!!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
LeAvIn' On A jEt PlAnE!!!!!
TOMORROW. I get to get up at 4:00 in the morning, get ready, drive 2 minutes to Union, pick up 5 people, load us up in Jeepy, drive 1.5 hours to Memphis, park, take the shuttle, check baggage, fight through security, get to our checkpoint, get on the flight and 3 hours later I will be in ORLANDO!!! There is so much I am looking forward to this weekend, and being that I have not used this nifty little tool, let me tell you what I am super looking forward to!!!
1) where I am going to be staying! Look at that picture!!!
2) no screaming kids for 4 whole days!
3) everything is FREE!!!
4) 4 days with camp friends.
5) having lots of fun!
I'm looking so forward to just spending some time away from Jackson, Nashville, and even Owensboro... to get away and talk about having a great summer. By bringing glory and honor to God, and making sure that my volunteers this summer have the best week ever, fell appreciated, and make sure that they can give the campers the best experience ever! That's what we are there for... giving the campers a memorable experience!
1) where I am going to be staying! Look at that picture!!!
2) no screaming kids for 4 whole days!
3) everything is FREE!!!
4) 4 days with camp friends.
5) having lots of fun!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Oh Goodness...
I just don't understand it. Why do kids fight sleep? As a professional self sufficient babysitter, it never fails... bed time or nap time, kids want to fight sleep! I often talk to my mom about my babysitting duties, and the fun I have had with with kids. She tells me that my own children won't have that problem, because I would/still will sleep anywhere. She said she used to find me sleeping under the table, beds, cement, grass, chair, blanket... I would sleep anywhere. Which is still true today. If I lay down for a minute, I can go to sleep with no problems, but it always blows my mind how for a good 20-30 minutes the littlest kids fight it! Do they think they are going to miss something? I usually tell them "It's okay, you're not going to miss anything while you're asleep. However, you're crabby and you need a nap." As I write this I have a 15 month old trying to sleep and I hear her talking away. She hasn't slept yet! I hate having to leave her to fall asleep on her own, but she is one of those independent -let me do it myself - type of kids. So I have to let her fight it out. Probably the biggest challenges of what I do, but it doesn't hurt them, and if it gets to the point, no worries, I take care of them and make sure they are okay!
However, I don't plan on being a babysitter for the rest of my life, I need to find a real job, and the search SUCKS! Just probably my new word, I am working C3 camp again this summer... super excited!! But alas, after camp I am moving back to Owensboro, Ky, to live with my Mom, Dad and Grandmother. BOO... I love my parents so so so much, but I don't like the idea of living with them when I am 25. I'm not looking forward to making friends, to finding a new church, to looking for a job... I want to stay in Tennessee, and I just pray that God grants the desires of my heart and provides them. I know whatever happens, it happens for a reason... AMEN. I gotta keep reminding myself that because I often become the 'woe is me' type of believer and God continues to show me that he, in fact, knows a whole lot more than I do.
So over a month left in my apartment, WAHOO! I'm so great full for how got worked all of that out. I mean really, my -annoying, motherly (in a bad way), always "sick", sneaky, manipulative, annoying, annoying, annoying, roommate signed the forms and was 100% wrong about getting out of our lease! Such a blessing... because that saved us over $600. When you're a broke duck like me, I will take what I can get. Hence the endless hours of babysitting.
Well the dishes are done, and the toys are picked up. The beautiful sleepy child is now asleep! Time for my lunch and to write some cover letters for my potential jobs. As well as search for some in Owensboro... Hmm... the joys of growing up! I believe there is a passage in the Bible that says "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart" I need to keep HIM first, and the rest will fall into place, and the peace that passes all understanding will happen when I follow him. :)
"The joy of the Lord is my strength"
Oh How I love it!!!
However, I don't plan on being a babysitter for the rest of my life, I need to find a real job, and the search SUCKS! Just probably my new word, I am working C3 camp again this summer... super excited!! But alas, after camp I am moving back to Owensboro, Ky, to live with my Mom, Dad and Grandmother. BOO... I love my parents so so so much, but I don't like the idea of living with them when I am 25. I'm not looking forward to making friends, to finding a new church, to looking for a job... I want to stay in Tennessee, and I just pray that God grants the desires of my heart and provides them. I know whatever happens, it happens for a reason... AMEN. I gotta keep reminding myself that because I often become the 'woe is me' type of believer and God continues to show me that he, in fact, knows a whole lot more than I do.
So over a month left in my apartment, WAHOO! I'm so great full for how got worked all of that out. I mean really, my -annoying, motherly (in a bad way), always "sick", sneaky, manipulative, annoying, annoying, annoying, roommate signed the forms and was 100% wrong about getting out of our lease! Such a blessing... because that saved us over $600. When you're a broke duck like me, I will take what I can get. Hence the endless hours of babysitting.
Well the dishes are done, and the toys are picked up. The beautiful sleepy child is now asleep! Time for my lunch and to write some cover letters for my potential jobs. As well as search for some in Owensboro... Hmm... the joys of growing up! I believe there is a passage in the Bible that says "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart" I need to keep HIM first, and the rest will fall into place, and the peace that passes all understanding will happen when I follow him. :)
"The joy of the Lord is my strength"
Oh How I love it!!!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Sometimes you just wanna scream!
I didn't make coffee this morning "Why?", I'm not applying to that school, I don't like their mission statement "Why", I think I might move back home after camp this summer "Why?", I made a decision on my own and didn't ask your opinion"Why?", Why did they wait so long to tell you? Why did your family move? Why does she act like that, why did you sign a contract with them? WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY!?!?!?!?! SHUT UP!
I hate being asked why, and above all else, I hate being asked WHY by adults (by which I mean those my age and older) Children, I will excuse you because honestly you just don't know. However, I don't feel like I need to explain myself over every little thing! I mean honestly, let me choose, let ME pick, let ME do what I decide. Don't ask my why I procrastinated so much. Don't ask me why I did what I did, or why I can't find a job. Half the time... If I KNEW I would tell you!!!
And here's another thing. I graduated, and I can't find a job. I'm not a "certified teacher" but I have EVERYTHING EXCEPT STUDENT TEACHING... that's it!!! So, lets forget the fact that America needs 100 thousand teachers who can teach Science, English, MIDDLE SCHOOL... but no, let's not give Amanda a job. I don't want to fill out another application, and frankly my printer refuses!
Whatabout that roommate of mine that likes to keep EVERYTHING a stinking secret, then gets mad when she finds out it's possible to get out of the rent situation! I'm so over her sneaking around. I'm out in May and if she wants the 810/month per rent all on her own... go for it! AND if she wants to find new roommates to control, she can go ahead and try to find them. I fell for her fake act last year, it's not happening again. So wake up and smell the roses please, and realize that a) you are not our mother b) go where you really want to go... and quit acting like school and work is holding you back because c) your other two roommates see through your fakeness.... Sign the papers, call it good, and let's go our separate ways please!!! UGH...
Alright, rant is over. I apologize to my faithful readers, for this post not being a "oh how i love it" type of post, but sometimes you just gotta vent! :)
I hate being asked why, and above all else, I hate being asked WHY by adults (by which I mean those my age and older) Children, I will excuse you because honestly you just don't know. However, I don't feel like I need to explain myself over every little thing! I mean honestly, let me choose, let ME pick, let ME do what I decide. Don't ask my why I procrastinated so much. Don't ask me why I did what I did, or why I can't find a job. Half the time... If I KNEW I would tell you!!!
And here's another thing. I graduated, and I can't find a job. I'm not a "certified teacher" but I have EVERYTHING EXCEPT STUDENT TEACHING... that's it!!! So, lets forget the fact that America needs 100 thousand teachers who can teach Science, English, MIDDLE SCHOOL... but no, let's not give Amanda a job. I don't want to fill out another application, and frankly my printer refuses!
Whatabout that roommate of mine that likes to keep EVERYTHING a stinking secret, then gets mad when she finds out it's possible to get out of the rent situation! I'm so over her sneaking around. I'm out in May and if she wants the 810/month per rent all on her own... go for it! AND if she wants to find new roommates to control, she can go ahead and try to find them. I fell for her fake act last year, it's not happening again. So wake up and smell the roses please, and realize that a) you are not our mother b) go where you really want to go... and quit acting like school and work is holding you back because c) your other two roommates see through your fakeness.... Sign the papers, call it good, and let's go our separate ways please!!! UGH...
Alright, rant is over. I apologize to my faithful readers, for this post not being a "oh how i love it" type of post, but sometimes you just gotta vent! :)
Friday, March 4, 2011
What would the world be like if kids got to do whatever they wanted....
Today I spent the morning at a wonderful families house that I have been babysitting at since Benjamin was 6 weeks old. Now another child later, and a full grown 2 year old boy later... It hit me today that I have been babysitting since I was about 12 years old.
In my years of babysitting and many many many families later, I have won many fights with kids. Fights against nap, dinner time, bath, food, clothes,things that are unsafe to play with...and answered the "why" question more times than I can count. In all of this, usually when they are snuggled in bed and I have earned my mulah at the end of the night, when I am driving home, I think... What would the world be like if kids got to do whatever they wanted...
Think on that a minute... I constantly tell the kids not to eat something, not to climb on something, don't hit, don't scream, don't run in the house, put shoes on, leave their underwear on, don't throw a fit... and I have mastered the tuning out. I am currently a "nanny" (kinda, I watch her for 2 full days a week..) for a 15 month old who is the MOST STUBBORN CHILD I HAVE EVER DEALT WITH. My favorite phrase is " I will win!" This girl will put up a fight, let me tell you... If I let her do whatever she wanted to do, she wouldn't eat anything... not a thing except oyster crackers, and only drink milk. She would never nap, and I would be covered in bruises because if she doesn't get her way she goes to hitting! She would run around naked, never wear a diaper, probably ride the dogs backward, and rip the cat's tails off. Here's the thing... she's so cute, I can't help but give her lots of hugs and laugh at her the majority of the time! Which is a good thing. However, she doesn't get her way... I do win! She gets dressed, eats food... eventually..., does not climb on the dogs, leaves the cat's alone, and other things... I just love their little minds and how they work. I cannot even begin to think what life would be like if I let her do whatever she wanted. LOL.... When I leave at the end of the night I always am greatful to sit down for the 5 minute drive home, or to the next house to babysit! I wonder what life will be life when I have my own?!?! kinda makes me laugh...
Funny thing is... I don't have kids, I'm no where near having a family of my own anytime soon. But one day, when God decides that it's my time to procreate, I don't know how much thought I will have to put into being a mom because basically I have been taking care of kids of all ages for the majority of my life!
What would your life be like if you let the kids in your life do whatever they wanted? I have 4 other families, and a whole lot of kiddies in the urban ministries that I could write about, but I figure I have rambled long enough for one blog. :-)
In my years of babysitting and many many many families later, I have won many fights with kids. Fights against nap, dinner time, bath, food, clothes,things that are unsafe to play with...and answered the "why" question more times than I can count. In all of this, usually when they are snuggled in bed and I have earned my mulah at the end of the night, when I am driving home, I think... What would the world be like if kids got to do whatever they wanted...
Think on that a minute... I constantly tell the kids not to eat something, not to climb on something, don't hit, don't scream, don't run in the house, put shoes on, leave their underwear on, don't throw a fit... and I have mastered the tuning out. I am currently a "nanny" (kinda, I watch her for 2 full days a week..) for a 15 month old who is the MOST STUBBORN CHILD I HAVE EVER DEALT WITH. My favorite phrase is " I will win!" This girl will put up a fight, let me tell you... If I let her do whatever she wanted to do, she wouldn't eat anything... not a thing except oyster crackers, and only drink milk. She would never nap, and I would be covered in bruises because if she doesn't get her way she goes to hitting! She would run around naked, never wear a diaper, probably ride the dogs backward, and rip the cat's tails off. Here's the thing... she's so cute, I can't help but give her lots of hugs and laugh at her the majority of the time! Which is a good thing. However, she doesn't get her way... I do win! She gets dressed, eats food... eventually..., does not climb on the dogs, leaves the cat's alone, and other things... I just love their little minds and how they work. I cannot even begin to think what life would be like if I let her do whatever she wanted. LOL.... When I leave at the end of the night I always am greatful to sit down for the 5 minute drive home, or to the next house to babysit! I wonder what life will be life when I have my own?!?! kinda makes me laugh...
Funny thing is... I don't have kids, I'm no where near having a family of my own anytime soon. But one day, when God decides that it's my time to procreate, I don't know how much thought I will have to put into being a mom because basically I have been taking care of kids of all ages for the majority of my life!
What would your life be like if you let the kids in your life do whatever they wanted? I have 4 other families, and a whole lot of kiddies in the urban ministries that I could write about, but I figure I have rambled long enough for one blog. :-)
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
The game of Boggle... as compared to my life.
" Our God is greater, our God is stronger, our God is higher than any others... Our God is Healer AWESOME in power!! OUR GOD, OUR GOD" - Chris Tomlin (famous singer) Xaq Matthews (my favorite singer of it)
I cannot believe how much I have heard this song lately. Today was a hard day, career wise, for me today. I so badly, more than anything, want to be in front of my own classroom teaching middle schoolers about the most boring of subjects. I also can't believe how much God is teaching me and molding me and using me for his glory. It scares me to think of the things that might fall apart at any second, but God wants to keep me on my toes.
God has the power to heal the sick and broken (whoot whoot for Kim's mom!!! For Darrel Manuel. For my Grandmother) God has the power to provide. God has the power to feed 5 thousand people on two loaves of bread and 5 fish from one child's lunch and not a single person was hungry... God provided manna to the Moses' people escaping out of Egypt. He used Moses who had a speech impediment, He used Jeremiah who was young to lead a country. He did things in lives of people I have never met, and yet I feel like my needs aren't as important. I feel like I'm being guilty if I ask for a new car because the transmission and brake booster is dying. Or praying for a job that is perfect for me is selfish because there are so many people out there looking for a job to pay the bills. I have so much to be thankful for, but it's so hard for me to pray for my needs. Which brings me to my life... (pretty intro huh?!?!)
I feel like my life has been a ginormous boggle game... As to which I was on a roll!!! I mean I was finding those 5 letter words and everything was making sense... I knew where I was going! It was good... then, the round was over and my game board was shook up!! Now, I can't read a single word... it's like my life is missing the vowels.... the little pieces that make life work. The job that pays the bills, the car that gets you to that job, the computer that keeps you connected (well that was provided because God is GOOD) the little things. The things that I need to be provided for, are being provided, but here in a few months I will have to pay off college, which is a pretty penny... and I start to regret all of the money I have spent here.
While Saying all of this, I know I sound like I'm not great full... I'm just scared. Really really really scared. I want so bad for things to work out, but I want God's will for my life more, because I know in the end he is going to get the glory.
I spent three hours at dinner tonight with a great friend just discussing God and his awesome plan. I just so badly wish I was a part of it... or could find the vowels in my boggle game. I'm sure to let you know when! :)
I cannot believe how much I have heard this song lately. Today was a hard day, career wise, for me today. I so badly, more than anything, want to be in front of my own classroom teaching middle schoolers about the most boring of subjects. I also can't believe how much God is teaching me and molding me and using me for his glory. It scares me to think of the things that might fall apart at any second, but God wants to keep me on my toes.
God has the power to heal the sick and broken (whoot whoot for Kim's mom!!! For Darrel Manuel. For my Grandmother) God has the power to provide. God has the power to feed 5 thousand people on two loaves of bread and 5 fish from one child's lunch and not a single person was hungry... God provided manna to the Moses' people escaping out of Egypt. He used Moses who had a speech impediment, He used Jeremiah who was young to lead a country. He did things in lives of people I have never met, and yet I feel like my needs aren't as important. I feel like I'm being guilty if I ask for a new car because the transmission and brake booster is dying. Or praying for a job that is perfect for me is selfish because there are so many people out there looking for a job to pay the bills. I have so much to be thankful for, but it's so hard for me to pray for my needs. Which brings me to my life... (pretty intro huh?!?!)
I feel like my life has been a ginormous boggle game... As to which I was on a roll!!! I mean I was finding those 5 letter words and everything was making sense... I knew where I was going! It was good... then, the round was over and my game board was shook up!! Now, I can't read a single word... it's like my life is missing the vowels.... the little pieces that make life work. The job that pays the bills, the car that gets you to that job, the computer that keeps you connected (well that was provided because God is GOOD) the little things. The things that I need to be provided for, are being provided, but here in a few months I will have to pay off college, which is a pretty penny... and I start to regret all of the money I have spent here.
While Saying all of this, I know I sound like I'm not great full... I'm just scared. Really really really scared. I want so bad for things to work out, but I want God's will for my life more, because I know in the end he is going to get the glory.
I spent three hours at dinner tonight with a great friend just discussing God and his awesome plan. I just so badly wish I was a part of it... or could find the vowels in my boggle game. I'm sure to let you know when! :)
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Some days are better than others... even true in the world of baking!
Alrighty!!!
So around 6:00 pm tonight I decided that I wanted to make some cinnamon rolls. So I did just that. I wrote out the directions, gathered my ingredients and went to baking. 4 hours later I am eating them. However, making cinnamon rolls from scratch... IS NOT WORTH IT! never have I ever made anything that in the end I proclaimed NEVER AGAIN.... today, my friends... (all three followers) I have met my match.... NEVER AGAIN WILL I MAKE CINNAMON ROLLS FROM SCRATCH. :)
Here is my suggestion... go to your favorite grocery store and buy the tube, bake and enjoy. the only thing you mess up in 1 BAKING PAN. Not the counters 4 times, 4 different bowls, and then 3 different cooking thingies. It will be worth it in the end to spend the 3.00 buck-a-roos on the pillsbury cinnamon rolls! :)
There ya go, Free tip for today, buy your cinnamon rolls... tube and all, bake and enjoy!!! :)
OH HOW I LOVE ME SOME STORE BOUGHT CINNAMON ROLLS! :)
I will be going to get me some next trip to the grocery store!! I just went today and wish that I would have bought some.
So around 6:00 pm tonight I decided that I wanted to make some cinnamon rolls. So I did just that. I wrote out the directions, gathered my ingredients and went to baking. 4 hours later I am eating them. However, making cinnamon rolls from scratch... IS NOT WORTH IT! never have I ever made anything that in the end I proclaimed NEVER AGAIN.... today, my friends... (all three followers) I have met my match.... NEVER AGAIN WILL I MAKE CINNAMON ROLLS FROM SCRATCH. :)
Here is my suggestion... go to your favorite grocery store and buy the tube, bake and enjoy. the only thing you mess up in 1 BAKING PAN. Not the counters 4 times, 4 different bowls, and then 3 different cooking thingies. It will be worth it in the end to spend the 3.00 buck-a-roos on the pillsbury cinnamon rolls! :)
There ya go, Free tip for today, buy your cinnamon rolls... tube and all, bake and enjoy!!! :)
OH HOW I LOVE ME SOME STORE BOUGHT CINNAMON ROLLS! :)
I will be going to get me some next trip to the grocery store!! I just went today and wish that I would have bought some.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)