Life Update

WHEW! What a CRAZY three weeks it has been. I honestly do not even know where to begin with updating. :]

Of course, as many of you know, camp began three weeks ago. It has been a whirlwind as we have gotten into the swing of things. The first week was crazy hectic as me, my staff, and the campers had to get used to the different daily schedules. That week gave me a good glimpse into what I would be dealing with this summer, which was both good and bad. (Always is, right?) I am blessed with some amazing counselors, but I have found that a couple are going to need a little more guidance and push. The kids are great [DUH!] and really seem to be enjoying camp. The first week was really hard for me because I had to be the "harsh" person and lay down the law to the kids. This new position is hard in general being that I am doing more "behind the scenes" stuff and not getting as much "play" time with the kids. As the weeks have gone on, I am finding time to spend with each of them throughout the day.

Last week we had Party Pets come and show us his animals. He had all kinds of different critters from turtles to lizards to rabbits to SNAKES! The kids had a great time getting to hold or pet/touch each one. The guy had two snakes that he would allow the kids to wear as a necklace and a belt. That day I had over 80 kids, and pretty much all of them wanted to line up to try on the "snake belt". I stood there next to Mr. Greg taking picture after picture of each kid with the snake belt. Much to my surprise, by the time the last kid got to try on the belt, Mr. Greg decided to ask the kids if they think I should wear the "snake belt". OF COURSE the kids screamed YES! [Would they be kids if they didn't?] So, I had this huge snake around my waist. Mr. Greg also took his albino snake and put her around my neck for a "snakelace". Cool, I know. I cringed the whole time, not gonna lie. One of my counselors grabbed my camera out of my hand and took an awesome picture [sarcastic]. I debated on whether or not I should share it on here because I look horrible in it. However, I felt like no one would really believe me...so here it is. :] (Please excuse how horrible I look, thank you. HA)


Hottie, I know. :] As the third week of camp is in full swing and comes to a close, I am finding things to be a bit easier. My staff as really come together and overcome the awkwardness of not knowing each other. It has been frustrating with a few, [as I mentioned above] but I am learning how to approach them with love and patience. Not easy when I feel like they are just another one of my 6 & 7 year olds. :/ My assistant director is amazing to work with, and I am even learning how to encourage her to take a deep breath and not allow the things that pop up randomly throughout the day to stress her out. Being site director is tough and parents are not always the nicest beings on the Earth. [I am now REALLY grasping what teachers mean when they say it's always harder to deal with the parents than with the kids.] It's unbelievable some of the stories I have from conflicts with parents, really. So sad, too. Regardless of the incredible amount of stress this job brings, I am having fun. Funny, huh? It's cool to be on this side of things organizing activities and all for the kids. I have always been used to "playing" with the kids. Hence the reason of why I was always the "player". :) Now, I get to be the "teacher". Sort of. :) Sharing my days with my CTF (China Teaching Fellows) counselor/advisor, Deb, has been fun too as she ALWAYS tells me that I am definitely being prepared for what China will hold. Over there...CHANGE is INEVITABLE. I mean, change happens everywhere, everyday. BUT...well let's just say China will be interesting for someone who apparently doesn't get along with change AT ALL. [I am getting better though, as this summer has shown.] These two little boys are my BOYS! :) I had them last year when I was a counselor. It was exciting when I saw them back again this year! This is Sammie (blue) and Jake aka VanGundy (white). Some of you might remember them from seeing pictures last year! :)

Enough about camp. :) Outside of camp I am continuing to raise money for China. As of now, I have 22% raised! Our Father is SO good! I recently spoke at my parents church, and I was really nervous but God took over and spoke through me. I felt so loved and supported that day, it was very encouraging. It is overwhelming sometimes to be at camp all day and come home knowing I still have so much to do with fundraising. I am praying and begging the Father to open up more doors for speaking opportunities, and to speak to the hearts of people who have received my letters. I KNOW He will provide, but it is hard to wait. I have less than two months...TWO MONTHS and I am leaving the country. WOW! It has really been hitting me lately as I am spending time with my family and I think about how I won't see them for 10 months. I know it will be harder than I think, but that's where relying on JC will come in. :) [He is already teaching me how HE is ENOUGH! -from last post-] I know I will make new friends in my teammates and colleagues, but that doesn't make leaving my friends here in the states any easier. :(

This past weekend [Father's Day weekend] I took a much needed short vaca to Central to visit with Paige. It was nice to get away and forget about camp and China for a bit. We crossed more stuff off the "list" like running to Ingles (3 miles), which proved to be relaxing for me and hard on P. :) Ran it in a bit over our time from the 5K back in April, so it wasn't bad. I feel like my next visit to Central we'll be able to run to Ingles and BACK (6 miles). :] We played more games of Phase 10, one of which included little Eden [Paige's 6-year-old niece] who made the game more challenging since we were so used to only playing with two people. Of course we went to Chick-fil-a and went to see The Proposal. GREAT movie! I recommend it to anyone who wants to have a good laugh. I would definitely see it again. One of our friends from SWU got married [the whole reason I went up there] so I painfully endured that wedding and enjoyed dressing up, strawberry granola bars and cake, and pineapple punch. [sarcastic] Another fun weekend spent with my "old college roomie". Before I knew it I had to foller my sissty back home for another week of work. :D Coming back to camp this Monday proved to be harder than I thought. I felt so "out of place" being gone for the weekend, even though I had only missed one day of camp. I enjoyed the break way too much. :)

Father's Day was spent at home with my Dad. :) Just me and him. Mom had meetings in Greenville, Shad was at camp, Linds is still in KY, and Joce and Wats were visiting with W's Dad & G-pa. I enjoyed the time with just me and Pappy. I got a great adjustment, watched a good movie, and took in a pretty good nap. :)

That about sums it all up, I think. During the time I have typed out this blog one parent and my boss have called. The parent was freaking out about her daughter's DS she let another kid borrow. They know it's their responsibility when they bring it each day, but you always get parents freaking out. So, already I have something I have to deal with in the morning. :/ Awesome. My boss was calling about moving one of my trouble maker boys to the older camp. She wanted my opinion, but I was clueless. I didn't want to lose the boy but he is causing too much problems with other kids, and is suspended for the rest of the week. We will see what happens.

Getting close to bed time, I must retire. What an old foggie going to bed at 9:00. I need the sleep though. 80+ screaming kids tomorrow for a field trip to Monkey Joe's? Yeah, I need all the sleep I can get. :) Three more days and it's BEACH TIME. Edisto here I come!

Until the next update...