Sunday, June 28, 2009
So Fun!
This past week of work was good. I am really enjoying the time I've spent with my co-workers. Heather let us go swimming twice when we had time off. The work has been strenuous, though. We had so many kids this week! On Wednesday night I played in the band at Overflow again. It went really well. Dr. Thoennes spoke this week at the preaching series and I went almost every night. He spoke about the doctrine of humanity. It was really interesting. On Saturday, Ryan and Chris were kind enough to let Dr. Thoennes and his wife (who is awesome!) and I do high adventure. It was so much fun! I had the day off and it was great to get to know them better and have fun in the trees. After that, I just relaxed by the lake and read. Ryan and I had lunch and then we went kayaking on the lake in lovely yellow kayaks. It was really fun. We raced. I have been wanting to go out on the lake ever since I came here, so it was nice to be able to do that with Ryan for the first time. When we were done, we headed over to the staff BBQ on the lawn and played volleyball for a while. We were both on teams and there was a tournament. It was super fun. Later, we all watched Aladdin on a screen on the lawn. It was cold, but really fun. Then today I worked and went to church and soon I will be heading over to do the opener again. I have been having so much fun with my roommates! We all get along so well. Right now there is a huge purple cake sitting on my dresser in my room. Well, there's half of it left. We've been eating it. Marissa made it for Cheryl's birthday. It is so yummy! Well, a lot of campers are here already to start this week of camp again. God has been teaching me so much up here. He is so amazing.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Weekend Away
On Friday morning, my family and I left Hume and headed for Reno, Nevada. It was my first time in Reno and it was pretty exciting to go road tripping with my family. My Uncle Gordon and Aunt Jenny got married. We went to the rehearsal dinner on Friday night and it was so much fun! It was great to hang out with my wonderful cousins again. We all had a good time together. And now I have three more cousins! Chris, John, and Manny. I am so excited about that. Later that night, we had a bridal shower for Lisa and Sheri because they are both engaged. It was really fun. They are the first of the cousins to be married. It is so exciting!
On Saturday morning, Laura and I went running around Reno. It was pretty exciting. We found a bunch of cool places to go, a police man, and a lovely Wholefoods market. They gave free samples of canteloupe and strawberries! It was great. We then had breakfast with family and went swimming. We were having an imaginary volleyball tournament with more cousins and our Uncle Darrel and Aunt Diane. It was my first time wearing my new target one-piece. All the ladies on the side were laughing at me! Oh well, I don't care :-) haha. The sun came out and then it rained. Weather in Nevada is crazy.
I got Listerine pocket packs! My favorite. It was nice to be down the mountain. At 4:30, the wedding began. It was a beautiful wedding and my uncle and aunt both seemed so happy. The reception was great. I have never had such a wonderful time at a wedding. I have also never had so much fun dancing. If you ask anyone who knows me, they would probably say that I do not dance often, or well. But I have realized that the reason for that is because I have never had such fun people to dance with. I love my huge family! My cousins are awesome and it was so much fun just to go crazy with them all. The food was delicious and the company was great. It is so amazing to see what God can do. He brought Gordon and Jenny together in such a beautiful way.
Yesterday, we all had to say our goodbyes. It was such a quick trip. However, it was so nice to see everyone, especially my own family. The last time I wrote, I was a little sad. But now I know that everything will be fine. God is with me, and he is with them. I was reading Hosea the other day and for a long time I did not like reading it. The people were so disobedient and God was not with them. In the end, though, God brought them back to himself and was still their God despite their sinfulness. It is so beautiful to see God's unconditional love. Last night I was reading 1 Corinthians and I am so thrilled to read what Paul has to say there. God is so clear in his word. He tells us exactly what we need to know. I am so humbled when I read it and then look at my own life. I want to please him, yet I know that I am so sinful and do not try hard enough. But then I read in his word that he is merciful and gracious and will work in me to grow to know him more.
My Grandma and Aunt Eleanor brought me back up the mountain last night. We got a little lost because we did not turn where the signs told us to. It was quite an adventure. We got here just in time to listen to Dr. Erik Thoennes preach at night. I am excited to hear him this week. I met his wife as well. I stayed in Blackoak lodge with Gma and Aunt Eleanor. It was nice. This morning we had breakfast and I showed them around Hume. Then we went to go see the General Grant sequoia tree. There were so many huge and gorgeous trees!!! We had a great time. I hope to go there again with Ryan some time. After we got back we toured around the gift shop and clothing company and had mint chocolate chip shakes. They were delicious!
Now I am chilling in my room downloading pictures and catching up with people. Alexa just woke up. It is her day off today. I hope to go running and possibly practice piano. I should really work on my homework too. I am officially enrolled in my theology II class from Moody Bible Institute. Oh! I almost forgot, we have two new roommates. I have only met one so far, Cheryl. She's great! And she is going to Biola next fall. I am excited. Anyways, it is time for me to go. This weekend has been great and I am so thankful to have been able to spend time with my family. Until next time.
On Saturday morning, Laura and I went running around Reno. It was pretty exciting. We found a bunch of cool places to go, a police man, and a lovely Wholefoods market. They gave free samples of canteloupe and strawberries! It was great. We then had breakfast with family and went swimming. We were having an imaginary volleyball tournament with more cousins and our Uncle Darrel and Aunt Diane. It was my first time wearing my new target one-piece. All the ladies on the side were laughing at me! Oh well, I don't care :-) haha. The sun came out and then it rained. Weather in Nevada is crazy.
I got Listerine pocket packs! My favorite. It was nice to be down the mountain. At 4:30, the wedding began. It was a beautiful wedding and my uncle and aunt both seemed so happy. The reception was great. I have never had such a wonderful time at a wedding. I have also never had so much fun dancing. If you ask anyone who knows me, they would probably say that I do not dance often, or well. But I have realized that the reason for that is because I have never had such fun people to dance with. I love my huge family! My cousins are awesome and it was so much fun just to go crazy with them all. The food was delicious and the company was great. It is so amazing to see what God can do. He brought Gordon and Jenny together in such a beautiful way.
Yesterday, we all had to say our goodbyes. It was such a quick trip. However, it was so nice to see everyone, especially my own family. The last time I wrote, I was a little sad. But now I know that everything will be fine. God is with me, and he is with them. I was reading Hosea the other day and for a long time I did not like reading it. The people were so disobedient and God was not with them. In the end, though, God brought them back to himself and was still their God despite their sinfulness. It is so beautiful to see God's unconditional love. Last night I was reading 1 Corinthians and I am so thrilled to read what Paul has to say there. God is so clear in his word. He tells us exactly what we need to know. I am so humbled when I read it and then look at my own life. I want to please him, yet I know that I am so sinful and do not try hard enough. But then I read in his word that he is merciful and gracious and will work in me to grow to know him more.
My Grandma and Aunt Eleanor brought me back up the mountain last night. We got a little lost because we did not turn where the signs told us to. It was quite an adventure. We got here just in time to listen to Dr. Erik Thoennes preach at night. I am excited to hear him this week. I met his wife as well. I stayed in Blackoak lodge with Gma and Aunt Eleanor. It was nice. This morning we had breakfast and I showed them around Hume. Then we went to go see the General Grant sequoia tree. There were so many huge and gorgeous trees!!! We had a great time. I hope to go there again with Ryan some time. After we got back we toured around the gift shop and clothing company and had mint chocolate chip shakes. They were delicious!
Now I am chilling in my room downloading pictures and catching up with people. Alexa just woke up. It is her day off today. I hope to go running and possibly practice piano. I should really work on my homework too. I am officially enrolled in my theology II class from Moody Bible Institute. Oh! I almost forgot, we have two new roommates. I have only met one so far, Cheryl. She's great! And she is going to Biola next fall. I am excited. Anyways, it is time for me to go. This weekend has been great and I am so thankful to have been able to spend time with my family. Until next time.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Settled In
We are half way through week 2 now up at Hume. Things are beginning to seem normal and not feel so new anymore. Things have been going well. I am so excited that my family could come up here to see this place and visit me! I do wish I had more time to spend with them, though. I feel like I'm working all the time! It's ok though, this weekend will be great. They are taking me to go to Gordon and Jenny's wedding with them! I am really excited. Right now, I am about to go watch my siblings and Dad do the High Adventure Ropes course, which Ryan will probably be doing with them. Last week, Heather took all of the pantry girls to go do it because she and Courtney are certified. It was awesome. I did things I never thought I would do!
One of the cool things about working in the pantry is that Heather thinks up activities for us to do on our down time. She took us to high adventure, off-roading, we did a Bible study, and all the kitchen people played catch-phrase on Thursday. She is keeping us accountable in our spiritual lives as well. I really appreciate that.
Right now I am kind of feeling like I am seeing the same people quite a bit. There is nothing wrong with that, but I just feel like I am with the pantry girls all the time and there is not always something new to talk about. I don't know, I'm praying about it. I kind of just want to chill when I'm off work, but then there are other activities and things to go to. We'll see.
Last weekend was really fun! I hung out with Ryan for a while. I also got to hang out with Alexa and the three of us went to a skating party on Saturday. It ended up being really great. I love my roommates! They are so awesome. Anyways, I should go now, although there is more to say. In summary, I guess being with my family again is starting to make me want to be with them more. I still have the whole summer! I know God is good, and I am thankful and happy to be here. I just hope he strengthens me to continue to serve with my whole heart and not feel too homesick. I love you all and would continue to appreciate your prayers! Have a great day!
One of the cool things about working in the pantry is that Heather thinks up activities for us to do on our down time. She took us to high adventure, off-roading, we did a Bible study, and all the kitchen people played catch-phrase on Thursday. She is keeping us accountable in our spiritual lives as well. I really appreciate that.
Right now I am kind of feeling like I am seeing the same people quite a bit. There is nothing wrong with that, but I just feel like I am with the pantry girls all the time and there is not always something new to talk about. I don't know, I'm praying about it. I kind of just want to chill when I'm off work, but then there are other activities and things to go to. We'll see.
Last weekend was really fun! I hung out with Ryan for a while. I also got to hang out with Alexa and the three of us went to a skating party on Saturday. It ended up being really great. I love my roommates! They are so awesome. Anyways, I should go now, although there is more to say. In summary, I guess being with my family again is starting to make me want to be with them more. I still have the whole summer! I know God is good, and I am thankful and happy to be here. I just hope he strengthens me to continue to serve with my whole heart and not feel too homesick. I love you all and would continue to appreciate your prayers! Have a great day!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
First Week
Wow, it is already Thursday! I cannot believe how quickly the time has gone. There has been so much packed into every day that being here almost feels normal. After a crazy weekend of little sleep, Sunday finally arrived and we could sleep in a little bit before going to church. The church service was really good. Every week, there will be a pastor coming up here to preach to all the staff and any guests who are here. The main theme I took from the message was that the gap between God and humans is so huge. The more I come to know God, the bigger the gap must seem. The more I see my own sin and his greatness the more thankful I am for my Savior Jesus Christ. It is so amazing to be around so many Christians who want to grow closer to God and help others grow closer to God. I have never felt such a hunger to spend time with God. When I don't do it, I just know something is missing. The only way I can keep going is by depending on him and I love that I can talk to him at any time.
Another nice thing about Sunday was that I got to see Ryan for a little while. That afternoon and night all of the opener people were working on the opener and then put it on for the very first campers of the summer. It was so crazy! Clowns and mimes dancing and "fighting" all over the place. Hume is so much more alive with all the people everywhere. Anyways, it went really well. After that, I rushed back to my room to take off my mime face and then headed over to the chapel to audition for a Wednesday night worship time called Overflow. I was the last person to go and I played/sang the "Footprints" song. I was so blessed and was priviledged to play with three others for the first Overflow last night. It went very well and it is such a blessing to be able to play music and worship God with my new friends.
It has been great to be able to hang out with friends who I feel like I have known for so much longer than a week. Ashley is so awesome! She is working in the pantry with me and we have major plans to run around the lake many times this summer! Her roommate, Sarah, is also a really neat girl. She is tall and fun to be around. We went running on Monday together and it was so much fun! I love running with people. Then there are Alexa and Marissa, my roommates. These two girls are both working here for their first time just like me. We have a great time together and I love hanging out in my room, which I am very very thankful for. If I never did anything else, I think I would be content to just hang out in my room. Weird. And then there are all of the kitchen people: pantry girls, dishboys, cooks, bakers, commisary guys, hostesses, and others. It is so much fun to work there! The work is really hard, but when it's with such great people, it is a good time.
Heather, my boss and friend, is a great Christian example for me. The other day, she took the pantry girls off-roading and we went up to this huge rock on top of the mountain. We talked about our relationships with God and prayed together. When would that happen in a regular job? I was stoked. We are also planning weekly get-togethers with just the girls. It's great. Last night, while we were working we had quite the adventure. The commisary guys built a fort out of cardboard and they would not let the girls join their fort. Therefore, we decided to decorate it for them when they got off work. Hahaha.... We spraypainted it pink and it is now the sigma chi girls fort. I haven't gone to work yet today, but I can't wait to see their reactions.
Tuesday night, there is an even called Fireside where everyone goes to this cabin and just hangs out and talks/eats by the fire. It was so fun. I got to hang out with Ryan again and a bunch of other new friends. We played spoons with forks and the game got pretty intense. I have some bruises and many people fell off their chairs. Then we played another game until we got kicked out. It was probably the most fun yet.
This is getting kind of long, but I just have to share what's been happening up here! God has blessed me so much at Hume Lake already. I miss my family and friends back home and love you all very much! I am so thankful, though, for the way God has allowed me to settle in here and make friends and get involved with the activities in this place that is new and exciting for me. Please pray for me that God would continue to give me energy as we are putting in long hard days of work and that he would keep me disciplined to stay in his Word daily and be an example for the people that I meet up here. I pray for all of you and I hope you are all doing well and enjoying summer!
Another nice thing about Sunday was that I got to see Ryan for a little while. That afternoon and night all of the opener people were working on the opener and then put it on for the very first campers of the summer. It was so crazy! Clowns and mimes dancing and "fighting" all over the place. Hume is so much more alive with all the people everywhere. Anyways, it went really well. After that, I rushed back to my room to take off my mime face and then headed over to the chapel to audition for a Wednesday night worship time called Overflow. I was the last person to go and I played/sang the "Footprints" song. I was so blessed and was priviledged to play with three others for the first Overflow last night. It went very well and it is such a blessing to be able to play music and worship God with my new friends.
It has been great to be able to hang out with friends who I feel like I have known for so much longer than a week. Ashley is so awesome! She is working in the pantry with me and we have major plans to run around the lake many times this summer! Her roommate, Sarah, is also a really neat girl. She is tall and fun to be around. We went running on Monday together and it was so much fun! I love running with people. Then there are Alexa and Marissa, my roommates. These two girls are both working here for their first time just like me. We have a great time together and I love hanging out in my room, which I am very very thankful for. If I never did anything else, I think I would be content to just hang out in my room. Weird. And then there are all of the kitchen people: pantry girls, dishboys, cooks, bakers, commisary guys, hostesses, and others. It is so much fun to work there! The work is really hard, but when it's with such great people, it is a good time.
Heather, my boss and friend, is a great Christian example for me. The other day, she took the pantry girls off-roading and we went up to this huge rock on top of the mountain. We talked about our relationships with God and prayed together. When would that happen in a regular job? I was stoked. We are also planning weekly get-togethers with just the girls. It's great. Last night, while we were working we had quite the adventure. The commisary guys built a fort out of cardboard and they would not let the girls join their fort. Therefore, we decided to decorate it for them when they got off work. Hahaha.... We spraypainted it pink and it is now the sigma chi girls fort. I haven't gone to work yet today, but I can't wait to see their reactions.
Tuesday night, there is an even called Fireside where everyone goes to this cabin and just hangs out and talks/eats by the fire. It was so fun. I got to hang out with Ryan again and a bunch of other new friends. We played spoons with forks and the game got pretty intense. I have some bruises and many people fell off their chairs. Then we played another game until we got kicked out. It was probably the most fun yet.
This is getting kind of long, but I just have to share what's been happening up here! God has blessed me so much at Hume Lake already. I miss my family and friends back home and love you all very much! I am so thankful, though, for the way God has allowed me to settle in here and make friends and get involved with the activities in this place that is new and exciting for me. Please pray for me that God would continue to give me energy as we are putting in long hard days of work and that he would keep me disciplined to stay in his Word daily and be an example for the people that I meet up here. I pray for all of you and I hope you are all doing well and enjoying summer!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Orientation Weekend at Hume!
Well, after a good six hour drive and a long, windy road up the mountain, Ashley and I made it all the way to Hume Lake Christian Camps in her tiny red-orange car. We spent the drive chatting and got to know each other really well. I have been so blessed to be able to know her. God was truly good to us and got us here safely, each with a new friend. We arrived around 2:30 and got all checked in. Ashley was assigned to a dorm called Deerfoot, and I was assigned to trailor #1 with three other girls (there are supposed to be 8 of us).
At 5:00pm Wednesday night, Orientation officially started. It has been going ever since. We have been bombarded with information, chapels, meeting new people, eating in the dining hall, and getting our work assignments. I have had about 30 free minutes since we started. At least it feels that way. However, it has been so amazing! I have met some really neat people. I auditioned for the "opener" which is the event that launches the week for the campers that come each time. The theme is clowns and mimes, and you guessed it! I'm a mime! haha, we'll see what happens with that. Last night we were rehearsing until 12:30 to learn dance steps and practice fake fighting scenes, because apparently mimes and clowns don't get along very well.
It has been great fun. I am just praying I can keep going on such little sleep! God is good, though, and I am not worried. It has been pouring rain since I got up this morning. I forgot my umbrella at home. Well, I didn't forget, but I decided not to bring it. Bad idea. Anyways, today is more orientation, job assignments, and opener rehearsal. It shall be great!
Oh, by the way, yesterday I found a piano to play on! It was so relaxing just to be alone and play.
At 5:00pm Wednesday night, Orientation officially started. It has been going ever since. We have been bombarded with information, chapels, meeting new people, eating in the dining hall, and getting our work assignments. I have had about 30 free minutes since we started. At least it feels that way. However, it has been so amazing! I have met some really neat people. I auditioned for the "opener" which is the event that launches the week for the campers that come each time. The theme is clowns and mimes, and you guessed it! I'm a mime! haha, we'll see what happens with that. Last night we were rehearsing until 12:30 to learn dance steps and practice fake fighting scenes, because apparently mimes and clowns don't get along very well.
It has been great fun. I am just praying I can keep going on such little sleep! God is good, though, and I am not worried. It has been pouring rain since I got up this morning. I forgot my umbrella at home. Well, I didn't forget, but I decided not to bring it. Bad idea. Anyways, today is more orientation, job assignments, and opener rehearsal. It shall be great!
Oh, by the way, yesterday I found a piano to play on! It was so relaxing just to be alone and play.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
