Sleeping In

It is 8:30 on a Wednesday morning and I woke up only 15 minutes ago. The past four days I have gotten up at 5:30 so it was nice to get a few more hours of sleep. So much has happened since the last time I wrote, I am not sure if I can remember it all.

At work a lot has changed. There was a huge deal with the supervisers and board of directors and most of the summer staffers do not know the details. However, it involved a lot of staying overtime and many menu changes. There was a lot of stress in the kitchen. However, I think God used it to bring us all closer together and to teach us how to serve more efficiently. Most of the kitchen staff did not see how we could possibly work harder when we were already exhausted. Then God made it possible. The menu changes have been working out and the staff we are serving have appreciated the food.

There has not been a day when I really dread going to work, and I am so thankful for that. The other day I heard someone say that she really didn't want to go. That made me think about my job. I love the people I work with, and we have a really good time together. I love working with food that brings nutrition and helping people get their fruits and vegetables. I love washing whole fruits and putting them out for campers and staff to enjoy. I really love it when people don't squeeze the peaches and nectarines because when they do that they are hurting the poor fruits and then they get bruised. Yesterday Courtney and I put out little labels which read "Please don't Sqeeze" on the peaches. I left early, so I don't know how effective it was, but I'll find out today.

One major thing that happened since my last post was that my friend, Kimberly, had to go home. She had family issues and a great job offer at home and only days to decide if she wanted to leave here. It was a struggle because she was doing so well spiritually up here at Hume and felt like her relationship with God was really growing. She knew that when she went home, there would not be many people in her life who could encourage her in her faith. I tried to give her godly advice. Her family really needs her and the job offer would not last. I told her she could contact me any time and I would be there for her. She made a facebook (although she never seems to use it) and got everyone's number and address. I love Kim and it was so sad to see her go. The Pantry Girls made a nice dinner for her and decorated a room for a goodbye party. She was so beautiful that day. The Saturday before she left, Ryan and I hung out with her and she and I took a picture with the Moose hanging on the wall in the dining room. That was what she wanted to do before she left. My friend Kim. It was really hard to see her go, knowing what she was going back to. I have messaged her, but still haven't heard back. If you remember, try to keep her in her prayers, that she would stand firm in her faith and that her family might come to a saving knowledge of Christ.

The Friday before Kim left, I knew Ryan wanted to hang out with me. He was so great, though, and was just there for Kim and I. She wanted to be with both of us. That is huge, because she doesn't like guys (bad past experiences). But she liked Ryan and wanted the opinion of us as a couple. That was pretty cool and it was neat to see the way God worked through the two of us to support Kim and be there for her. I saw a lot in Ryan and was so thankful and impressed at how he handled the situation when he really didn't know what was going on. I love knowing that I can depend on him in situations like that.

That weekend Ryan and I went boating again which was really fun. We love to go out on the water. Hume Lake is really beautiful. Then we had dinner and I discovered my love for mocha almond fudge ice cream. We also took some sweet pictures by the lake. Ryan is a computer genius, so he is doing all kinds of cool things with them. It was staff soccer night after that and I played with everyone. It was so much fun! I love soccer. It would be so fun to be on a team again.

I have been having such a great time with my roommates. I probably hang out with Alexa the most. The other day, we were walking around near High Adventure, and we saw a cushiony chair with a sign that said "free." This nice man named George was excited for us to have it, so we got a free chair! It goes great in our room and sits in the middle of it. We were so happy and he was so nice to drive us in his golf cart and carry it into our room for us. That was fun. We also have another new addition to our room. Her name is Rachel. She did the Joshua program and used to live in trailer 3, but they had black mold so they all got moved to new places. I like her. She has a lot of stuff, though, because she has lived here for over a year. Our trailer feels complete now, with 9 girls and all of our stuff, and our new chair. It is like having a family! I don't know if we can fit anyone else, though. Oh and one of our roommates, Marissa S., has been gone for a really long time and nobody knows why. We think when she went home, she got sick and that's why she hasn't come back yet. No one really knows. I think she might come back this Saturday.

Last Wednesday was the first time in a long time that I did not have to play for Overflow. It was nice not to have to rush over there right after work. The speaker talked about following God's will and trusting him in situations when we don't know what is going on, or we are scared. It was a good reminder to love God first in life, no matter what he is calling us to do.

I have been hanging out with Heather Sleezer, Ryan's boss Brendan's girlfriend. She is so cool. It is nice to have someone older to talk to and get perspectives from. She has been so welcoming to me and says I can come over any time. I really look up to her.

On Friday, I went to a girls' night "progressive house party." However, it ended up being at just one person's house. We had all kinds of fruit on kabobs (which I love) and guacamole with chips and salsa. We played games and watched Beauty and the Beast while eating cookie dough. It was so fun! I went with my friend Tamara who had been working in the pantry that week and I met 10 new girls. It was quite fun. I met this girl, Bree, who wanted to go running with me. So we went running at 6:30 the next day (my day off) and I discovered that she is super fast. She pushed me and I got around the lake two whole minutes faster than my previously fastest time. The next three days I had to work at 6, so I couldn't go, but I am planning on running with her again tomorrow. It was really fun.

Also that Saturday, Ryan and I hung out and went to go see School House Rock (which had a gorgeous view of the canyon) and we also visited Grant Grove. We saw some really huge sequoia trees. I really enjoyed it because I had wanted to go there with him ever since my Grandma came and we went there with Aunt Eleanor. God is so amazing to have created such beautiful and gigantic living things. For our barbeque that night we had steak, potatoes, and ice cream. Really healthy meal, I know. The only thing was that the steak was impossible to eat because we had plastic silverware. I couldn't eat it. I went back to my room and ate my roommate's organic power bars. After that, we had staff open mic night. The RDs asked me to play something, so I played and sang "Footprints in the Sand." It seemed to have gone really well and a lot of people told me really nice things afterwords. Some of my friends were surprised because they had never heard me sing before. The whole night was fun and we saw some talented acts. A lot of people from the kitchen performed. One group did a "stomp"-like act using kitchen cambros, spatulas, ice cream scoopers, and other kitchen utensils. It was really funny. That was a fun day.

On Sunday, Alexa offered to take my place in the opener so I could get some rest and relax. It was so nice just to have some time. We took a walk and hung out by the pool after work. Then I walked by the lake and just had some time to sit and think and write a letter to Tanners. I feel so aweful, I have not been able to write more letters. The time just goes so fast and there is so much packed in all the time. It is unbelievable that it is already the 22nd of July. It has been really good, though.

Monday afternoon Alexa and I went ziplining! It was super fun. I got a running start. We wanted to go at the same time, but one of the bungees broke, so we couldn't. Maybe next week. Then we went swimming. It was great. That was the first time I actually swam. It felt amazing. I went running with my friend, Amy, and then had dinner with her and Jackie. That night, Heather (Snow), had the girls over for a movie night in her new house. She had just moved in the Saturday before. It was so much fun. She is great.

Yesterday, I worked from 6 to 3 again and then hung out with Heather S. After that, I went paddle boarding with Amy and Austin and it was so great. That was my first time paddle baording. It has been so hot lately. I got dinner to go and then had Overflow practice with Katie and Matt. I love leading worship with them! It is such a blessing. I was hoping to see Ryan last night at Fireside, but he wasn't there. The girls and I wandered around looking for him, but I didn't find him any where. I was bummed. But what can you do?

I haven't seen him the past couple days. He has been working hard. I love that he is here. The Hall's are coming up tomorrow! I am really excited to see them. Oh yes, yesterday, I met Mrs. Erickson for the first time! I was putting out breakfast fruit and she was in the pantry getting some things ready for the pancake breakfast. We met each other and a few minutes later realized who the other person really was. It was nice to meet her. Her husband is Mr. Hall's business partner, and her daughter, Danielle, works up her this summer. She is a great girl. She puts on my mime face for me every week for the Opener as well. It was surprising to meet Mrs. Erickson, but very nice.

Well, now is is almost 9:30 and I am still in my bed typing. It feels nice to get some rest, but I kind of wanted to go running before work. Too late now. I should work on my theology reading. I am on lesson 4! Tonight there is Overflow after work and I am really hoping to see Ryan some time! Anyways, I love you all and I miss you all a lot. I pray for you and I am so excited to see you all at the end of summer. Have a fantastic day!