Week 2

This past was my second week at camp with campers. This week there were two mini camps. The first half of the week were mother/daughters and the second half was a G.A. mini.

My cabin had mother daughters the first half of the week but no G.A.'s.

Mother Daughter camp went well. It was really short so we didn't get to know them very well at all. But it was fun. Since I didn't have campers the last half of the week, I got to paint and do odds and ends kind of jobs. I got a blister from painting so hard, but it was fun. I got to come home on thursday night since I didn't have campers. I was home for my birthday which was on friday. It was nice to be home for my birthday! Today (saturday) was the best day of the week by far.

Evan also had today off, so I got to drive up to Black Mt and see him for the first time in almost 4 weeks. Words can't explain how happy and how good it felt to see him. We spent most of the day at Chimney Rock. We both went there

as kids but couldn't really remember anything about it so we decided to take a trip there today. It was a beautiful day. It was a little hot, but it was really great to get to see everything around there from being so high up. Also it was just great to get to spend time with him.

As much as I loved getting to see him and spend time with him, it made it really hard to leave. You would think that after having a long distance relationship and having to say "good-bye" so much, that it would make it easier and that I would get used to it. But I haven't. I don't think I ever will, and neither will he. Honestly I don't want to have to get used to that. As hard as it was to leave and have to say goodbye again, I know that God has different plans for the both of us and this is part of both plans. We both have to follow what he has planned for us even if we want to have our plans.

God has really been showing me this today and the past few days. That his plan is over any that I will ever have. As his followers, his children, its our duty to follow him and listen and obey what he has planned for us, so thats what Evan and I are doing. I had an absolute amazing time today and wouldn't have traded it for anything.

Tomorrow I leave to go back to camp for a few days. This camp coming up is called camp angel tree. Its where one or more of the parents of the campers are in prison. This camp can be challenging, so if you would please say a prayer for my campers and my self.

Also if you could be praying for Evan as he gets new campers tomorrow as well. He has a 2 week secession this time. Pray that God will give us both strength when we feel week or get stressed out and pray for our campers.

Thanks for praying for all of us! I will update more when I have a little more time when I come home for break!

:)

Week 1 Recap!

Wow. My first week of camp is over and done and now its the weekend and I am home again!

There are several words I could use to describe this week. Interesting, full, busy, hard, overwhelming, fun, relaxing during breaks, exciting, and many more. With as many words as I can think of to describe the past week not one fits perfectly. maybe this is because God wanted me to learn many things this past week. Patience with kids and other things, to rely on him more than I ever have, and most importantly to learn from the challenges he has put in front of me. (this is a picture of the outdoor chapel!)

I had a great group of girls this week. They were all different in many ways. I had the girls who had been to camp who knew how everything worked. Some who hadn't been to camp at all, and didn't like it, while others did like it. I had one girl who thought she knew everything and had a smart comment about everything.

As different as they were, she taught me the most this week. She taught me to have patience and to respect her and to teach her about Jesus because that might be only chance she ever gets to hear the word. As much as I wanted to say something smart right back to her, I didn't and couldn't. I held it back because I knew she couldn't help it that much. I could tell it was the way the she was raised. She talked like she was about 5 or 10 years older than she was. Even though she was smart, she still was respectful most of the time. She really taught me that I might give her the only bible study of her life, and I might be the only one she ever comes in contact with that will share the Word about Jesus with her. Knowing this, really kept me going this week!

This coming week we have 2 mini camps. We have a mother/daughter camp on Monday and Tuesday. Then we have another camp towards the end of the week. There aren't may girls signed up for the second secession so I am coming home on Thursday night so I can be home on Friday for my birthday. I got to talk to Evan on weds night for a while because I had the night off. I am going to drive to Black Mountain on Saturday to see him for the first time in 3 weeks. I honestly can not wait to see him. He also has a day off in July and hopefully I will be able to drive to see him then also! When I talked to him he said his campers where also great. He also had one who he was/is going to have to work with. He is loving it there and learning/teaching a lot. It was really great to talk to him for the first time in about 5 days. I'm really excited for him for the rest of his camp also, and wish him the best!

I have never had a camp with Mother daughters both. From what I hear it can be a challenging experience yet a rewarding one also. I am excited yet nervous. I think it will be this way every time because they will be new kids and new mothers. But thats ok!

I am really excited for the days and special dates to come. My birthday is on friday, I get to see Evan on saturday (the best birthday wish!!), I get to paint during worship at camp coming up in the next week or 2, 11 months for Evan an I is on July 7th, I might get to see him again on the 24th is it works out, camp coming to an end on August 7th, 1 year for Evan & I is also on the 7th, I move to Tigerville/NGU on the 13th. With all of these exciting and very eventful weeks to come, I know in my heart God is showing me his wonderful plan for my life. While some things might go as I planned, they are going just as planned according to him. Also with all these events coming up I am going to you all to pray for me that I keep my eyes on him and his plan and not focus on my own. As much as I would love to things go as I want it to, I know often times it doesn't. So if you all could please pray I stay focused on him, camp goes well for both Evan & I, the we both are able to share Gods word to the best of our ability to our campers & that they learn something from us, also for my family as I have some life changing things that are going to take place.

Thanks everyone for all the prayers!

If you want to talk to me, your more than welcome to email me or call me and I will get back to you as soon as I can!

Thanks!:)

Almost the end of the week!

This week is coming to an end fast! We have one more full day of the first week of camp left before these campers go home!

I knew that I would be busy when I took the job, But I guess not this busy!

But I am loving being so busy! I don't want to be bored and have nothing to do. The past few days have been busy and kind of stressful at times, but also good and rewarding at other times. I am really liking being able to teach crafts and newspaper/photography.

Being on a mountain and somewhat in the woods, is really showing me again how wonderful and how beautiful Gods creation really is! Even thought this is my Job and I have to treat it like that, God is teaching and I am learning more things everyday! I would love to write about some things that have happened this week, but don't really have much time on my break! I am going home this weekend so I will be able to update and write more about my experience and some funny stories, etc. I want to thank all of you again for praying for me. If you please continue to pray for my campers, Evan & his camp/Campers, and myself.

I'll update soon!

Thanks everyone!:)

Day 1 with Campers!

So yesterday was the first day of camp and when we got our campers! It wasn't really that bad. I couldn't get to sleep very fast since we had campers. But once I was asleep I slept pretty good! But we have a sleep walker in our cabin, so it makes it a little more stressful. But it really has gone pretty well. I really haven't missed Evan that much because I have been busy. I have been pretty focused on everything because we don't have much down time. So thats good!

I have had some very good encouragement the past few days and it has really helped! I don't really have much time to write about things right now, but will on my night off tomorrow night.

Thanks again for all the encouragement and prayers.

Please keep praying for my family, Evan, His camp/campers, and me!

First weekend home!

Its been a few days since I have written anything! It will be like this for most of the summer. Maybe a post a weel if I can do that!

Anyway, I went home this weekend! It was great to see my family and to get a break for a few days! When they say there is nothing like home I never really thought about it. But there really isn't. While I was home over the weekend I got to hangout with Paul and Liz and their kids, my family, and just take some time to rest. It was so nice. Also while I was home on friday night I got a text from Evan. He has just moved into his cabin and was getting everything set up. This is what he sent me! At first I couldn't really tell what it was. Then I really looked at it. Before he left I printed out pictures for him of us because he said he didn't have any printed out and would use them and look at them if I printed some out for him. So I did. Honestly because of the person that he is I didn't think that he would put them up. But he put them up beside his bed so he could see them before he went to sleep. After this picture I got a call and got to have a 50 min conversation. It really meant a lot to me. Even though that and then for 10 mins the next day was probably the last time I would get to talk to him for a while, a part of me is at piece right now. All thanks to the big man up stairs. Through this experience and the past week, I'm really learning more about myself and the person who God has made me out to be. So as much as it hurts not to talk to evan and family as much as I want, I know this experience is a good one for me! I was reminded of that several times today. That this is a chance to really learn who I am and be the best person I can be! Also to rely on God when I think I am weak. After all he is the only one who always will know what my weaknesses are and the only one who can truly help me through them! Thank you for the people who reminded me of this!

We have campers come tomorrow so I need to go get rest.

Hopefully I will be able to update soon!

Please keep praying for my campers, my Family, Evan & his campers, & myself.

Thanks so much!

Day 6, 7 & 8

I decided to combine these 3 days. Each one of these days have been a little different but yet similar. Similar in the way that God is really really showing how much he wants me here at Mundo this summer. I still don't know exactly why he wants me here, but I hear about 10 times a day that God has me here for a reason even if I don't know what it is.

He has showed me just through the little things. I got a phone call from Evan last night (Weds.) that I wasn't expecting to get at all. It came just at the right time too. Its been my prayer since I got here to still be able to talk to evan, but still let both of us put our all into camp and not be distracted on talking to each other. I prayed this one night. I surrenderd one the things that meant a lot to me and that I really cared for. When I did that he answered that prayer, then I got a call about 1hr later. I love knowing even though God has us separated for a while, that when I am down and surrender to him, that he does answer prayers.

Tonight (thursday) we had a special ceremony before the offical camp started. It was really great and moving. We also were given prayer partners. A girl namde Courtney Holt and I are prayer partners. Courntey just happens to be going to NGU in the fall also. Tammy (my Director) said she didn't even look at who we were pared with. So it was totally God. Courtney and I are going to continue to be prayer partners throughout the school year. The little things like that are what is keeping me going here. When God shows me the little reasons why I am supposed to be here is really encouraging me to continue when I think I can't. I really hope more of these moments continue.

Tomorrow (friday) there are going to be Mother/Daughters here for a mini camp. I am going to be painting a back drop all that is going in a building here that we will use throughout the week! I am excited about getting to paint something so big that so many people will see through out the summer! After I finish painting I am heading home for the weekend because my cabin has no campers. I am going to go see Ayden play soccer and attend Zach's Graduation. It is going to be weird to be home over the summer and not have one of my best friends there, but I know that someday very soon we will be together again at home and then at school for the first time ever! But I will be home, and thats all that matters, because there is just something about being home that feels so right and so good!

Keep praying for all the campers that Evan and I will be ministering to this summer, the both of us, and everyone who we impact this summer.

Thanks so much guys!

Miss you all!

:)

God is showing how much he loves me! Day 5

Went through more training today. I am just about sick of training. I just want campers to come so bad. I want to be busy and just get this summer going and over with.

I know that I don't want to rush it, and I want to remember everything that God has to teach me this summer. But I just really want it to go fast so I won't be bored.

I had a great night tonight. We got a break tonight here at camp and had to leave and go somewhere. I met my Family at the mall in Asheboro. We went to dinner, went to the mall, and then we played pool. I had a great time. I felt bad because I couldn't show it as much as I really wanted to. I couldn't show them how much it meant to me to be able to see them. I tried my best to not let missing Evan affect me. It sort of did though. By the end of the night, I told them I was sorry for not being able to be completely happy for them when they came to see me. I told them I was just so overwhelmed and stressed from not seeing Evan. They completely understood and told me everything was going to be ok that they were proud of me for staying. My daddy just held me and told me he loved me and then he told me that Evan was missing me too, that it wasn't just me. He told me that it would all be ok. This made me feel so good. My Mom did also! She is awesome too, and I am so thankful for her also! And also my sister. She gave her up afternoon and night to come see me. We haven't really been that close lately, but it meant a lot to see her and spend some time with her.

But it really made me think and relate this to God and the Bible. When ever we are upset and sad and think we can't go on, God is ALWAYS there for us, even though we can't see him, he is there. He is the only one who knows exactly what we are thinking, and is there for us. I cry to him and he will always be there. My daddy will just hold me and tell me that he loves me and that everything is going to be ok.

To know that I have two daddy's (& a mom) that will always be there for me to lean on makes me relax a lot more. Even though I still miss Evan so much, to know that I have friends and Family to lean means the world to me!

Here are some verses that prove GOD will always be there. And he proves it through his word!

Exodus 22:23

If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. 1 - O LORD, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you. ² May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry. ³For my soul is full of trouble and my life draws near the grave.

2 Chronicles 20:9
'If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.'

I also Got a Text tonight right as I was getting ready to post this from Evan. All I can say is.. I am so glad something as simple as a few words means to mean. I can sleep better now!

Please keep praying for Evan & I as we both go through this life changing experience.

Thanks!!

Day 4 - Fast? yes please! yet learning day by day what God's plan is.

The days seem to be getting a little easier. I am still overwhelmed, but maybe its just because I am getting used to being overwhelmed and used to not being home and used to not talking to everyone. I still want it to go by fast so I would be bored and start to think about home and Evan. I want to remember this experience, but I want to be done at the same time and go away to school, which I am so excited to do!!

I have to say, of all the days that I thought would be the hardest for me, it really wasn't. Today was the day that Evan left for his camp. I thought that I was going to really be distracted and really be upset about it. For some reason I wasn't as upset and it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I think it was the fact I know over the next few months, God is going to teach us so much and really bring us closer as individuals and a couple. I was reminded today by a close friend through text, it was ok that I didn't talk to him hardly at all over the next few months because it would be a life changing experience for us both and will end up making us stronger as a couple and individual. He also told me I had nothing to worry about over the summer because of our relationship being as strong as it is. He said if our relationship was strong, then what did I have to worry about? When I read that, I though of what I really had to worry about. I thought about Evan as a person, my boyfriend, and as a servant of God. Evan is so true to me, so he isn't going to cheat on me, he isn't going to do anything that would make me unhappy or upset at him (or try his best not to anyway), he is going to be working, and Above all he is going to be doing Gods work which he was called to do. When I thought about all this, I really had nothing to worry about. Of course being a girl, not talking to him is going to bother me a lot because thats all I want, is to hear his voice every once in a while, but I honestly have nothing to worry about when it comes to our relationship. I was told by another person tonight that he cares way to much for me to lose me and "has it Bad" enough that even when I think he doesn't care or isn't missing me, that he really will be and that he might not want to show it in a letter because he doesn't want to disappoint me and say the wrong thing, that he just wants to please me. All of these things meant the world to me. I can't even find the words to express how good this made me feel. (thanks guys if you read this, you know who you are!)

Even though I will be sad & missing him, I know that he will always be my Evan. Even 2 months from today when I get to see him again on our 1 year. God really showed me today to value my relationships even when I don't have contact with them. He showed me its ok not to have contact with someone you love, because if you really mean a lot to them and they mean a lot to you that you have nothing to worry about. He taught me this through some very good friends and people who I admire and look up to.

Which reminds me of 1 reason I am here. To be a servant of God. I am to share his word with Girls, who wouldn't and might not have that chance if they didn't come to Mundo Vista. I can talk about how Evan and others are servants of God, but it took this event and it took my being upset and missing someone who means so much to me, to realize that I too am a servant of God and that he has planned so much for me.

This is the beginning of figuring out why I am here at Mundo.

Day 3 - prayer for one of my best friends and i

Yesterday wasn't a very exciting day of training. We sat a lot or most of the time.

But we did get to do a fun craft at the end of the day. We made homemade paper.Being an art major, this was fun to me.

There isn't much to talk about that happened other than moving into my cabin with my roommate. Her name is Amy. I am looking forward to getting to know her. She seems really cool!

The air conditioning in our cabin isn't working so we spent the night in another cabin with air!

Hopefully they get it fixed.

I just really want campers to come and be done with all this training. All of this training is overwhelming me. Once campers come, I will be busy enough to not worry about things like my home, Evan, and friends. Not that those things aren't important, just thinking about them makes me miss them more and more.

Once campers get here I hope that the summer goes fast. I have a new and exciting part of my life coming in August and I honestly can not wait for it to get here. August 7th is Mine & Evan's 1 year since we started dating. I come home that day too. I will be home with my family for a week!! And then on August 13th I move in at North Greenville University, and I can not wait!! At the same time I don't want it to go to fast, so I can remember and take in everything. I want to hopefully find out why God put me here in the first place since I don't have a clue as of right now. I know at times it will seem fast and times it will seem slow, but I am going to do my best to enjoy this since God has a plan for me.

I need a favor of some of you. if you could please keep me in your prayers. This week is going to be very hard for me. I'm into being honest right now, so I will be honest. It's going to be hard because Evan leaves tomorrow for the summer camp he is working at and I wont get to talk to him hardly at all over summer. But thats not what I want prayer for. If its not to much to ask, would you please pray that I wont let missing him so much, distract me from what God wants and has planned for me to do. Even though I will miss him more than anything over the next two months, I want prayer to be strong instead of prayers about me missing him. Even though we are both going to miss each other like crazy, we know and have agreed that we took these jobs for a reason whether we know what that reason is or not, and we have to do our jobs and not let missing each other get in the way of what God has planned. So If you could say a prayer for the both of us that would be awesome and very much appreciated!

I am thinking about you all a lot and can not wait to be home to see some of you!

Send me some mail so I can keep up with you all!

:)

Day 2 of Training

Today is the 2nd full day of Camp training. It has gotten better than the past few with being overwhelmed with tons of stuff. Even though it has gotten a little bit better, its still SO much to take in never having this experience before.

I had a little slap in the face today and I think that helped a little also.

Throughout the day God really showed me that I focus to much on my relationships with other people and with other things in my life instead of focusing on what he has put in front of me.

I normally don't just come right out with things, but I'll be honest this time.

On the first few days that I have been here I have been so worried with how I am going and when I will get to talk to Evan and my family. Especially when I will get to talk to Evan because he will also be at a camp. I was (and still am a little bit) worried with how and when I will get to talk to each of them, that It really scared me and kept me from really seeing why I had been given this opportunity this summer. God put me at this camp for a reason. I don't know just yet what that reason is, but tonight I was reminded by someone at home and by Girls here at camp, that If I trust them and trust in God that everything is going to work out fine.

This verse was read today during trainging and is one of my personal favorites because it has also gotten me through the challenges of transferring schools.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jer. 29:11-13

Jesus has a plan for me whether I know what it is or not. And when I start to give up or when I start to think I can't go on he is going to be there for me and is going to hold me up and give me strength to continue. I am going to try my absolute hardest to stay strong for my campers, stay strong for my evan, stay strong for my family, and stay strong for myself. If you see me start to get weak or you see me start to think I can't continue, will you all please remind me to stay strong for God, stay strong for my campers, stay strong for my relationships, and to stay strong for myself too. Thank you for your support and encouragement. It means the world to me to know that people care enough to call me at 11 at night and make sure that I am fine!

Miss all of you a lot! :)

So, I'm here at camp!

So, I'm here at camp!

First day - Super overwhelming.

It was a lot to take in for one day! Having to say Goodbye to my parents for a while, and Having to say goodbye to Evan for two months was really hard for me. I love my parents, but I get to see them off and on over the summer. So having to say goodbye to evan was really hard for me since I wont get to see him at all over the summer. And then on top of not being good with good-byes, I had a lot of rules thrown on me and it finally hit me that this will be a 24/7 job. I knew that when I signed up, but I think it just hit.

But on top of all this I know that God has put me here for a reason. And I will find that out very soon!

Send me some messages or emails and I will respond!

Miss everyone!!