Community Group Tonight

Sometimes I feel plagued with knowledge. Anybody else feel me?! I mean... All of the communications courses I took in college have made it where I can't help but analyze everyone's verbal and nonverbal communication. Tonight at Community Group I noticed a girl (she'll remain nameless) talking to a guy. I thought the way she was standing screamed "I like you. I am attracted to you. Date me!" Just thought I would see if ya'll agree, so I am re-enacting her stance below. What do you think?

Kanakuk This Summer

Hey blog readers! I am so sorry it has taken me forever to start writing about my summer. I am now using a different computer that won't let me download the program I used to use to publish pictures to my blog. However, I have discovered a new way to do it, so here I go...

Okay, so this summer was pretty much marvelous! God showed me sooooo much about Him and about how He could use me in ways I never thought possible. For those of you who I haven't talked to in awhile, I was at K-Kountry for three months learning, loving, and laughing A LOT! Right now I am wishing that I could have blogged all summer so that the hilarious situations I experienced could have been fresh on my mind, so I could share them with you. Instead I am going to give you all a brief overview with a few sporadic stories. The first month that I was there, I had Barn 7 which included two sets of one-weekers and one group of two-weekers. My co, Carrie Clousing, was from Wheaton, IL and was so much fun to work with. She definitely had that Chicago accent that made everyday entertaining.

At first I was not excited about having one-week campers because I just had preconceived ideas about how it would be. I thought I wouldn't really get to know my girls in that short time and they would all be homesick, first-time campers. BUT I ended up absolutely loving my one-week campers. It was amazing because I got to know twice as many campers that first two weeks and got to tell twice as many about the unconditional love of Christ! Carrie and I had sweet, sweet girls and saw a lot come to know the Lord for the first time and ring the bell (to the left is Betsy Battle ringing the bell with Carrie). Our girls also made great friends within the barn. They built friendships that will last throughout all their years at kamp, like Meg and Jenny to the right (after going on the zipline together).

My two weekers were so crazy and fun. They definitely kept Carrie and I on our toes because they were absolutely boy crazy and were always up to mischief. The stories they provided will last me a lifetime. Below are a few of these crazy cuties being themselves. They were absolutely ADDICTED to teatherball. They physically could not walk past the pole without hitting that ball. Whenever we were missing a girl at flag or lunch or soapies or best barn, we knew where to look first... the teatherball courts. They were intense and they were good. Little Mo Mo beat almost every counselor she played and they didn't let her win. Below is a picture of Jen and Mo doing what they did most...

First term, I also continued friendships that will last with fun friends like Laura Jarvis and Laura Murray. Let's just say "JuLaura... Together again... Forever" (in a monotone chanty voice). We had great times on 24's and NO's and laughing about our "I Spy's" and "gazelles." Laura Murray (known to most of your as TBone) and I spent tons of time painting banners and creating new names for colors we invented. I really think we could break into the naming-of- colors business. I mean "A Knight to Remember," "Heartthrob Thunder," "Sky Passion," and who can forget "Goldenrod Geronemo." You just get lost in the color!!! That girl really gets me and I love spending time with her. Here is an example of our hard work...

Second term I was a UC (Unit Coordinator) for Barns 9-12 and had so much fun getting to know all of the older girls at camp and living with Jarvis,Lori (LoHo), and Melissa "Payne Train". I built great relationships with all of my counselors (Sharpie, Jacks, Lauren, Jennifer, Shaley, Celeste, Blaire, and Maria) and enjoyed hanging out in all their barns. Some highlights were story telling in Barn 9 after taps (a camper gave me the funniest book of true stories ever. As I read the stories I would embellish them with a few of my own ideas to spice it up and keep the girls on their toes. Let's just say there was a great tale about a dwarf who wrote the song Survivor and sold it to Beyonce.), dance parties in Real Deal after Lights Out with flashlight strobe lights and c-walking, Rascal Flats during best barn in Barn 10, and one-on-ones with Barn 11 counselors at the pool during FOB. This was quite the term and I soaked up every minute! (Below are pictures of Paige receiving a BumbleBee on the Fourth of July and Blair and Addie after going on the zipline.)

Third term I was a UC (which stood for Ultimate Cutie this term according to Austi Pants) with "Random" RANDI "what can BROWN do for you?" and "One-eyed BLAIRsie." I had Barns 1-4 which was so different for me. I got to play with 7 year olds all the time and absolutely loved it. The two girls to the left are two of the sweetest little ones you will ever meet: Chastity and Triston both in Barn 1, Term 5. They gave the best hugs and were always either both in my lap or climbing all over me like I was a jungle gym... but no complaints here. I loved them to pieces. This last month was probably filled with the most laughter and smiles! Kids really do say the darndest things. Meals with division one were definitely different than with division three. We did a lot of serving, making of PB&J's, cleaning up, and getting massive koolaid mustaches. Some of my favorite things third term were hanging out in Barn 1, Term 6 for FOB. Those girls had me sufficiently tucked in on the floor of their barn with like 5 blankets, a pillow, 8 stuffed animals and all of them cuddling with me. It was so adorable how sweet they were being to me that I didnt' even mind the heat of the 115 degree weather until they started tickling me and all kissing my face atthe same time. I almost wet my pants! It's funny how kissable my face is... just ask Austin Sailsbury! Ha! Got Em!!!

Speaking of loveable campers... I can't go without introducing ya'll to Cassie (Below with Brittany Blum). She was the most affectionate camper by far. That girl had a death grip and one could not escape her hugs. Whenever I visited Barn 2, her counselors had to peel her off so I could leave. She was great and camp wouldn't have been the same without her.

Third term was probably my favorite. I had a blast with my roommates (Melissa, Randi, and Blaire), Austin (Austi Pants), Adam Greig (Belly Button!), Josh Bordas (Bordas!), Lesley (Albie), Jason Prince (JP), Jake Lacy (my FAVORITE), and all my D1 counselors (Kyra, Mary Jo, Kara, Brittany Blum, Sara, Morgan, Hannah, Kelly, Brittany M, and Liz). We had so many goodtimes and I have so many pictures that unfortunately I am unable to upload to this computer. You'll have to use your imagination! All in all, this summer ended on a bang. It was indeed MARVELOUS and I wouldn't trade the memories for anything! God is good and He continues to amaze me! I am sad to see the summer go, but I know He works even during the Fall, Winter, and Spring! Stay tuned for more blogs about more specific events!

NEW POSTS COMING SOON!

Don't worry ya'll. I didn't quit blogging! NEVER! I've just been at Kanakuk for 3 months without access to a USB cable to upload my pictures. I will soon catch you up with either a series of blogs or a mega-blog. Tonight, however, I am too bogged down with stuff to blog. So for now just know that there are many funny stories to be told and THEY WILL BE TOLD. I miss you all!