Sunday, September 1

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. ITS SEPTEMBER ARE YOU JOKING ME?

Today was long day number 2. Take care of kids, do about a thousand bajillion harnesses, and kill my hands working bottom of zipline. Also, enjoy the moments of worthwhile conversation with other staff and the guests. Run back to the house to see cousins we hadn’t seen in years, and then go back for MOAR harnesses and things! Yes. That was my day. It’s good to be at camp, but I’m still slightly freaking out about school starting so soon. Summer is basically….over!

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Saturday, August 31

You know that awkward time when the schedule you were emailed isn’t the real schedule and you work earlier than you thought? That happened today. Luckily, I had showed up early to get a wristband and be official and things. Thus commences one SUPER  long day. I’m kind of tired of doing up harnesses, but it was fun to be able to spend time at camp with my cousin and a few friends. It’s always a good time, even when it’s not a good time at ALL. And my friend is sleeping over tonight! Super last minute: check. Didn’t ask permission: check. No one had a problem with it: check.

Friday, August 30

Today I did lots of things. Started off by taking my sister to buy her textbooks, which resulted in me spending all of the money I could possibly spend in one day. Fantastic.

Secondly, I volunteered again! It was kind of nice to still be able to have some sort of a routine in my week, even if it IS the last week before school starts. It was the last time for most of the ones going off to school to hang out, so it was a little bitter sweet I think. Also I got schooled in Blokus. Really badly.

Thirdly, we drove to Michigan! Again! I’ll be working Saturday and Sunday and also my mom is visiting my grandma so it worked out splendidly. I’ll get to spend time with my cousin and friends and get paid. Yeeeee! However, on the drive down there was a massive storm and our new car is slightly (as in a lot) lighter than the old so it didn’t like wind. We had to stop on the side of the road for a little while but we made it through alive!

Monday, August 19

I finally finished unpacking! Mostly…there may or may not still be a pack of wet wipes sitting in the middle of my room. However, I pretty much finished cleaning up the mess I exploded everywhere and made headway in reorganizing for school to start in a few weeks. Speaking of which, AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

I also got to start teaching again today! I only had one student come, but it was nice to be able to jump back into that. I forgot how much I actually enjoy teaching!

Wednesday, August 14

Today I returned to camp to say goodbye to people. It was sad. But it was also happy. I’m sad to leave and not be able to see most of them ever again (and the ones that I will see again won’t be very often), but I also know that I will hold the memories dear in my heart. I’ve decided that I don’t want to look back on camp and be sad, I want to be able to look back and be happy at the memory. I don’t want to long for it to return, I want to remember it as a happy time that was a stepping stone in moving onto what God has in store for me today.

Also I got to partake in one last dance party because we were there over lunch hour. It was delightful to say the least. I will miss parts, but I will take them with me into “real life”

Sunday, August 11

I attended staff worship this morning because it felt like the right way to tie up loose ends on the summer. As I drove away I wasn’t sad. I was filled full. It has been a great summer. While I’m sad to leave the friendships I have, I know that this summer was for a purpose. It was a beautiful purpose, and I am changed for good because of it. I think I’m ok at this point knowing that some friendships will not continue on, but I am satisfied knowing that there is always a bond shared between camp counsellors. One day I may see them again, and it will be a joyous time. Until then, I am happy with the memories I have.

For the afternoon, I did laundry, a nap, and a shower in that order. I now feel like as much of a real person as I can without being home. Being clean is a big step though. Also clean clothes. There is something about clean clothes that is just wonderful.

Saturday, August 10

The kids left! I can’t believe I made it through this week, but at the same time, I look back on it and can believe that God had his hand on everything that happened the whole way.

After kids left, I went with my friend to Big Rapids to go on an adventure. This adventure included finding the best store ever downtown. It had candy, ice cream, free fudge samples, a four seasons room, and a wall of candles. Basically you could live there. There was also  J.C. Penny run, but minor details. We also went to Applebee’s for dinner, which was nice because real food. And, of course, any road trip would not be complete if there was not a trip to Mejer. I may or may not have bought a Curious George Treasury book.

To cap off the day, we returned to camp to spend some time at a campfire and hanging out with some people before kids come. The peanut butter s’mores made a reoccurrence, and the conversation was great. I am so thankful for adult conversation after this summer at camp.

Friday, August 9

Last day! Finally! We had no major meltdowns at campfire! There was one at my favourite activity, but it sort of feels like normal life at this point in the week. I don’t have much to say about today, other than that it was a whirlwind of emotions; up and down all day, but I know that I’ve learned how to be loved and cared for this week. Reflecting on it, my word of the summer, I think, is love. I’ve learned to love others, that I can be lacking in love, how to love myself, and how to let myself be loved. I think that the fourth week was important in the sequence of what God was teaching me. Though it was a long, long week that I never want to repeat, it was good. God is good. All the time.

Thursday, August 8

Today was good but sad but bad. It started ok. I had afternoon break, which always means a better day. During my break I hung out with two of my friends and one did tye-die. We had some fun doing that, but mostly I was thankful for the time I got to talk with him for the day. I am so thankful for adult conversations and for the care of other counsellors. It always helps a little to know that someone else is praying for you and encouraging you to persevere.

The sad part of the day was that this friend left for the rest of the summer. Did I cry, yes. I feel like I was blessed by him this summer and it’s hard to say goodbye when you know the friendship afterwards will be different (when you don’t see someone every day, things are different).

This was sad, and then to top things off tonight was the worst campfire ever. Another episode with the other girl combined with one of mine disobeying, getting angry, and then throwing a massive temper tantrum. Needless to say, we missed pretty much all of campfire. However, it made me that much more thankful for the other counsellors and staff in the area. One more day!

Wednesday, August 7

So actually one of the worst campfires I can think of. We were delayed starting because of a problem with another girl that all our higher ups were dealing with, and the kids keep getting harder to deal with. However, I’m trying to practice thankfulness this week (my co is as well) and to be constantly thanking for the good things we have. For example, today while we were all in our cabin we helped our girls flag some verses in their Bibles! It was a silver lining, and it was beautiful to see them all so excited to find verses and mark them in their Bibles.

While the week is hard, I’m so so so thankful for the support of my co and traveling cabin. Together we have a lot of girls, but together we are carrying the 4 of us through the week to success.