Lead the Leader

This week is leadership camp. We kinda mashed spring break camp and leadership together. The crowd totals to 3 campers, 1 girl and 2 boys. The spring break aspect of camp means the age of the campers in younger than the norm. On the leadership side of things there is more focus on how the campers can become leaders at camp, home, and in their communities. The hope is that when they return for a summer session they remember the skills and topics taught this week to help other campers. We cover things like personal hygiene, encouraging others, and environmental care.
It's interesting that during leadership camp I am learning more about being a leader. When here I am suppose to already be the leader. This camp has taught me that I need to think even MORE before I say things and has once again reinforced the fact that campers are always watching and mimicking our every move. Perfect example, this morning the solo girl camper and I were getting ready for the day. I stepped around the corner into the other room to change and walked out fully clothed and ready for the day. I had to make a quick hind region adjustment and rearrange a quick undergarment when I heard "what are you doing?" I whip around to see my camper sitting on her bed silently watching my "situation correction" occur. She had a puzzled look on her face like she was seeing something on National Geographic for the first time. She probably had never seen someone wiggle in that fashion before and then jump and spin in the same motion. Either way I laughed and said "just fixing myself...never mind, let's go to breakfast." All was forgotten and she kindly never mentions my pantie twitch again.
I've learned that it is the leader's job to lead, but to also learn. I'm constantly learning for the best leader, teacher, listener there ever was, Jesus. He has led me through so much, listened to probably too much, and witnessed one too many underwear adjustments. The best part is through it all He is always and will always be there for me.

More Ketchup and Catch Up Please!

This weekend was pretty bomb.com! It started off on Sabbath with a great surprise to my Mom (with the brother's help) of 50 red balloons and 1 purple balloon. I assure you the number of balloons had NOTHING to do with my wonderful Mother's age (sorry Mom). The purple balloon represented me because I couldn't be there. I'm not sure why I chose a balloon? Maybe because I am full of hot air or I'm very loud when things burst? I don't know, you pick.

Back on the west coast I was going to church and found out that an elderly lady named Lois I befriended my first week at the Stayton SDA Church, was moved to a new adult foster home. This made me sad because the people she was living with for so long brought her to church and now I couldn't sit next to her anymore and laugh as she (veggie) cursed her wheelchair for not moving and gave the deacons a hard time about what was on the menu for potluck.

After church I went to the Koger's house. They are a husband and wife I met at church and they have invited me out to their farm a few times. Side note to my two amazing sets of grandparents I have been blessed with and love dearly, you are NOT, I repeat NOT in any way, shape, or form being replace. Just think of it as a "loaner" set of grandparents till I come home, or you visit me out here (wink wink). Anyway, we went on a long walk and stop by a neighbors farm where their baby cow tried to suckle the  sleeve right off my sweatshirt. His tongue was very course like rough blue sandpaper and it made my hand feel weird, so I offered up my sweatshirt as a substitute. For supper we had grillers (fake hamburgers for you meat lovers) and hand cut french fries. Everyone was amazing by my ketchup consuming skills, and I just smiled and nodded as I licked my fingers dry of the bloody red yumminess. 

Sunday brought a whole new adventure. Some big things were done and I was very busy. I purchased a 1 1/2 chair, went to Greece, and hopped over to Italy to visit some amazing friends. REWIND. I did do those things just on a very smaller scale. I blame Barnes & Noble. There is no Barnes & Noble in Salem.  I want to plan a trip to Greece for several reasons and knew Barnes was one of the only places I could read a whole entire book without buying it. I want to stay in a coastal villa in Greece where all the houses are white with bright blue roofs and you can get a massage overlooking the ocean with the curtains blowing effortlessly in the breeze, or at least that's what the brochure looked like that originally made me fall in love with Greece. Then I saw the movie "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" and not to spoil the ending but the girl that goes to Greece falls in love...need I say more. My journey for a bookstore found me in downtown Salem at a the "Book Bin" where I purchased an $11 book on Greece. It includes prices, pictures, places, and most of all relaxing pleasures. 

There are not many things open on Sunday, so my next stop was in a 4 floor furniture store called "Sid's" that was having a 30% off sale. This time I blame my bladder. I was doing fine looking around, acting like I knew what I was doing, plopping my buns down on some soft and cushy couches, when "nature called". I asked where the nearest restroom was and (you fill in the blanks) then I came out and there it was...some call it "1 1/2 chair" but it was more the size of a love seat with one giant cushion accompanied by 2 plush pillows. The cool neutral  beige colored called my tushie over for just one sit and I was hooked. Then I looked at the price...not bad, marked down from 4 dollars signs to a modest 3. It was a floor sample meaning that there were no colors or changes that could be made. It was nestled in the back like an untouched gem. I felt inside that I had hit the jackpot...then I met Lane. The very nice salesman that said I could just pay $100 a month and it would be on layaway waiting for me. Oh yeah, did I mention FREE DELIVERY! Before I knew it I was signing on the dotted line, swiping my debit card, and exchanging business cards.

I'm into Skype (a service that let's you see people's faces via web cam) and am trying to connect with all my friends in far off places. My friend Josh lives in Italy now where his family is and I thought how cool to go back to a place I fell in love with. Thanks to the 2006 Art History Tour, the David statue, Venice, and the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun". Unfortunately, I was downtown and still recovering from the idea that I just bought a mini couch so I missed our Skype meeting. Luckily technology stepped in, and I got to talk to Josh and his sister Juli on the phone courtesy and free of charge from Gmail. It was so good to catch up and talk about old times at camp and the characters we've encountered along the way. I was trying not to seem all crazy but I could smell Italy over the phone, every time the connection kind of crackled I thought "it's because they are SO far away in Italy, they will probably go eat gellato and buy fashion boots once they are off the phone with me" LOLSkype adventure.

But before all of this traveling and purchasing happened, I had the highlight of my weekend. It didn't take much time and I didn't even talk for that long (imagine that). I went to see Miss Lois at her new home and brought her an assortment of pink tulips that are still closed up, dying for the day they can greet the sun. She was tired from the visits of church members that had come the day before. She did stay awake long enough to say "getting old is a party you don't want to attend". I laughed as I helped her into bed and asked if I could read to her from the book I'm currently reading. She whispered a soft yes and closed her eyes. I read until I was at the end of my current chapter and glanced up a couple of times to make sure she was sleeping comfortably. I ended our visit with a song we sing at church before prayer time "now dear Lord as we pray, take our hearts and minds far away from the press of the world all around to the throne with grace does abound" and prayed to a sleeping lady that probably didn't hear a word. But it didn't matter because I knew God did, and he continues to love Lois everyday and she attends the party she doesn't want to be at.

I've done a lot, connected with God and people close to me, near and far. I enter a new week with goals and gusto. I start training on Tuesday morning and already found some 5K runs in April and May to incorporate into my training schedule. At the end of one of the races they hand you a rose...I'M IN!

Stand Up Stand Out

There comes a time in everyones life when they need to stand up for something. Whether it be not eating meat, getting out of a abusive relationship, or for your religious beliefs. Even if it is the hardest thing you felt you've had to do; you always come out better on the other side.

I believe if I hadn't been tested I wouldn't have known what I truly believe in. I now know where I stand on so many beliefs and issues. God has pulled me out of what could have been a detrimental conversation and potentially relationship damaging into a positive boost in my self esteem. 

I really can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Look to God and the Bible to make good out of the bad, and don't give in to the Devil relentless attempts to bring you down through anger, gossip, and stress. 

Turn your eyes to the sky, instead of down to cry. 

Keep God by your side, and in your heart He will reside.

Stand up for what you believe, even if it seems you won't succeed.

God's always looking out for you, He will always get you through.