Thank you Tom Fox for allowing me to use your website!
A way to take a look at some pictures. Some of them are kinda random but these are the things I am seeing this summer.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Pictures!
http://thfox.smugmug.com/
Thank you Tom Fox for allowing me to use your website!
A way to take a look at some pictures. Some of them are kinda random but these are the things I am seeing this summer.
Thank you Tom Fox for allowing me to use your website!
A way to take a look at some pictures. Some of them are kinda random but these are the things I am seeing this summer.
Weeks One and Two...And only halfway through
I cannot believe all the ways that God is working!
I have only been at camp for about four weeks, the summer is halfway over, and it feels like I have been going forever! So much has happened, the experiences have been wonderful! I have met so many sweet campers, adult leaders, and so many wonderful people who will change my heart for the rest of my life.
God has shown me his blessings in some of the most outstanding things, places I never would have expected him! God has provided so graciously as well! God is opening my heart and showing me why He has put me exactly where I am this summer!
I had called ahead to some people I could visit in the coming week before I left to return to camp and there was a man who I probably wasn't going to be able to visit because I couldn't get out to his house early enough before he left to take his wife to her doctor's appointment. I was gonna have to go out to camp first and then drive out to Gaston county and that would make it after 1:00 and that was not going to work at all. Before I left that day though I got a call from Sarah, my lead program, who recommended that I just start working in Gaston rather than coming to camp because it was such a long drive. So I got to visit one of the sweetest couples ever, John and Barbara Berry, but God did not stop his work there. We decided to schedule the job for the Berry's that week, when Caroline went out to schedule them Mr. Berry was a little upset and explained that at his wife's doctor's appointment they said she probably didn't have much longer left. You see, Barbara has Parkinson's disease and John has to assist her with just about everything. They are so sweet to each other and they have so much love not only for each other but also for the Lord. We were able to send a group out there to paint not only their front porch but also the back porch and underpinning of their trailer. If I had not gotten to stop in Gaston county we may not have gotten the chance to work for this family when they really needed it.
I went to visit a lady in Cleveland county one day named Mrs. Morrison. She is 92 years old and needed the back of her house painted. As we talked in her backyard I was taking measurements and getting what I needed when she told me that she had just celebrated her birthday. I was so preoccupied that I just said "wow, that's great." We continued discussing things about her and her family and she kept trying to remember the group that was working for her daughter in another county and she just couldn't remember. I prayed with her and looked up to say my goodbye's and I saw a tear in her eye. As I left and sat in my car I looked up for a split second and realized that she had followed me onto the porch and was trying to get my attention. When I got out of my car and walked back up to talk to her she said she had remembered the group, it was Camp McCall, another CCC camp very near by. I thought it was so cool that her daughter was being helped and loved on by another of our summer camps and it helped me remember that there are so many people being greatly affected this summer by campers and staff as we do God's work. I also got the chance to wish her happy birthday and if I had left a minute earlier I would have missed out on such a wonderful moment.
I went to visit a lady one day and as I was leaving I stopped at another house on the same road, I didn't think she was home because she hadn't answered the phone but I just felt like I needed to stop. As I walk up to the door someone across the street calls out and asks, "Yes?" She was the lady I was working for and she had been visiting her neighbor who was sick all morning. I was able to talk with her and check out the work, but also able to pray with her. When I was finished she looked me in the eye and said "Thank you, that just made my day." Another chance I would not have gotten had I not stopped.
I sprained my ankle on Sunday during fun in the field, but I found God even in this. I didn't get to go to the urgent care until Wednesday and Sarah drove me there and we worked together that day. We went to go visit one of her CMG's and they were finishing up when we got there. We got to see their finished ramp project, take pictures, and admire their interaction with the lady and her grandson. This six year old boy had muscular dystrophy and was having a blast walking up and down this ramp and pretending to hammer in nails and measure with the measuring tape that their leader had given him. I also got the chance to witness the group giving this lady her CCC bible that we are handing out this year, to see her face just glow when she showed her grandson all of the kids names inside. When the group left Sarah stayed after to talk with the lady a bit and this sweet boy began playing with us like he had known us all his life. He was running all around the yard and up and down the ramp. I told him that he was walking really well and his grandmother said, "Yes, that is his miracle right there." She told us that the only way that he gets out of the house is if she carried him down the set of stairs they had and with this ramp, he was going to be able to run around and play outside, something he hardly ever got a chance to do. If I had not gone with Sarah this day then I would have been all the way in Gaston county and not gotten a chance to visit with this wonderful family.
We have sharing each night and one night we had a sharing about how we have had to trust God in our lives. As I began to share about the death of my grandfather and how it affected me and girl began to sob. She came to me afterwards and she explained that her grandfather had just passed away and that she came to camp to forget about it. She thought it was funny. God gave me the words to say, God worked through me to tell that story so that she would have a time to realize that everything was going to be alright, that she didn't need to forget. I was able to have that moment with her and support her and show her that God is going to be with her through everything and that he has a great plan for everything, we just have to trust in him.
On Wednesday night each of the staff shared a testimony about God has shown us his grace. I spoke of how God has forgiven me of my selfish sin of being jealous of the attention my sister received for her disability and shown me His greater plan for me. I spoke of my family and what a big part of my future plans they are and how I mistreated them by somewhat keeping them out of my life. We each dipped our hands into white paint and covered up the sin we had spoken about that had been painted on a cross. We opened the floor to allow the campers to come and erase a sin to show that God will show them grace as well. The staff waited in case there was anyone who wanted to talk with us and I had five campers come to me and talk about their families and how they felt that they were not treating them right or not following God's plan for them. God gave me the words and the guidance to speak with these campers and be someone they could talk to about their troubles. God knew what I needed to say to reach these campers and give them what they needed to hear. He works in such wonderful ways.
We scheduled eight wheelchair ramps in one week...yeah we're a bit crazy. We knew we were going to have to work extremely hard to raise donations so that we could have a break even week with the lumber costs we had this week. Things were not going well, but we prayed and trusted that God would provide. Sure enough, we got some great donations from businesses in the area, but what really amazed us were the adults that came to us and donated because they were so grateful for all the things that we were doing this summer and doing for them. Due to their generosity and the power of prayer we were able to cover the costs of the weeks projects. God showed us that we were supposed to do all of those projects this week. He provides and it is a wonderful thing!
I saw God in my staff and our times of bonding, our times of laughter as well as sadness. He has shown the reasons that He has put us all together. I am so grateful for my wonderful staff!
I was given so many reminders throughout the week of why I am doing all of this. Why God chose me, He is showing me the reasons that I am supposed to be working so hard and fighting off the exhaustion and not just hanging out at the pool or laying in my bed at home. I am so grateful that He chose me this summer and I cannot wait to see what else He has in store. He continues to remind me that this is not a job of checklists and constant moving but of rejuvenation in the spirit and seeing Him working in the lives of the people that I am meeting and allowing them to bless me. I am so grateful and I cannot explain all of the stories of all the places I have seen Him, and there is much more ahead!
<3
I have only been at camp for about four weeks, the summer is halfway over, and it feels like I have been going forever! So much has happened, the experiences have been wonderful! I have met so many sweet campers, adult leaders, and so many wonderful people who will change my heart for the rest of my life.
God has shown me his blessings in some of the most outstanding things, places I never would have expected him! God has provided so graciously as well! God is opening my heart and showing me why He has put me exactly where I am this summer!
I had called ahead to some people I could visit in the coming week before I left to return to camp and there was a man who I probably wasn't going to be able to visit because I couldn't get out to his house early enough before he left to take his wife to her doctor's appointment. I was gonna have to go out to camp first and then drive out to Gaston county and that would make it after 1:00 and that was not going to work at all. Before I left that day though I got a call from Sarah, my lead program, who recommended that I just start working in Gaston rather than coming to camp because it was such a long drive. So I got to visit one of the sweetest couples ever, John and Barbara Berry, but God did not stop his work there. We decided to schedule the job for the Berry's that week, when Caroline went out to schedule them Mr. Berry was a little upset and explained that at his wife's doctor's appointment they said she probably didn't have much longer left. You see, Barbara has Parkinson's disease and John has to assist her with just about everything. They are so sweet to each other and they have so much love not only for each other but also for the Lord. We were able to send a group out there to paint not only their front porch but also the back porch and underpinning of their trailer. If I had not gotten to stop in Gaston county we may not have gotten the chance to work for this family when they really needed it.
I went to visit a lady in Cleveland county one day named Mrs. Morrison. She is 92 years old and needed the back of her house painted. As we talked in her backyard I was taking measurements and getting what I needed when she told me that she had just celebrated her birthday. I was so preoccupied that I just said "wow, that's great." We continued discussing things about her and her family and she kept trying to remember the group that was working for her daughter in another county and she just couldn't remember. I prayed with her and looked up to say my goodbye's and I saw a tear in her eye. As I left and sat in my car I looked up for a split second and realized that she had followed me onto the porch and was trying to get my attention. When I got out of my car and walked back up to talk to her she said she had remembered the group, it was Camp McCall, another CCC camp very near by. I thought it was so cool that her daughter was being helped and loved on by another of our summer camps and it helped me remember that there are so many people being greatly affected this summer by campers and staff as we do God's work. I also got the chance to wish her happy birthday and if I had left a minute earlier I would have missed out on such a wonderful moment.
I went to visit a lady one day and as I was leaving I stopped at another house on the same road, I didn't think she was home because she hadn't answered the phone but I just felt like I needed to stop. As I walk up to the door someone across the street calls out and asks, "Yes?" She was the lady I was working for and she had been visiting her neighbor who was sick all morning. I was able to talk with her and check out the work, but also able to pray with her. When I was finished she looked me in the eye and said "Thank you, that just made my day." Another chance I would not have gotten had I not stopped.
I sprained my ankle on Sunday during fun in the field, but I found God even in this. I didn't get to go to the urgent care until Wednesday and Sarah drove me there and we worked together that day. We went to go visit one of her CMG's and they were finishing up when we got there. We got to see their finished ramp project, take pictures, and admire their interaction with the lady and her grandson. This six year old boy had muscular dystrophy and was having a blast walking up and down this ramp and pretending to hammer in nails and measure with the measuring tape that their leader had given him. I also got the chance to witness the group giving this lady her CCC bible that we are handing out this year, to see her face just glow when she showed her grandson all of the kids names inside. When the group left Sarah stayed after to talk with the lady a bit and this sweet boy began playing with us like he had known us all his life. He was running all around the yard and up and down the ramp. I told him that he was walking really well and his grandmother said, "Yes, that is his miracle right there." She told us that the only way that he gets out of the house is if she carried him down the set of stairs they had and with this ramp, he was going to be able to run around and play outside, something he hardly ever got a chance to do. If I had not gone with Sarah this day then I would have been all the way in Gaston county and not gotten a chance to visit with this wonderful family.
We have sharing each night and one night we had a sharing about how we have had to trust God in our lives. As I began to share about the death of my grandfather and how it affected me and girl began to sob. She came to me afterwards and she explained that her grandfather had just passed away and that she came to camp to forget about it. She thought it was funny. God gave me the words to say, God worked through me to tell that story so that she would have a time to realize that everything was going to be alright, that she didn't need to forget. I was able to have that moment with her and support her and show her that God is going to be with her through everything and that he has a great plan for everything, we just have to trust in him.
On Wednesday night each of the staff shared a testimony about God has shown us his grace. I spoke of how God has forgiven me of my selfish sin of being jealous of the attention my sister received for her disability and shown me His greater plan for me. I spoke of my family and what a big part of my future plans they are and how I mistreated them by somewhat keeping them out of my life. We each dipped our hands into white paint and covered up the sin we had spoken about that had been painted on a cross. We opened the floor to allow the campers to come and erase a sin to show that God will show them grace as well. The staff waited in case there was anyone who wanted to talk with us and I had five campers come to me and talk about their families and how they felt that they were not treating them right or not following God's plan for them. God gave me the words and the guidance to speak with these campers and be someone they could talk to about their troubles. God knew what I needed to say to reach these campers and give them what they needed to hear. He works in such wonderful ways.
We scheduled eight wheelchair ramps in one week...yeah we're a bit crazy. We knew we were going to have to work extremely hard to raise donations so that we could have a break even week with the lumber costs we had this week. Things were not going well, but we prayed and trusted that God would provide. Sure enough, we got some great donations from businesses in the area, but what really amazed us were the adults that came to us and donated because they were so grateful for all the things that we were doing this summer and doing for them. Due to their generosity and the power of prayer we were able to cover the costs of the weeks projects. God showed us that we were supposed to do all of those projects this week. He provides and it is a wonderful thing!
I saw God in my staff and our times of bonding, our times of laughter as well as sadness. He has shown the reasons that He has put us all together. I am so grateful for my wonderful staff!
I was given so many reminders throughout the week of why I am doing all of this. Why God chose me, He is showing me the reasons that I am supposed to be working so hard and fighting off the exhaustion and not just hanging out at the pool or laying in my bed at home. I am so grateful that He chose me this summer and I cannot wait to see what else He has in store. He continues to remind me that this is not a job of checklists and constant moving but of rejuvenation in the spirit and seeing Him working in the lives of the people that I am meeting and allowing them to bless me. I am so grateful and I cannot explain all of the stories of all the places I have seen Him, and there is much more ahead!
<3
Sunday, June 10, 2012
LET THE SUMMER BEGIN...
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| CCC Training at Camp Loy White |
I cannot believe that the past week and a half went by so quickly! So much was learned and done over the past several days. I am so exhausted but I am also so excited for what is coming up so quickly! Carolina Cross Connection Staff and Administration spent the last week together and separated as new camp staffs preparing for the quickly approaching first camp week. Going through sessions, bonding together, getting our hands dirty, and just having a blast I think we are all prepared for the summer! I learned so much and I had a wonderful week not only with my new fellow staff members but also with God. I could feel His presence all over the camp in the past week and a half and I am even more excited than I was before, and I didn't think that was possible! :)
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| We practiced a bathroom floor repair |
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| and building a set of steps! |
We covered so much material and I never would have imagined as a camper that so much work went into planning these camp weeks.
We learned about the safety regulations, the way the week runs, the rules everyone must follow, leadership skills, planning processes, organization, how best to stay awake when you feel like you could fall asleep any second. (well that was more self taught, but the instructors did a great job)
We also learned about each job and what it requires to complete each job. The field and program coordinators spent time learning about each others jobs and tasks to complete so that as a staff we can help each other out. As a program I have a lot of paper work to complete, but I also get to have a major part in planning the creative activities like worships and games. I also will be really focused on first visits during the week so I can help schedule the jobs for later camp weeks. We all got a chance to practice different construction projects so that we would all be familiar with the tools, but the fields went into greater depth. The pictures above show my separate group completing a set of stairs and a mock molded bathroom floor that we had to cut up and fix! SUPER FUN STUFF!! I loved getting that chance to work with the power tools and I cannot wait for my chance to be a field for a day and go out and visit the groups on the job sites. It'll be hard cause they will be trusting me to lead them, but I know God will give me the knowledge and I have been well trained!
We also learned the process for visiting the individuals that we may get the chance to work for during the summer which I think might have been my favorite part! When we were divided into our staffs and parted ways to spend a couple of days at our assigned camps we all went out and got alot of visits completed. I met some wonderful people and the looks on their faces and the gracious tones in their voices will never leave my mind. God works in such wonderful ways and I know that all of the people I visited were meant to enter my life, even if it was just for 15 min. With every laugh shared with my staff and these individuals, the occasional tear shed with a couple people, or even getting lost for a couple of hours without a map, gps, or phone, God was sending me signs and blessings.
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| My friend Roy smeared chocolate on my face one night :) |
Despite all of the learning and the work that had to be done we still made time for fun and games. I mean lets face it, we're crazy and of course we're gonna do crazy things. I shared so many laughs with the staff this past week. We would hang out on the porch of the lodge or play frisbee in the field. There were lots of pretty intense card games played and they get pretty competitive (: I think one of my favorite things is really just going with the flow and you never know what will happen with all of these staff members! One minute you're just waiting around and the next you're singing a song about a guy named Joe. I love the CCC staff and I know there is so much ahead of us!
Bonding with my staff on the ropes course was most definitely one of the highlights of the week. We not only had a ton of fun, but we worked extremely well together, planning out strategies and working through problems. The summer ahead is going to be full of wonderful things!
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| Saturday Night Campfire |
On top of everything else there were amazing worships planned by the administrative staff. The theme of the week was "expect" and focused on all of the things that we should expect this summer and throughout our lives. I have always loved CCC worships just for the different atmosphere that they provide. They are interactive and passionate and full of free expression. They are all really focused on what we as youth and young adults think about and they are always so unique. I cannot wait to take part in planning the worships for my own campers with our own theme and just praising the Lord with a whole other perspective.
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| My home for the summer! |
On the morning of the sixth we woke up anxiously awaiting the moment when we would discover who we were on staff with and what camps we were assigned to. The thoughts that were racing through my mind were extensive and I cannot even remember them all now. We were taken into the field and put into a circle. We faced the outside, closed our eyes, and awaited someone to come up behind us and blindfold us. The five camp directors then led us into our staff groups, placed our hands on each others shoulders and guided us to separate parts of the camp. I tried to stay as quiet as possible and not laugh as I continuously stepped on the feet of the director in front of me, not wanting someone to recognize me and spoil the surprise. We walked (downhill none the less) for what seemed like ages, and then when we were left at our assigned spot we stood there forever. The thoughts racing through my head, where was I, who had been holding onto my shoulders, what leads and what director was coming to meet us. I couldn't help looking down at the person's feet next to me, didn't help but at least I was assured I hadn't been left alone. Finally I heard the crunch of the gravel, my hand was joined with another and I heard the voice of LeeAnn Mangum praying over us and then we took off our blindfolds! I was thrilled to see the people who I was going to be spending the summer with and the excitement rushing through me as I realized that I was going to be at the beautiful Camp Loy White all summer! The short time I spent with them planning out the beginnings of our weeks and creating our staff covenant, I can tell that God has amazing plans!
I love you LeeAnn, Sarah, Caroline, Ty, Rodger, and Heather, and let the summer begin!
Friday, June 1, 2012
TODAY'S THE DAY!!
Well this is it!!
Be hitting the road here real soon and be on my way to camp loy white to start staff training! I cannot wait to meet all of the other staff and be reunited with some great friends from my past three summers. It's still so unbelievable to me that I get to have this chance to be God's hands and feet in such a wonderful way!! The day I got my call is far behind me but it still feels like yesterday! Now, the day that I long anticipated is here and I still cannot believe it is happening! Your prayers will be much appreciated this next week and a half as well as the rest of the summer! I will be finding out my camp and fellow staff very soon!!!! Wish me luck!
I CANT WAIT!!
Be hitting the road here real soon and be on my way to camp loy white to start staff training! I cannot wait to meet all of the other staff and be reunited with some great friends from my past three summers. It's still so unbelievable to me that I get to have this chance to be God's hands and feet in such a wonderful way!! The day I got my call is far behind me but it still feels like yesterday! Now, the day that I long anticipated is here and I still cannot believe it is happening! Your prayers will be much appreciated this next week and a half as well as the rest of the summer! I will be finding out my camp and fellow staff very soon!!!! Wish me luck!
I CANT WAIT!!
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Hello Friends of Faith!
My first blog...Many thanks to give
The final days are dwindling down until I head off to staff training and get started with the busiest summer I have ever had. I cannot wait though! I have enjoyed my camp weeks the past three summers so much and I still cannot believe that I get to spend my entire summer this way. The joy that I know I am going to receive everyday is going to make up for the exhaustion and long hours. I know that God has such wonderful things planned for me and the other staff members. Everything is coming together and my excitement is boiling over.I have so many people to thank for all of this! I would not have been given this opportunity without the help of so many influential people in my life. First of all, the congregation at Hickory Grove United Methodist Church has given me so much not only at this time in my life, but also as I have grown in my faith. I attended my first CCC mission trip with the youth and I strongly feel that I am who I am in my faith today because of the relationships I have had with the youth and youth leaders in my church. The things I have learned, the experiences I have had, the encouragement I have received, all from the wonderful people at HGUMC. Also, as I have made this journey trying to raise my funds before I leave for camp the people at Hickory Grove have been so helpful! Over $1,500 of the money that I raised was from the kind and generous people at my home church! I am so thankful for the amazing church family that God has given me! I could not imagine where I would be without all of you and thank you for all you have done and continue to do for me!!
I also want to thank my family and my friends who have encouraged me through it all! My family has led me not only in my faith, but in every aspect of my life. I love you all so much and cannot than you enough. To my friends both at church and school, thank you for helping me through the time before and after my big interview, for dealing with me as I continued on and on about how excited I was, and for all of the support. You are all so important to me and I'm glad I got to share this amazing moment in my life with you!
There is only a short time left until I find out where I will be this summer and who I will be on staff with! I have decided to continue this blog to share the experiences I have this summer with all of you. I hope that you will follow my posts and can play an important part in the adventure ahead! Your prayers would help so much and as soon as I get more information I will let you know!
God Bless
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