yeeeehawwww......

That is how my boys ended the night and that is how I will end this amazing experience :) It was the last worship night and it was a great way to end our summer. We still have a couple of days with campers, but all the real work is over. Now we just clean up and head home. I won't conclude my whole summer now, but I will say that this has been en amazing adventure. God has taught me great things this summer. I will write a longer blog explaining the things I've learned and fond memories when I get home. Today after I finished my last work day I headed home with a great feeling of accomplishment. I did what I thought I couldn't and I leaned a lot along the way! Stacey, Matt, and Matt's friend John went hiking and swimming along some waterfalls in the area. It was sooo much fun, but Stacey lost her camera in the river....It was a great ending to a great workday. Then the staff went to a japanese restaurant and it was great. We had worship and then ate cupcakes. Now I'm hanging out for the last time with campers :( I love you all and thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers this summer. My country boys are learning how to hula and I MUST watch it unfold....

The last full work day...

This is beginning to be really really sad. We went back to build the deck and got all but the handrails done. I think the boys and I are beginning to be friends more and more haha! After a full day of building a staircase we headed home. I got to talk to my daddy! We stopped at a 7-11 to get snack and then made it back to the church. It was cook out time, so I loaded my car and headed to the park. We ate and hung out by the river. It rained a bit, but nothing serious. We came back and enjoyed worship and then had a small party for a guy in the band. He got a guitar and he was so excited! We ate cake and hung out with the campers some before lights out. Now Stacey, Matt, Josh and I are hanging out and soon going to be going to bed! One more small work day!

Well it was a yard work day!

Today I took the guys to do a little yard work for some disabled citizens. I got them out the door with all of our tools and we headed out. On the way as I was talking with Jamey our entire 5 gallon water cooler spilled in the back of my car!! It is now everywhere!! Everything is wet :( There was nothing I could do.... But we arrived safely and got started on our work. There were two small yards and I was really nervous about them finishing before lunch! One yard had a bit more work and it took us until well after lunch to finish. It took a bit more to keep them working because it was very hot and they did NOT enjoy yard work. They kept asking if we were going to be able to go back to building the deck tomorrow. We left and headed back home and arrived home at about the same time as the other work crews. I talked with Sarah and Josh a bit because they met with the Senator for Hawaii today. haha He was at the same food pantry as they were. Matt, Stacey and I went to Lowe's to get a few more supplies for my worksite tomorrow and then it was time for dinner. After dinner we made friendship bracelets with the campers until worship. Worship was great as always :) We had popsicles after service and continued to make friendship bracelets. I finished one for each of my boys on my worksite group. They were so excited haha only kidding. I'm pretty sure they could care less and they won't be wearing them long after this week! I at least made them brown and green for camouflage! Lights out has come and gone and I've been hanging out with staff, but it is time for bed now! Only one more full work day. That is weird to imagine....

It was interesting as suspected!!

Today breakfast happened as always :) My boys disappeared, to go smoke we all figured out as they returned....But I got them going after breakfast and we headed off to our worksite.(side note: I got to talk with Jamey all the way to the worksite) When we arrived at the worksite we just started working! It was great. The boys didn't let me down at all. I had to MAKE them stop for lunch. They will be finished in another day, so we will have to figure out another worksite for them. I pretty much just talked with all the boys as they worked away! They have interesting stories, so please please keep them in prayer. None of them actually want to be here. They are doing it for various reasons, but I'm so excited they came. I had a guy tell me today that he didn't want to come, but now he is glad he did! I would really love it if they left saying they has a great time!! One guy doesn't even believe in God :( I tried talking to him, but I'm not sure how much it actually helped.  Also, I've had to fuss at them a bit about tobacco use. They wouldn't stop dipping no matter what I said! At the end of the I was very happy with the work the guys did! One of the guys rode home with me and we had some great conversation. He was talking to me about his dad and their relationship. It was really great! The groups went off to the shower and Matt, Stacey and I went to Lowe's to get more supplies. Then another event happened. One of the ladies that was helping fix dinner  went to turn on the gas oven and when she lit it the flame blew up in her face! She went to the hospital and everything is fine se only had a few spots of 2nd degree burn. That was a scary experience for everyone involved. We also had a case of lice!!!! One of the girls in the groups had a bad case of lice and after checking everyone in the group she was found to be the only one. She went home shortly after the discovery. We have cleaned everything around her and the room she was in. Then we had a great worship experience. We had ice cream for dessert and the groups had group time. We all hung out and then the campers had lights out. Now it is time for me to head to bed!!

The last week :(

I already love my campers!! The first campers arrived at 7:00 am!! We were not up for their arrival and they didn't actually come to the church until around 11. They came to service with us. After service the girls and I ate lunch at a local pizza place with some members of the band. We then ran errands and headed back to the church to welcome the groups. One group never showed up....odd.....So we only have two groups this week! One from Pennsylvania, who I love already! The other is from Enterprise, AL! :) They are Auburn fans! We ate dinner then got ready for worship. Worship was fun as always! I video taped it so maybe I can put it on here when I get back home! The groups are really energetic so it is going to be a great week! Okay so after worship I hung out with the groups and found out who was going to be going to my worksite with me for the week. It is sooo funny because I have some pretty country boys! They are actually from PA, but they are very country. One of the guys had on a rebel flag t-shirt! They say they are awesome at construction, so we will see! It is going to be an interesting week. They bought a purple bear to be our mascot for the week! They are pretty crazy! It is all boys and one girl with me! I'll try to get some good pictures and video throughout the week. I played spoons with the group and had a blast! Now it is lights out and I'm soon going to bed! One week from today and I will be back at home! Crazy to think the summer is over! I'm going to be sad to leave DC! 

Wild n' Wonderful

Thast is what they call West Virgiani for those of you who didn't know. That is where we spent our day. White water rafting proved to be a bit out of our price range, so we met the West VA staff in Harper's Ferry to walk around and see some sites. For thsoe of you who don't remeber your American History Harper's Ferry was the site of John Brown's raid during the Civil War. It was tons of Historic museums and the main street in the town has cute little gift shops and restaurants. We ventured around the town and it's sites for several hours then headed back to the church that the W VA staff stays at for dinner. Stephanie the camp director cooked us a wonderful dinner of seasoned chicken tenderloins. We hung out a bit and then the staff wanted to take us to Jule's ice cream shop. We decided to leave from the ice cream shop becasue it was getting pretty late. The ice cream shop was actually a small teck from the church, so we were glad we made that decision. The W VA camp is pretty far from signs of civilization......Jule's turned out to be a small trailer type thing in a parking lot much to Stacey and my surprise. The group raved about how good the ice cream was and when we arrived they were very crowded. I had custard and it was pretty tasty. (PS. Stacey will eventually make a facebook album of all the food we have eaten over the summer to show everyone how big of fatties we have been....) After eating and bidding our farewells we drove back to Dranesville. We stayed up talking and then eventually hit the sack! Campers come soon!

A day to remember.....

Today we said farewell to the group, but this is not the reason it will be remembered. It will be remembered because shortly after saying goodbye to the group Stacey and I headed over to the worksite I will be working on next week. After inspecting the worksite we headed to the nearest Home Depot to figure out how to get wood to the worksite to complete the deck. Well after 2 hours of waiting at Home Depot, renting a truck, unloading 23 decking boards, filling up with one gallon of gas, and returning to Home Depot at 5:15, then driving through rush hour friday afternoon traffic back to the church we were exhausted and frustrated! This turmoil of probably the hardest longest day of all summer will be the reason it will be remembered. We had a hard, long day, so we decided to go to dinner and a movie. Our night has been relaxing and enjoyable and at the moment we are looking up fun things to do tomorrow. Hopefully we will catch a little rock climbing or white water rafting, at least maybe some museums. Then Sunday it is back to work! Pray for me this week! I have a challenging worksite! 

The last day with the group!

Today was the last day with the group. I took some of the boys and we finished up my work site from last week. I got back to the church and went to lunch and walmart with Sara and Sofia. Stacey, Matt, and I went to Tyson's Corner to go to the mall. I bought the cutest sunglasses! We headed back to the church and met Josh at Quiznos for dinner. We got back to the church and set up for worship. Worship was really great tonight. The group sang and sang with the band after they washed each other's feet. We had a bit of a situation after worship was over. Sofia was really upset so we prayed with her and I think she is finally doing a bit better. We are all tired and this summer is beginning to work on us. It is just a little nerves after not a lot of sleep and a lot of work. We all cried a bit and prayed and then Matt and Josh brought us ice cream. Matt then did a crash course with me on how to build a deck. Yes, next week I will be building a deck, but not only a deck. The deck is about eight feet off the ground so the steps will be a bit tricky. Pray for me because of twenty minutes ago I didn't really know what I was doing!! Keep us in our prayers this last week. We have our biggest crowd of the summer. It will be an adventure for sure!!

Hmm....it seems this summer is almost over

I just came to the realization that one week from today will be my last full work day. Okay so at the beginning of this summer it seemed it had been forever since I had seen my family, but now I feel like I just got here! It has been a whirlwind of emotions and blessings, but it has been amazing nonetheless! Today started with a ride over to Ms. Trutie (SP?) A new elderly lady we are helping out. We fixed up her yard for about an hour then headed over to the Arlington Food Bank. We had a great time movie around corn and tomato sauce! It seemed we had just gotten there and it was then time to leave! We headed back to the church and got slurpees along the way! Three of the middle school boys rode with me, let's just say that was an adventure!! I got back and it was time to get ready for the cookout. The cookout was a success :) Worship was great. I love Wednesday worship! They play my favorite songs! I don't know if I have mentioned (sorry if I have!), but they play Chasing Cars and ya'll should really listen to the words to that song it is great!  Now is free time/group time and soon will be lights out!! See you all soon!! Keep praying for me!!

If I don't return home....

It is because the Capitol Area Food Bank worked me too death... No really....Today we had breakfast and started on our way. I took 13 of the campers with Sofia to the food bank. There was a wreck on the highway so it took us a bit longer than usual to get there which made me sort of exhausted before I even began the work! When we finally got there we had a lot of work! We packed 450 boxes. All of those 450 boxes I sat on a concrete floor and put together! It was crazy, but I got to sleep for about an hour when I got back so I was refreshed. While riding home I heard this song called Hookers and Robbers by Charlie Hall. It is about Coming as you are before Christ with your guilt and shame. I started talking with God and just felt a call to change my talk and to take the come as you are to not just mean with your gift and talents, but with your guilt and shame also. So I sat down after dinner and just began to listen to the song and to talk to God and to read scripture. I didn't end up changing my talk completely, but I did talk more about coming to Christ with all your baggage and laying it down before Him. Then letting Him use you to bring Him glory. It ended up really well, so I was happy. After the talk one of the leaders came up to me and said that his daughter really needed to hear the talk and that he knew God was telling me to say the things that I did. SO i guess that goes to show what God can really do!! Not that I ever doubted!! Well that was about it worship went well and we ate banana pudding and dirt for dessert. Now it is lights out and I'm going to bed!!

Work Day ONE with a new group :)

Today was another wonderful work day. I love the work days because they are the times when I get to really know the kids the most! We had breakfast and then headed out on our way. I went to Sarah's worksite from last week. They didn't finish so we finished up today. I had a great crew! We worked very hard and got a lot done!! We put doors up on a storage unit and painted. the men were great with the doors and some boys put on the door knobs and all the girls painted. We have some siblings here from Haiti! The girl is so sweet I love her! After work we came back and Sofia took the crew to the showers. I took a quick nap that was much needed. We had dinner of spaghetti! A great crew from a methodist church in town made it for us and it was fabulous! Then it was time for worship. Jimmy our cook came to worship tonight and hung out with us! We had ice cream and now it is time for lights out!

Sunday.....A day of rest

We slept in until church today!! After church we went to this Mexican place with Josh and Matt. Then we pretty much rested until Sarah and Sofia came back. Sofia and I ran to Sam's to get a few things and when we returned the group was here! We ate dinner and got ready for Worship. Worship was fun! We danced and sang and everything was great! Now we are hanging out with the group. I am uploading photos on my computer and I will put some on here! :)

A fun filled day :)

This morning I woke up and went out to my car to find my car filled with balloons. Okay so the side story to this is that I mention that I am in a sorority in my talk I give on Tuesday nights, well the boys in my group thought this was funny so all week they have been saying a chant to  me every time they see me. It basically is them yelling DZ. Okay so this morning not only did I find my car filled with balloons, but each one was pink and had green DZ written on them. I didn't get a chance to take a picture, but maybe they will post the video because they took one. Anyway after that was taken care of I ate a quick breakfast and Stacey, Josh, Matt and I headed to King's Dominion, an amusement park that is near us. The rest of the day was filled with roller coasters and water slides. It was awesome, but we returned a little after midnight and were exhausted!! Tomorrow campers come and I will let you all know how that goes!!

Whew...

I am so full!!! WE just ate a huge meal at Olive Garden! Today was a work/play day. We had to say goodbye to the Korean church :( Then Stacey and I had to go to work! Sarah and Sofia went sightseeing with Aloma youth group. We also went to buy tickets to go to King's Dominion. They sale them cheaper at this grocery store, so we went to THREE just to find them! When we finally did it paid off because the woman gave us $25 off!! After that we had to go to meet with two different people about worksites and sadly neither of them turned out to be things that we could do. We met with the youth group in DC and went to a few sights. We came back to VA to eat dinner at Olive Garden and now I'm going to go to sleep, so that I will be rested for KING"S DOMION tomorrow! YAY! Can you tell I'm excited?? 

Work Hard, Play Hard

And that is exactly what we did......Today after having to stay an hour later than planned and still not getting all the work done we left Mr. Roberson's. The group worked really hard and got as much as feasibly possible done. There is only a little bit left to do! We headed to Taco Bell and got lunch then came back to the church. I took a little nap, and while I slept my group set up a 100 ft. slip-n-slide down a HUGE hill. They awoke me and I joined them them sliding down the hill. It was pretty much awesome. Only a few walked away injured. My worst injury was that I hit a rock while sliding once and was airborne.... After the fun adventure I got a shower and got ready for worship. Tonight was the servanthood foot washing. It was great. My group washed my feet. It was an amazing experience. Afterwards they invited the staff to affirmation, which is basically them telling the others in their group ways that they have seen Christ through them. They were super sweet to the staff and said some amazing things to us. I have thoroughly enjoyed them this week. They have worked hard and I have seen them grow. I must brag on two boys out of the group that stepped us this week and were great examples for not only the young boys, but for the guys in the other youth group as well. Tonight they took the initiative to not only wash their group's feet, but ours and the bands as well. It was great. They are such servants. Okay so that is all for tonight. I've been to Wendy's for ice cream and now it is bedtime. :)

Tired, but not regretful

Today as the alarm went off at 7 am. I almost regretted my decision....almost. I awoke though and headed to breakfast. After breakfast I took 23 of the the campers to my worksite. This is significant because I normally take 14. I was a little nervous about finding them all work to do, but when I arrived there was still a great deal to take care of. We worked and finally the boys actually needed my help in roofing! Up until now they knew jsut as much or more than I did about it, but they had never roll roofed, so I got to teach them! My entire afternoon and most of my morning was spent on the roof. We are almost done now! The others got a lot done also. One more day and we should be finished! After a full day on the roof and being completely covered in tar from head to toe we ended the day. I came back to the church and took a quick shower to TRY and get the tar off. After I had to run to the grocery store to get stuff for the cookout then headed to the cook out. After the cookout we came back for worship. It was pretty great tonight!! Then I skyped with Jamey for a bit and now I'm going to bed!! I'm exhausted!! I have to wake up early to go to Lowe's :( sad sad day.....Hopefully I can sleep some tomorrow....

A day late, but better than never!

Okay so again nothing too exciting happening today. Breakfast then off to a food pantry. We worked pretty pretty hard. The people were very particular about how everything was done. Not mean or anything just particular. After a long exhausting day of moving tons of canned goods (and meeting Canadian people who were also helping) We headed home. At home I  hung out, went to Lowe's and had dinner. Then Worship and after worship I learned that I had completely forgotten about the midnight release of HARRY POTTER!!! Matt and Becky (she needs a story,but I will wait until the end) invited me to join then, so after persuading Stacey that I would be okay with no sleep we left. We arrived at 10:15 but didn't line up until just before 11. We got into the theater that was of course super crowded. They had twelve theaters playing the midnight release, but every single one was packed!  There were some people dressed up and the whole deal. It was quite entertaining. The movie was really good, but the major climax of the movie was actually not so climatic, so I was a little disappointed. All was well and I returned to the church at about 3am. Sleep took control soon after.

Work Day ONE!!

Today we had breakfast. We headed off to our worksite, but when I got in my car I was left with no gas! I ran by the gas station and while I was at the gas station an entire cooler spilled in the church van, so they had to turn back around and get a new one. After that fiasco we finally got on the road. We had a full day. We began to roof and found out that all the plywood under the shingles was warped and had to be replaced. A few boys started on that project and the others did yard work. There was a ton of yard work to be done! They worked very hard and got a lot done! We headed back about three and stopped at chick-fil-a for ice cream. I took the group to get showers and just as we got back from showers the dinner was ready. During dinner I learned an Asian game!! It was so fun! After dinner it was Worship and nothing too exciting happened there. After worship we served the groups ice cream. Okay so I haven't mentioned this yet, but the Asians eat CRAZY amounts of food. The smaller they are the more they eat. Now we have just been hanging out and the Asians taught me another game! It is soon time for my lights out. I'm pretty exhausted.....Tomorrow is food pantry.

Another week of awesome campers!!!

Today I got to sleep in a bit. Sarah and Stacey went to the airport to get Stacey's home church and Sofia and I stayed to attend church. I woke up and ran to Lowe's then got back just in time for church. Church was great and we had to introduce ourselves to the congregation. After church we went to meet Stacey and Sarah and the group at Wendy's. Well we didn't exactly make it because Sofia said she knew where she was going, but it turns out she didn't and we ended up WAY far away..... We ended up eating at the nearest place and then going to Walmart. Someone stole my razor out of my shower....no idea who, but one day it was there and the next day it was gone....So i bought a new one. After I came back and met my new group!! I hung out with them and played Man hunt. Took a quick nap and then went to Walmart and the grocery store. We cooked tacos for dinner! Then got ready for Worship and hung out with my group a little bit more. The other group got here a little bit later than planned so we pushed worship back a little bit. When worship did start it was great! We have an all Asian middle school youth group! They are awesome!! My group is awesome too! It is going to be great. Anyway though, Worship got over and it was pretty close to lights out so the groups had group time then went to bed. We hung out with Matt and Josh (my new best friend) and Matt brought us ice cream!! Now Josh just left and it is twelve so I MUST go to bed. I miss you all!! LOVE YOU!!

A day of rest...

Today was a great day of rest. We woke up after staying up WAY too late last night with the campers. We fed them breakfast and sent them on their way. I skyped with Jamey a bit and Stacey went to pick up her friend Yana (okay I have no idea how to spell her name, but that is what it sounds like) She is from the Czech Republic. We hung out a bit and a man from the church asked us all to come over and hang out by his pool and do laundry. We jumped on the oppurtunity, so the entire day was spent laying out and playing cards and such. He fed us Salmon for dinner, It was so great! I slept for hours out by the pool! Then we came back to the church after dinner and watched a movie and I painted some shoes I had bought! They are super cute! Then I talked with my mom for almost two hours! It had been awhile since we spoke! Now it is late and I'm headed to bed. Campers get here tomorrow YAY!!