So, not gonna lie, camp was the most amazing thing ever. I wasn't all too excited for it at first, because I thought "a week without technology, stuck with people I don't know. Yeah right."
Then I got there. The first day we did a lot of trust activities, which were awesome. For instance, our group of 12 stands on two logs. 6 people are on one, 6 on the other. Everyone has to end up on the other log without stepping off the log. It was so hard!!! But it was REALLY awesome, and our group started to bond over it. Started to.
So, the end of the first day, I'm feeling okayish about camp. By the second morning, I was concerned that "these people don't get my sense of humor" [direct quote from my journal]. However, I thought my group was really nice. Then I read Genesis 1 and realized that Everything IS GOD'S! He makes it as HE wishes. "And it is so". Thus, I have no control. Agreed, this was nothing "new" for me, but it made me realize that our Terra Firma group was God's, and I had no control over the experience. I just had to shape up my attitude.
By the morning of the second day, I was on fire. Evensong (our praise team) had rocked our socks off, and I realized that I didn't remember the last time I felt so moved in a body of believers. In fact, I didn't even remember the last time I'd actually felt the Holy Spirit move in a room. And. It. Was. SO. COOL!! The speakers were amazing, and the music was wonderful. I was so happy. :c) By THAT night I was feeling tied into my group. I realized that I was comfortable with myself, and my Sherpa (definition: a member of a people who often serve as porters on mountain-climbing expeditions, and thus our "religious sherpa") and I really had an amazing conversation. I began to feel accepted and loved with WHO I was. Plus I began to learn that my sensitive side ISN'T a bad thing. It's good. In fact, because it's how GOD made me, it's a blessing!!
Day 3 started with my being upset and missing my family. I read my journal entry from the night before and thought "ha! I can't be that close to my group! Whatever!" and I was virtually a wreck. But, again, by that night I wrote "I'm so 'into' my group, too! I really feel like they're the siblings I have never had!".
Day 4 I wrote, "so I keep waking up and thinking 'there's no way I can be that close to my group. I bet they all really hate me'. But I know that when I'm with them later, it'll be like I'ma mental person. I love them all".
Day 5 we went to the dunes. Oh. my. stars. I kept thinking about how Jesus wandered in the wilderness and fasted, and he was just fine. Meanwhile, I wouldn't be able to be stranded in the desert. I would totally have fallen to Satan's temptations of food and water. *sigh* God is SO good!!! The speaker that night talked about service and the washing of feet. I realized that to serve with a pure heart, we have to be WILLING to be served! Then our Sherpa and our Cornerstone Faculty Advisor washed our feet, and we prayed over everyone in our group. It was so moving...I can't even begin to explain how it made me feel! :c) Also, this was the day that I realized I missed my roommate.
So, basically the summary of camp is that I am a broken mess, and the only one who can save me is Jesus. Amen!
Write more later!
Until Next Time!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
College :c)
Well, at the moment I am lying in a dark room, because my roommate and I are getting ready to go to bed. It's been a really long day...lots of meeting new people, and lots of "filler" activities. Actually, my Terra Firma group (13 people) played a really awesome game called "Ninja Tag". But that's beside the point.
We left the hotel this morning and got to CU at 9. We went through the rigmarole of getting signed in and what not, and then headed to the dorm. Caitlin got here and we set up the room. It's really a pretty nice set up, I must say. My bed is on top of my bookshelf and dresser, and Caitlin's bed is over mine and on top of her desk. It's all really sturdy, and gives us QUITE a bit of space. Plus, the room is kind of divided up--I have my own little alcove, and she has the wall. It's nice. :c)
The rest of the day was spent running here and running there, and, after a very tearful goodbye to my parents, I found myself alone on a college campus--adrift in a sea of possibility. And for some reason, that didn't freak me out. I actually feel like God has prepared me for this; as if He has "made me ready".
After all, "Everything is beautiful in its own time".
Until Next TIme!
We left the hotel this morning and got to CU at 9. We went through the rigmarole of getting signed in and what not, and then headed to the dorm. Caitlin got here and we set up the room. It's really a pretty nice set up, I must say. My bed is on top of my bookshelf and dresser, and Caitlin's bed is over mine and on top of her desk. It's all really sturdy, and gives us QUITE a bit of space. Plus, the room is kind of divided up--I have my own little alcove, and she has the wall. It's nice. :c)
The rest of the day was spent running here and running there, and, after a very tearful goodbye to my parents, I found myself alone on a college campus--adrift in a sea of possibility. And for some reason, that didn't freak me out. I actually feel like God has prepared me for this; as if He has "made me ready".
After all, "Everything is beautiful in its own time".
Until Next TIme!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Grand Rapids!
Well, I'm in Grand Rapids. It's official. :cD
I. AM. SO. EXCITED!!!!
The trip was nice; dad let me drive since it was my last time, but traffic was light and it was pretty easy-going. Tonight we're going to celebrate Dad's 60th birthday (SIXTY!) by going out to dinner at Damon's. It will be the parents, John, and myself. Then we'll probably come back to the hotel and chill a little before taking John back to Calvin.
I feel like I should be insanely nervous and freaking out...but I'm really not!! I'm kiiiind of nervous about meeting my suite-mates, but other than that I just can't help but feel I'm in for the ride of my life! This week will be ABSOLUTELY crazy, so I thought I'd post our week's schedule quickly:
Monday 8/31/09 -
9am-1pm - NEW STUDENT CHECK-IN
- Greet your Admissions Counselor
- Receive your laptop
- Get your Phot ID
- Visit any offices, if necessary
- Residential Students move into Residence Hall
1pm-4pm - Settle into your Rooms (Residential Students)
3pm - President's Reception (parents only)
4pm-5:30pm - CU Dinner Extravaganza (all new students & families, faculty, and staff)
6pm-7pm - New Student Dedication Service: Dr., Stowell
7:30-8:30pm - Meet your Terra Firma Group
8:30-9:30pm - Hub Bub (Games, Comedians, Karaoke, Ice Cream, Fun, & More!)
10pm - Hall Meetings for Residential Students/Commuter Students Return Hom
Tuesday 9/1/09
8am - Breakfast
9am-10am - Worship
10:30am-12pm - Tour de Cornerstone
12pm - Lunch
1pm-5pm - The Offices & Testing (Math Placement, Language Placement, etc.)
5pm - Dinner
6pm-9pm - Desserts @ faculty & staff homes
Wednesday 9/2/09
8am - Breakfast
9am-10am - Worship
10am-12pm - Dr. Stowell
12pm-1pm - Lunch
1pm-3pm - Lawn Olympics
3pm-5pm - Nap Time
5pm-6pm - Dinner
6pm-7:30pm The Christian Story
7:30-9pm - Java with Joe
Thursday 9/3/09
8am - Breakfast
9am - Worship
9:30am - Travel to Grace Adventures - Terra Firma Camp Experience Begins!
Friday 9/4/09 - Monday 9/7/09
Terra Firma Camp Experience
Wednesday 9/9/09
Classes Begin!
So, I probably won't have much time to update this week, but maybe I'll have a LITTLE time for something tomorrow. It's going to be an AWESOME experience!!!! I just can't believe I'm already going to college. Wow. :c)
Until Next Time!!!
I. AM. SO. EXCITED!!!!
The trip was nice; dad let me drive since it was my last time, but traffic was light and it was pretty easy-going. Tonight we're going to celebrate Dad's 60th birthday (SIXTY!) by going out to dinner at Damon's. It will be the parents, John, and myself. Then we'll probably come back to the hotel and chill a little before taking John back to Calvin.
I feel like I should be insanely nervous and freaking out...but I'm really not!! I'm kiiiind of nervous about meeting my suite-mates, but other than that I just can't help but feel I'm in for the ride of my life! This week will be ABSOLUTELY crazy, so I thought I'd post our week's schedule quickly:
Monday 8/31/09 -
9am-1pm - NEW STUDENT CHECK-IN
- Greet your Admissions Counselor
- Receive your laptop
- Get your Phot ID
- Visit any offices, if necessary
- Residential Students move into Residence Hall
1pm-4pm - Settle into your Rooms (Residential Students)
3pm - President's Reception (parents only)
4pm-5:30pm - CU Dinner Extravaganza (all new students & families, faculty, and staff)
6pm-7pm - New Student Dedication Service: Dr., Stowell
7:30-8:30pm - Meet your Terra Firma Group
8:30-9:30pm - Hub Bub (Games, Comedians, Karaoke, Ice Cream, Fun, & More!)
10pm - Hall Meetings for Residential Students/Commuter Students Return Hom
Tuesday 9/1/09
8am - Breakfast
9am-10am - Worship
10:30am-12pm - Tour de Cornerstone
12pm - Lunch
1pm-5pm - The Offices & Testing (Math Placement, Language Placement, etc.)
5pm - Dinner
6pm-9pm - Desserts @ faculty & staff homes
Wednesday 9/2/09
8am - Breakfast
9am-10am - Worship
10am-12pm - Dr. Stowell
12pm-1pm - Lunch
1pm-3pm - Lawn Olympics
3pm-5pm - Nap Time
5pm-6pm - Dinner
6pm-7:30pm The Christian Story
7:30-9pm - Java with Joe
Thursday 9/3/09
8am - Breakfast
9am - Worship
9:30am - Travel to Grace Adventures - Terra Firma Camp Experience Begins!
Friday 9/4/09 - Monday 9/7/09
Terra Firma Camp Experience
Wednesday 9/9/09
Classes Begin!
So, I probably won't have much time to update this week, but maybe I'll have a LITTLE time for something tomorrow. It's going to be an AWESOME experience!!!! I just can't believe I'm already going to college. Wow. :c)
Until Next Time!!!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Hello!
Hello everyone!
Alright, to start out, this week has been a whirlwind so far! And it's only Tuesday! On Sunday I was in a community choir, which was fun, and yesterday and today have been filled with babysitting. The kids' grandma has been coming over with their cousins, so we really haven't had much "us" time, but hey, it's fun no matter what! I'm all packed, so I'm not really stressing about any of that...it's just a lot of anticipation at this point. And I'm avoiding a LOT of goodbyes.
As far as what is going through my head right now (this is for you, grandpa!), there are a LOT of things. For instance, I often find myself going through a checklist in my mind about what I need for school, making sure I have everything. For instance, who remembers to by powdered milk at the store for their cereal?? Certainly not an 18-year-old girl! I also find myself thinking almost constantly about what is going to be happening in Dodgeville next week. Then I remember I won't be here. This means that half the time my stomach is in absolute knots of nerves and excitement, and half the time I'm totally focused on the moment, and not thinking about leaving. I've found the latter to be the best choice. If I sit still for too long or if I don't have something to do, then I pretty much start having an emotional breakdown.
Now. This is not because I don't want to go to Cornerstone, it's because I don't know what to expect. I'm the kind of person who loves to know just what to expect. So, this is all very VERY intense for me. Plus, I've been with my parents for 18 years. No siblings, and for most of the time we either lived too far away for me to be gone a lot or we didn't know anyone. Thus, I'm having a breakdown.
On the upside, however, I finally managed to sleep 10 hours last night. The night before I didn't sleep more than 4 hours, and the nights before that it certainly wasn't much more than 4 hours. I just need my brain to stop for a little while.
However, I am VERY excited for college! My classes seem awesome, and I'm pretty excited about our five day camp. Hopefully I'll make some friends and I won't be too lonely at first.
Until Next Time!
Alright, to start out, this week has been a whirlwind so far! And it's only Tuesday! On Sunday I was in a community choir, which was fun, and yesterday and today have been filled with babysitting. The kids' grandma has been coming over with their cousins, so we really haven't had much "us" time, but hey, it's fun no matter what! I'm all packed, so I'm not really stressing about any of that...it's just a lot of anticipation at this point. And I'm avoiding a LOT of goodbyes.
As far as what is going through my head right now (this is for you, grandpa!), there are a LOT of things. For instance, I often find myself going through a checklist in my mind about what I need for school, making sure I have everything. For instance, who remembers to by powdered milk at the store for their cereal?? Certainly not an 18-year-old girl! I also find myself thinking almost constantly about what is going to be happening in Dodgeville next week. Then I remember I won't be here. This means that half the time my stomach is in absolute knots of nerves and excitement, and half the time I'm totally focused on the moment, and not thinking about leaving. I've found the latter to be the best choice. If I sit still for too long or if I don't have something to do, then I pretty much start having an emotional breakdown.
Now. This is not because I don't want to go to Cornerstone, it's because I don't know what to expect. I'm the kind of person who loves to know just what to expect. So, this is all very VERY intense for me. Plus, I've been with my parents for 18 years. No siblings, and for most of the time we either lived too far away for me to be gone a lot or we didn't know anyone. Thus, I'm having a breakdown.
On the upside, however, I finally managed to sleep 10 hours last night. The night before I didn't sleep more than 4 hours, and the nights before that it certainly wasn't much more than 4 hours. I just need my brain to stop for a little while.
However, I am VERY excited for college! My classes seem awesome, and I'm pretty excited about our five day camp. Hopefully I'll make some friends and I won't be too lonely at first.
Until Next Time!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
7 Days...
I sincerely can't believe it's been a week since I posted last!! And I have SOOO much to share with you all! Alright, to begin with, time is just FLYING by! Every day the kids and I play a game where no one looks at the clock and we guess what time it is. We're almost ALWAYS 2 hours off. Normally it's noon or eleven, and it feels like 9 or 10. Craziness!! On the other hand, I only have 5 more days of work. Part of me is excited to be done watching the kids, it truly is exhausting, but another part of me is really sad to be leaving them. They've been my "summer life" for 3 years, and now it's over. Strange. I made them a scrapbook and I'm planning on giving it to them next Thursday. :c)
Next, college is sneaking up on me so quickly! We leave Dodgeville next Friday around 3 in the afternoon. I think I'm mostly packed...I had to leave a BUNCH of the books I wanted to take here, because I have 17 books for school this semester. 17. I'm not even taking any literature classes! It's so crazy. My clothes are packed, and most of my "college necessities" are packed too. It shall be grand!
Speaking of college, my roommate and I have been talking almost every night. Turns out her siblings are the same age as mine, her parents are approximately the same age as mine, she has almost all the same interests, and she's just as insanely random as I am!! It's pretty awesome.
As far as the rest of my time in Dodgeville goes, I have 2 more "spurts" of business. Sunday I have church and then I'm doing a special community choir all afternoon where we get together to learn some songs and then perform around 5 p.m. Then next Friday at noon I'm going out to lunch with my friend Tyler, saying goodbye to my friend Drisana, making sure I'm packed and heading out!
Finally, I've been reading Purpose Driven Life for my devotions lately. It's a 40 day devotional, and I started it exactly 40 days before we've been planning on leaving. Thus, I'm on day 33. Rick Warren really is an amazing author, and while there are times when I feel as if he is just blathering on, some of the stuff really sticks. For instance, tonight the quote was "Those who stand in the spotlight often end up blind". I couldn't help but think of all the people in the media today who are blinded and oblivious, not only to the way they present themselves on tv/radio or in the paper, but to what is really going on in our world. It makes me sad.
Anyway...Until Next Time!!!
Next, college is sneaking up on me so quickly! We leave Dodgeville next Friday around 3 in the afternoon. I think I'm mostly packed...I had to leave a BUNCH of the books I wanted to take here, because I have 17 books for school this semester. 17. I'm not even taking any literature classes! It's so crazy. My clothes are packed, and most of my "college necessities" are packed too. It shall be grand!
Speaking of college, my roommate and I have been talking almost every night. Turns out her siblings are the same age as mine, her parents are approximately the same age as mine, she has almost all the same interests, and she's just as insanely random as I am!! It's pretty awesome.
As far as the rest of my time in Dodgeville goes, I have 2 more "spurts" of business. Sunday I have church and then I'm doing a special community choir all afternoon where we get together to learn some songs and then perform around 5 p.m. Then next Friday at noon I'm going out to lunch with my friend Tyler, saying goodbye to my friend Drisana, making sure I'm packed and heading out!
Finally, I've been reading Purpose Driven Life for my devotions lately. It's a 40 day devotional, and I started it exactly 40 days before we've been planning on leaving. Thus, I'm on day 33. Rick Warren really is an amazing author, and while there are times when I feel as if he is just blathering on, some of the stuff really sticks. For instance, tonight the quote was "Those who stand in the spotlight often end up blind". I couldn't help but think of all the people in the media today who are blinded and oblivious, not only to the way they present themselves on tv/radio or in the paper, but to what is really going on in our world. It makes me sad.
Anyway...Until Next Time!!!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Hmm
I really do enjoy blogging--I've missed it a lot. Anyway, I'm just updating really quickly to say that I finished my summer paper!!! I'm super excited about it. I've been working on it for about 2.5 hours. It was a really slow start, but once I got to the opinion part of the paper, I flew through it. This means I'll do a little editing this weekend and just enjoy the rest of my week of. Which is now about 3 days. Fabulous!!!
Anyway,
Until Next Time!!!
Anyway,
Until Next Time!!!
Meteor shower!
Well, yesterday was a pretty good day. I met up with four of my girl friends for lunch, and then we headed to the local state park. We hung out on the beach and caught up all afternoon, then we came to my house and watched episodes of the ever famous Gilmore Girls!!! After about 10 we went outside and laid down on blankets and just watched the meteor shower (the Perseids), and I must say, it was very cool. We also found a LOT of constellations, including Cassiopeia, Sagittarius, and the Big and Little Dipper. It was fun!
After the star-gazing, we went inside and talked a lot about school. They talked about how they felt that college was their "home", and they knew they'd be reaching the point where Dodgeville was their "parent's house" before long. They all seemed kind of nervous about that, but at the same time, they were content with where they were in life. Needless to say, it was a great encouragement to me. It was probably the last time I'll see those girls until Christmas.
Today I'm going to finished reading "The Jesus Creed" by Scott McKnight, and hopefully I'll have the first page or two of my summer essay typed up before today is over. Also, there's still no news on my final grade in my summer class.
Until Next Time!!!
After the star-gazing, we went inside and talked a lot about school. They talked about how they felt that college was their "home", and they knew they'd be reaching the point where Dodgeville was their "parent's house" before long. They all seemed kind of nervous about that, but at the same time, they were content with where they were in life. Needless to say, it was a great encouragement to me. It was probably the last time I'll see those girls until Christmas.
Today I'm going to finished reading "The Jesus Creed" by Scott McKnight, and hopefully I'll have the first page or two of my summer essay typed up before today is over. Also, there's still no news on my final grade in my summer class.
Until Next Time!!!
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