Vandalia

Vandalia was incredible. That's all there is to it. Our host family was ridiculously cool; we stayed in their guest house. Yes - their guest house. Two other counselors and I for the whole week. One bedroom (that I got; the boys slept in the family room and they were content with it), one bathroom, and a whole slew of activities to do. They have a pool table, a Wii system, basketball hoop, a pond (complete with jet ski and inner tube opportunities), an old Pac Man machine, and a lot more. The view in the evening looking out over the pond was beautiful. Since the house was situated back in the country, the nights were very quiet and peaceful, which we all appreciated.

The food the church congregation provided for us was outstanding. We were never, ever hungry. We ended up leaving a rather large amount of leftovers in the fridge there was so much food every night.

As for the actual day camp, it also went very smoothly. I had ten kids each day, and they were so sweet. Many of them had behavior issues, but since they were post kindergarten thru third grade, what kid at that age doesn't have behavior problems?

Our church coordinator, Ellen, was also a blast to work with. She was incredibly helpful and always made sure we had enough supplies and volunteers.

Overall - awesome week.

Peace.

Port Clinton, Part II

If I ever get to a Part III or Part IV, you'll know I'm wasting too much time on the computer, just FYI. And if so - please politely tell me to get off the computer and back to life. My host family this week doesn't mind, so I'm very grateful.

The week is going well. My campers are calming down somewhat; chaotic was a good adjective to use on Monday. I was officially asked for the first time yesterday, by one of my campers, if I was married. I knew it would happen eventually. And I laughed about it in my head.

The Lost and Found concert was excellent. I got a few pictures. Maybe I'll post one or two if I get the chance to breathe in a week or two (and provided my sister brings the camera's USB cord when she comes to visit).

Two more days in Port Clinton. I must say this: I am enjoying the sounds of the trains passing by - they are very close to where we are staying, and they run somewhat frequently.

My host family also has windchimes outside. They are very beautiful to listen to.

I must get windchimes when I get my own place. They are just so tranquile and soothing (and even a bit surreal sounding) in the light wind.

Peace.

Port Clinton

The first official week of outreach has begun! We are in sunny (this week at least) Port Clinton, right on Lake Erie. It is a beautiful, almost quaint, town, and we have around fifty campers. The first day went a lot better than I was expecting. I have six campers who've just completed fifth grade. They are sure to be a handful at times, but I'm looking forward to getting to know them.

My host family is great. They have four very energetic children, and a brown lab. They live across the alley from the church, so our commute in the morning is about thirty seconds. Convenient!

They're taking us to a Lost & Found concert tomorrow; I haven't seen Lost & Found perform in years. I'm excited to go!

Peace.

Reprieve

The fingers are not actually broken.

Which also means I do not actually have to wear the splints for half the summer.

ALLELUIA!!

God, you are so sweet and good to me.

My parents picked me up from camp last night around 8:00 p.m.  It was strange yet enjoyable to sleep in my own bed.  My little sister decided she wanted to have a sleep over with me.  It was fun.

I woke up at 8:00 a.m. instantly thinking, "Wow.  The internal clock really has been readjusted." (We go to bed around 10:45 p.m. and wake up around 7:15 a.m. every day.) And then I promptly fell back to sleep after a few minutes, and did not reawaken until 10:20 a.m. when my mother came in and informed me I needed to get up.  The appointment was at 11:00 a.m.

The doctor said things only get really bad when tendons are severed.

My tendons are not severed.

So I should be back to camp in the afternoon.

I am so, so, so thankful.

This isn't to say the fingers are magically healed and I have no more pain; there is pain, and they are still swollen and discolored.

But I don't have to wear splints.  And that is the best part.

Peace.

Fingers, Shmingers

Oh...... bother.

I fractured two fingers - not even a whole week into staff training. They're not even on the same hand.

Joy of joys.

But you know what? It's actually not that bad. The staff are now my friends, and they've been oh so helpful when it comes to, well, helping me with things I myself am unable to do right now.

Aside from the occasional bug bite, a fair amount of early morning awakenings, weird animals noises in the woods, and the fact that it's taking me way too long to type this (grr....) I am having a blast. And, as I recall, that is, in fact, what my church family told me to do.

So.... the adventures have already begun! Until next post -

Peace.