6am...Why am I awake?

Oh yes.

Because my girls are leaving today...all of the kids are, in fact. Last night they had their last shows and then we threw a party for them, which started with all sorts of sugary snacks on the staff side of the Dining Hall and finished with a talent show/sleepover in Pavilion. I even did a little number with Joe, one of the other counselors...it was quite silly. The kids had a great time talking and watching movies until all hours of the night, but this counselor fell asleep around 1:30 so if any shenanigans happened, I was completely out of the loop. The first few kids have already started to leave, and now almost everyone is up and packing and talking, despite only having a few hours of sleep. It's really sweet to see all of the tears and hugs...that really began during the talent show last night. Precious. I haven't cried yet, but I'm sure when my nest (cabin) is completely empty today, there will be tears. Or when I finally get home and all of the emotions from the past several months hit me at once.

I hate goodbyes. I hate leaving and being faced with the possibility of never seeing someone again. Many of the kids make promises to each other that they'll be back next year, but do they really know that for sure? I don't know if I'll be here. I'd certainly love to, but I don't know what other opportunities may arise. I certainly wouldn't mind, because I love these kids SO very much. At first, I was really nervous to have the younger YAI girls in my cabin...aka about thirteen 13 year olds. I wasn't really sure if they would mesh well, if they'd fit all the time, if they'd just think I was a total dork and give me no respect whatsoever. But you know what? I got a pretty fabulous group of young ladies-TWICE. They were funny, smart and sweet and I could tell how much they really did care for each other. Several times I caught them encouraging each other when one was hurt and it just touched my heart. Even though they were a bit older and sometimes acted "cooler" than our younger ones, they would still come up to me sometimes and just tell me that they loved me. This summer has been another affirmation that I need to be working with kids, in some way or another. I've recently been presented with the opportunity to teach acting at my old dance school. That could be fun. Do I really feel qualified? I don't know. I need to do some research and come up with some sort of game plan. It could be fun though...a little extra money, experience with kids...it could be good. I really wish I was Pilates certified right now, because then I could teach THAT. My old studio is the perfect place for it. The other day I also did an aerial workshop and hopefully maybe I can find some sort of place to do an aerial workshop somewhere around Ohio.

Maybe it's the lack of sleep, but the plans and thoughts in my head keep multiplying. Always.

For now, I'm looking forward to getting home in one piece and sleeping. And starting my new job at one of my favorite local restaurants. I've never been a waitress before, so this should be interesting....

The things that are ahead.

It's August 1st (really??) and I'm entering my last week of camp. Yesterday started out a bit early (4:30am to be exact) but I was very happy to see a gorgeous sunrise as I made my way back from the airport after dropping off several of the HS/College students. It's a drive that'll stick with me for quite awhile. I can't say it enough....God's handiwork and beauty never cease to amaze me. The way the mountains look before the sun wakes them up is just so peaceful, so serene. (Can you tell I love it here?) I have a feeling I'll be back out here again.

My spirit is getting more and more ready to be home. This morning before I stepped into the shower, I almost stepped ON a little salamander thing curled up into the floor. Definitely not something I was prepared for early in the morning. I made sure he got safely outside because I could just imagine the chaos that would ensue if I would've left him on the floor for my girls to discover. When I got in the shower, I was greeted by a rather large mosquito, who did NOT meet a pleasant end. I've also been seeing quite a few earwigs around...gross. All of that to say, I'm quite ready to take a shower and sleep in a room without being assaulted by 10,000 different bugs. Who wouldn't be looking forward to that? I must keep reminding myself to enjoy the moment, and these last few days with some amazing counselors and kids. I'm quite sad to leave the wonderful little Euzoa Bible Church and I think one of my biggest fears about going home has to do with not being able to find a similar place of worship. I have a few places in mind that I'd like to check out, and I know God's going to provide the place for me to go. I have to keep trusting, keep praying, keep seeking. And I can most certainly claim Christ's awesome power, which is far stronger than any of my fears and worries. To quote a verse that was used in yesterday's sermon:

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:7-9

Yes. I believe this and am claiming this today...

To switch to another topic, I definitely have a list of things I'd love to accomplish this fall. (Or however long God sees fit to keep me in Ohio).

1). BAKE. I can't tell you how many times this summer I've thought of a recipe or tried something and have wanted to recreate it. Things at the top of my list to make are-healthy homemade granola, chicken curry, and a really good spice cake. It's going to be interesting trying to cook for my mom and dad, because I love to eat all sorts of grainy and healthy things. I think we'll be able to reach a happy medium...



2). CLEAN. My room be a HOT mess...wow. It's so full of stuff right now, and when I bring back everything I've brought to camp, it'll be even more full. I'd love to consign a lot of my clothes, which I've already done but it needs to happen again. And again. And again.

3). FIND A CHURCH. Like I said before, one of my biggest fears about being home is not finding a place to worship, but I have a few places in mind that I'd love to check out when I get back.


4). TRAVEL. First, a trip to North Carolina with my mama, and then it's on to Jackson to see all of my loved ones there. I'm pretty sure I'm going to drive since I'm planning on staying for 2 weeks, but I can't say I'm looking forward to 14 hours alone in a car. WOOF.

5). FIND A JOB. This will be quite essential, seeing as how I'll need to start paying off loans in a few weeks. I'll be subbing for the infant/toddler day care at my old school, but I'm also looking into waitressing at a local restaurant. Or maybe working at the gym where I hope to work on my Pilates certification. Options, options...

This is just a small list of what I'd like to do...I'm sure it'll be added to in the future. I'd also love to visit Lake Erie as much as I can, and I'm sure I'll be called upon to do various home improvement projects. I think I'm going to be getting a new camera once I get home (thanks, mom and dad) so maybe lots of photography will happen. Who knows?? The possibilities are endless and quite exciting.