Albuquerque

So first off, Paul and Rachael Adams are awesome people. You wanna talk about people who have a heart for the hurting and lost- that's the Adams. Josh and Paul are great friends who met in Africa (I know 'bff' isn't the most masculine term but that's how I'd describe them!) I met Paul for the first time at Josh and I's wedding last September, and since then he's gotten married to Rachael and they're residing in Albuquerqe, New Mexico. Josh and I couldn't pass up being in the states and not visiting the Adams. Since Kevin and Joy Moore live only a few hours away they also came to visit. Joy is another Holy Given student who I also met at our wedding and she has gotten married since then as well. Kevin and Joy are another sweet couple who are so country and I love it. It’s sweet to get together with friends who you have to go out of your way to see, because you know that the relationship is so valuable. It’s very refreshing to spend time with those who you are kindred with and whose influence will encourage you to do more for Jesus.

Right now Josh and I are actually in Roswell. Kevin and Joy took us home with them so we’ll be  having some more good times with very good people hanging out here for the next couple of days.

The Adams (I think Paul is doing an impression of Josh)

Our last day in Virginia was a very quaint one. It started with me and Josh playing fetch in he yard with Mama Deane's hyperactive lab and jack russel terrier. Mama Deane took me to get a pedicure and manicure which she humorously explained is her equivalent to a foot washing. It was very relaxing and chatting with the Vietnamese woman who was doing my nails, made me miss South East Asia even more. Since Josh's birthday is on August 31, we decided to celebrate tonight with a special dinner. We ate chicken bean burritos, Mexican rice and sweet potato fries. I made orange, blueberry zucchini bread which was my first experience with a gluten-free recipe, but that got stowed in the fridge for breakfast since we were all very full after the dinner. I also finally finished the church history book!
We have seriously enjoyed being with Mama Deane so much and it feels like we just got here. I admire what a great steward Mama Deane is.She has given her house to the Lord and she has watched Him use it as a place of rest and refuge for Josh and I, and others who have traveled through. Not to mention, that Mama Deane is just fun to hang out with. She is so funny, down-to-earth, and extremely caring of other people. I can imagine these memories of being in Mama Deane's country house and reading on her yellow couch and chatting with her, being what I call on with great fondness in much later years to come.
Tomorrow Josh and I fly out to Albuquerque, New Mexico where we will visit Paul and Rachel Adams for even more fun!

For these past few days Josh and I have taken glorious refuge at Mama Deane's country home in Yorktown, Virginia. Incase you're wondering "Wait, who's Mama Deane?" I'll catch you up. Josh met Deane Mills in Mozambique, Africa 2 summers ago at a Holy Given school. Since the girls are penned with 'mama' at the beginning of their names, she is endearingly called 'Mama Deane'. This is our 2nd stay at our home and it's just been wonderful. We have been relaxing and reading. I've gotten the church history down to less than 100 pages, although right now I've put it aside to delve into Mama Deane's extensive book collection. Mama Deane is even letting me cook which is hobby that I've missed dearly over the summer. Josh has continued to devote himself into the research of Catholicism with his focus being on the saints. So, that's pretty much what's been taking place on the yellow couch in the living room of Mama Deane's besides my first experience with an electric blanket. We are getting  refreshed, recharged and having sweet times with Jesus.

C.T. Studd was a missionary to China, India and Africa. He was so passionate, driven and sold-out for the lost that he even caused contrary over his attitude towards worldly things. C.T. Studd greatly encouraged missionaries to just trust in God for finances in response to God's calling to them. C.T. Studd pioneered what is now called 'Worldwide Evangelisation for Christ'.
This poem really hit me hard when I read it and so I wanted to share it with you.

Only One Life

Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say ‘twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

 Yesterday was the official last day of camp. After the final staff meeting, we barn girls, actually went horseback riding and it was my first time ever riding a horse so I was thrilled. We went through a trail in the woods and climbed up a hill. I felt like I was hiking on a horse. It was really cool and I could definitely feel it in my thighs today. Last night we had a semi formal staff party at Fort William Henry where we watched a slide show of the summer, ate dinner and consumed the most amazing,creamiest cheesecake that I've had in a long time.
Today is boiling hot as we say goodbye to fellow counselors, and prepare to leave tonight. Jessica Hemingdinger is actually going to drive us to the train station so it's awesome that we get to see her again before we go.
It was no doubt, a good summer. We had fun, the kids had fun and we've been enjoying Jesus and depending on Him for His love to touch the hearts of our campers. The chance of us coming back next summer is 50/50. We book our tickets to Cambodia for Oct 22-May 22, allowing us to have the option to return. Though we'll have to wait and see what happens because we also have the option of extending our tickets.
As for now, we are both excited to spend a week in Virginia with Mama Deane, and then in New Mexico with the Adams and the Moores, then to Canada, then to Vegas for 3 days and then back to Canada-and then Cambodia! Wow, that is a lot of traveling. I'm really trying to hammer through the church history book, which airports and long trips will give me the opportunity for. So now, we continue keeping Jesus as our everything and focusing on getting to know Him more and more.

  This session in the Fox Cabin was a little more difficult than our previous weeks.Through the tears of some of the young teenage girls this week, I feel like I saw a little bit of the reality of what some of the kids endure outside of camp. At Double H, the kids are popular superstars and the centre of attention from the moment their car or bus pulls into our parking lot, lined with cheering counselors. Many of the kids have special routines that they follow every day-and that's normal here. There are the funniest kids here who say the most random but hilarious things,and those kids usually become camp legends.But at school this is hardly the case. Since these kids are different they are prone to ridicule, teasing and alienation. This summer I've deeply realized how much this camp means to the kids. For most of them, this is the only place where they could come and feel normal, accepted and loved. The campers can bond over having the same illness, and also over braving the zipline in the high ropes course. I can't count how many times parents have told me that their child talks about camp all year-even at Christmas! It has been such a treat to work here and share in the experience of creating  big moments of victory and accomplishment to a child who can't even get dressed by themselves in the morning-yet they just went horse back riding, conquered the high ropes course and sang on stage at the talent show for a room full of screaming fans.

For me a highlight this week came on departure day. Parents and buses had whisked all but 3 of our campers away. Me and a few other counselors were inside the cabin putting new linen on beds, sweeping floors and cleaning bathrooms in preparation for next week's camper. High School Musical was blasting out of the ipod into the hallway. Suddenly one of our campers: a 14 year old girl with cornrows dashed inside the cabin and changed the song to Michael Jackson. I had been making beds so I had an arm full of sheets and pillow cases, but that didn't stop the two of us from dancing wildly to 'black or white'. This of course followed an encore performance to 'I'll be there' sang beautifully into a broom handle. We plan so many events and activities at camp but sometimes it's just those random happenings that turn into the best times of summer.

We only have one more session. You may remember that I was sick a lot last summer so I'm really glad that so far I have not been quarantined. I pray that this will keep up for one more week. Here comes Session 7!

It was a hectic week here at Double H Ranch, though it sure didn't lack the fun and excitement for the kids, who look forward to coming to this camp so much. The 5 new guinea pigs have adjusted well. We have named the 3 calicos: Tinkerbell, Roxy, and Gertie. The Texel with the long black curls is named Tesla, and the Chocolate Teddy is still sitting on the fence with either the name 'Teddy' or 'Hog'. The new guinea pigs love to run down the race track which is great change from the 5 minute "races" in which the 2 older guinea pigs would just sit on the start line and stare at each other.
During the break Josh and I hung out with our friend Jessica Hemendinger. Jessica and I worked in the barn together last summer. It was so good to spend time with her. We went to the mall, where she and I practically devoured the store 'Forever 21' and we also saw 'Ice Age 3'. Today, Josh and I are having some much needed relax time, since the end of the summer is known to take it's toll on the energy and health of counselors.
I am still working on reading the book 'Church History in Plain Language'. I am almost half-way through! I also almost half-way through a carton of goldfish crackers that I've only had for a week.
All in all, things are very good and God's love is so crazy, crazy good! I am experiencing much relief and strength as I depend on God's own characteristics that He has put inside of me.
It's been a while since I've posted a Mother Teresa quote so here we go

The miracle is not that we do this work, but that we are happy to do it.
Mother Teresa