Young Life Capernaum Camp

Well, this last week I was at YL Capernaum Camp in Williams, AZ. At this camp I was a buddy to a special needs individual; basically I kept them on track for the day. Anyway, its a Christian camp supporting these people and helping them to have a close relationship with Christ and live normally without being made fun of for their differences.
In the beginning, before going to camp, I was a little weary. David Thames, the director for Northern Arizona came to my house for a leader/ buddy meeting make- up. There we discussed the week and prepared for the new experience. Somewhere in this mix we watched the 2008 YL Lost Canyon Capernaum video. In this video there were dances, carnivals, parties, and pool olympics. I totally freaked and prepared to be miserable. The only thought running through my head was, "Oh my goodness! We are going to be in the middle of Pool Olympics and my camper buddy is going to be holding onto me to stay up and I am going to drown us both!" Pleasant thoughts right?
So... I am there and everything is beyond it's best. I had a good time. There were many times when I felt like I could just slap my buddy, but I got through it. I also met two very special people at camp who are my new heros. First and foremost, Lori Whelan. She is the most amazing incredible woman I have ever met. I can't begin to explain how much she means to me or what she has done for me. For example, I was saved by the Lord November 2008 at a Women of Faith Conference. Somewhere along the road I got lost somehow and Lori was the one who led me back to Christ's feet. Of course you wanted to now my life story right! Well, I know I will be keeping in touch with Lori. In fact she has agreed to do my baptism sometime this summer once she has her mom at a steady pace in health and has the estate managed. Second, is Brendan McCarthy. He is a professional singer/song writer, who was at camp for the whole week and is also singing and sharing at other camps here in Arizona. I was expecting him to be there for a day or so and then be back on the road with work like any other artist, but no. He was there visiting and encouraging and setting a great example all week. He is really a great person and I am honored to have seen him in person. If he ever gets really serious with his music and stops hanging around with us crazy guys, I will most definitely be one of his travelling fans, supporting what he lives for. I love you guys. God bless you. Pray for Lori, her mom, and Trent Fogelson whos brother just died (he fell off a bridge in Alaska). Man have there been a lot of recent deaths in this town. First Randy, then Trevvor and Chase.
I encourage all to go to this camp as a buddy or leader and also send people with disabilities. It was life changing for me and I have met some very good and lasting friends.
Amen

The Motions- Matthew West

Have you heard the new song by Matthew West? I have been hearing it on Radio Shine for quite some time now and today they mentioned he had a webpage for people to tell their story and problems, so I said to myself, "Cool! Lets go check out other peoples opinions!" Well, I went to the site and found that my computer wouldn't load any of their stories or comments only Matthew's side note about the song and how it came to him, etc. I started reading and was very intrigued. I was so surprised that someone in his position with fame would share themselves so openly and tell the world about what he shared. As I scrolled down the page he changed the audience to specifically the reader. I found myself one of those people who live the lives of songs. As I read what he requested of us and evaluated myself and my life I was moved. I encourage all to listen to the song The Motions and go to Matthew West's webpage.
Also, if you have time, watch the movie Fireproof. It is fantastic! And just a side note, the actor with the part of the firefighting husband does not kiss anyone but his real wife. That is sooo kul. So at the end when they are kissing at the station, that's his real wife. Do you notice the change?! I certainly couldn't tell, but that is pretty cool. Well, talk to y'all later=)

Quote

This is my new favorite quote. I even have part of it enscribed on my necklace.

"I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trials and suffering. When you see only one set of footprints. It was then that I carried you."
- Anonymous

This is used to help us remember that during the most troublesome times in your life, God is always with you.

Long Time, No See

Hey everyone! Sorry, I haven't been updating at all. Everything is going well. School got better this last semester. Last semester I had Honors English 1, Welding, Agriculture, and Physical Education. I can't believe it, but my lowest grade was in Physical Education! Can you believe that?! Well, this semester, which began in the new year, I have Honors English 2, Geometry, Agriculture 2, and World History. It is just amazing how different and interesting teachers are.

Sports: Sports. What can I say? At the beginning of the school year I started with volleyball and took a break from soccer. After volleyball, I retreated to soccer once again. Soccer is almost over; our last game is this Saturday against Sedona. I am pretty sure we will win. All of our other games have been fairly easy. And guess what?! I haven't played goalie, but once this entire season! Wow, amazing isn't it. I have been playing forward or filling in for people who don't know how to play their position and I hold the record for the most goals scored. Cool. I guess. I think I will be playing on defence most of the time tomorow so others can score as well. I am also going out for track after soccer, so I have a full schedual this school year as far as sports go.

Guess what else is pretty interesting. I have chickens! Weird. I had never suspected to like chickens. They are so ugly and head- bobbing. But now that I am around them they are great. Well, not great but funny. they always come running to me. I have 14 in total; I feel a little bad because I haven't named them yet. I have had them since October and still I haven't named them. I began naming them when they were little, but gave up when I couldn't tell them apart. I am showing one of them at the fair in May like always and for the first time in one hundred years I will be a novice! How cool is that?! I get to show with the little peeps. Along with a chicken I am showing a market steer, a cow, and a cow couple which means a cow and her baby. We have a pregnant heifer who is due in February. I am so excited. I will be busy this year, but I am sure it will be fun.

Well, no other topics are coming to mind at this moment, but feel free to ask as many questions as you would like. Keep in touch!

Update 5

Hey everyone! I am home! and guess what else. I won the championship! I am having a "Holland presentation" Friday at 6pm if you would like to come. There will be a slide show of all the pictures I took and we will be having dinner. Hope to see you there. Also, just to let you know, I will be updating the blog every so often, so you can keep updated with all my school and sport events. Speaking of which, I am starting school August 6th. I am attending a volleyball camp the 4th through the 8th and I will join the freshman volleyball team the second week of school. I am enrolled into 8 classes: Honors English A and B, Ag. Prep. A and B, Welding, Girls PE, US History, and Technology Prep. I am also going to be in Teen Court and am signing up for many clubs. I will be playing soccer and volleyball. Soccer a winter sport, and volleyball a fall sport. Well, I think that is just about all.

Ashley

Update 4

Today we play the Speedy Girls (USA). If we win we go on to finals to play Sweden. If we don't we just watch the finals, but that is fine with me as I told you. I am so jealous that Mom and Dad get to go to the Big Wood's Camp- Out and I don't. You guys are going to be in so much trouble. Everyone will be mad at you for not taking me. No Mom I did not swim at the beach, but the water was cold. There were many old, fat men walking around in speedos, that scared me out.
Mom, you are totally confused. I have not left Holland. I played Wales. Haha. Kate is from Maryland. She is 14, 15 in December. She plays forward and has had pretty bad luck with her food. Today she found a screw in her sandwich and yesterday she got a half a cup of spagetti for supper. No I don't think I met an of my ancestors. Today we went to the Anne Frank Museum. Very touching. It is still hot here, luckly. Larry, I have not had a chance to try any of the food you recommended yet, but I am working on it. I will give you a call and tell you if we are in the championships if you post your number. The dance is tonight 7:30 - 10:30. No, I am not excited. I wish we could just go back to the hotel and sleep.

Ashley

I'm Totally Bummed!

I'm so upset that I missed your call. I'm glad you were able to talk to Daddy, but I'm jealous! You sound happy. I'm glad you are having fun.

Use sunscreen - you don't want skin cancer.

Did you swim at the beach? Was the water cold?

Where is Kate from? Have you guys had your dance yet? So far, your money situation is ok. You have about $700 left in your checking account.

Wow - you went to Wales!!! That is like the one place I want to go before I die. Did you talk to any of my relatives? Most of my ancestors live near Sherwood Forest. Did you go near there? I hope you took lots of photos. You better be using all of the available memory on that card.

Ice your knee after practices and games.

We are leaving for Big Wood tonight. I won't have internet access there - so I will just see you when you get off of the plane.

Today, Ellie was licking Isaiah and he grabbed hold of her tongue. He wouldn't let go. She just looked at me like, "Oh great. What do I do now?"

Pumkin just mopes around the house pouting all day.

Ashley came over today. She said you better call her when you get home. She is working at the corn stand next week.

What food do you miss the most from home?

Are you in goal much? Have you scored? Did you like playing rover? Sounds like a good position to play. Maybe you should talk to Buddy about that? :)
Gotta run - the boys are calling me. Maybe they know I'm writing to you and they want me to tell you that they miss you and want you to babysit them so I can go get a massage and pedicure next week. Hmmm....

Love you - miss you - can't wait to see you! Take care!

Good luck at winning tomorrow - I hope you guys make it all the way.

:-p Mom