I SURVIVED KIDS CAMP

Hello it has been awhile! So Kids Camp was absolutely incredible. I had a small group of 7 girls the ages of 11 and 12. On Monday, we hiked about 5 miles by Shenendoah National Park which was quite an adventure. These girls were champs because the hike certainly wasn't easy. We stopped at a waterfall to take a swim and I slipped on some rocks and took quite the fall. I'm not kidding whatsoever--my left arm has the largest bruise I've ever had followed by one on my left hip and my left leg. On Tuesday, we canoed for 11 miles in beautiful weather and on Wednesday we spent the day painting and then playing paintball. With paintball came a huge bruise on my right leg as well. Everynight we camped out and I was able to spent a large quantity of time with my girls for such a short time. I am so happy that I went and it completely affirmed my desire to work with children.

Then we headed back to College Park only to be there for a few hours before we left for Family Camp (where Sara already was). Family camp was a great time for all of us interns and others to just spend good quality time together. There wasn't a ton of activities planned so we were just able to do what we wanted. Sara did an amazing job with registration at camp and I'm so proud of her. She is also feeling awesome that her two stressful jobs were finished--and completed very well!

Tomorrow I go back to the Hill for my last week of work. I have mixed emotions about coming home. I'm excited to see all of my friends at home but I will miss everyone here immensely. This summer has been incredible and I am so thankful that God allowed me to participate in the Fellows internship. Perhaps I will write one more time before we leave but I'm not sure. I'll be home Saturday night with not much to do so I hope to talk to all of you! Have an awesome week!

Love Kristen

HELP the CROSS WORDS are TAKING OVER MY LIFE

If you know me well you know I have a tendency to become obsessive about new things.  There was a long period in my childhood where I obsessively ate Spaghettios with Parmesan Cheese, I have become addicted to televisions shows, phrases etc.  Currently my latest obsession is crossword puzzles.  I have been racking my brain with the USA today daily crossword.  If you complete it online they have a function that lets you know if the answers you enter are correct.  It is the most exhilarating thing to complete one of these tricky little devils.  I have decided that there will be a plethora of crossword exercises in my Language Arts classroom.  I am trying to train my brain to think "Crossword," I have been told this is possible.

On another note, Kids Camp is officially out of my hands, our fifty campers and thirteen counselors left early yesterday and Kristen was among them.  There is nothing I can do but work in the office and wait to hear how it went.  Ahhhhhh, that's the sound of my stress level coming back down.

I have taken up running again, by taken up I mean I have ran daily for the past four or five days.  I am hoping to become a runner again.  This should be pleasing to all my super healthy friends out there.   Yeah, exercise!

It is freaking hot here!  Walking to the Metro results in frizzy hair and sweat dripping down my face.  At least I am not wearing a suit like all the poor men going to work.  Apparently there is a heat wave across the US.  Reason number 43 that it is probably okay that I did not get to go on Kids Camp. 

I'll be back in COMO in less than 2 weeks.  I am excited to see everyone so much. 

Back to those tantalizing word puzzles....

Love you all,

Lakie

Currently Watching Elizabethtown (Widescreen Edition) see related

ONLY TWO MORE WEEKS!!!!!

I feel as though I have had a really good week. On Tuesday night, the Fellows met at c-street with David and Marty and had a really encouraging discussion. We talked about the concept of determining who is or isn’t in when it comes to the kingdom of God. Why do we try to determine these things? What is beneficial about deciding whether someone is or isn’t in, because shouldn’t we love everyone…no matter what? Furthermore, what does it look like to really love God and put him first in your life, even before serving others? I really enjoy hearing what the other interns have to say, as well as David and Marty who have probably been thinking about these things for a lot longer than I have.

On Wednesday night, only the girls met with Doug Coe who is an amazing man who has been involved in the Fellowship for quite some time. Doug is friends with many different people across the world that he invests in and loves very much. He brought his good friend, Omar, who is a cabinet member in Pakistan. Omar, who is a Muslim, told our group how much he loves Jesus and how Jesus is bigger than Christianity and can transcend all cultures. He shared some of his life with us and it was so wonderful to see two men, seemingly different, share a life-changing force together.

Also, just this morning we met with Steve Largent, former congressman and NFL football player. Just like we talked about on Wednesday night, Steve read us a story that he really enjoys, Urban Perspectives, about a man who moved to inner-city Atlanta to love on the poor. One of the poor men that he encountered once said “I’m not a Christian but I sure love my Jesus.” Sometimes I think that we are upset that people aren’t Christians…instead of truly wanting people to know Jesus. The author worded it like this: “spiritual pride wrapped in graciousness”. What an interesting concept—are we spiritually proud people who just wrap ourselves in graciousness? Something to think about.

This weekend the girls are getting to spend good quality time together (all the guys are gone!)…good food, good movies, good fellowship. I’m pumped about it because this is my last down time before I need high energy. I leave early on Monday morning for kids camp. 50 middle schoolers, 4 days, NO showers! I’m really excited but I know it’s gonna be a lot of work so I want to be fully energized. Unfortunately, Sara isn’t going anymore because they needed her desperately in the office (isn’t she so important?) I will miss her while I’m gone but I know it will be a wonderful experience. Plus, I’m having kid withdrawal. I haven’t been around any all freakin’ summer. Alright, I have to go make some puppy chow for tonight!

Kristen

GENERAL UPDATES

Okay so I know it's been awhile and there is no exuse...Sara and I are simply slacking and we're sorry for that. She has been very busy, though, considering her boyfriend was here but now he's gone so I'll make sure she gets with it. Chris was here from Tuesday until Sunday and he got to participate in the regular fellows activities while here. On Friday, we met at c-street and discussed what it means to have a heart of belief, what it means to follow Jesus and believe in him, and actually got off on a tangent with some interesting topics. Is all love God's love even if people do not love God? Can people live the way Jesus did even if they don't believe in him? Some interesting thoughts were shared within the group and I simply enjoyed it because it required us to dig deep and "step out of the box" (this is becoming quite a common quote around here.)

After we left c-street, we headed over to fox news where we met with Oliver North, a former marine and a tv host for fox news' War Stories. Ollie is a vibrant and intense man who was kind enough to answer all of our questions ranging from his involvement with international affairs (Iran) to how he incorporates his faith into his everyday life.

On Saturday Chris, Sara, and I went to the Holocaust museum which is enough said in itself. I mean, I thought it was incredible but words and descriptions can't do justice to the actual reality of the Holocaust. All in all, there has been a lot of hanging out and I've enjoyed getting to spend large quantities of time with all of the girls here.

Kristen

NEW PICTURES!!!!