Last Friday I got a call from a dear friend, Lora Cottle, who was working at Northwest Vista's Summer Enrichment Program--this particular camp was a theatre camp for kids. As it turned out, two of their counselors-in-training couldn't make it for the second week, and Lora wanted to know if I would be interested in helping. [Obviously] I said yes, and from Monday through Friday I was helping at camp from 8:30-4:30 every day. It was quite the experience. I was so used to working with the kids from COG that I forgot the way in which public schooled children work/think/respond/everything. It was definitely a wake up call. :) One of the first things that basically stunned me was that, when told to get in line, all of the boys push and shove ahead of the girls to be first. And I stood there thinking, "No boy from my church would ever think to do that!" So I casually mentioned that where I came from, the boys usually stepped to the back of the line, as that was the polite thing to do. Most of them weren't too interested. BUT, by the end of the week, about six boys total were consistently going to the back of the line.

Not all of it was bad, though. I am so glad I got the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and work with kids who pinch and kick each other and write hate letters and throw paint chips at me. ;) I'm glad I was reminded that if I want to teach, this is what comes with it. In general, I loved being there and teaching them what I knew. I loved being with Lora, hearing the way she handles every situation with grace and a smile. I loved the kids' gaping mouths when I talked about being homeschooled. I liked to laugh when anyone would say there was NO WAY I was only sixteen. I loved the parents coming up and shaking my hand on the last day and thanking me.

And now I'm glad it's over, and I can sleep in, and see Penny tomorrow, and catch up on my Chopin *bites knuckle*. Thank you so much, Lora, for giving me the opportunity to work with and get to know you this week. :) You are such a blessing, and I hope to see you soon!

I have other news, but it can wait, as I am tired. So, good night.

PS. My favorite question when I tell someone I'm homeschooled: "So, do you like go to school in your pajamas?"

(or in Texas...either one)

May the grace of Christ our Savior
And the Father's boundless love
With the Holy Spirit's favor
Rest upon us from above

Well we're back from the Rio Grande mission trip. It was quite something. I was so glad we all got to go be a part of that. I'll echo Candace in that it was amazing to see everyone, big and small, working together, and being eager to do it. I think that a great many inhibitions were left at the door on this trip, because aside from CJ and Blair (who were on full time kitchen duty) there was not a single person who did not, at one time, get insanely and indescribably dirty and gross. My always considerate and affectionate brother-in-law Dirk said that he had never seen me look that dirty. Back atcha. On Saturday, Cheyenne and I mowed a total of 16 lawns, after which we raked weeds mixed with vines, and blew all the grass into each yard. And all in 3 hours. Who's awesome? We're awesome. The highlight of my trip was definitely playing Mr. Graf's accordion. That was fairly amazing.

I took a grand total of 359 pictures over the course of the weekend. Needless to say, I will not be posting all of them, but there were some choice ones I think you'll enjoy. However, I am too lazy and tired to post them now, so come back later and I'll either have them posted, or I'll have a slideshow ready. Until then, I bid you goodbye.

Ps. My birthday is in 14 days!

Labels: the remedy is the experience