I am discouraged and I don't get myself and I don't get other people.

Love, Part 2

Going into the summer, my expectations were, essentially :
Loneliness
Job-I-Hate Misery
Song Writing
Song Recording
Justin & Laura time
Letter Writing
Reading
Car Buying
Tolerating existence until I could return to Norman, which I would try to make happen at the earliest possible moment

Basically, summer is over. I'm leaving Tulsa in the morning, and this is not what my summer looked like.

There are some people here who I love more than I thought I would let myself this summer. Kali and Rachel Knorr, my sister Anna, the Crews family, the entire entity that is Redeemer Pres. And leaving them sucks.

I didn't cry when I left Tulsa last summer. Or the summer before. I've cried twice today.

I don't understand myself right now. I really want to get to know you again, get to figuring out who I am..., to know you and be known by you. I have thoughts to wrestle with and I need your help.

The Love of Christ is Rich and Free. This is beautiful. The Body of Christ can love one another only because of this love that started it all. And it's the love that makes leaving have to suck.

transition, part 1

A week ago today I got on a train and left L'viv. Three days later (!) I got to Russia where I am now with my family. I'll be here for another five days or so, then I make the long trip back to Norman.

This summer has been really good. I have learned a lot and grown and changed. I have made new friends and done different things and thought in different ways. I have been away from and not in contact with my usual support structure of family or friends.

Then I came here to Russia. Next week I come to Norman. Whoa. Big changes. I am processing everything from the summer and simultaneously am getting back into contact with the world I left. And it is as I left it, but I am not as I was when I left.

So I am looking forward to seeing you, friends, but it is a lot to be happening to me. I am not good at transitions.
Still, I can't wait to see you and hear your summer stories! I can't believe it's next week.

!

Why, Hello There!

I haven't posted on here in a while, so I thought I would.  

How's everybody doing?  

I'm with my family in Tulsa this week.  It's nice to see them and talk/spent time with them, but 'home' is feeling less like home now.  I can't wait to be back in Norman with you all.  I'm excited for our reunion and interested to see how much each of you have changed over these past months.  

I spent the past week in Gaithersburg, MA at the Worship God Conference with my father and some other people from Grace Bible Church.  I was challenged a lot last week.  God is so much bigger and more worthy of my praise than I understand.  Thankfully I was not just challenged, but also refreshed in the Gospel last week.  I heard it preached by men like Dr. John Piper, who understand it better than I do and who are able to share to me their understanding in a way that causes me to be more amazed at the wonders of God's plan and in a way that spurs me to praise my Creator.  I would recommend listening to the main sessions if you get a chance: http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/Events/WorshipConference.aspx.  The sermons by Piper were my favourite, but the one by Thabiti Anyabwile on the importance of the local church is very applicable to us as college aged people who struggle with being involved in a local body.  

My dad is about to come home from work, so I'm going to go fix him some dinner.  Everyone else here just left.  It's just me, Doodle, and my guitar.  

Come to Tulsa on Saturday to listen to Katie! That's a command.  

Love

3 Things

1) Financial Aid made an error in processing, but I now have Work Study and will be employed. This is a huge Praise the Lord moment, and such a weight off my shoulders. Your prayers are so appreciated.

2) Today was my last day at ChickfilA for the summer. This is a PTL moment. I'm taking this next week off to deal with whatever needs to be done in Tulsa before I move. This is exciting.

3) I'm moving next weekend. When are you back?


Looking forward,

TK

Last from Wabanna

Camp is over.
I'm leaving tomorrow at 8 to return home to OK.
I will be in shell shock.

See you soon.

The Gospel is for Sinners

Dearest Friends,

I've reached the two week mark for move-in. This is exciting. Many of you have similar amounts of time remaining. I really simply cannot wait to be reunited with you.

This week, and today especially, I've seen the power of the Gospel in the brokenness of people's lives. Today I had coffee with John Knorr, who was the campus minister at the University of Tulsa until about a year ago. He has been one of the most influential people in my life, and this was the first time I had spent with him since some rather heartbreaking events unfolded at the beginning of this year. John has been affected by his sin in a way I haven't seen firsthand in many people. His sin has, unfortunately, had incredible power to affect others as well. But the GOSPEL is TRUE for HIM. If I don't believe this, then I don't believe the Gospel. And in His brokenness, I have been shown the power of the Cross to redeem and to bring to repentance those who have been called to Christ, and those who have been absolutely lost to their sin. The Gospel is BEAUTIFUL, and the Gospel is for sinners. John Knorr is a sinner. But I am the chief of sinners. Praise God that the Gospel is true for us.

Christine is a friend I've written to you about before. She's a 30yr old mother of 4 who works as one of my managers at ChickfilA. She is one of the reasons I have felt that my calling to Tulsa has not been in vain this summer. She is affected by sin. Divorced, an absolute workaholic, and a fairly absent mother from her children, she is affected by her sin. She has been affected by the sin of her parents, and her childrens lives are being affected by her sin as well. And while I don't think she is aware of it yet, she is DESPERATE for the love of Christ---absolutely longing to have a lover who is faithful, and who seeks to KNOW her and BE KNOWN by her. Tonight she and her kids came over to my house. I invited them so her kids could ride our horses and hang out and just be away from normality. The Gospel's promises are TRUE for them. The Gospel can save Christine from her love affair with her job, and from her love affair with the world and the lie that a man will bring her happiness. Christine's life has been affected by her sin, but the Gospel is for sinners. Christine is a sinner. I am a sinner. The Gospel is true for us, and the ONLY thing that can save us.

The Gospel is true for my students at the church. The Gospel is true for the crazy people I work with. The Gospel is true for my sister. The Gospel is true for you, my dearest friends. The Gospel is not for the righteous. The righteous don't need it. The Gospel is for sinners, of whom I am the chief.

When the Pharrisees saw Jesus eating the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples why he would do such a thing. Jesus overheard and replied, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

We're together soon. Let's make the Gospel true in our lives. Let's love every sinner we see.

Katie

Praying for Provision

Dear Friends,

I am (always, but now especially) in need of your prayers. Essentially, I reviewed my OU Financial Aid yesterday, and am getting no federal aid for this school year. Because I have moved off campus, my financial need has significantly decreased, resulting in the government's decision that I no longer will be needing their assistance to pay for school. This means no Work Study money is available to me, which means that suddenly and all at once, I am in need of a job. Both of the jobs I was planning to work this year and have worked in the past require Work Study. This is stressful. It is also stressful because I do not have a car, and am not optimistic that I will have one by the time I head to school. And now I have rent and bills due every month. Which means getting a job is non-negotiable, and transportation to an off-campus job is nearly impossible. Basically, I am coveting your prayers that the Lord will somehow open a door for this all to work out. I know that it is in His hands and this is all working together for His good, but I'm moving in 2 weeks and thought that my job was secure. Prayer also that I can truly leave this to the Lord and trust in His timing and His plan.

Closer and closer.

Smiles

One talent I have mastered is the ability to speak in a smiling voice without actually smiling. You wouldn't think this would be a very useful or necessary talent, but you would be wrong. And when you are tired and not very crazy about your job, which just so happens to require a nearly overexaggerated amount of enthusiasm (hence, excessive smiling and friendliness regardless of your mood), it can be an absolute lifesaver. Ask me to do it sometime, and you will be amazed.

I turned in my 2 weeks notice at work for the summer. Freedom time is coming, friends. Every morning brings us closer.

MCP Live

Sunday night the Sr. campers here at the ranch go crazy for about an hour at Morning Camp Party Live. They dance, sing silly camp songs, and play crazy/gross games. Counselors jump off the stage. Everyone goes to the skit explosion and dons ridiculous attire. Parts of MCP Live remind me of a rave. The lights flash. The music blares. It's euphoric. This week's MCP Live was exceptionally energetic. Probably the best MCP Live I've seen.

The Mondays

I am emotionally exhausted and tired of it.

Camp Wabanna in 3s

This whole post
will be in
threes.

-I'm tired and I hear someone speaking into a megaphone at the pool telling children to get out.
-I went to New York this weekend. I went to Phantom of the Opera and the Little Mermaid in one day and under $70. Yes.
-This is commercial week. In Day Camp we have been having Rave parties to Techno music for the whole summer. I think our commercial will involve a Rave.

There is a long tradition involving a loving hate between Residential Camp and Day Camp. We were asked to do something at the Gong Talent Show, so Mr Curt decided to write a rap that completely dissed Res Camp. We get boo'd off stage. It was awesome.


From the Fourth of July in DC.


I have a video of the Wabanna Slip n Slide that occurs every other Wednesday, but I want you guys to see the Day Camp Commercial from two years ago. This is what we'll be doing this week. Something similar. The host, Nigel Cliffhanger, is Ben, who is over the Challenge Course.


It is Week 5! We shall be reunited soon.

Pray for Meredith's (my friend from high school and my roommate here) sister, Allison. She had a dirt bike accident and hit her head. It has begun to bleed and she might need to have brain surgery to let the blood drain. Pray that she doesn't have to have surgery because God is a Great Physician.

I'm in Wyoming. I miss you all. I can't wait to be back in Norman.

An Evening With The Ultimate Media Force!

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I wish with all my heart that I were not writing this and that I did not have the news I now bring to you. Although to you this news is of little personal consequence.

I do not recall a time in my life where my walk with Jesus has been as faithful and as filling as now, but it seems whenever we find ourselves in that position, God, who ordains all things, brings trials into our lives to show us our sinfulness and His mercy, thereby sanctifying us. The trial I am facing - that my family is facing - seems overwhelming. My older sister, Erica, who I deeply love, is turning her back on Jesus and the Gospel of salvation, which she knows to be true, and choosing to pursue her sin. It breaks my heart.

I know in all things that God is sovereign and that He is good to his children and will not let them fall out of His hands. That brings me comfort. What disturbs me is that I do not know if Erica is a child of God or not. She is either a believer who is so steeped in sin that she sees no way out or an unbeliever who has been playing the part. I hope for the former, but am afraid the latter is true. I do not want her to be a vessel of wrath to destruction, but a vessel of God's mercy.

Erica needs to see that sin has consequences. She left Tulsa today without the financial safety net of our parents. My parents have decided, after seeking counsel, to quit supporting her financially as long as she is unrepentant. I support them in their decision. My only fear is that Erica become bitter and turn to Adam, the guy she looks to for fulfilment, for her needs financially as well as emotionally, etc. That would be bad. She needs Jesus and only Jesus.

Erica is angry. Saturday night we talked with her as a family. We presented the gospel to her over and over again. She was unresponsive. It is the Lord who changes hearts. She says that she has no desire for the things of God. She does not think she will ever go to church again. She does not want us to talk to her about anything God related. Erica's heart is hard.

Pray that she see the seriousness of her sin and the mercy of Christ.
Pray that the Lord would soften her heart to the gospel.
Pray that my family and I would love her with the same love that Christ has for us.
Pray for my parents that they would not struggle with feeling like they failed at parenting.
Pray for me that the Holy Spirit would give me words to say to her. I don't know what to do except pray.
Pray that she repent.

"But for the Grace of God, there go I."

X,
Daniel

It's My Turn to Travel

Hello Dear Friends,

Happy Independence Day (or as my British friend Jo insists on calling it, "Good Riddance Day")! I hope those of you in the US enjoyed the day and those outside remembered that the day was special. By the way, anyone else in Tulsa catch the fireworks "show" over the River? Pretty lame, after this happened. But the explosion was kind of cool.

Basically, I work. And I miss you. I said the word "fancy" the other day in an actual context and almost started wailing on the spot out of nostalgic associations with that fancy word. Meaning you, friends.

Something interesting is happening, and I'm becoming really good friends with the Assistant General Manager a ChickFilA, whose name is Christine. We get along well and she's really taken to me and confides a lot in me. I enjoy her so much. Her life has been hard, and continues to be hard, and my heart breaks for her daily. She has been broken by a lot of unloving people in her life, and the Lord has given me an incredible opportunity to show His love to her. Please be praying for Christine, her four children, and for me. Pray that she sees the love the Father has for her, and that somehow the Lord can show her favor and help her get her life turned back around. She is such a doll, and the more I learn her story, the more desperately I want to help to heal her wounds, and to point her into the arms of Jehovah Rafah.

In the morning I am departing with about 25 high school students from Redeemer and 5 other adult chaperones (the youth pastor, Mitch, and his wife, as well as Jacob Zoller and two others you do not know) to go to "Summer Conference, Jr.," as I like to affectionately refer to it. We're going down to Laguna Beach with Reformed Youth Ministries for their high school summer conference for the week. Pray for the youth (around 1500 students from around the country!), that their hearts will be opened and changed. Pray for us as leaders--we'll be leading small groups and meeting with students one-on-one throughout the week. I'm just very excited for our group to grow together and to see the Lord working in the lives of these students. Pray for my sister, Anna, who is trying hard to fit in with the semi-exclusive girls clique and has not felt welcomed by them yet. I hope this week will help her be able to strengthen her relationships with the other students. Pray for me. I have no idea what I am doing.

I will try to take some videos and post them soon.

Immeasurable Love,

Katie

This is Ichabod. In the sand. At the Beach.This is my parent's house, where I am spending my summer. I would like you all to come here sometime, please.This is my cat, Lucy, on the back porch at the house. She's the best cat ever.

keep posting videos

I am at a new internet cafe where I can watch videos, which is great news, but the keyboard might be worse, which is bad news. But I am glad for headphones and a faster connection.

I am doing really well. This week was great. We are getting out and experiencing the city. We are learning a lot. This week I got hit hard with the truths of the gospel and repentance. I am learning and processing, being convicted and encouraged. It is good.

You are all prayed for and missed by me. I may make a video, and will probably never post it. We'll see what happens. In a week we leave for a week of English camp in the mountains with 50 non-Christian Ukrainian students. Please pray for us and me. It is the big outreach week of the year. I need love for the students and oceans of patience with my co-interns.

you guys are great.

This is me in 2D

Prayer Request

Hey everyone. This is just a quick note asking for prayer. I'm really sick with I don't know what. I was feeling terrible this morning, and tried to make it through the day, but after pool time I had to go lay down. I've been resting ever since and I don't feel much better. Mom thinks I have the symptoms of the swine flu. I, however, do not think I have the swine flu. I think she is paranoid because an elderly woman just died in MD with the swine flu. So, keep me in your prayers and pray for healing.

All In A Day's Work

Watch The Other One First

I haven't kept up with you all very much, so here is a bit of what has been going on in my life. Sorry there are over 2 videos.
I miss you all.

It has been raining constantly since staff training started. That continued during the first week of camp which was terrible for Day Camp because pool (our only time to completely enjoy the kids w/o worrying about safety and discipline) was canceled every day except Friday. This was one of the days we were locked inside the Rec Hall whilst the rain poured ever on outside.


Every meal, the girls and boys compete to see who goes in first to the Dining Hall. This week Rosa, Meredith, and I made our girls memorize songs to popular songs, but we tweaked the words a bit to make them more oriented towards the kitchen staff. You may recognize this hit.


The Friday Night Special Event was Mattress Wrestling for Week One and I had to seat people. This is a little clip of our way over to the gym. Nothing important is in this video. Actually, this is the most useless one. Why did I add it? I wanted you to see my dress.

I'm "Stealing" Daniel's Idea

Today is the 15th of June, and I miss you

Hello Friends,

I have been writing a lot of letters lately, so you will likely get an update from me (or contact of some kind) in the next few days (or, in Sally's case, the next few weeks).

Essentially, the gist is this: I am working too much, which always seems to happen, and so lately I've been either working, or tired and at home. I am trying to find a balance between working, spending time with people in Tulsa, and spending time at home with my family and/or by myself. Alone time is refreshing, but I am missing community. It is there, within my reach (answer to prayer), but I've not been taking full advantage of this. I am trying to begin this reorganization process by trying to get more sleep. So, this will be brief so I can take the first step towards this.

Here are some pictures, I will hopefully post more soon:These friends have taken me under their wing. From left to right, Austin, Anna, Sally, Jeff, Haden, me, and Emma. I am so very thankful for them.When I house-sat for my boss' family, we had a cookout on the back upper deck. Here is our feast before we dug in.
These are the Greeno kids, who I babysit for. They bring so much joy to my life. From Left to Right: Chase(8), Cameron(6), Savannah(5), Connor(12), Casey(11), and Sydney(4).

My prayers are yours,
Love,
Katie

Video Post! Woot Woot

from the you crane

Hey friends,
this is frustratingly brief. I am here and God is good. I miss you all a lot and am trying to get on the letter-writing train. I have written three, sent two, and planned so many more.

I am doing well. L'viv is a beautiful city. I can only get on the internet on Saturdays so there is way too much to do on here in the short time I have. Don't expect many more posts.

Thanks for posting your updates. It is so great to hear what you are doing and how God is working in your life and what you are struggling with. I am praying for you all and looking forward to being back together in Norman in August.

On Friday after our morning prayer time we sang the Doxology, a cappella. It was the first time I had sung - in English or at all - in two weeks. Tears filled my eyes as we slowly sang,

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below!
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts,
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!
Amen.

Amen indeed. God is faithful. You guys are great.

love from the former USSR,
Sally

21037

Hey everyone. This will be short, but sweet (maybe). Let's get straight to the point; I am overwhelmed with communication. I, along with my other OU friends, (actually I'm not SPEAKING for them, I'm just saying that they have been doing the same things that I have been doing) have been extremely busy with staff training, re-certification classes, catching up with old friends, meeting new ones, spending time with the Lord, keeping our families updated, that I feel like I have become overwhelmed by the desire and need to update, write letters, and make phone calls. I am sorry if you have found yourself wondering, "I wonder if Lindsey hates me..." I hope none of you have thought that this summer so far. I actually assume that you haven't. It would be selfish of me to think that.
I digress...
I'm figuring out that communication will be harder than I thought it would be this summer. Expect letters, phone calls, or something at some point, but for now, it would be refreshing to know that you all are praying for Camp Wabanna and the staff here. Pray specifically for Day Camp as one of our counselors quit yesterday. Pray that God will bring someone to fill her spot and that the rest of the Day Camp staff will fit right in with her. Pray for the children that are coming to Camp Wabanna. Pray that God will open up their hearts and that they will better know the Jesus that has rescued each of us.

Grace is raining,
Lindsey

Dear Friends all over the world...

This summer has been an interesting one so far. I spent two weeks in Columbus, Texas at Pine Cove Outback for training. These two weeks were so wonderful, they had their ups and downs of being in a new place...but I fell in love with the ministry of Pine Cove as I got a chance to see what God was doing there. I started off doing lifeguard training, but my knee basically froze up and wouldn't let me continue. I finished off the week doing projects to help get camp ready. The next week we headed up to Tyler to where the main camps are located (a little background...Pine Cove has 8 family and youth camps in Texas. 6 are in Tyler and 2 are in Columbus.) 

The next couple of days were some of my favorite days of the whole time...I was there among 900 other college summer staff from all over the nation. (That sounds like a lot, but think of that spread over 8 camps and separated into halves of the summer.) But it was really special to get to see the heartbeat of the ministry. To see how the Lord has blessed them with resources for their camps and resources to minister in urban areas of America as well as internationally to partner with Central and South American countries and teach them how to "do camp". They also have wonderful ministries in the communities that the camps are located in. It's hard to do it justice, but there were times that week I was brought to tears just watching how God is working through that ministry...it was a special couple of days. It's pretty spectacular to be apart of 900 people praying together at once. Anyways...long story short I had a great time the next week cooking and being in the kitchen. I learned a lot of new recipes and just got to know so many people. At camp we have a tradition to give everyone a camp name...it's a really big dramatic ceremony that's a lot of fun. My name is "Baking and Entering"...the story behind it is I'm a cook this summer and I like it when boys open the door for me. Haha random. 

Anyways being home I've been reading a lot. I've read

1. A Thousand Ressurections-loved reading about urban ministry in Baltimore

2. Shutter Island--This has been my favorite so far...it's brilliant.

3. The Ultra Marathon Man-Pretty powerful to read about a man who ran 200 miles in one race to help save a little girl he didn't know

I'm currently reading about 6 others all at once...I'll let you know what and how they are! 

I've been going to several different doctors and therapists for my knee...that's keeping me busy. 

Sometimes I feel like a drug addict...there's lots of highs and lows with my knee right now. I will have a little triumph like today being able to do leg raises without any help (before I could barely lift it 6 inches off the ground when I'm on my back without some kind of support or help)...but then it's hard because today was one of the most painful days with pain throughout my whole leg. I'm struggling with joy

I'm not very good at learning lessons or being patient...I want instant night and day difference after a visit to the doctor or therapist. I want my summer to work how I've planned it instead of not working and going to the doctor and therapist throughout the week. But then I think about it and think how trivial my frustrations are in light of eternity and in light of the life and death struggles other people are facing. I'm learning to trust that God is sovereign and He has a plan to use this for His good despite all the grand plans for my life I attempt to make.  I've been thinking a lot about John 3:30 that says...God must get bigger and I must get smaller.  

This is turning into a book....these are my thoughts tonight. 

What are your thoughts? How have your days been? What are your joys and triumphs? What are your struggles? I know you all have hectic schedules...but I want to hear from you. 

So I'm sending this off into the blogging void to you my friends, whenever your day gives you a quick minute to stop and drop a line or a book as to how you have been! 

Love and Prayers,

Julie 

P.S. One of my all time favorite summer verses...and really just in general, but it's a great camp verse is Psalm 90:14 "He fills me each morning with His constant love so that I can sing and be glad all my days."

Friends,

My life since Summer Conference has changed. I am no longer an intern and I really have nothing lined up to do after my temporary employment doing whatever needs to be done for my father and his organization. For those that do not know, My dad runs an organization called Second Mile Development. For the past 23 years Second Mile has worked to serve the low income communities of Huntsville through three different avenues, a preschool, a thrift store, and through parent educations within the communities elementary and middle schools. The organization is funded on monetary donations by individuals, churches, foundations, and really anything or anyone that wants to give and also by the sales of the store. My part, this summer, administrative work (filing, pay roll, mailing list, organizing,...blah blah blah. But my main purpose is writing grants proposals to local and national foundations. It's a slow, tedious job with tons of paper work, but could be extremely beneficial. My experience in grant writing is non-existent, so I am concerned that my efforts will be lost and Second Mile's fund raising will suffer. I am thankful for the experience I am gain from this summer. Most jobs want experience in a myriad of skills and this summer is allowing me to have that experience. Woot!

I am planning on returning to Norman in mid to late July to search for a job for the Fall. To be honest, I am more than concerned about finding something adequate to live on or really anything at all. I trust that God will provide and he is sovereign. But my sinful need for control of everything in my life is consuming my lack of employment.

Being back at home after living completely on my own is also a struggle. My family is great and I am thankful, but it is hard. My friends in Huntsville have moved away and so I am left with very little social interaction. This is new for me and quite frankly I don't like it. I am sure that I am learning something from being by myself most of the time, but it's difficult. I am excited to return to Norman and be back with all of you.

I'm accepting and sending letters this summer. My address is:

Anna McDowell
3207 Beverly Drive
Huntsville, Alabama

I love y'all and I miss you,
Anna

Dear Friends,

Oh, I have so much to tell you all.  First, I got a job!  I will be working as the photographer for New Life Ranch this summer (at least the first few weeks while the original photographer's back heals, but I'll be there the entire summer).  I found out on Friday.  Camp starts tomorrow.  I missed staff training.  I have so many things to do to get ready.  I'm feeling overwhelmed.  

Jury duty is lame if you don't get to sit on a jury.  I didn't get to sit.  It was lame.  

I almost chopped my big toe off!  Sadly, it was my own stupidity that caused the incident.  I was working in the yard, tearing down our jungle gym, when I sorely misguided my shovel.  It got to know my big toe on a very deep, intimate level.  There was blood.  Lots of it.  Consequently, I got to spend the better part of my day on Friday at the doctor's office.  It was -I am not lying- the best experience at the doctor's I have ever had.  Everyone was so nice.  I almost want to try again on my other toe just so I can go back.  Hmm... On second thought, I'd better not.  (I was going to include a photo of my toe, but my camera is in the center console of my car which is in Tulsa getting new brakes.  Sorry.) 

I've been struggling lately with worry.  So many things have happened within the past week.  So many things.  My plan for the summer has been turned upside down and given a good beating.  Since I won't be in Norman, I've been worrying about my house (summer roommates remembering to pay rent and bills, the yard, etc.), the Hayes House yard (Wes will be taking care of it.  He is great.), not having the time I thought I would to read, further relationships, meet with Doug and Mat, make music, work on the shed at the 710 House (name?), etc.  At the same time, it is amazing seeing how God worked to bring me back to the Ranch.  It all came about so quickly and so perfectly.  I am fully confident that this is where God wants me to be this summer.  I have absolutely no idea why, but I am excited to see how He will use this summer to sanctify me.  It is a bit scary not knowing why God wants me at the Ranch.  Last summer when I went I had my own reasons for going, my motivation was selfish.  I wanted to be at camp because I would be with great people doing things I liked doing.  I am humbled that God used me, in spite of my selfishness.  My motivation for going this summer is entirely different (praise be to God).  I am going to fill a need.  I have no hidden agenda (other than I needed a job).  Pray that I serve well and that I do so for Jesus.  

One of the things I was most looking forward to about this summer was that I was going to have the time and ability to write you all letters.  I had great plans to send amazing care packages to Wabanna.  I had come up with several creative things to stick in pertaining to Norman and RUF.  Now that I too will be at camp, I probably won't have the time or ability to write as many letters or send as creative a care package.  It saddens me and I am sure that you, the recipients, are saddened as well.  

Here's my new address: 

Daniel Rusco 

160 New Life Ranch Dr. 

Colcord, OK 74338

You can send me stuff if you'd like.  

I've got to go.  There are about X number of things I need to do before I leave tomorrow.  Hopefully they will all get done.  

Your friend, 

Daniel

P.S. I want to hear from the new people on this blog.  What are you all up to? 

This Was Unexpected

I wrote all of this last night at aprox 3am, but I am just now hitting the orange button that says "Publish Post". I have nothing extremely important to say. But here it is:
As of yesterday I wasn't leaving until Wednesday. I was driving to Maryland with three others.
Now I am leaving today (Tuesday) and I am flying with those same people.
Stressful is not an extreme-enough word for how I felt yesterday. But God is good. And He provides...
SO...
I am leaving today.
I am leaving for Maryland. (It is on the Right Coast)
I will miss you all.
Pray for me this summer as I minister to kids and as I grow with the staff around me.
Send me letters if you can. I will still love you if you do not write me letters. But still...
Lindsey Brewer
101 Likes RD
Edgewater, MD 21037

"Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it."
--Russel Baker

My cup is full,
Lindsey

Dear Friends,

I would say that summer has now finally begun. The first and second wave of leavings have now happened (that being Josh, Anna and Michael first, and now Sally and Thomas), and the third wave is approaching rapidly (Linds, Meg, and Jules). The rest of us have begun various summer activities (or at least begun searching for them [Daniel, how goes the job hunt?]), some things we have done before, and some things that are new. I've been thinking about this recently, and I think it is incredibly cool how various, exciting, scary, as well as seemingly mediocre the things our small circle of friends have chosen to participate in are. Josh is being a grown up with a grown up job in a town/state where he knows no one. Sally and Thomas are both traveling around the world to spend the summer in new places with new people they have never met. Megan and Jessie are going to work at summer camp in a capacity they never have before. Jena is living on her own away from her family and spending most of her day with children who can often be less than pleasant. 

I think we are awesome. I think that God has placed each of us in different summer roles that have so much potential to teach us and grow us in our relationships with Himself. Whether that is manifesting itself in overseas missions, staffing and ministering at summer camp, or being really lonely and working at a job we hate [ahem, ChickfilA....]. Don't forget to seize every opportunity that you are given (wow, that is cheesy). But really, let God teach you in the small things and the big things. Look for the little things to love [my facebook status is a feeble attempt at daily reminders to myself of the good things from each day so I don't focus on the bad things of each day]. 

Since I last saw you:

I started work at Chick-fil-A a week ago. I'm working there between 25-30 hours and five days a week. May 18th marked my 5th year of employment with Chick-fil-A. That is a long fancy time to work in fast food my friends. Honestly, CFA is a really great company to work for, and I really love my boss, but it is not where I wish that I had to spend my summer, and the work is hard and smelly and greasy and often times unpleasant. It's difficult to be an exaggerated level of nice with people who are rude to you (But at least I get practical application of "Loving those who persecute me," right?). Sometimes people forget there's a human being standing on the other side of the counter from them. I don't get along with all of my coworkers. All of these things are trials, and I am really having to work hard to keep my attitude positive and "glorify God in all that I do"--even serving people chicken.

I'll be interning with the church where I am a member--Redeemer Presbyterian Church. Mitch Dees is the youth pastor and worship leader for RPC, and while I don't know him well, he has already shown an interest in getting to know me and sharing things he is being taught and wants to teach me as well. This is really great, and I am looking forward to being discipled by Him this summer. Most Tulsa public schools (Jenks, Union, BA) didn't finish school until Friday (3 days ago), so this is our first really "summer week." The kids are coming to hang out at the house I am housesitting (more on this later) on Wednesday, so I'm hoping to get more connected with them in the coming days. Prayer for these relationships and also for my sister, who is having trouble feeling like she is "fitting in" with the RYG kids, is coveted.

I've also been babysitting for the Greeno family. Arthur Greeno owns two ChickfilA stores in Tulsa, one of which I have worked at for several years (more on this above). Last summer I tried to work at CFA as little as possible, and instead worked for Arthur directly, as he was remodeling a house, getting a house ready to sell, and moving into a new house. I also started babysitting for his children, of which there are 6 between the ages of 4 and 12. I am continuing this work this summer, and this brings me so much joy. It is so refreshing to be in a house, with a family, around children. This is such a blessing, and I'm enjoying it. (I'll post pictures soon, so you can get to know them).

They also went to DisneyWorld this week, and I have the pleasure of watching their house while they are gone. It's a house in South Tulsa probably worth between 6-7 mill, so I feel a little bit like I'm cheating them out of their money, since they're essentially paying me to live in a hotel, eat their food, and have my friends come swim in their pool. But this is a blessing, and it's refreshing, and feels sort of like vacation [and means I don't have to work as many hours at CFA this week (!)]. 

Friends, you are all very dearly loved by me. I hope your summers have started off well, and that you've already begun to be taught. Pray for me, I'm praying for you. Let me know the things you need prayer for.

Love of immeasurable amounts,

Katie

more addresses

I am really excited about having pen pals this summer. Please write to me.

c/o Doug Shepherd
Sheptitskix 1a Apt. 9
L'viv, Ukraine, 79016

The mail will probably take up to 2 weeks, so don't send anything after about July 20th or I won't see it.

Friends, I will miss you this summer. I don't know how much I will be able to get on here and read your posts or post my thoughts. But know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and I will see you in August. God is faithful.

More people need to post addresses.

Snail Mail

What are your addresses? I want to write letters to you this summer and I want you to write letters to me! I really will write back if you write to me. I'm not going to have a lot of internet access starting on Sunday (for two weeks), I'll be home in June, and then back at camp in July and August. Think how fun this will make things when you check your mail and find letters!

My camp address is:
Pine Cove Outback
1237 Papa Bear Lane
Columbus, Texas 78934

Sometime soon I'm going to have a camp name for you to address my letters to, but until then just put my name at the top.

What's your address at home? At Camp? In Ukraine? In Norman? In Greece? Wherever you're going to be let me know your address.

P.S. If you're in a baking mood and want to send some baking that is always good too! :)

Dear Friends,

I just want to express my excitement for all of you and your summer plans as well as my excitement for this blog.  The summer looks different for each of us.  Some of us will be very busy.  Others will have more time to relax.  One thing, however, remains the same.  We will all be met with trials.  I look forward to hearing about how God will use those trials to make you more like Christ.  

I pray that each of you find true community this summer.  I pray that each of you look solely to Jesus for your contentment.  I pray that each of you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His kingdom and glory.  

Anna: I pray that this summer would be a time of growth for you and that God would prepare you for the coming year.  

Michael: I pray that you will use every opportunity to minister to your LIT's and that your example of Christ to them be without blemish.  

Thomas: I pray that God uses your time in Greece to stretch you and grow you more into a man of God.  

Sally: I pray that your time in Ukraine will be fruitful and that your time with your family be refreshing. 

Julie:  I pray that God would use you in the lives of your coworkers and campers to challenge and encourage them.  

Lindsey: I pray that you would not treat camp as just a job, but realize the eternal impact you have on your campers.  

Katie:  I pray that you would really pour your life into the youth at your church and that this summer would allow you to spend extra time in the Word.  

There's a New Beginning Just Around the Corner

We seem more like family than friends.

We're spending some time apart this summer. Going different directions for a short time.

Keep us updated on what you're learning.

Tell us what you're loving.

Tell us what you're hating.

Tell us what you're doing.

What you're reading.

What you're missing.

What you're thinking about.

How the Lord is testing you.
And how He's encouraging you.

Let's grow together. Apart.