I love Anna. And Green Beans. I am the green bean queen. Zaga what.

Today was a very very busy day. And all day I thought it was Saturday. Turns out tomorrow is another Saturday. It's like I'll be reliving life. Interesting.

Cheese: Inception rules

Good chats with good friends

Volleyball

Doorknob: I have to run 10 miles in 4 hours..

Jesus: Wemmicks

Has this ever happened to you?

So my imagination might be a little more active than others, but you can't convince me I'm thaat crazy..

I was in the Denver airport today. Two hour delay to MN=very antsy and very cranky Kelsey. It was a little rough. Anyway, I went to the bathroom before getting on the plane, and the strangest thing happened. I walked by a closed stall, and through the little crack something completely crazy caught my eye. Now, I couldn't have been really looking in the stall, mind you, because as you will see, nothing remotely sane registered in my brain. What I was convinced I saw, however, was a woman fully bounded and gagged sitting on the toilet seat. She had a terrified look on her face, and I knew I had to help her. So while I was in the stall next door, doin my thang, I was processing her story--how she had been kidnapped and stashed in the stall while the criminal ran away and how I couldn't go to the authorities because a)he was still watching via video camera which he could do because b) the airport security WAS ON HIS SIDE! And I had to act quick, because she was the only one who knew how to diable the bomb that was going to blow up the airport in less than 5 minutes!!! It was a very stressful pee, let me tell you. Anyway, I got out of the stall, ready to blaze into action, when the woman in the stall next to me walked out, completely unscathed, and I realized how ridiculous I am. So I went and washed my hands in embarrassment. (Just then, I noticed that the no-longer-bound-and-gagged woman was struggling to get the motion activated paper towel dispenser to work. I jumped to her aid, demonstrating true skill in my retrival of the much needed towel. She thanked me, and I was glad. I was glad because I was able to help this once-kidnapped-now-freed woman in her time of need.)

Summarizing my summer:

Week 1: I spent getting to know people. Staff training was interesting because I was nervous of change yet so excited about the cool stuff happening around me. People thought I was shy but really I was soaking it all in. At the end of the week I felt like I had been there forever yet it had gone incredibly fast. Which really is the story of my summer. But i also said that I felt refreshed and alive in the Lord. This was a very cool and very new thing because I'd been struggling with...everything really. "I'm pooped, but I'm joyful, and I am blessed to be exactly where I am."

Week 2: I dealt with stuff. I opened up to people and found rest for struggles I don't normally share, and I learned to talke it to God. Week two was also the planning week and I was so pumped and so terrified to get campers. Oh, also I learned a lot of guitar and had a spatula fight. "I will give thanks to my Creator for in Him I am made whole."

Week 3: Was my first week of campers. I was overwhelmed twice. Once by the feeling of inadequacy and once by the fact that my God is so big. It really was a crazy week with awesome awesome campers, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. "The thought of being a tool for the Lord is such a humbling thing."

Week 4: Day Camp lovin. This week was awesome. I spent time with three of the coolest guys I've ever known at a church in Lakeville full of God's eager children. I laughed more than I knew possible and I appreciated brothers. And I was so excited to see everyone when I got back. "Camp Omega is becoming home."

Week 5: I worked support staff, meaning I had no campers. It was a different yet cool experience to serve God in more or less manual labor and to observe God's servants as they did their thang. I missed having campers. Also, I had my self-proclaimed best day/night I've had in a very long time? "God is the creator of laughter. And today I enjoyed God's creation very much."

Week 6: DD week changed my outlook on life. It was positively amazing. The campers taught me more than I could have possibly imagined and the real joy that existed will last me for aslong as I can remember this week. I could literally write for hours on how much I loved this week, so I will not even start. "I couldn't be happier than I am working this week."

Week 7: I was tired. I'd been working for a long time without much sleep and it was a very long week. But my campers rocked and my co-counselor was an all-star. I learned much from her. I felt like I wanted to give my campers everything, but I had nothing left to give. It was a hard week. But when it was over, I missed it. I grew this week from brokeness and joy. "I am reminded that even when I have my reason and my plan, God knows better."

Week 8: I went out to Gibbon as a Day Camp leader. I was exhausted. And I wasn't looking forward to the week. But it was great. Frustrating at times but wonderful on the whole. I had time for craziness and for being serious, and God gave me rest for my soul. "I am here to do God's work. When He calls me to serve, who am I to question Him?"

Hullo. It's been a spell, which is good for anyone reading this because it's never all that interesting. But I'm here so you get to deal with my writing. Horray. I like my own bed. I will not wake up with spiders in my eyes or with a bad back from a bad mattress. And I plan to really sleep in tomorrow for the first time in I don't even know how long. The week off is sounding exciting at the moment. Also, family vacation? What is that? We'll see how we do. I plan to give a brief overview on how I'm doing, etc...but I'm very very tired tonight so I'll save it for later....whether you're interested or not. Goodnight. I will greet the world in 12-14 hours.

Rull update. Blogging update.

Camp rocks. Love it. I can't say enough good things about the people I work with, and it is such a refresher to be back in the Word full time. And teaching kids, oh man it just doesn't get any better. I don't really know where to go from here. There are so many little things I could talk about but I don't think I could do it justice. So mainly I guess, it's great. I feel good about where I'm at. But I am nervous that I'm changing. I mean I know I am. My perspectives and priorities are definitely being revised, and that's a really good thing. But I don't want to be the person who isn't satisfied unless she's "home" at camp. I'm nervous I'm headed in that direction. However, I love being home. I know I love school. I love where I'm at right now but there's more than that. I love the people I'm with but there are more people who have gotten me to where I'm at, and I love and miss them greatly. Four weeks hasn't made me more enlightened and I certainly hope it hasn't made me all high and mighty. I love the bubble. I love Jesus. But I need to remember loving everything else too.

I want to play 500. No one plays at camp. I can't find my running sensor thing. It's frustrating. I have to run 9 today. I'm nervous. Soccer is driving me insane. My stomach feels icky.

Blahg.

Update on the first days of camp:campers campers campers

June 13th

Today God opened my eyes and let me really know what this is all about. I've always been so confident about wanting to do this--I've repeatedly said that, "I just know that this is what I'm supposed to do." But I think I've dumbed this position down in my head to the point where I thought I could just come in and handle it on my own. God's told me two things today: a) Alright, Kelsey, if you're so confident we'll see how you do when I throw you a curve because b) there is no way you can do this without me.

Homesick campers are not a joke. When a kid stands there next to her mom already bawling her eyes out that she has to stay at camp and then her mom says that she's stubborn and hasn't made it through a week of camp before and there's really no way to console her--that's when it finally hits you that homesickness is real. I'm nervous about that week. She so so great when she's playing with the others. She's hilarious and talkative. But I don't know how to handle the point when the tears turn on and her vocabulary slims to the five words: "I want to go home." It's heartbreaking and scary and I so desperately want her to have a great week.

Non-joke realization number two: Campers who don't believe in Jesus, specifically one who says she's been to hell(?). And this is when I get overwhelmed. On the on hand, this is such a cool opportunity to witness. This girl's heart is hurting big time, and if I can be the tool that shows her God's love--that is why I'm here. But I don't feel equipped. And what happens if I can't make a difference? Maybe it's just my personality when placed under stress, but I haven't been able to truly find joy in these kids yet. I admire some of them greatly, but I'm so focused on simply the task at hand for the time being. Joey and Britt have been able to settle down and begin to build relationships already, but I've been busy making decisions and fire-preventing to love them. It's the lion in me, but this need to be my conscious effort. I'm not a fun person under stress.

Which brings me to my final thought/story of the day. I had a breakdown durning dinner. I was so overwhelmed, and I literally cried trying to figure out what was going on with my campers. And all I could this was, "Why doesn't anyone see how badly I'm struggling? Why is no one helping me?" And then I realized that this is exactly what I asked for. I wanted a chance to change lives; I wanted this job and everything that comes with it. Thanks for the irony, God.

But He will equip me. He will use me as his hands and his feed and as his mouth piece. And I will not be alone because He sees my struggle. His power is made perfect in weakness. I feel strong when I remember God's strength and help; I take joy when I think of His majesty. This is a doozy of a day one, but He knows I can do this, or rather, He knows that He can do this through me. Praise be to God!

June 14th

Today is the day I fall down in amazement at the absolutely overwhelming power of God. What a supreme turnaround! I absolutely adore my girls. Epsil-Awesome is what we have come to call ourselves, and I couldn't think of a better description. These girls are excited about everything; I see hugs flying around everywhere. They are inclusive and love games. They are smart and respectful. Epsil-Awesome. Their cheers and screams fill my heart with joy.

Home sickness can be remedied! Hallelujah! I can take literal forcing shoes on feet and pushing bodies out the door, but this afternon we learned to be happy. And we are excited about tomorrow. And all is well in the land of Epsil-Awesome. Thank you, Jesus.

And sometimes stony hearts can really be a cry for help and love. WHen pray becomes is still comforting and songs are still fun--then there is hope. Seing such a negative face expound such happiness, watching pained eyes smile--this is when I get to see Jesus. She wants to talk. There is a question in the question bucket to prove it. The Holy Spirit can do such awesome things with even little nuggest of faith and what a blessing to bear witness to such! The Lord's work is being done here!

Joey and Brit are amazing, amazing people. I absolutely love working with them and don't know what I'd do without them. Joey is quick and silly and such a leader and Britt is a rockstar with the kids, coming up with cames and absolutely capturing their attention over and over again when it's been the most needed. These girls do not back down from challenges, and I know I've been placed here with them for a reason.

Tonight I am bursting with Joy. Epsil-what? Epsil-Awesome. Bring on Tuesday :)

June 15th

1 Timothy 4:12

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.

Tonight I was positively blown away by the power of God. Also, the power of stars. To attack the starts point first, how awesome it is to be out in God's creation and wow does it get people talking. We could have been out until 2am tonight.

Going to God's power second, it is an amazing thing to listen to the children of God--God's princesses--and hear them proclaim His name. My faith was strengthened and my heart was filled tonight in listening to thoughts and questions the girls offered. What a privilege to consider with them the of their hearts. They bring up points and ideas I rarely consider, and they are so capable of just picking up the discussion and going with it. They discussed things that they need to hear and process and God's love was pulsing in the hearts. We talked about everything tonight: from stars to baptism to racism and judgement to the power of words, to evangelism to the world to heaven and hell and most importnatly to Jesus and the amazing love God has shown us. If there is one thing I want these girls to remember about this week, its that hour or so on the blacktop.

Because the thing is, these girls rule. And Jesus rules in their hearts. THe world may see them as 11-14 year olds, the age group of awkward misfits and bratty puberty-dwellers, but I have seen differently. I have never been more confident of the capability of youth and God's desire to change the world through them. What a night.