september news!!

feel free to click on the image to zoom in.  enjoy :)

the claw.

so, today, we started our ozone community groups.  and, we played some games - to get to know each other and to learn something (as we always do at camp all-american).  in our second game of two base kickball, i shortened the distance between the bases to give my team an advantage.  the girls didn't even notice.  but, we had a cool debrief on the sovereignty of god.  it then turned into a discussion of 9/11, suffering, and the freedom we have in christ.  namely, that god is still sovereign in all - the good and the bad.  and, he still loves us.  tons.

later, i chatted with a friend and quoted this scene from Toy Story.  i looked up the entire clip (as it is so funny) and thought of the metaphor between the claw and the heavenly father.  yes, it is quite the cheesy correlation, especially on 9/11/2011; but, still a very true and timely one.  so, you draw the comparison(s).  there are many...



god is still loving and is taking care of things.  he's a big god, ya know?  As a wise lady once told me:  "don't doubt the sovereignty of god."

God allows what He hates to accomplish what He loves. - Randy Pope

But pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world. - C.S. Lewis

i love the 90's

91.20% -  in the 90's for percent pledged.  did i say god is good?

in other news, i met some neighbors today.  almost didn't say hey.  didn't feel the need for southern cordiality as they were just playing in the parking lot.  i just happened to be returning to my car for the third time in ten minutes.  ay dios mio.  i heard: "were you a counselor at camp all-american?"  and, of course, i said "yes," and chatted with the fifth grade girl and her stepdad for the next ten minutes.  she said i was her counselor once.  probably in 2008 or 2009.  she remembered me.  i didn't.  the start of a relationship, or maybe a continuance.  who knows where the lord will take it from there...

gonna be tough, but excited am i about the apartment relationship-building aspect of the internship.  to share jesus with the kids i am living with.  did you hear that?  those who LIVE in the same apartment complex as me and sarah king.  tough job ahead of us to live a great examples day by day.  not just being great models of christ for two hours each thursday when the actual "ministry" takes place.  but, every day.  the parents are watching us to see, mainly, if we are trustworthy.  if they can trust us with their children.  and, i assure you it is the little things more than anything.  the smiles.  the hellos.  passing out flyers at the clubhouse.  even the southern cordiality.  and, if we cannot be trusted to play with their kids for two hours a week, how can we share jesus with them or invite them to camp all-american?  i am feeling a wee bit of pressure to be on my game all the time.  but in a good way.  so pray.

don't quit boss!

God is good.

80% pledged.  

So exciting - I can start work next week! Camp All-American says I must have 80% pledged before I start work on September 1st!

He has taken care of me way better than I ever could have imagined.  I stand in awe.

But, we ain't done yet.  Still on the road.  A road trip, if you will.  Let's say a trip down US-80 from Dallas, Texas to Tybee Island, Georgia.  I know I am gonna get to Tybee eventually.  Just seemed a really long way off (in miles and hours) at the beginning.  Well now, the end is almost in sight.  I am just now seeing signs for Savannah.

Thank you so much for giving and praying.  This journey has been stretching, humbling, disappointing, encouraging, amazing, frustrating, and nearly everything in between.   It means so much that I have not been alone.  You guys are great!  Heck, I still need 20%, so lemme know if you wanna give!  And keep on praying!

Psalm 34:8  "Oh taste and see that the Lord is good."

"There's nothing that can help you understand your beliefs more than trying to explain them to an inquisitive child."
I.  miss.  camp.

- Christen King, a counselor at CAA

triple zip video

so, we have a triple zip line at camp. a quarter mile long of awesomeness. definitely a highlight of caa for so many ozoners. not only do you start sixty feet in the air, but you get to see the pool, tennis courts, track, and the fields from above - a huge part of camp.  i often got to opportunity to go down with campers throughout the week. here, i have a blast riding down with katie and catherine. and, yes, that is me screaming the whole time..

yes. slipe and slide again. this time a video...

so, i got in on the action that same wednesday.  carrie (ozone counselor) and i (ozone girl's core leader) raced.
needless to say - core domination.  soooooooooo much fun.

team samchok 2011

here are six fantastic ladies.  i had the absolute pleasure of being their core leader.

from left:

• christina - sophomore at georgia tech.  probably transferring to uga in the spring.  a baller at teaching middle schoolers truth.  about the lord, the bible, even life.
• amanda - sophomore at georgia tech.  awesome with sixth graders.  seriously.  she could tell when most of them were lying to get out of something.  awesome, i tell you...
• megan - junior transfer at uga (was at ga southern).  so great at engaging with campers.  always was with her kids, without fail; getting to know them.  rocked having the eight graders for many weeks.   
• kelli - senior at uga.  worked in ozone last summer.  she missed six weeks in the middle of the summer and brought much needed energy, excitement, and refreshing when she returned week seven.
• laney - senior at uga.  loved being in ozone.  worked in junior camp last summer (the 4-6 year olds), and so enjoyed having personal relationships with the older campers this summer.
• carrie - sophomore at the university of tennessee at chattanooga.  she grew to love camp from may to august.  i so enjoyed watching her break out of her shell as the summer progressed - going crazy with the kids, bringing the hype, and acting goofy around our core.  
• me - starting the internship with camp all-american.  had a blast sheparding these six girls.  surprised by how much i loved working in ozone - middle schoolers, the smaller camp feel, and laid-back atmosphere.

my favorite sequence of photos

so, we had a slip and slide wednesday of week 10.  these pics attempt to show just how much fun it was. 

probably my favorite picture of all summer.  kelli and amanda.  pure joy.  

camp all-american 2011.