Top Five Signs I am Getting OLD(er)

This past weekend at camp I got some reminders that I am getting older. Here are a few:

1. The fact that I am as old as one of my camper's mom. I became aware of that as she stated, "My mom always says she's old. She's 28." Thanks for that.

2. I was SO excited that my assignment with the younger girls cabin meant a 930 bedtime. Unfortunately, no one told the girls that bedtime actually meant time to go to sleep.

3. The bruises that I have on the back of my leg courtesy of my time on the see-saw.

4. The fact that I was the only one actually interested in resting during rest time. The girls had tons of energy to keep running around the cabin, but I actually wanted to rest!

5. Every camp there is a new popular dance that I have never heard of before. In May, it was the "Stanky Leg." This time, it was the "Hoedown Throwdown." I searched for it on YouTube when I got home, and found out that it is a Hannah Montana song. Who knew? Well, apparently all of the kids/teenagers at camp did. You should check it out. You know, so you can stay hip and stuff... Except that I don't think anyone uses the word "hip" anymore in that context.

Yeah, I am getting old...

Life is a Highway...

The Rascal Flatts version of that song played on the radio on my way home from NC today, and now it's stuck in my head. It is kind of appropriate, though, since life has been a busy highway lately, and isn't going to calm down right away. In case you haven't been able to keep up, here's what's been going on:

On the 11th, I left for a quick trip to Peru. A few pictures can be found here. As always, it was a good time spent joining with the WMF community in ministry down there. I love those friends!

I got back on the 19th, worked on the 20th and 21st, and then spent the better part of the 22nd through the 24th sick in my bed. The views from there can be found here.

I worked on the 25th, and then had a day to kind of rest and catch up before heading off to Camp Courage this weekend. While I can't say much about it or post any pictures in this arena, I will say that it was both great fun and completely exhausting as I chased around the 6-9 year-olds. I will sleep well tonight, that's for sure! I will also say that one of the highlights was getting to play around on the crazy new high ropes course that they built at the camp. Here's the proof that I got up there and gave it a shot:

the harness is so flattering, i know...

I actually have a full week at work this week and next before heading out of town again on the 10th. More about that later...

I must admit that I have let all of this busy-ness lately catch up with me a bit. I have not taken much time to slow down and spend time with the Lord. I haven't taken much time to listen for His voice. Even when I was sick and forced to slow down, I didn't take advantage of that time to pursue the Lord and see what He might have been trying to speak into me. I want to change that in the coming weeks. Even though life is not going to slow down, I need to be intentional about slowing down and spending time with the Lord. I need to listen to Him. Especially in the coming weeks, as I will probably be making some pretty significant life decisions. I want and need for His voice to guide my steps. I welcome your prayers that I would be faithful to more earnestly pursue Him and listen for His voice in my life.

Life is a highway...

(Yep, it's still stuck in there.)

Creativity Strikes

It may be better to say "craftiness strikes." I am not all that creative. I have to steal borrow ideas from other people, but once I am given an idea, I love to start creating. Unfortunately, this tends to happen at random hours of the night, or when I am supposed to be doing other things.

Exhibit A: It is after midnight. I am supposed to be leaving for camp somewhere around 530ish in the morning. I haven't packed. My house is a mess. An even bigger mess now that mass quantities of scrapbook paper and old magazines are strewn all over my room. So, I guess I should go get started on those things. And, I should probably go to bed at some point, too...

This is a coaster made out of old magazine pages (idea courtesy of Monica Ghali. She is a creative genius. Because of her, I am totally going to make a loom out of an old piece of wood and some yarn and make an awesome scarf. Like I said, she's a genius.)

daybook - august 26th

outside my window. . .
it's sunny outside, though I have yet to venture out and enjoy it...

I am listening to. . .
the hum of the ceiling fan on high above me in my room. i have been trying to use the AC sparingly this summer.

I am thinking. . .
that i am just about ready for the snot to cease its constant flow out of my nose. it's been almost a week already...

I am thankful. . .
for so many things in my life - an amazing family, a great job, my health (i'll take a runny nose any day compared to the things so many others have to endure) - i have much to be thankful for!

from the kitchen. . .
things are lacking in this department lately. i haven't been to the grocery since before i went to peru, which means that the options are very limited...

I am wearing. . .
Soffee shorts (from the high school days) and a white t-shirt. i am clearly not yet ready to face the day. (yes, i do realize that it is mid-afternoon.)

I am hoping. . .
that i am all better by tomorrow, because i am headed up to NC for camp courage in the morning!

I am creating. . .
i think i am going to try to make some coasters out of old magazines today. i was inspired by monica's many creative ideas...

I am praying. . .
for someone to come and buy my house!

around the house. . .
there are signs that i have spent much of the last few days in my bed. i did manage to pick up the large pile of tissues from the floor, though.

I am reading. . .
nothing at the moment, but i did read three whole books lately! i read The Sunflower on the plane on the way to peru, a book about the lost boys of sudan while i was in peru, and To Kill a Mockingbird since i have been home. that's pretty impressive for me!

one of my favorite things. . .
christmas time. i was finishing the winter holiday assignments for work last night, and it made me start thinking about the holidays. i can't wait until that time of year again!

a few plans for the rest of the week. . .
camp courage until sunday!

a picture thought I am sharing...

banana milk and a good book in lima - it doesn't get much better!

Wordless Wednesday: Lima

The View from Here:

Where is here, you ask?

The place that I have been for the last two days.

Here.

In my [sick]bed.

This is the view:

All the essentials: TP for the never-ending nose-blowing, thermometer (I did have a fever, and that rarely happens), empty cups once full of nasty tasting vitamin stuff, Benadryl tablets, and an empty mug once full of ice cream (good for the sore throat)

Ummm...yeah, I know that's gross, but the trash was too far away

At least I have Season 3 of SYTYCD to keep me company...

Here's hoping I feel better by tomorrow...

Approximately 24 hours later and...

I'm home!

After arriving at the airport around 915 or so last night, I am now sitting in the comfort of my living room and about to head to bed...

More about the airport thing later...