The last Stretch

So we have three more kids camps and then the summer will be over. Crazy! Awesome things have been happening at camp and God has worked in the lives of so many people. But for now, I ask for prayer. Pray that I stay focused on loving kids well and don't let the little frustrating situations get the best of me. Thanks for the continuous support and prayer! It means the world to me.

One Day More...

Well folks, here it is Thursday and we have one day until I will be at Look Up Lodge and  you know I have all my bags packed, minus my arts and craft supplies. Hey, ya never know when you might wanna get a little crafty. With today being one day until camp begins a lot of thoughts are running through my mind. I'm pumped to be at LUL but it still doesn't feel like a year has passed since I was there last summer. However, no matter what I do, round two at LUL will begin tomorrow. My last and final reason I am excited for camp to begin-witnessing God moments.

The summer has really great moments as well as moments when you don't think you can work top zip one more humid day. However, it's in these moments where my own strength ends and God's begins. In these God moments it's a great reminder that we can't do the summer alone. If I were to rely on my own strength and understanding of the summer then I would be solely lost and wore out probably the second week. God moments happen through out the summer in the smallest or biggest ways. A lot of times I'll start to doubt whether or not I'm doing all God has called me to do and he gently reminds me I'm his and doing great to keep trucking onward! God moments also happen with campers. Right at the moment you begin to wonder if the kids are actually taking in everything you are saying and then BAM! There it is! A camper reassures you that there is hope.

Since there will be 24 summer staffers including myself arriving at camp tomorrow I ask that you keep us in your prayers. Pray that we focus, and have strength and also work well together as a team. As far as personal prayer requests, pray that I listen to the voice of truth and focus on the task at hand this summer.

I hope that you continue to check out my blog because I will continue to inform you of prayer requests and things going on at camp.

Tomorrow :) When I will be at LUL.
#CantWaitForLookUp

Crazy Little Games...

Two more days. TWO MORE DAYS. I repeat, TWO MORE DAYS!! Oh where oh where has time gone? Seems like yesterday I gathered the idea to start a blog and now.. Well, here we are two days left in the countdown! But the blogging doesn't stop after Friday. (Well for two weeks I will be disconnected, but after that who knows when I'll be back on). Anyways, Reason number two I am excited for camp to start-Crazy games.

By crazy games I mean carpet ball, 9 square, gaga ball, and much more! I don't know what it is but LUL always has the craziest, silliest, funnest little games that you would have never thought about playing. Literally, last summer I tried the entire summer to master 9 square and did I?? Nope. But hey it sure was a fun process along the way. But, as I recall, I think I did get the most improved player. YAY! All that hard work pays off.

But why do I love these games so much? One word: conversation. When I get to play these games I get to talk to campers that are on my team and other teams. This is exciting because I feel like I am able to put myself out there and talk to campers that normally wouldn't say a  word. I think it's important to let the campers know hey, I'm not perfect and I don't have all the answers but I am here for you. Wanna play gaga ball? OKAY! Wanna play 9 square? MY FAVORITE! Carpet ball? EVEN BETTER! See? It's just a fun experience being able to play games because it takes the intense week the campers may be having and turns it into a fun little adventure.

Speaking of adventures I'll tell you my adventure with gaga ball and why I am paranoid every time I am around the court. So this one time, last summer during orientation weekend, the year round staff thought it was a great idea to introduce us to the game and actually have us play a round. Harmless right? WRONG. I got hit in the face with the gaga ball, hopped out of the playing area and low and behold the ball hit me again! The ball kept following me everywhere I went it seemed. Pretty crazy, and a little painful but at the end of the day I was A-Okay and still returned as a staffer.

Til Tomorrow when we will have one day more! ahahahahha
#CantWaitForLookUp

And Then There Were Three...

And then there were three days left in our countdown. Hard to believe there are three more days until time to ship off for the camp life. I feel like time is shrinking and my list of things to do is growing. So with today being three days until camp I figured I'd tell you one more thing that makes me super pumped for camp. Reason number 3 I am excited for camp to start-Stories to tell. And what better way than to tell you three funny (at least to me) stories.

1. One time we were so graciously given many many snacks. And by given I mean the campers left them for us at their cabin. Or maybe they accidentally forgot them. Who knows! Anyways, Eleni and I were unloading the stuff out of Ward's car and Eleni and I had our hands full. BUT, the best thing about these snacks is there were yoohoos and this chick LOVES yoohoos. So what do I do? I grab a yoohoo to take with me and stick it in my pocket, straw already poked through the drink. Well, one other snack we had were apples. The funny thing about apples is they are round and roll if you drop them. So, I walked into the bear den, dropped the apples and continued walking when low and behold I rolled my ankle on a dern apple. Cheetos fly through the air, my yoohoo is dripping on the floor, and I'm laughing/crying because of the pain and my clumsy self. Needless to say, that was a very interesting afternoon adventure for me.

2. One time Eleni and I were having a little lady date and decided to go to the mall and Chilis. Pretty simple, right? No. I told Eleni not to bother with the GPS cause I'm from around the area and as many times as I have been to Greenville I surely would know how to get there. Well, about 45 minutes later we are no where near the Greenville mall and Chilis is not insight. As a matter of fact, nothing in the area seemed familiar at all. As we kept driving we began to see a huge inflatable gorilla on top of a car wash and at that point we decided to trust the GPS. Moral of the story, I am not very good with directions no matter how familiar with the area I think I am.

3. One time Lauren Y., Lauren S., and myself were looking for Creepy Curtis and we could not find that fella anywhere. Well we went to run on stage to see if he was there and little did I know the handle to the trap door was sticking straight up. Before I had any reaction time, I ran my toe into the little handle and had to keep running because Creepy Curtis was out there somewhere. Even though we didn't find him on stage, my toe was a-okay! Thank goodness we finally found Creepy Curtis later that day.

And these my friends, are but a snippet of the many stories I have to tell from one year of camp. Imagine how many crazy stories I might have after two summers. Stay tuned for more hilarious stories through out the summer. I'll keep you updated.

Til tomorrow.
#CantWaitForLookUp

Happy Mother's Day!

First off, Happy Mother's Day! Yaya!! I am so excited for all the moms out there. Just to let ya'll know I have the best mom in the world. I honestly have no idea what I would do without that woman! But now that you know about my mom and how wonderful she is, I shall continue. When I go to camp in 4 days (4 DAYS!!) something that will keep me at camp is my mom. Reason number 4 I am ready for camp to start-my mom.

When things get tough at camp (and life in general) I turn to my mother. There were times last year when I was super tired, doubting why I was at LUL, and times when I just needed someone to talk to other than my fellow staffers and my mom was the one I turned to. Once, It had been a very long and hard week and I was so exhausted I had to call my mom about things going on and ended up calling my mom at about 11 o'clock at night. And did she answer?? Of course! She also stayed up for an hour or so, listened to me cry, scream, and frankly she just gave me great advice on how to make it through the rest of the summer. It was incredible. I could not have made it through that night without her. So, I know I can make it through the summer with my mother's support. I just love er! She always offers the best advice and encouragement in times when I need it most. I know I can make it through the summer with my mom's support and encouragement.

Til tomorrow.
#cantwaitforlookup
P.S. My dad is very supportive too! :)

20ish T-shirts

Reason number 5 why I am ready to go to LUL-T-shirts.

As I was packing yesterday for LUL I realized how many T-shirts I actually take to camp. The what to pack list says 8-10 shirts but I'll be honest... I'm an over packer and I like to have a variety of choices so obviously 8-10 is not enough for this girl. I think it's solid to say I probably have closer to 20ish shirts. But wearing t-shirts during the summer is so much fun! You don't have to worry about if things don't really fit right and you just put a t-shirt on and go! T-shirts can also be great conversation starters with fellow campers and staff members as well. My dear ol friend Miss Eleni was even taking opinions on various t-shirts she had found. Yeah, we take t-shirt picking very seriously! If you are going to be at camp this year you will realize Miss Eleni has some of the best t-shirts including her new addition to the collection. But t-shirts are really awesome because they say a lot about a person. For example, I am in ADPI and low and behold I never realized how many t-shirts I had with ADPI on them until I started packing. I guess I will be repping my sorority this year! T-shirts are so cool groups even gave some to their summer staffers. I was super excited! Nothing screams college kid than getting excited over free t-shirts or free food!

Til tomorrow!
#cantwaitforlookup

Every Starry Night, it was His Design

Well hello fellow reader! As you know today we have six days until camp starts. The closer we get the more butterflies I get in my stomach and the shakier my hands become while typing. I know this summer is going to go great but there are still small things that even makes a returner nervous. For me, I feel like the experience might increase but the nervousness never goes away. I digress, reason number 6 I am ready for the camp life to begin-The orchard. 

To me the most beautiful place is the orchard, day or night. If you were a camper last year you know a little something about climbing the orchard hill. Last year boys had to carry rocks up one of the toughest hills LUL has to offer. Girls had to just walk up the hill and for me that was more than enough. Now obviously I never accompanied the boys up the hill but I did walk along side with our girl campers. Starting out wasn't so bad. You had a slight incline and you could still talk to your campers. However, once you got about midway you felt like you were climbing Mt. Everest... It felt like it went straight up and I told campers I'm sorry if I quit speaking but man, this is taking a lot of the air out of me! Once we made it to the top, everyone was always just so tired they could crash down right where we stood, but we kept hiking more to the very top of orchard hill where the view is breathtaking. The sun would be beaming down on all of us and we'd be sweating, hungry and tired, yet I would look around at the view and say man, so worth it! 

Not even going to lie, one night we went to the orchard to star gaze and I never thought I could fall in love with nature but that night I believe I did. It's crazy to see how amazing a view like that is. It blows my mind that God was so creative and had a designers hand. When I have moments like this I can't help but think, okay God, I am tired and not feeling well. I feel like I have ran a marathon and I don't know how much more love is left to give to the campers. BUT you are so good. As long as I have you by my side I know these campers will have more than enough and I will fulfill what you have called me to do this summer.

Til tomorrow when we will have five whole days to LUL! It's crazy cool and I can't wait! :)

#cantwaitforlookup

Why was 6 afraid of 7? Cause 7, 8, 9!

Okay. So yesterday we had 8 days left in our countdown. WHAT??!! Where oh where has the time gone?? I have no idea but LUL is quickly approaching. But what makes it even better is today we have SEVEN days! SEVEN DAYS!! AHHH! Well, instead of being all blah blah blah, since I missed a day (oops, again) I'll go ahead and get to the point.

Reason number 8 I'm ready for camp to start-laughter. Whether it's the laughs exchanged between fellow summer staffers and myself or seeing my campers laugh because for once in their little lives they are out in the great outdoors and they're really not sure how to take it. LUL is known for it's laughter. I mean everything we do is aimed to make others laugh! Well, sorta. I mean think about it. Skits, silly songs, high-fives, and I think it is in the contract that you have to be a funny person in able to work at LUL because the staff is so hilarious! Now of course we don't really laugh during Greg's teachings.. That's kinda serious business and that's okay. We'd really have you pay attention and gather the information versus laughing uncontrollably. I mean you are there to grow in your relationship with God and that's a big deal.

Reason number 7 I'm ready for camp to start-New staff. I'm not sure whether I am able to say or not but we may or may not have someone new working for LUL this summer and I am pumped! Don't worry, our camp is going to be in good hands and you may make a new friend :).

Til tomorrow! (If I don't forget)
#cantwaitforlookup

Unpacked and Ready to Pack

9 more days... I repeat: 9 MORE DAYS! Whoa... We started with 27ish days and now, well, here we are! Already in the single digits and I can't stand it. It's still a week away but I can't help but find myself packing already. Reason number 9 I am excited for LUL to begin: Packing.

Granted, I do not like packing up to leave a place but I love to pack to go somewhere. It's so exciting and a form of organization and I love organizing! (I'm weird like that...) When I get to pack to go somewhere else there is always a sense of the unknown and the excitement of something new. The unknown: How is the summer going to be? Who is my AP? What will we be teaching? Will my skit ideas be funny to someone other than Tracy and myself? Something new: The summer! The RoHo! New staffers! Wow. Even though I am a returner there is still a lot of new things to happen and I couldn't be more happier. I love changing things up and always doing things differently.

As I write this, I actually do not even have the packing list and it's driving me crazy! Thanks to my good ol pal Laners (some of you may know her from the cow team last year), I now have the what to pack list and have to get to it. Have a great night! Hope all is well and things are going smoothly as final exams are underway, the school year is ending, and summer fever has set in.

Til tomorrow.
#cantwaitforlookup

B- in Zoology

TEN MORE DAYS!!! Oh my gosh... How crazy it seems to say hey, i'll be at LUL in ten days!!! Well, I have some rather great news I'd like to share... I received a B- in Zoology. Hip-hip hooray! Now, this course has been so much work. I have had to memorize countless note cards, dissect creatures that were quite interesting to say the least, and I also developed a relationship with Wilbert James Hughes (he was my fetal pig for our final dissection). My first test was a 49 and at that moment I seriously said what have I gotten myself into??? I really worked my butt off studying from that day on. I mean staying up til 2-3 am. just to studying for this one class and that's late for this chick. When time to take the final came, I walked in the classroom, gave it my best, found out I had made a 77 on my final lab practical and was sure all my hard work and long nights in the library wouldn't pay off. BUT, you see, I did indeed receive that B-. Yes sir!

Why am I telling you this story?? Well, because I am SUPER pumped, but more importantly because the summer time is much like Zoology. At times I may ask myself, why did God bring me back here to camp? Can I really do this again? I'll have to memorize lessons, rules, and "what to do in case of an  emergency plans". I'm pretty sure the first time around I won't get the memory maker right and there are going to be times when I completely slip up. But, with a lot of prayers from my supporters, encouragement, and one on one time with God, all the hard work will pay off for the summer. Yes, I'll remember working super hard in zoology and the long hours, but in the end I can honestly say I worked super hard and received the grade I wanted. The same goes for the summer. The outcome on the summer is totally up to the amount of work I put into it. If I want the campers to end with a crappy week, it'll be because I didn't give it my all. If I want the campers to have the best week ever, it'll be because I worked my but off through tired eyes and exhausted brain. Colossians 3:23-24 says: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." And the Lord Christ I will try my best to serve this summer.

Reason number 10 I am excited for camp to start-Hard work pays off.
#cantwaitforlookup

Cool People are Cool People

Hello people who follow my blog! You know what? I am so grateful and thankful for the awesome people in my life. Today as I was grabbing lunch with some sisters in my sorority, I began to think... I am a very lucky person. I have great company. Not only at lunch but in my day to day life. This year I have met so many fabulous people and developed deeper relationships with my already existing friends. So shout out to cool people in life! I'd hate to know I had to go through life by myself... Don't get me wrong, a little peace and quite is great but forever?? I mean FOREVER?!?! No. Not for me. I'm more of a "give me a room full of strangers and let the awkward convos begin" kind of person. So reason number 11 I am excited for camp to begin?? Well, I know you are all so  impatient and just bursting at the seems to know so here it is... Good company.


"A man has to live with himself, and he should see to it that he always has good company." Charles Hughes. (To read more cool quotes on good company click Here.)


I believe Mr. Hughes was correct. If you have to live with yourself and live life, why not do it in the midst of great company?? Great company can make the difference in a good time and a great time. Think about it... That one time you stayed up late with a partner from school working on a project wasn't the best of times. BUT, that one time you stayed up super late getting into mischief with your BFF?? GREAT time. This summer I will be working my bum off day and sometimes night. There will be hard and challenging times, but I know as long as I have my fellow summer staffers and the rest of LUL staff by my side, I'll be in good company. Things won't seem as bad as long as I am surrounded by good company.On off days, I won't be bored because I will be surrounded by good company. And I so can not wait to make many awesome memories with the cool people God has placed into my life this summer. 


Cool people are cool people. And I love cool people. 
Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love ya!Tomorrow, you're only a day away! 
#cantwaitforlookup
P.S.I have no idea why half of my blog is highlighted...

I Run Marathons... Movie, Marathons that is.

So today is the last Saturday my roommates and I will be spending together. :( Sad face. Needless to say all three of us wanted to do something excited. So what would that be you may ask?? Well, because of Amber's obsession with the Twilight Saga, we are watching all the movies in one day, Which we have already done once this semester. But hey, it's always fun being lazy, eating pizza and painting nails. With today panning out quite nicely, I can't help but look forward to movie nights with my fellow summer staffers. Reason number 12 I am excited for camp-Movie nights.

I know what you are thinking, how on earth do you manage to be the best summer staffers ever and get rest and keep in touch with parents and have movie nights?!? Well, we don't. Movie nights are on off days and normally consists of us coming together, so excited to just sit around and do nothing, and we all end up falling asleep. For example, last summer we began to watch the Princess and the Frog. Sounds like a great movie, right? Well I wouldn't know because I knocked out about ten minutes into the movie. Oops.

However, on the rare occasion we all stayed awake and actually watched a movie, it was honestly a great time. Movie nights were always a great time to bond and just sit around and do nothing. With girls, it was always a chick-flick comedy and for some reason with the guys it was The Patriot. Nothing makes you more proud of being an American that watching that movie.

Well, on that note, I'm proud to be an American and I hope you are too!
Til tomorrow!
#Merica
#cantwaitforlookup

Movie day in 246!

Girly Girl

Thirteen days... I repeat THIRTEEN DAYS!!! How banaycray is that?? We are almost in the single digits with our countdown and I can hardly believe it. Each day brings be to reason number 13 I am excited for camp to begin... no makeup!

Don't get me wrong, I am as girly as girly gets, but last year I totally fell in love walking around camp with no makeup on and being okay with it. I didn't realize how attached I was to makeup until I realized how naked I felt without it. But hey, three months without wearing a whole lot of makeup will change a girl-for the better. Now, I am a okay to wear makeup (Cause it's always great to get all dolled up and go out for the night) and I am a okay without wearing makeup.

Well, today's blog was short, simple, to the point and also later than usual but hey, better late than never!

Tomorrow will come quicker than we think... And then there shall be 12 days and we shall be one day closer to Look Up!!!! yayyyyyyyyyyyyyy!
#cantwaitforlookup

Home is Where the Heart is

Day 14. Wow. Where has time gone?? It's been pretty crazy. I guess you could say we started at the bottom now we're here. (aha!) But seriously, today I am excited for camp to start because working at LUL is more than a job (as I have said before), it's more like a second home away from home. Reason  number 14 I am excited for camp to start-It's my home away from home.

As cliche as it may seem to some, LUL really is my second home. I have 23 other brothers and sisters (yeah, we are a big family), and we always have the best times together. We help each other get through the hard times of camp and rejoice with each other when something amazing happens that just blows our minds. Not only that, but we actually hang out and watch movies. Be jealous. Oh and make Cook Out runs. YAY! All this to say, I really honestly do love and care for the staffers at camp because they're like my family.

Today's is a little short because I have an exam... at 11:30. And I am kinda winging it. Hey, it's speech so I think I've got the talking thing down. Wish me luck!

Tomorrow, once more.
#cantwaitforlookup

Heyyy Ladies!! (In the Ro-Ho)

Day fifteen in our countdown. At this point and time I just can't imagine a better way than spending my summer with eleven other girls in a little place called the RoHo. Reason number 15 I am excited for camp to start-Living in the RoHo.

I bet some of you are thinking WHATTTT??!! A whole three months with eleven other girls?! That has to be awful... Well, honestly I thought the same thing the first round, but come to find out it's actually really awesome. True, we have our moments, and we all don't sit around a campfire singing Kumbaya but it's a pretty sweet deal! By living with these girls in the RoHo, I have learned how to work with a variety of people, what it means to love well, how to work together, and I have definitely learned that clothes do not belong on the couch but rather in your room. By living with these amazing girls, I have also learned that we have our differences but we have the  choice of whether living in the RoHo is going to be a positive or negative experience. I truly believe I have found my life long friends and future bridesmaids. :)

After writing this I realize that I do not tell the ladies enough how awesome they are. So, here it is:

• To the ladies who lived in the RoHo last year: You are all amazing and I love you all!! I am so glad I had the opportunity to live with ya'll! Thank you for showing me what a positive experience with eleven other girls looks like. I hope that I can be half as awesome and wonderful to the new girls as ya'll were to me. You all were such great leaders and loved me super well! Thanks for always asking how I was and meaning it.
• To the ladies living in the RoHo this year: You are all in for the summer of your life! I love you already and I can not wait to get to know you all even more! This summer will be one to remember and don't worry... Your time in the RoHo will be filled with excitement and surprises. There may be some down moments but together we will make things better. Remember: You are all wonderful and beautiful and give me confidence for the summer! I know the campers will be in good hands. :) 15 days more... 

P.S. I also learned that rain and the basement do not mix...

Til tomorrow ladies and gents! 

#cantwaitforlookup

To all the campers out there... This one's for you

SIXTEEN MORE DAYS!! SIXTEEN MORE DAYS! Wow... That's almost exactly two weeks away. The closer the day approaches I begin to doubt whether I can do round two and do it well, but then I tell myself to stop the whining  and GET EXCITED! Of course you can, silly! Is it going to be a challenge? Of course. But, that's okay! Speaking of challenges... Reason number 16 I am excited for camp-campers.

I guess this is a good thing to be excited about all the kidos since I am around them all summer, huh? Seriously though, I LOVE when we get new campers. It's always exciting, yet sometimes a challenge, to get to know and love on the kids you have been so graciously entrusted with. Even though the campers come to learn from Greg and fellow staffers, it's always amazing to see what I can learn from my campers. My campers are the reason I am in middle level education. Because of the experiences and lessons learned last summer, I decided middle school is a good fit for me. Sometimes they're awkward,silly, stinky and awesome, but hey, so am I. What can I say? I just love them kids!

Some of my best memories from last summer involve campers in some way shape or form. For example, one time a camper made me a bracelet and it was AWESOME! I don't know how they get them little rubber bands to stay together but it's pretty cool. Another time, I was able to just hang out with my kids in their room as we played mafia (and no I was never the mafia :(...). I still stay in contact with some of my campers. I love playing a part in their life and being able to see them grow and struggle in Christ. I love that we can walk the walk together because let's be honest, campers don't have it all together and neither do I! 

It always blows me away when campers think I have life figured out. In moments like this I can't help but laugh. I'm older-true. I've got a job-true. I'm walking with Christ-true. BUT, none of these things mean I have it all together because I surely don't I can promise you. I'm still trying to figure things out right along with ya. I think that is one of the things that makes the summer so exciting and challenging. As staffers, we are challenged to grow closer to Christ and work hard all at the same time, we are challenging our campers to do the same. It's just one big adventure together. 

Til Tomorrow! 

#cantwaitforlookup

P.S. In search of a picture I found one of a ultimate Frisbee camp. Yes, there is a camp for that. 

May I have SMORE please?

SEVENTEEN DAYS ARE LEFT UNTIL LOOK UP LODGE! I CAN NOT EVEN BEGIN TO CONTAIN MY EXCITEMENT! The quicker the day comes for me to go back to LUL the more excited I become but I also become more nervous. True I know the logistics of the job, but things change year to year and there is always room for improvement as a summer staffer. Reason number 17 I am excited for LUL to begin-smores bars.

For those who do not know, smores bars are golden grahams, marshmallows and chocolaty goodness all mixed into one little bar. The first time I had these things I fell in love-which does not happen very often for me, and I ate mine and might have ate two or three more... Yeah, I thought they were pretty awesome. Now, I hope this summer the lovely ladies in the kitchen continue to make these wonderful creations. How disappointed would I be if they stopped you may ask? Let me put it to you this way... How sad is it when a sloth falls to their death?? Yeah. Pretty sad.

Til next time :)
#cantwaitforlookup

Just so you can see how cute these little boogers are! 

Catch up!

So... I definitely did not write reason number 19 I am excited for camp. So, today I will tell you reason number 19 AND 18 why I am excited for camp to start. Aren't you lucky?? You get a double whammy!!! To begin, WE HAVE 18 DAYS LEFT AHHH! We are already out of the twenties in our countdown.

Reason number 19 I am excited for camp to begin-The slide. The slide is always so much fun to work. My favorite part of working the slide is giving campers challenges. You'd be surprised about how many campers take these challenges seriously and full fill to the highest of their ability. Every time a camper accepts a challenge, it makes me excited! I think to myself, these kids are definitely here for a good time and embracing camp life. If you were one of these type of campers, bravo!

Reason number 18 I am excited for camp to begin-slushies. Look Up's slushies are world famous and deserve recognition for some of the best combinations. Not only can you have lemon-lime gatorade, orange crush, grape crush, or fruit punch, but you can combined the flavors. BOOM! Your minds are blown, I can just tell. Yeah, the combinations are always the best way to go and they are jam packed with sugary sweetness. Of course our fellow chaperons looove for their kidos to buy slushies at night. Slushies at night=one hyped up night. Hey, if we aren't hyping the kids up and getting them excited, then what are we supposed to do? :)

Til tomorrow when I WILL write reason number 17. SEVENTEEN!!!
Later Gator
#cantwaitforlookup

20/20 vision

It's hard to believe we are back at 20 days in our countdown already. Time flies as we countdown. As we come closer and closer to the final day, you'd think I would run out of things to be excited for but truth be told, things just keep coming! Today, I am excited for camp to begin-to see campers worship.

I LOVE seeing people coming together worshiping God. It's super powerful and moving to see fellow believers together. But, there is something even more powerful and moving when a group of little kids or teens are singing to God and you can tell they mean every word. Some campers have gone through more than anyone should experience and to see them still praising God is pretty awesome. There is no doubt that worship is a very important aspect of our everyday lives and walk with our Savior. So, to see worship in practice is crazy cool.

Well, today's little ensemble was a little bit shorter. Hope everyone has a great weekend! :)
Have fun and make wise choices!

#cantwaitforlookup

Barefoot and Crazy

There is 21 days, exactly 3 weeks, until Look Up Lodge officially begins for this ol summer staffer. AND I AM STOKED. I have decided. I am not a shoe person. Last summer I would always take my shoes off and forget where I put them. Oops. There is something about walking around barefoot and crazy. No not with me and my baby. (Song reference. Let's see who gets it.) However, I found that I can wear this one type of shoe and it seems to be close enough to no shoes you can get without having your shoes off-Wow, what a sentence! So when it comes to camp life, the thing I am highly excited about is.... Wait for it.... Chacos!

Chacos are by far the best shoes ever for obvious reasons. I'll tell you why. You can wear them in the lake, while you're running up chapel hill, when you're walking with campers, when you're on cement, when you're on the green grass, when you're inside, when you're outside, BUT NOT in the kitchen during kitchen duty. bummer. See why I love these shoes oh so much? Oh and did I mention these shoes have arch support (for all you arch junkies) and of course it's free flowing with no complete toe or foot covering. The straps are great at holding my foot secure, and I know the back strap never flops.

Chacos can also be a little complicated at times as well... One time I got the toe strap stuck-after being lazy and just slipping my foot over the toe slip, and then had to get a fellow summer staffer to come to the rescue and fix my chaco. In a way the Chacos are like the summer- each part of the chaco plays an important role, whether you're the supporter, the front and center, or behind the scenes making sure things run smoothly. However, when I first got my Chacos, I had no idea how to work them or make them comfortable. After a week or so I finally figured out which strap to pull for what and how to make them better. Same goes for the summer. When you first arrive (new staffer or old) you have to learn how to make the summer work and which area you in your life you need to pull tighter or loosen up to grow in Christ and grow comfortable with the job. Being a summer staffer is all bout adjusting and improving for your campers or even yourself. Who knew you could go so deep with Chacos? I just love em!

Peace. Love. Chacos.
#cantwaitforlookup

The Duodenum

LUL is quickly approaching and I can honestly say I am ready for camp as I sit here and read about the duodenum, a word I can't even really pronounce. 22  days are left in our countdown to camp, once again. Today as I was observing my middle school classroom, I was making a list of all the reasons I am excited for camp and let me tell ya... I was surprised at how quickly my note card filled up. (I bet some of you are wondering why I wasn't observing my classroom when I said I was observing my classroom and to answer your question: they were taking a test. I do honestly observe sometimes.) Which brings us to reason number 22 I am excited for camp to begin-There is no school!

True, at LUL I have homework, I have to study my lessons, and I work hard but hey, I'd rather do that any day than have to study a dissected pig. There is something so exciting about getting the lessons for the first time and going over them with your AP, or yourself. It's so cool knowing this is the information given to you and somehow, someway God may just use you to speak to the lives of thousands of campers. Crazy, huh??

Another good thing about having no school is you are free to have fun teaching the campers as well as hanging out and making new friends. It's almost like having the social aspect of college with no school work. But, don't get me wrong. As a summer staffer, we work our booties off day and night. Sooner than I know I will be at LUL working once again. :)

As finals approach and May comes upon us soon, I ask for your prayers. Please be praying that I finish well, and I keep my focus on God. With the hectic schedule I have now I sometimes lose that focus. If you could be praying, that would be marvelous!

Peace out girl scout!
#cantwaitforlookup

23 days!!! Wait what??

Yes. I have 23 more days til camp. Just when I thought we were getting into the teens... BUT that's okay because that means I get to tell you MORE reasons why I am excited for camp to start back at Look Up Lodge. So.. Typing 23 days seems like I went back in time. I NEED TO FOCUS. So, as I was e-mailing Mrs. Leanne (Greg's wife) or some know her as Mama B, I couldn't help but think about the amazing women I will be working under this summer at camp. So, reason number 23 (again) I am excited for camp is -Hanging out with some awesome mentors.

The ladies who are over us summer staffer girls are phenomenal. I seriously love them and can't wait to be back to just hang out and chat. These ladies truly live out what it means to be a woman of God. They are always checking in making sure things are going smoothly and they always seem to teach us a lesson or two. Last summer I was able to learn  how to be an Ezer (woman of God). It was an incredible journey that I am still on today. Through a bible study led by Mrs. Leanne and Charity, I was able to read about what an Ezer looked like. Through my leaders, I was able to see these things put into action. When I presented the Ezer information to my girls, I always hoped to be very clear and precise while teaching but more importantly I hoped that my girls could say Summer really does live out this Ezer thing. To me, the best compliment is to be working hard on becoming a Godly woman and someone to take notice.

To the summer of 2K14, I hope for more laughs, more energy, more excitement and more time with these wonderful ladies. :)

Til tomorrow.
#cantwaitforlookup

P.S. The date I report for base camp has changed. Hint. Hint. The number of days left til LUL has also changed, just in case you didn't realize why my numbers increased instead of decreased. I do know how to count... Sort of.

Dear fellow people

Dear lovely people who are reading summer staffer Summer's blog,

Hope you are having a great day. I know you are all anxiously waiting to find out what I am looking forward to today... Well, my mind is allllll over the place. Right now as I type I have thank you notes beside me, computer in front of me, and clothes I need to put away (I need to focus..). But today marks the 20th day in our countdown! YAYYYY! Folks we are almost in the teens with our countdown. All that said to bring me to reason number 20 I am excited for camp to begin-Letters from friends and campers.

There is something so simple yet AWESOME about a handwritten letter. People just don't do that sort of thing anymore. However, last summer I received a continuous supply of letters from my good friend, Ms. Amber. We were able to catch up on all things in life by simply writing back and forth. Even though I wasn't able to see her last summer I still felt like I was a part of her summer in the smallest way. Letters from campers were so full of encouragement and full of laughs. I looked forward to each letter I received, long or short, colorful or plain, from camper or friend. Letters were also a great source of encouragement from fellow staffers. I loved seeing all of us writing letters of encouragement to one another. Just to show you how awesome letters are, I'll reflect back on last summer's teen camp.. A fella would right a letter to a lady apologizing for the way men had behaved and how beautiful the lady actually was in God's eyes. In these letters written by our very own campers, they were encouraging the ladies to pursue Christ and find their worth in Christ, not a man. It was such a sweet moment seeing my girls experience it week by week. Their reactions were priceless and I might have cried a time or two.

Hopefully this summer will be another  letter filled summer. :)

Til next time...
#cantwaitforlookup

Happy Easter!

So today marks a very important day. It's Easter. For some it's a time to take pictures with a creepy bunny. For others it's a time to get all dressed up and take selfies. For others it's just another holiday. But for me it is so much more. Today marks the event that changed my life and the lives of many others forever. For those who do not know, today marks the time when Jesus rose from the grave. Wow. Even typing it seems so crazy and surreal all at the same time. It's such an incredible moment because it shows just how much God loved us.. He sent his son to die for us, be buried, and then when you think it can't get any better He rose from the grave. What an incredible way to show your love.

Which brings me to reason number 21 I am stoked for Look Up-God's love. Yes, I experience God's love everyday, but there is something unique about the camp life that sets up perfect opportunities to be loved on by God himself. On the rare occasion I was able to just sit back and watch campers screaming and chasing one another, life guards doing what they do best (guarding lives, duh), and the chaperones trying to keep up with all 27 excited middle school girls, I would think WOW. Yes, I was tired and a bit delusional but in the small moments of the chaotic day I was able to see God's love displayed so clearly through a happy camper or staffers riding the swing with their kids for the 20th time that summer. I am excited  to see all that happens this summer and look forward to seeing God's love on display.

Til tomorrow.
Which is technically now.
#cantwaitforlookup

22 ooh-ooh

I don't know about you, But I'm feeling 22 ooh-ooh!! Yup. Taylor Swift's song is perfect for today's countdown to  Look Up Lodge. For all you T-Swizzy fans out there thinking dang, now I want to watch her music video, click Here. (I just added my 1st link and I feel pretty awesome right now!) Speaking of firsts... At Look Up you experience a lot of firsts. First time working meal duty, first time leading small group, first time greeting campers, and for some, first time doing laundry. All these things are great but the moment I am looking forward to is the-FIRST time I meet my AP.

Last year I was unsure about how the whole AP thing would actually work. What if he was mean? What if we didn't get along? What if we grow tired of each other in the first week? What if, what if, what if... All these thoughts were running through my mind until the moment we met. Little did I know I was in for the summer of my life and it was partially due to the fact I had a great AP. I never knew I could laugh so much during one summer.

However, this summer holds new adventures with a new AP and I couldn't be more excited! I know whoever my AP is it will be an adventure. I am super pumped to meet my AP and will find out in 22 days.. 22!!

Til tomorrow.
#cantwaitforlookup

Whistle while you work

23 days. That's it. That's awesome. That's crazy. With all things Look Up running through my mind I find it hard to settle on just ONE thing that I am looking forward to about the summer. BUT with me being one day closer to Look Up I realize the thing I am super excited about: cleaning days. Call me crazy but I actually like cleaning up camp after campers leave. Granted, I am tired and smelly and just want to sleep for days but there's something soothing about cleaning a toilet and jamming to your favorite tune. Not to mention, when no one is around I can even bust a move or two. :) Cleaning is also a time when I think back on the camp and see what did and didn't work. It's a time to reflect and realize what you want to do next time to make sure your campers leave saying my staffers loved the mess out of me. 

Cleaning is also a time for my AP and I to share God moments that happened throughout camp. These are some of my favorite moments with my AP. (FYI I have no clue who my AP will be this year and it's driving me crazy!!!) It's always incredible to see how God works in the lives of all the campers. It's also crazy to see how God gets us through the week.

Last summer I had moments where I was worn thin and ready to sleep for days. However, with a lot of prayer, my personal worship session, a well needed jam session and of course a cleaning day or two, I was able to finish strong. I look forward to future jam sessions while cleaning this summer.

Til tomorrow.

*P.S. I miscounted the days til camp so we actually have less! Yay! Sorry, math has never been my forte.*

Tracy Elizabeth Marie Blackwell

I'm sure you are wondering... Who on Earth is Tracy Elizabeth Marie Blackwell??? Well, it just so happens she is one of my very best friends, my suite mate, my future roomie, and this summer happens to be a fellow summer staffer! Ahhh! It's crazy to think she will be joining me in working day and night, loving on kids, and sharing a common love/hate relationship with chapel hill. Although this is Tracy's first summer I know she will be a great summer staffer and give her all to her kids! I'll tell ya why she will be such a great summer staffer:

1. She has come out of her shell so much over the past two years-She started out as a shy, timid little thing but now she makes us laugh more than ever.

2. She's reliable- she ALWAYS likes to be early for events and be on time for class (even if I try to persuade her to skip class...Oops.)

3. She's silly- which will be great for entertaining kids and coming up with great skit ideas.

4. She loves kids- She has been such a great aunt to her little nephews and nieces and she is such a natural.

5. Lastly, the obvious, she loves Jesus- true she isn't perfect, but who the heck is? NO ONE. She loves Jesus and pursues him with a passion. I've have been so proud to see her walk with Jesus from the moment she gave her life to Christ (which was at LUL) to today as she continues to challenge herself in Christ.

It's obvious that she will make a great summer staffer. I only feel excited, (well I lie. I do feel a bit nervous) about what the summer will bring! Oh and by the way... 25 days til Look Up!!!! Ahhhh!! So yes, Tracy Elizabeth Marie Blackwell is reason number 25 I am so excited to be back at Look Up Lodge.

With a face like that, you know she's headed for success

Does this even need a caption?

Filling out her LUL application

Girls Night at Amelie's

Sassy sweethearts

26. That's how many days are left til I begin my summer adventure at Look Up Lodge. Wow. Mind blown! Which brings me to reason number 26 why I am excited for the summer to begin... (Drum roll please) the ladies that work so hard to prepare the sweet potato fries-the lovely ladies in the kitchen.  Day in and day out these sassy sweethearts cook and prepare our food as well as all of camps food! That's a lot of french fries, hot dogs, and hamburgers but the end of the summer. Every time I went through the lunch line the ladies would greet me with a smile and by the end of the summer they understood Summer was going to ask for a second roll (I just love bread).

 These ladies did more than keep my tummy full, they taught me a few lessons
        1. NEVER grab something off the tray with your bare hands. They will get smacked or you will be reprimanded.
        2. Always ask before letting campers in. Don't want a long line of grumbling bellies with no food to serve.
        3. Serving others during lunch is hard work.

Food seems to be a running theme for me for some reason. Any who's... Til tomorrow when there will be one less day I have to sit in class and one day closer to running around, sweating, and eating potato fries! :)

Sweet potato fries

Today, I was having lunch with a dear friend of mine and we were talking about organization, summer time, and food. What wonderful topics, right? All the while I was enjoying my sweet potato fries that were slightly under cooked. I began to think to myself, Look Up always had the best sweet potato fries... And it hit me. Reason no. 27 I am excited to go back to camp: Sweet potato fries. It may be silly, but it truly is the simple things in life. After a long day of cleaning mixed with sad good-byes, sweet potato fries always seemed to hit the spot. It's such a weird concept of something sweet mixed with a pinch of saltiness. Who knew they could be so good?! In a way the sweet potato fries resemble the summer: lots of laughs, and adventures (sweet) with a bit of drowsiness and smelly goodness (saltiness). Now, every time I eat sweet potato fries I go back to the summer of 2k13 and I just have to laugh. Stay tuned for other reasons as to why I am excited for summer 2k14 to begin at Look Up Lodge! #cantwaitforlookup

27ish awesome things about camp

So guess what... 27 MORE DAYS UNTIL CAMP LIFE BEGINS!! I know. Crazy huh? Starting tomorrow I will be detailing my top 27 reasons why I am excited for Look Up Lodge to begin. You may be thinking: Summer, can you really come up with 27 awesome things about camp? And to answer your question, Yes. Yes I can. Some people have asked why do the whole Look Up Lodge thing during the summer? Well, you shall soon find out some of the many reasons I can not get away from this place. Here's a little glimpse of some of the many awesome things I may or may not mention later in future posts. :)

Summer 2K13 ladies

Excited future staffer

Gettin Ready

So summer is right around the corner and all I can think is.... AHHHHH SUMMER 2K14!! I am super pumped and super excited. I can not believe that I will be at Look Up Lodge (LUL) for round 2. I know. Mind blowing! However, round 2 would not be possible without the constant support of my fellow family and friends! Without the prayers and contributions I would be in a rut. Thanks for always supporting me on this journey. :) With that being said, I must quickly get back to sealing support letters (which I received a fierce paper cut from earlier) and figuring out this blog for the summer. Til next time!