Everybody Do That Church Camp Rumble!

(I'll put pictures up later)

Church Camp was amazing, wonderful, and something I really needed. This year was different than the usual, like last year. But it was still great, and I wish I had stopped telling myself this is weird and not like it's supposed to be and instead would have had the best time possible. Don't get me wrong, I had a great time, but I don't think I let God do as much as I could have.
There are a few highlights from camp I just need to write about because I want to remember them, so this may turn into a book. I apologize in advance.

First off, it was so good seeing my church camp friends. Not all of the usuals came, but people like Heather and Amy Stewart are the reason I go back to camp. They make camp what it is. My friend, Michelle, who was one of my best friends between fifth and ninth grade came back to camp after taking a year off. Can I just say I missed this girl like none other? We spent the whole week together, and she is just one of the sweetest girls you will ever meet. I really think we're going to keep in touch now. She's already planning on coming to Cedar Point with me. Just that kind of stuff. You always have that group of friends you hang out with, and this year's group was great. I was blessed with their company and thank God for each of them.

Every night we have campfire and for the past two years, I've been able to help lead silly songs. Growing up, I could not wait to be a senior camper and lead silly songs. So after ten years of waiting, my eleventh and twelfth years of camp, I finally got to do it. And this year my brother was also there (along with the rest of the Ambassadors and Abbi) leading silly song with me. It was a pretty cool thing. We had a great time, and I just acted like a seven year old goof (which is how most of you view me all of the time). It was definitely one of my highlights of camp.

Last night, Rachel and I talked to a girl who has just been dealing with different struggles for awhile. And firstly, I was so honored that she decided to talk to me about her struggles. She just didn't understand why the church is turning their backs on her when they're supposed to be the people who love her most (which I think all of us can understand that). After Rachel and I talked to her for a good while, that evening she decided to get rebaptized. (Now, I'm not saying that I think rebaptism is the right thing to do because someone will get rebaptized a million and then I think it means absolutely nothing. That's not what I'm here to talk about.) That's what she thought she needed to do because she wanted to start over, and I respect her for that. Seriously, this girl is awesome and God is going to use her in big ways. I can't wait to witness it.

Now, this is the story that still makes my heart happy. I could re-live it over and over again and that would just be fine with me. There's a trail on the grounds that we use for our prayer walk. We didn't get to go on the prayer walk this year, and some of us really wanted to walk to the top of the trail because it is absolutely gorgeous. So, this afternoon Rachel, Michelle, Abbi, EJ and Adria hiked up the mountain to the top. After Rachel and I decided to hold hands and run in this field :), we all went to the top and started looking around at God's creation. We saw this squirrel hopping in the field, and then a doe jumping across the field, two butterflies flying around Rachel like in the movies, and an eagle soaring above us. Oh, and Abbi had her guitar. I felt like I was in "The Sound of Music". We started singing "How Great is Our God", "Mighty to Save" and some other songs with the guitar. We sang our hearts out, stood, got on our knees, raised our hands. Whatever we felt like we needed to do. Then we sang "Surround Us, Lord" and "We Shall Assemble" while we were sitting on the top of this mountain. And if you know the words to those songs, you know how powerful it was for us. After that each of us got in the middle of our circle at a time and we all put our hands on the person and prayed for us. We were totally open with each other about our struggles. It was amazing, and I think something we all needed. We cried together and just loved on each other. We sang "Reign In Me" and then went back down the trail.

At the end of camp we have our closing ceremony. So we give out awards and such. EJ got the sportsmanship award, Rachel got the outstanding student in bible class, Michelle got the servant hood award, EJ, Rachel, Abbi and I got on the all-star team. And I got the senior girl camper award which means I get a scholarship to go to camp for free next year. (Though I get to go free anyway since my dad is kind of the director..) We have teams each year that compete against each other in competitions like banner, skit and song for our group. Our groups were based off board games this year. So, I was the co-captain for Team Clue. We ended up getting second which was better than what I usually do. I've only got first once out of my twelve years of camp. It's a sad thing.

So, that was camp. It was great.. I loved it so much and cannot wait to see what God has in store for next year.

Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

1 Corinthians 10:12

If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

I've been thinking about this verse for the past few weeks, and I (by I, I mean Maria) finally found where it is in the Bible. (That always helps some) This has comforted me so many times when things seem to be unbearable. But He'll never give us more than we can handle.
He is faithful.

Anyway, that's all. Off to camp tomorrow.

Much Love

Home Sweet Home (Or Something Like It)

I'm home after a fantastic week with the Ellis family. I was reminded why I love and miss them so much now. They are good people. Seriously, if you don't know them, meet them. Put it on your list of things to do.

Rachel and I really enjoyed ourselves, and I think Adam, Dana and the girls did, too. Apparently, Rachel and I are Emma's best friends now. It's such an honor. ;) Emma and I watched cartoons like every morning together. It really was sweet. Though some may call being with some little kids for a week birth control, I really didn't think it was that bad. (And no, I am not going to be having children any time soon, just to clear that up!) Chloe has grown up just in two months. It's crazy how fast kids grow when before they even turn one. And whenever Adam, Dana, Rachel and I talk it's always good stuff. Like '"So-and-so's the hot one tonight!". Ok, it's not always "good stuff" like that; you know, serious things about life and God and all that jazz, too. It really is good stuff. And some of the things we discussed I definitely needed to hear it for the first time or be reminded about it. And then I found five dollars.

All of this to say, we had quite an enjoyable trip. And I'm hoping I'll be able to see that family again soon because I love them to pieces.

Sunday, I'm off to one of my most favorite places on earth. (I really do live in my suitcase in the summer time.) And not because the scenery is fantastic, because quite frankly it's not that great. Two words: poop loop. Ah yes, I'm off to good ole' church camp. The place I've gone for a week every summer for the past twelve years. Good times... good times. I'm excited for it! So, I'll be back Friday sometime.

I hope you all are having a great summer!

And Then!

I found five dollars!
and then!

I found ten dollars!


And they lived happily ever after. The End.
:)

We're Off to South Carolina..

The wonderful South Carolina of The Ellis'. (Yes, that was to the tune to the 'Wizard of Oz' if you didn't catch on.)

Rachel and I are leaving in the morning to go stay at the Ellis residence for a week in South Carolina. I'm definitely excited about it! I miss those people like none other, so it'll be good to spend some time with some of my family. I doubt I'll be posting while I'm there, unless something crazy amazing happens that I must share. If not, I'll post some pics or something from the trip when I get home next Friday. Stay tuned and find out. ;)

In other news, I got my license yesterday! The parents have already let me drive farther by myself than I thought they would until I was like 30. And tomorrow, I'll be driving the four hours we're going to meet the Ellis family. Yay! Hooray! Fun times...

(PS- Looking back on my blog, I've seen that I usually only post when I think of something 'smart' and 'brilliant', but I think that's about to change. I need to update about other things, too; like funny things, or even dumb things that you people could care less about. And this will also help my sister Sam who is out of the country know what's going on with her sister Anna ;] Anyway, that's it.. just so you know if you come on the page and I write something along the lines of 'I love zebras!', you will understand I'm not trying to be 'smart' or 'brilliant'. I'm just being me. Ok, peace out.)

Oh, The Heart

The heart is a very funny thing. Like the fact that you can actually leave parts of it at places or with people, it's really amazing. And, as of yesterday when I left Honduras, I left much of my heart in that country, my home. (Yes, I have two homes) Each of those 11, scratch that, 16 kids (counting the 5 boys) have a piece of my heart. And since Sam is being an amazing girl and staying until October, she has a piece of it until she comes back here, too.
Today has been rough.. I'm not a fan of being at this other home yet. I love the people here, I really do. But I know this isn't where I'm supposed to be. Too much of my heart is in Honduras for me not to move there at some point.
Anyway, keeping people the ministry at Casa in your prayers since they'll be going through some transitions soon. And also keep people like Jen, Karen, Dorian, Ashley, Sam and others who have decided there for a longer period of time.

Honestly, I will update about my kids soon.. I just can't tonight.

It's Time Already?

Tomorrow morning, I'll be heading to San Pedro Sula to fly back home. It seems crazy to me that my three and a half weeks are already up. I'm definitely not ready to leave my kids. I mean, really, they just started calling me Mommy. That makes it a bit harder. (And by a bit I mean a lot) I'll write about the kids later.. I'm just not ready to write that kind of a blog yet. So here's a list of what I will miss fom Honduras, and things that are hard to forget from Honduras.

What I'll Miss
1. My sons and daughters at Casa de Esperanza
2. The people I met while I've been here -- The Garcia family, all of the tias, Octi, Gina, Chachi, the guards, etc.
3. SAMANTHA MARIE BUTTERFIELD
4. Penguinos. They're from heaven, I'm pretty sure
5. Frequent visits to the pulperias
6. Washing clothes in the pila
7. Visiting children's homes
8. Watching the kids play together and help each other
9. All the picos (kisses) and hugs
10. Seeing God's hand at work
11. Going into Teucigalpa
12. Tripley!
13. Seeing children love without limits
14. Laying down with the girls at bedtime
15. The frequent "I love you"s
16. Seeing God's faithfulness
17. The look on someone's face when you build them a 16X16 house
18. Seeing a child's excitement because you show them a little attention
19. Passing out food bags, so a family will be able to eat for two weeks
20. The Jesus Statue
21. Being a Mommy to eleven precious kids

What's I Wouldn't Mind Forgetting, but Can't
1. Men staring at me
2. Knowing people are talking at me and not being able to understand them ;)
3. Messing up my Spanish terribly
4. Hearing gunshots at night
5. Seeing injustice almost everywhere you turn
6. The Dump
7. Knowing there are millions of people who will starve tonight
8. Casitas Kennedy Orphange
9. Cleaning up a child covered with poopy
10. Punishing the kids when they're bad
11. Being reminded that I'm such a wasteful person
12. The "goodbyes"

There are a lot more things, and I'll do an update about the kids when I get a chance.

Thank you for keeping me in your prayers before and during this trip. You don't know how much that means to me. Please continue to pray for those who are staying here for a longer period of time. And continue to pray for Casa de Esperanza, and the eleven precious children that live here.

Much Love