Last week was Shalom - a retreat for adults with developmental disabilities. If you've spent any amount of time with me you have almost definitely heard me refer to something one of them has said or done... maybe without even knowing it. I enjoyed the week, can't believe its over. While it was going on I felt like an outsider looking in. Fritting around doing the behind the scenes details I let myself get caught up in and sometimes hide behind. I will say that one of my favorites, Lisa, came through with another quotable episode. She ended up on the cover of the DVD that gets sent home with each camper. She was SOOOOOOOOOOO excited, I mean REALLY excited. You would have thought she won a million bucks or signed a sports scholarship at a DI school her arms were flapping so. I heard her clear across the room go up to every single staff (no matter it was the first time she talked to them all week) with growing volume. She's awesome. The picture is good ole Nevin - who didn't sign up for the talent show but LOVES to have a mic in his hand. We literally have to pry it from him and drag him off the stage. Ask me sometime about his talent show stage hogging. :)
My wonderful amazing godly other 'mom' LaRie invited me to join
her at one of her favorite places... the beach. When she asked me a month ago I wasn't sure if I could actually go... am I allowed to leave Camp Hebron at any time for any reason over the summer? But it just seemed too good to pass by. So Saturday after Shalom we drove to OC, MD. The place wasn't anything real special but I'm not picky, the price was right, company great and you just can't beat the
207 foot steps from door step to foot on sand!! Yes, I counted. w00t. I was exhausted and sleep deprived yet God woke me up every morning before 7 am. Ridiculous but it was nice to have time to jog and read la biblia. I certainly don't plan to be an early riser but sleeping is not a gift I have so maybe some of the time I'll respond the way God desires and use that to spend time with Him. :) Rie's grandson made an appearance (he came with his other grandparents). He's such a stud. Here he is showing us his muscles on the beach and flying as super man. [Oh-- and another first- kendra bought something pink for the first time EVER. That is the honest truth. and of all things... it was my first bikini, er, two piece that is not Camp Hebron approved swim wear.] Thanks God for the awesome weather, sun, food, creation and relaxation. Now that I have some sunburn I'll hide away at camp. 
Good thing I love it and I was ready to get back.The last weekend in May 5 of us EMU friends
roadtripped it up to Vermont for Brandon's wedding. Mr. Social Butterfly himself is married. Guess it took spending a few years around the trees of Vermont to realize marriage is a desirable thing. :) It was a great trip - including plenty of stops for ice cream, conversations both silly and contemplative, seeing friends and the beauty of Vermont.
Did I mention the summer staff are amazing? I hope that I am able to dig in and truly enjoy the unique opportunities God has given me at this time in my life instead of being distracted by what I don't have. Where else (and with who) can you roast crayfish over a fire, find a grotesque mannequin in your bed and get excited about quality time at the laundromat on a Friday night!
Well... maybe I should try to do this blog updating more often so I don't jump around to 16 different topics. Maybe Camp should get high speed internet so its not such a pain... and maybe I should get back to work.
Thanks for checking in!
