An Easter Weekend Adventure!

Once upon a time, there were five beautiful girls who lived in Greenville. Early in the semester, these girls decided that a road trip was a must sometime before the end of the semester. As the semester progressed, these five girls turned the road trip into a camping trip to be had over Easter break. A fantastic idea to be sure. They planned, and arranged, and got ready for what was sure to be an exciting adventure. After weeks and weeks of waiting FINALLY the time arrived!
"Tennessee, here we come!" they shouted joyfully as they set off.

Thursday before Easter, they packed themselves as tightly as they could into the ever-reliable Eileen and off they went!

With TWO sources of navigation, the girls were sure not to get lost. Rachel B became the navigator for the first leg, and what a fine job she did.

The five girls were Tennessee bound. Nothing could possibly dampen their spirits (not even threats of a weekend filled with rain). Songs on their lips, pillows on their laps, and laughter filling their conversations, these girls from Greenville were more than ready for a weekend away. First stop on the way: the bustling city of Metropolis! And look who flew in for a visit!

Superman and Wonder Woman! Sent to Earth to save us all! So nice of them to stop for pictures too. After stretching their legs a bit, the girls piled back into Eileen. The next stop would be their hotel for the night in Kentucky. "Why would they not set up camp the first day?" you might ask yourself. But let's face it... Do you really see these girls setting up a tent as darkness quickly approaches? They didn't either. So it was a hotel for the night, and camping would start on Friday.

Turns out, a hotel with a pool and cable was the perfect way to start a relaxing weekend. Though, I think the girls were more excited about the cable. It's hard to tell though.

Thursday night came and went, and Friday morning soon arrived. After casually taking some plastic forks, knives, and spoons from the breakfast line (you can never have to much of these things) it was off to Tennessee. For real this time. The girls arrived at Land Between the Lakes Camp Ground to find the most beautiful view from their site they could have ever imagined, and even more amazing weather.

Then it was time to set up camp! The tent setting up went off without a hitch. They're basically professionals.

Here it is! What would be the girls' home for a few days at least. Pretty good job, don't you think?

A trip to Walmart later, and the girls had plenty of food to last a weekend. Plus enough Easter candy to keep their tummy's full for the entire trip. Two of the girls set off to buy some fire wood and ice, but quickly realized they should have brought the car. The wood was far too heavy to carry without. Luckily, a nice man gave them a ride on the back of his truck. It would have been a long walk otherwise! Here they are showing off their muscles.

Campfire and s'mores would conclude the evening. The five girls successfully built a fire, even though the wind tried hard to keep them from doing so. Let me add, these were not your typical s'mores, for these delicious creations were made with giant marshmallows and Nutella and love. ¡Que delicioso!

After much giggling, talking, reading out loud, and calling the park ranger on the noisy neighbors, the girls drifted off into dream world, snuggled tight in their sleeping bags.

They woke up Saturday morning to the still beautiful view, and the sounds of said noisy neighbors trying to get their jet ski to work (which they worked on all weekend, and only got going a few times). It was ok though, the combination of beautiful weather and beautiful view made up for the noisy neighbors. And they really weren't that bad, just kept music playing from their truck the whole time they were there.  That and the jet ski. The five girls spent the day cooking brats and hot dogs, basking in the sunlight, laying out on the beach and otherwise just enjoying the beautiful day God had blessed them with.

As the day progressed, the girls decided that for dinner they would try to find "The World's Biggest Fish Fry" that they had been seeing signs for, and hearing about on the radio. However, shortly before leaving a HUGE wind rose up and nearly took off with the tent and Rachel B in tow! Luckily, the girls were there to literally hold it down. Don't worry, Rachel B escaped alive and unhurt. Unfortunately, however, the rain flap was badly ripped. Nothing a little duct tape and a few more tent stakes can't fix, right? So the girls thought. A roll of duct tape, some rope and a few more tent stakes were purchased and the girls set off to fix their little home. The result was what Dubs would call "Ghetto fabulous." Macgyver would have been proud.

Feeling confident that their tent was as secured and fixed as it would ever be the girls headed out to eat some fish. After driving around for what seemed like hours (slight exaggeration...) they found the place. Much to their disappointment, the fish fry did not start until Wednesday, and no. They really didn't want to go to a demolition derby if there was not any fish there. It was extremely disappointing. The girls headed back to camp, and were delighted to find their tent still standing. They made dinner at the camp site, chatted around the fire for a bit, and then headed into the tent to snuggle and read some more. Easter church service in morning!

As these adventures go, things do not typically work out as planned. The girls were awakened several times throughout the night to storms, wind, lightning, and rain. Lots of rain. And their patch up job on the tent didn't last long. In the early morning, poor Jenny woke up soaking wet! The rain continued to get worse, and the amount of water inside of the tent continued to grow.
"We're taking on water!" the girls yelled (this may have been putting it lightly). There was, in fact, a lake in the tent. Not exactly good for sleeping. Unless you are a duck. Which the girls were not.

When it came time to head to church, the rain had still not abated. So the girls decided to stay in the tent, with the hope that the rain would let up so they could try to refix the tent. After a call to Rachel Irwin's mom, their hopes of the storm clearing out were dashed and the five girls had to make a decision. Stay through as planned and deal with being wet? Or make a dash for it and head out a day early. Had the tent not been broken, I'm sure they would have stuck out the coming storms, but since they weren't overly enjoying sitting in a lake whilst in their tent, the girls made the decision to head home. A quick break in the storms gave the girls enough time to pack Eileen with all their wet things. And let me tell you, their things were soaked. They piled everything on the picnic table, rolled up the tent, and shoved it all back in Eileen. Just as they were getting into the car, the heavens opened up and it began pouring once more.

Several hours, and one McDonald's stop later the girls were back in Greenville. It wasn't quite the adventure they had planned on, but it was an adventure nonetheless. They made memories to last a lifetime and can't wait for the next time when they can tackle the Great Outdoors again! And that, my friends, was an Easter Weekend Adventure! So until next time...

Afterall, He's not a tame lion...

Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,
At the sound of His roar, sorrows will be no more,
When He bares His teeth, winter meets his death,
And when He shakes His mane, we shall have spring again.
-The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis


He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Revelation 21:4

Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One: I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
Revelation 1:17-18


Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57


Look to my coming on the first light of the fifth day, at dawn look to the East.
Gandalf, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers


I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS

Revelation 19:11-16

"Please, Aslan," said Lucy, "What do you call soon?"

"I call all times soon," said Aslan.

Yes, I am coming soon.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Revelation 22:20

Death could not hold him down. He has triumphed over the grave. And one day, He will return, and spring will come again. Oh what a glorious day that will be!

The mind of a five year old...

This spring I've been coaching a soccer team made of 11 four and five year olds, and let me tell you, they have quite the imaginations! It's a challenge to keep them all interested in what I'm saying and what we're doing, but we're all (the other girls on my college team each have their own team as well) having so much fun with our itty bitties, though I'm not sure how much soccer we're actually learning. :) When I get back to my room after coaching, I try to remember some of the high quality statements they make at a given practice/game session. Like I said, quite the imaginations. So I've written down some of my favorites, and am now sharing them with you! I'll add more later as they occur so be sure to check back later in the spring! We're about half way through the season now, and I expect there will be MANY more funny things my kids will have said as we finish out. So enjoy these ones for now!

-Rachel: Who can tell me one thing we learned on Monday?
Kids: NO PICKING THE GRASS!!!!!!!!!
Rachel: ....yes....we did discuss this.
*disclaimer. I did not tell them they could not pick the grass. They brought it up. I merely enforced it after it was brought up.


-Gavin: Mom! How many did I score??
Gavin's Mom: Three! One for us and two for the other team!
*we don't actually keep score. Which is good. Because they usually don't score on the right goal. It's a work in progress.


-Kids: Are we done yet??
Rachel: Um no. It's halftime...sorry.

-I can go 500 fast in these shoes!...I can go 5 million fast...I can... (you get the idea, and yes, they do phrase it just like this. 500 fast.)


-Nico: My mom is 40 now. Her birthday was last month. Before Trent and Tanner's. They're twins.
*I'm sure her mom was thrilled that Nico told me several times her mom is now 40.


-Boy: You know, we have to wait for my birthday. Because it's February 15th!
Rachel: Wow! You do have to wait for your birthday!

-Rachel: Audrey, why are you crying?
Audrey: I'm not crying. I just have some tears that wanted to get out.
*I understand, Audrey. I understand completely.


-Gavin: What's this? (Pointing to the bottom of his shoe...in the middle of a game.)
Rachel: It's a Puma.
Gavin: What's a Puma?
Rachel: It's a cat. A big cat.
Audrey: No. It's a tiger.
*this is the second time we've discussed the bottom of our cleats. The first time involved me describing the different brand symbols we find on our cleats. It also involved explaining what the pokey parts of are cleats are. As in...the cleats. Rachel B was told that the cleat part keeps our shoes clean, because it keeps them up off the mud.


-Trent: I got new shoes at home. Not soccer shoes though. Just shoes.

-Audrey: I think I must have earrings in. I can feel circles.
*she doesn't have her ears pierced.


-Gavin: Why do you have short pants on?
*I was wearing shorts. The same as all my kids. You just can't tell on them because their shorts come down to their cleats.


-Grady: What's this? (Pointing to the Kingsbury Park District on his shirt)
Rachel: That's for the Park District.
Grady: Why's it there?
Rachel: ....So we know where you play?

-Rachel: Ava, do you want to come play now?
Ava: No. I have to balance.
*balancing means walking along the sideline without falling off.


-Gavin: C'mon man!!
*while nearly tackling Trent to the ground


-Carolyn: Nico, what kind of gatorade is your favorite?
Nico: Yemon Yime.

That's all I've got for now. But like I said, we're only half way through! So be sure to check back. As I get to know my kids better, I'm enjoying so much seeing their different personalities come out. They are all so stinking cute! And I'm having so much fun being their coach, teaching them (hopefully!) a little bit of the game I love, and hearing the wonderful things they say. The mind of a four or five year old is a beautiful thing. They aren't afraid to say exactly what is on their mind. They aren't afraid of what anyone thinks. They just say and do whatever it is they want. True, this does cause problems when I have to constantly remind them to get out of the puddle, or that we can't play on the playground till later. But they don't let fear of what someone else will say or think keep them back from just... being. I love it! And I don't even mind having to keep reminding them of things when I see how excited they get every time they score a goal, even if it was for the other team. ;)

Sometimes, I just love the weekend!

This was one of those weekends that was just fun and wonderful and relaxing! There should be more weekends just like this one.

Friday-
After classes and soccer, I hung out with my girlies. We made egg rolls (from scratch!) and did not burn any this time. The first time we made egg rolls, we burnt one and set the fire alarm off. However, this time they were completely successful. Then we watched some episodes of Glee and stayed up late just laughing and talking and having fun.

Saturday-
Slept in. Well, somewhat. I'm not very good at sleeping in. Never have been. Got up only to realize our bathroom ceiling was pouring on us...never a good sign. Luckily maintenance came and took care of it relatively quickly. Went out to the baseball game, in shorts! The weather was perfect this weekend! Unfortunately, the Panthers lost by one at the end. But it felt so good to be out in the warmth! Oh sunshine, how I've missed you! Went with Jenny and Annie to Dairy Queen for pre-dinner. Then we had a bonfire in the gullies to celebrate Rach's birthday. Roasted hot dogs over the fire, then sat and talked until long after the stars came out. Headed back to tower and watched Robin Hood, Men in Tights. "Hey Blinken!" "Did you say Abe Lincoln?" Ah, I love that movie. And that was Saturday. As Saturdays should be. :)

Sunday-
Spanish church and regular church at FM. Enjoyed getting to worship in Spanish and English, and was grateful for the reminders from both services. Lunch in the DC with the girls. Long nap. Felt so good! Got up, did a bit of homework. Put on some shorts, because it's currently 81 degrees. Though with the wind it feels colder. And now I'm about to go for a walk with my friend Jenny! I love me some spring time, that's for sure! No plans for the rest of the evening, though unfortunately it will probably include some homeworks. We'll see...

And that is how a weekend should be. Relaxing, warmth, spending time with good friends, a touch of excitement (that would be the bathroom deciding to rain on us...), and some great worship. Looking at my calendar for the next several weekends, I'm not sure that I'll have a free weekend for a while. I'm grateful for this time to just relax and have fun with my friends (I'm sure I'll still have fun even though I'll be busy the next few weekends!). Sometimes, I just love the weekend!

More Beautiful You

More Beautiful You
Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine
Says she wants to look that way
But her hair isn't straight her body isn't fake
And she's always felt overweight

Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
That beauty is within your heart
And you were made with such care your skin your body and your hair
Are perfect just the way they are

[Chorus]
There could never be a more beautiful you
Don't buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you

Little girl twenty-one the things that you've already done
Anything to get ahead
And you say you've got a man but he's got another plan
Only wants what you will do instead

Well little girl twenty-one you never thought that this would come
You starve yourself to play the part
But I can promise you there's a man whose love is true
And he'll treat you like the jewel you are

[chorus]

So turn around you're not too far
To back away be who you are
To change your path go another way
It's not too late you can be saved
If you feel depressed with past regrets
The shameful nights hope to forget
Can disappear they can all be washed away
By the one who's strong can right your wrongs
Can rid your fears dry all your tears
And change the way you look at this big world
He will take your dark distorted view
And with His light He will show you truth
And again you'll see through the eyes of a little girl
[chorus] 


I really like this song. And I just wanted to share it with you all, because it was really encouraging to me when I heard it recently. So now you can all listen! (If you click on the title it will take you to the youtube video so you can actually listen!) Enjoy!

Observations 2

As I've said before, I love to people watch. Lucky for me, I flew home for spring break and airports are quality people watching places! I apologize if these observations are perhaps more cynical than previous observations, I didn't mean for them to be. Again, I will add a disclaimer: I have no idea what is actually going on in these peoples' lives. I am not a mind reader. Anything said hereafter is purely a figment of my imagination based on the people I see around me.


Not my best seating choice as far as people watching goes.. My first seat would have been better. But I wanted one of the cool comfortable chairs with outlets on the side. Turns out they don't have free wifi, so the outlets really aren't necessary...But the chair is comfortable. I just can't see the whole section of people to properly people watch. I'll make do.

Woman to my 12:00. She's been sitting in one of those wheelchairs they use to push people to their flights since before I got here. And I've been here for quite some time now. She doesn't seem like she's in a rush to get anywhere. Sometimes, I wonder if people actually need the wheelchairs, or if they are just overweight and don't want to walk. Exercise, novel concept isn't it? I get the feeling Woman to my 12:00 falls into the latter group...She's not obese, but she for sure won't be running a marathon any time soon. I don't think she'll be running any where for a while. She keeps shouting into the mouthpiece of her phone. Literally shouting. Excuse me, ma'am? There's a lot of people in the terminal...and you're being quite loud. And by quite...I mean, I think whomever you are talking to just went deaf. I think she's one of those people that just likes to talk about their problems to anyone who has ears. As if the whole world exists merely to listen to her and sympathize with her problems. A word to those people, we don't really want to hear. Sorry! She's been talking the gate attendant's ear off for 20 minutes now. I hate to break it to you, Woman at my 12:00, but the gate attendant's job is not to listen to you tell about your day, she does, in fact, have to help people get on the plane. It's disappointing, I know.

Frazzled woman to my 2:00. Another difficult personality, if I had to guess. She, however, is the one who thinks she is 100x more amazing than she really is. The one who thinks she's a gorgeous young trophy wife with all the right brands on. Unfortunately, Ms. Frazzled, your Gucci bag is a knock-off, and your Reeboks don't quite say "high fashion!" She has this look on her face that says "I have a million places I'd rather be, and a million friends who wish they were with me right now." With all due respect, Ma'am, you're flying to Midway, not LA. And the velvet sweatsuit? Really not doing it for you...

Business Man. 3:00. I think he might be pretending to be a business man. Or maybe he's a not overly successful business man, but would like the world to think he is. Nice black suit (I don't know anything about suits. It could be a cheap black suit...) but the brown shoes underneath the black dress pants are a dead giveaway. Sorry, sir. You tried to cut a dashing figure, but you just didn't quite make it. A tie would have helped. And a Mac. He's trying to look important as he sits with his ancient Dell and one finger resting on his temple. "I'm really very important, and doing incredible important work right now," is what he would like us all to think. I'm on to you, Mr. Fake Businessman. I'm on to you. In reality, he's probably wishing he had gotten here earlier so he could have completed his fake look with one of these fine chairs I find myself sitting in. They he could look the part of a highly successful business man with a very important job to do on this very important business trip. As it is, the brown shoes, lack of tie, ancient Dell and non-comfy chair is just shy of the the mark. Good try though. You almost had me. Now he's on a very important phone call. And he wants to be sure he talks loudly so that everyone can know this call he's on is of utmost importance. I bet it's his wife, telling him to be sure to buy milk on the way home from the airport. Maybe he's not on the phone at all. I'd believe it if he were faking a call...

Welp. Boarding soon. Until next time!

Spring Break 2011

Well, here I am, back in Greenville after returning from a relaxing and muchly needed break. I know what you're thinking: Spring Break in snowy Wisconsin is in no way relaxing. But if, in fact, this is what you are thinking, I'm here to tell you that you are dead wrong! The snow was almost completely gone when I left... True, our beaches were still frozen solid, but I fully enjoyed my time at home, even if I didn't get a tan. ;)

I flew into Midway Friday night, met my dad on the other end and we drove back into Zion. Saturday was spent at Zion Benton High School getting ready for the Camp Zion Spaghetti Supper and Dessert Throwdown fundraiser! And of course, Saturday night was said Throwdown. It was a great night filled with food, friends, and auctions! Not sure how much the camp brought in, but it was an awesome time to be sure! Church on Sunday at CCC (always love being there for church!) and birthday dinner with the family at Hu Hot. (Note. If you don't enjoy being sung to at restaurants, don't go to the bathroom and give your parents the opportunity to tell them it's your birthday. Though at Hu Hot they make a big fire for you when they sing, so that's cool I guess.) After nap time, Mom and I hit up a few stores, and that was Sunday! Monday I left to drive back up to the DoCo while my family went over to camping convention near Wausau. I am proud to announce that Molly and I successfully made the drive to the DoCo without getting lost or pulled over. I am pleased. :) We drove straight through (no stops!) and made it just fine. Tuesday was my birthday (!) and I celebrated by getting my hair cut! I can no longer call myself a teenager; I think I'm ok with this. I also spent the evening with my two dear friends, Kayla and Andrea. Our typical hang-out when we're all home is Culver's and a movie. Culver's, as per usual, was delicious, and the movie, as per usual, was ok. Johnny Depp did make an interesting lizard, but Rango wasn't my favorite movie... Wednesday I didn't do a whole lot, same with Thursday. It was really nice to just be able to lie around and not have to worry about having something to do but watch shows on TLC. Friday my family and I drove down to Milwaukee to watch the Bucks play! I don't really follow the Bucks, but hey! It was free! And we had great seats, AND the Bucks won! Sweet! So that was pretty fun. Saturday, again, didn't do a whole lot (except for pack and visit with the Johnsons) and then I headed back on Sunday. Had to drive through rain, sleet and snow to be able to enjoy the BEAUTIFUL 70 degree weather we have going on down here! Hope it's here to stay!!

That was my break in a nutshell! It was greatly needed and very relaxing. Sometimes doing nothing is the best relaxation there is! And now I'm ready to tackle the rest of this semester, and then it's summer time! Hooray!! :D