Days Go By

Keith Urban puts it best when he says "Its all we've been given, so you better start livin' right now!"

This past week we didn't have a group of campers here so we worked normal work hours (9-5) and stayed at our host homes at night. We really just got to enjoy each other this week after work. We did everything from have a cook out, swim, play Telestrations (awesome game), see Reed get stung by a scorpion, eat Mexican (Karen's favorite--joke), watch movies, read a lot, go for walks, and other miscellaneous activities. Overall, just a fun, relaxing week. Just like Keith suggests, we lived.

One of the best parts about being home this week was spending time with our host mom Mrs. Jana. What an amazing woman. Karen and I had the pleasure of spending father's day with them as two of their children joined, their son-in-law and his parents, their granddaughter, and son's girlfriend. Clearly, we had a full house. We had a beautiful lunch and really enjoyed each other's company before and during lunch. 

Unfortunaley, I couldn't be home with my own Dad this Father's Day. I have to admit: I have the best Dad ever! And no, I do not say that because I am biased. I say it because it is because it is true. =)  I really am so grateful to have such an amazing dad who has always supported me in everything I have done growing up. I cannot think of a time that he ever shot down any of my dreams to say "No, you can't do that." He helped me in countless endeavors to reach my goals and aspirations whether that be through helping me study for a big test or by spending his Saturdays on the track watching and correcting allison and me with high jump. Numerous times, I was blessed with being chosen for homecoming court in high school. The best part of it was Friday night at either the basketball or football game (whichever season it was) and being escorted by him across the crowd. I proudly stood holding the arm of the man who taught me everything: how to ride a bike, sew the holes in my socks, how you should put soap on a screw before trying to screw it in, how to drive, and overall how to live a life through motivation. I could go on for years and years about how amazing my smart, talented, kind, loving, gracious, giving, selfless father is. (Love you, Dad)

This week we have a much smaller group than our last group. Two churches came and between the two we have a total of around 30 people, kids and adults combined. It is a totally different atmosphere having a fourth of the size of our last group. Not only do we take up less than 3 rows in the chapel, but we barely use 4 tables for meals. The last group used over 15 tables! So far, this group of campers has proven to be a tremendous group! My team for the week consists of 3 kids, 2 adults, and me. Yes, there is only 6 of us. An 8th grade girl, her brother who will be a senior, a 10th grade boy, their youth director, and volunteer assistant youth director. They are from Edinburg, TX, near the border. 

Today we completed a roof that the last group had almost finished. Tomorrow we will be working on a different house with the interior sheet rock and ceiling..yuck. So, this should be interesting. Sheet rock, mudding, floating, cutting, screwing, maybe insulating. We shall see. Let's all be in prayer tomorrow that I am knowledgable about the tasks we have to accomplish. 

Also, in sad news for this week, sweet, sweet Mark Gregory passed away. He is Christen's, my sister-in-law, grandfather who has played a grandfather role in my life the past couple years as we have gotten very close to Christen's family. He was a truly inspirational man in that he always followed his dreams. Nothing was ever too big for him. I love him and will miss him. My heart goes out to Andy and Christen and her family. Heaven gained a great addition this week.

Romans 8:38-39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor heights, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.