And so begin my YMCA ramblings!

First week of work, completed! And boy, am I tired and SO glad my day off has finally arrived. Working as a Day Camp counselor at the Y is not only physically exhausting, but also mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

The physical part is the most obvious. I'm out in the Houston heat for approximately 8 hours a day with 8 to 12 little 7 year olds who have so much more energy than I do. Even if we get a break for swim time, the kids want you to race them, throw them around (not too rough, but this does give me some payback enjoyment), and go down the slides 50 times in a row.

Mental and emotional kinda go hand in hand. I have to deal with so many arguments every day. I remember last summer lying in bed at night making up scenarios in my head between kids and trying to come up with a good solution. There comes a point when your mind sometimes just stops working while listening to each child explain his or her side of the story. Sometimes, a solution doesn't always present itself. I wish I could say that I stopped relying on myself to fix it. This is a major area I want to improve on. I want to be able to surrender that moment to God and ask Him to speak through me. My favorite little boy, Kaedyn, was in my group 3 out of the past 4 days. I absolutely love him, but when he cries, I tear up, especially if it's the end of the day.

Lastly, my job tests my spiritual endurance. I touched on this already. It can be cliche to remind yourself that God's strength is perfect in our weakness. But then I realize that no truth statement is cliche. If I could only learn to fully rely on Him, I think my job would be a little easier. It didn't help that I had some boss issues this past week. I don't think I am submitting to new authority the way I should. I need to stop dwelling on the past and focus on the present and remember that I am right where God wants me. Easier said that done!

On Monday, my group and I went on the longest, farthest, most awful hike ever. The trails near the Y are pretty extensive, and in order to "impress" my children, we went super far. Then we ran into a swamp of mosquitoes and, of course, I forgot to spray everyone down with bug spray. Complaints were everywhere and I was losing my mind. Kaedyn was the leader and only boy in my group. I told him we had to turn around and oh man, he did not like that one bit. We got into an epic fight that I thought would never be mended. I can't count the times he said he wouldn't be in my group ever again. But, God is SO good. We talked it out as all of us were sitting inside cooling off and drinking water. I apologized, he apologized, and we both forgave. I am happy to say that, despite these conflicts, I had the most kids line up in front of me the next day. I don't mean to say that pridefully whatsoever, but I think God was trying to show me that no matter what happens, HE is in control of the situation, not me. On Tuesday, we had time to kill after it rained ALL day and my group went and found our secret spot. I had them playing happily there for over an hour! In the woods and everything, with only minimal conflicts and yelling involved! They haven't stopped asking me about it since then, which has gotten super annoying.



Here is my favorite picture of Kaedyn and I from last summer when he was 6.

If I could describe this week in one word, it would have to be RAIN! Monday, it rained. Tuesday, it rained like all day. Wednesday, we had a tornado watch and all had to stay inside. Yesterday, the threat of rain kept us from going to the zoo, which was actually fine by me. That is, without a doubt, the hardest field trip. I am praying for better weather for the rest of the summer. Rain is good, I don't want Houston to be in a drought, but as much as I hate the heat and humidity, the kids are more well behaved when they can run around like crazy people outside all day.

As you can probably tell, camp has become my life now. I realized Sunday night that taking a class online was not going to happen. Luckily, mom and dad weren't mad when I told them I needed to drop it, and we got 70 percent of our money back so I only owe them 30 percent. I am so thankful for my sweet mother. The day after we discussed this, she planned out the rest of my college career and apparently I can graduate a semester early in December of 2011 without summer school. Well, that settles that problem!

My life is a daily example of the power of Christ. He is working in me in ways I cannot even being to imagine. I am so grateful for what He is doing, what He will do, and what He did for me. I give Him all the praise and honor.

JEE