The Deal Remixed!

In the summer of 2008, I worked with Grace Adventures Day Camp in Fulton, MD. That was my last job in America and will be my first job upon re-entry!

A couple weeks ago, I booked my flight to return to the Old Line State. An hour after finishing the booking process, I received an email from one of these former co-workers, asking me if I wanted a job at the camp. Without a second thought, I replied, "YES!"  We are excited.  I cannot yet describe exactly what it is that I will be doing, but it is fixed that I will be working with GADC again this summer.   It is such a joy and an honor to work with this team and I am so looking forward to what the Lord will do in the hearts of the kids this summer, as well as developing within the community.

As I wrote before, my intentions are to stay in MD for the summer. I am researching a few grad school options, and will likely take trips throughout to look into select programs first hand. Other plans: a trip to Harrisburg and Ephrata, PA is already in the works for my first weekend State-side.   A good friend was zealously willing (thanks Tschay!) to take some of my belongings back to the States with him today, and I will go to get these things and to spend time with my friends who are there at the time. These are some of the friends so highly spoken of back in this September 2009 post.. I am working on a trip to NC that will be multi-faceted, as I'll catch up with the Silvas and also check out an appealing masters program in Charlotte which will (HOPEFULLY) include time with Jo... we'll see how it all comes together.

My heart's desire is to invest everything I can into my church family there.  They sent me off with such love and blessing, and I want to return to them as much as I can with everything I've received and learned here.  This is beginning to sort out a little more specifically already, but I can't explain yet how these opportunities will appear.

I hope everyone is a little more satisfied with the details now.  Thanks for being patient!

GADC Dreams

This is DEFINITELY a blog for all my GADC family. If I thought it were feasible, I'd take it as a sign to go home for a month to work this summer.

I woke up this morning from what might be the absolutely most bizarre dream I've ever had. It was at camp... and for SOME reason, I had to provide entertainment for the assembly. The only props I saw fit for my ideas were a chicken and a duck puppet (very large puppets, like half my size large). So, into puppet world I went. They both had British accents and were supposedly on some camping trip. After a while, the haphazardous duck was sent home because he caused too many problems. Then, my dream turned into a cartoon instead of a puppet show. I'd go on with the story, but the middle gets little foggy in my memory banks. It has a sad middle, an exciting climax, and a warm-fuzzy reunion between this haphazardous duck, the chicken, and all their other friends.

What I remember best about the dream- Michelle and Amy D. CRACKING up as I went about my puppet show. Hillary, you were there too, mockingly sipping from your coke.
Oh how I miss you guys... :-) Love you all!
I pray for the best camp experience for you all again this year. Well okay, we know it'll only reach SECOND best camp status since I'm not there, but I pray you have the best camp experience that is possible to maintain without me being there. Looking at the updates- it's definitely another testimony of how successful our God is. Keep it up, guys! If you let me, I'll do your devos some morning from all the way over here! :-)

One Day More

Oh dear friends, time is passing me faster than I anticipated.  It's been nearly two months since I've seen many of you, though it feels like it was just last week when we shared such a fun car ride to Omaha!  "G.P. are you with me?"   Maryland, as I've said, has been far more enjoyable than I ever anticipated.  Thank you, to the many of you, who have prayed and continued praying me through this time.  May you be blessed 100-fold for being a blessing.  The Lord is good and has been showing His faithfulness.  Healing in many relationships has become evident.  Thank you, Father. 

Austrian efforts have been mildly troublesome.  Okay, I take that back.  It's just been bad and hard.  Most of it has been settled and straightened out, prayerfully, and things are moving forward again.  I leave in a matter of weeks, now- 2.5 weeks to be accurate. 

Last night, I had dinner at Jarrod and Christine's house.  On the way down, I was thinking and praying about everything.  This was the first time in a while that I have been able to really reflect on life.  I leave in 2.5 weeks.  In the few weeks I have been here, so much has happened.  Our church has been through tough times, my family is changing greatly, and I've been blessed with some new relationships.  All of which, I resolve to a praise-filled stature.  God, you are not only good, but you are a GREAT God!  

I love working with Grace Adventures.  The days are long and more often than not exhausting, but I love being there.  I love the kids.  I love the environment.  I love my coworkers.  We are coming to the conclusion of our second week with campers.  This week, I've been a counselor for 5th and 6th grade girls.  I was not entirely enthused about my position this week, but I have thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity.  After a morning assembly, my group has "Counselor Planned Activity Time."  I asked my girls this morning what they wanted and they chose to have extra Bible time!  Thursday is Gospel Day, so I was eager to do Bible time, anyway.  I asked the girls what they wanted to talk about during our "extra Bible Time" and one of the girl's opened her Bible to a page with the question, "what is the Gospel?" scribed across the middle of it, in large print.  I smiled.  This was my opportunity to share my testimony with these girls.  Upon conclusion, they all were able to quickly relate my testimony to that of Stephen (our Bible character of the week).  They all know Christ as savior and are learning what it means for Him to become Lord.  Hearing my story opened their precious little hearts to a whole new world of what communion with the Spirit means.  I pray they continue to grow as they approach middle and high school.  They really are great girls.  

However, I am ready for the weekend.  This weekend will include time with some family Friday evening in Silver Spring, Opera Camp performances Saturday evening, playing for worship on Sunday, and the annual Pig Roast on Sunday afternoon until it is time for Fusion!