This past Friday the Mom of the kids I am nannying came to camp for ten days because she is off work. This means that I am off nannying duty and am pretty much free to do whatever I want. I have enjoyed spending time in fellowship with some of the wives on the Assigned Team and just building community with them. This is something I need. I need human interaction. I think that is part of why I was (am) so sad to be done with school. What a perfect world would it be to walk out of your apartment and have all of your friends there all of the time. Unfortunately, back in Roanoke, that is not the case. I am really looking forward to going home and re-establishing a community there. Hopefully, I will begin volunteer leading Young Life in Roanoke and I will be getting more involved in my church so both of those will offer great community and fellowship. It has been a blessing learning from these women of all ages older than me.
It has been funny because even though I am off, I find myself still playing with all of the little ones just as much, if not more, than when I am on duty. All I know is that God has put a deep love for children in my heart. I think there is so much to be learned from children and they really are just fascinating little people. There is a reason the Lord favors children. They are so precious and innocent. They know what they want and they have no hesitation to ask for it. It always amazes me when they go up to someone and just say "can I have that?" I couldn't imagine doing that but really adults are like that. We want things, we find ways to get what we want but we just aren't as honest and upfront about it. Kids laugh at everything, they get joy from the simplest things. At what point in our lives do we stop laughing at the little things like chasing fireflies or someone blowing raspberries on their stomachs. I wish I could just say what I'm feeling, not care about embarrassing myself, laugh at silly things and have childlike faith. In worship on Sunday, Eric was giving the talk and told this story about his little boy (one of the boys I babysit, who is always laughing, smiling and running around). They were at a church event and afterward Eric was watching Nathan play from across the room. He was laughing and running around and he looks up and spots his Dad. He drops his toys and runs to his Dad and runs into his arms. Eric was choking up telling us this story and saying how he wished he had the childlike faith to run to God like that.
Today was a fun day. I woke up early and did a workout with some of the wives on Assigned Team. I realized quickly that I am sorely out of shape and need to get my act together. After a nap and shower I drove down to Kennesaw, Ga, about an hour away and visited with my friend Katie. Katie and I did Summer Staff together in 2009 and she was one of my closest friends there. She and I have kept in touch over the past two years and I was so excited to be close enough to go visit her. I love having friends that you can go two years without seeing and pick right back up where you started.
I still have two and a half weeks here and I am so excited for what the Lord is going to reveal to me in my remaining time here.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Oh He Loves Us.
This is an amazing song that was introduced to me this week. How He Loves Us by the David Crowder Band. I really enjoy listening to worship music, I enjoy more contemporary stuff. One of the guys on Assigned Team, Eric, leads the songs at Club for the campers and I noticed how he wasn't wearing shoes, so I jokingly said "Nice shoes Eric". He explained to me that when he plays music for kids or speaks he never wears shoes. He told me that it was because in the Bible it talks about taking off your shoes when you are on holy ground. He said when he plays or speaks to kids that is holy ground to him. I thought that was so awesome.
I am continually amazed by the members of the Assigned Team who are on Young Life staff. Their faithfulness and just the way they love the Lord and love kids is really amazing to me. I especially love watching the parents with their own kids and watch how they love their kids so well. I only hope that I can set such an example for my kids and raise them to be children of God. I am learning a lot how to be patient with kids and stopping myself before I get frustrated by telling myself "they are little, they are innocent and precious and they don't know any better."
The past few days I have spent most of my time with Delaney, the four year old because what I have learned about Nathan, the six year old, is that Dad is his hero and he is way cooler than me so spending time with Dad = cooler than time with Brynn. I have always been so fascinated by children and by the mind of kids, the things they say and understand just warm my heart. I put Delaney down every night and tell her to say her prayers and in the sweetest four year old voice she says "Now I lay me down to sleep,I pray the Lord my soul to keep, bless Mommy, Daddy, Riley, Landon and Nathan and help me be a good girl." I just love it. Nathan, Delaney and I were walking yesterday and the campers were having Cabin Time. Nathan asked what Cabin Time was for and I explained that it was when campers could ask questions about Jesus and that some of them didn't know who Jesus was. He looked at me baffled and said "They don't know who Jesus is!?". I loved that he was so shocked that anyone doesn't know about Jesus.
The most unusual thing to get used to is all of the confused looks people give me when they see me with the kids. I can tell they are thinking "Are you the Mom?". I got asked the other night during the Assigned Team Guac Party (we love guacamole) by one of the AT guys "So, are you a wife?". My response was "NOooooohohoho I am most certainly not, I'm just a nanny". It makes me happy at least that I look old enough to have children at all, let alone be a wife, better than being asked what grade I'm in.
Delaneyisms:
She puts deodorant on every morning.
She calls her bathing suit top her bra.
She told me she wanted one of the Moms to braid her hair instead of me so I pretended to be sad and stuck my bottom lip out and she said "You are a big girl, you drive a car, you aren't supposed to pout" and mocked the face I was making.
She saw me flossing my teeth and asked for some, I told her she didn't need it and she said "Yes I floss all the time! The monkey dentist always gives me floss." I have no idea what the monkey dentist is.
I told her I had to call a friend of mine back and she said "What's her name?" I said "It's a boy." and she raised her eyebrows and gave me this look like "Oh, a boy huh".
Basically the girl is hilarious and she does things to make me smile and laugh everyday. I love that even though I am taking care of the Faisons I find myself playing with all of the other kids and loving on them just as much. God has really blessed me with energy enough to play with the large amount of little ones on this assignment and blessed me with the ability to love on kids.
Some pictures:
Landon, Delaney and Nathan. Such hams.
I asked Nathan if I could take a picture and he sauntered over to the fence, climbed up there and struck a pose. Model potential?
Look at those boys and their serious model poses.
Delaney and Adelai, Partners in Crime.
Long post, I know. I'll leave you with a verse I read last night that I really loved.
In the story Jesus is talking to Martha, who is upset that he is showing her sister Mary favor when Mary was sitting at Jesus' feet and not helping Martha. Jesus tells Martha "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed." Luke 10:41-42 Jesus is telling Martha that Mary is focusing on him and listening to him rather than fussing over trivial things. I am a worrying and I get upset really easily but I the only thing I need to do is focus on God, that is all I need.
I am continually amazed by the members of the Assigned Team who are on Young Life staff. Their faithfulness and just the way they love the Lord and love kids is really amazing to me. I especially love watching the parents with their own kids and watch how they love their kids so well. I only hope that I can set such an example for my kids and raise them to be children of God. I am learning a lot how to be patient with kids and stopping myself before I get frustrated by telling myself "they are little, they are innocent and precious and they don't know any better."
The past few days I have spent most of my time with Delaney, the four year old because what I have learned about Nathan, the six year old, is that Dad is his hero and he is way cooler than me so spending time with Dad = cooler than time with Brynn. I have always been so fascinated by children and by the mind of kids, the things they say and understand just warm my heart. I put Delaney down every night and tell her to say her prayers and in the sweetest four year old voice she says "Now I lay me down to sleep,I pray the Lord my soul to keep, bless Mommy, Daddy, Riley, Landon and Nathan and help me be a good girl." I just love it. Nathan, Delaney and I were walking yesterday and the campers were having Cabin Time. Nathan asked what Cabin Time was for and I explained that it was when campers could ask questions about Jesus and that some of them didn't know who Jesus was. He looked at me baffled and said "They don't know who Jesus is!?". I loved that he was so shocked that anyone doesn't know about Jesus.
The most unusual thing to get used to is all of the confused looks people give me when they see me with the kids. I can tell they are thinking "Are you the Mom?". I got asked the other night during the Assigned Team Guac Party (we love guacamole) by one of the AT guys "So, are you a wife?". My response was "NOooooohohoho I am most certainly not, I'm just a nanny". It makes me happy at least that I look old enough to have children at all, let alone be a wife, better than being asked what grade I'm in.
Delaneyisms:
She puts deodorant on every morning.
She calls her bathing suit top her bra.
She told me she wanted one of the Moms to braid her hair instead of me so I pretended to be sad and stuck my bottom lip out and she said "You are a big girl, you drive a car, you aren't supposed to pout" and mocked the face I was making.
She saw me flossing my teeth and asked for some, I told her she didn't need it and she said "Yes I floss all the time! The monkey dentist always gives me floss." I have no idea what the monkey dentist is.
I told her I had to call a friend of mine back and she said "What's her name?" I said "It's a boy." and she raised her eyebrows and gave me this look like "Oh, a boy huh".
Basically the girl is hilarious and she does things to make me smile and laugh everyday. I love that even though I am taking care of the Faisons I find myself playing with all of the other kids and loving on them just as much. God has really blessed me with energy enough to play with the large amount of little ones on this assignment and blessed me with the ability to love on kids.
Some pictures:
Landon, Delaney and Nathan. Such hams.
I asked Nathan if I could take a picture and he sauntered over to the fence, climbed up there and struck a pose. Model potential?
Look at those boys and their serious model poses.
Delaney and Adelai, Partners in Crime.
Long post, I know. I'll leave you with a verse I read last night that I really loved.
In the story Jesus is talking to Martha, who is upset that he is showing her sister Mary favor when Mary was sitting at Jesus' feet and not helping Martha. Jesus tells Martha "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed." Luke 10:41-42 Jesus is telling Martha that Mary is focusing on him and listening to him rather than fussing over trivial things. I am a worrying and I get upset really easily but I the only thing I need to do is focus on God, that is all I need.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
So Far So Good
After a super long 7 hour drive down to Georgia yesterday I made it safely to Jasper. There was horrible rain/thunder/lightning for a few hours while I was driving through Tennessee. I absolutely hate driving in the rain, especially torrential downpour, so I gladly put my hazards on and drove 40mph in a 70mph zone. I know I have mentioned before I am an anxious driver, well for those couple hours in the rain I was just praying for the end of the storms to be near. When I got into town I met up with the Faison's and went to dinner at camp with the rest of the Work Crew/Summer Staff/Assigned Team. We stayed in a hotel last night because last session's Assigned Team moved out this morning, so we couldn't move into camp until today. After dinner I went back to the hotel with the kids and their Mom and we all just hung out and watched t.v. until bed time.
I learned very quickly that these kids say the funniest/cutest things and as I am very easily entertained they will definitely keep me laughing. For example, Delaney (4yrs) walks into the room and says to her brother Nathan (6yrs) "Nathan Andrew! WHERE did you put the toothpaste?". I cracked up because she said it like she was his mom or something and she hit him with the double name which just really tickled me. It did not take long for the kids to warm up to me or anything and they already seem to trust me so that is great. I have a lot of respect for their Mom, because I can already see that while they are good kids, 4 kids is a handful. I really think the Lord is gonna help me with my patience and my nurturing a lot this month.
We moved into camp this morning and I went to Worship with the rest of the Work Crew/Summer Staff/Assigned Team because their Mom was watching the little ones while she was unpacking everybody. I really really enjoyed Worship this morning and the message that Doug (he's on the Assigned Team) shared with us. He talked about following the Lord, no matter where the Lord is leading us. We can say "Oh yeah, God I'll follow you wherever" but when it comes down to it, truly following the Lord wherever will cost us something. His message wasn't that following the Lord hurts us, but that sometimes you have to let go of those things that are dragging you down that you are holding on to in order to follow the Lord. Maybe the Lord is telling us to pursue something, but we are doubtful about taking that path. Doug spoke about not letting things that are going on at home distract us from the experience we are about to start this month, whether or not they are good things. I know my place here this month is a little different, because I am not serving campers, but I am serving these kids I am watching and I am pursuing the Lord. I felt convicted because I know I am distracted right now by things not having to do with my month here. I am really gonna try to make sure I spend time with the Lord every day and focus on him and following him wherever he wants to take me, particularly when I go home next month.
Something today that has me distracted is Father's Day. There are lots of Dads here on the Assigned Team and watching them interact with their kids just makes my heart ache for my Dad. My Dad passed away 7 years ago on July 1, so this couple week span is always kind of difficult for me. I miss my Dad everyday and so many things remind me of him. I watch Dads and their kids and it makes me glad that I had such a great Dad growing up, but also sad about not having him here now that I am old enough to really appreciate him. I know he is always looking after me, but I wish I could just give him a big hug today. Happy Father's Day everyone, give your Dad a big hug and tell him how much you love and appreciate him.
I learned very quickly that these kids say the funniest/cutest things and as I am very easily entertained they will definitely keep me laughing. For example, Delaney (4yrs) walks into the room and says to her brother Nathan (6yrs) "Nathan Andrew! WHERE did you put the toothpaste?". I cracked up because she said it like she was his mom or something and she hit him with the double name which just really tickled me. It did not take long for the kids to warm up to me or anything and they already seem to trust me so that is great. I have a lot of respect for their Mom, because I can already see that while they are good kids, 4 kids is a handful. I really think the Lord is gonna help me with my patience and my nurturing a lot this month.
We moved into camp this morning and I went to Worship with the rest of the Work Crew/Summer Staff/Assigned Team because their Mom was watching the little ones while she was unpacking everybody. I really really enjoyed Worship this morning and the message that Doug (he's on the Assigned Team) shared with us. He talked about following the Lord, no matter where the Lord is leading us. We can say "Oh yeah, God I'll follow you wherever" but when it comes down to it, truly following the Lord wherever will cost us something. His message wasn't that following the Lord hurts us, but that sometimes you have to let go of those things that are dragging you down that you are holding on to in order to follow the Lord. Maybe the Lord is telling us to pursue something, but we are doubtful about taking that path. Doug spoke about not letting things that are going on at home distract us from the experience we are about to start this month, whether or not they are good things. I know my place here this month is a little different, because I am not serving campers, but I am serving these kids I am watching and I am pursuing the Lord. I felt convicted because I know I am distracted right now by things not having to do with my month here. I am really gonna try to make sure I spend time with the Lord every day and focus on him and following him wherever he wants to take me, particularly when I go home next month.
Something today that has me distracted is Father's Day. There are lots of Dads here on the Assigned Team and watching them interact with their kids just makes my heart ache for my Dad. My Dad passed away 7 years ago on July 1, so this couple week span is always kind of difficult for me. I miss my Dad everyday and so many things remind me of him. I watch Dads and their kids and it makes me glad that I had such a great Dad growing up, but also sad about not having him here now that I am old enough to really appreciate him. I know he is always looking after me, but I wish I could just give him a big hug today. Happy Father's Day everyone, give your Dad a big hug and tell him how much you love and appreciate him.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Georgia On My Mind
Tomorrow morning I will be packing up and heading to Jasper, Georgia for four weeks.
"What the heck is in Jasper, Georgia Brynn?"
There is a beautiful Young Life camp called Sharp Top Cove in the small town of Jasper and I will spending four weeks nannying four children(ages 10, 8, 6 & 4). I met this family two summers ago when I was serving on Summer Staff at another Young Life camp in North Carolina. I pretty much fell in love with the kids then so when this opportunity came about I was so excited. I will be spending my time just hanging out with the kids, mainly the younger two. I am really excited because I will get to really observe all that goes into Young Life camp. Instead of serving campers, which is what I have done in the past, I am going to have the chance to witness hundreds of high school students hear the gospel each week. I also get to see an amazing team of Work Crew, Summer Staff and Assigned Team members serve Christ and serve these campers.
My pursuit right now is Christ and deepening my relationship with him. I am also really trying to focus on becoming a stronger witness, woman, daughter, sister, and friend. In my favorite book Blue Like Jazz (I know I mention it all of the time), Donald Miller talks about loving yourself and loving others. He says that in order to fully "Love your neighbor as yourself" you have to first and foremost love yourself. This is my biggest struggle. I am my own worst critic. Miller says that when you are able to really love yourself you can then love others and others can love you. I know how to love others and this is actually something I pride myself on, I love loving on other people. Now I am just charged with growing stronger as an individual and as a follower of Christ.
I am going to take a break from Facebook while I am there, but I will be trying to update my blog pretty frequently just with what God is teaching me and probably really great miracles I will witness each week.
"What the heck is in Jasper, Georgia Brynn?"
There is a beautiful Young Life camp called Sharp Top Cove in the small town of Jasper and I will spending four weeks nannying four children(ages 10, 8, 6 & 4). I met this family two summers ago when I was serving on Summer Staff at another Young Life camp in North Carolina. I pretty much fell in love with the kids then so when this opportunity came about I was so excited. I will be spending my time just hanging out with the kids, mainly the younger two. I am really excited because I will get to really observe all that goes into Young Life camp. Instead of serving campers, which is what I have done in the past, I am going to have the chance to witness hundreds of high school students hear the gospel each week. I also get to see an amazing team of Work Crew, Summer Staff and Assigned Team members serve Christ and serve these campers.
My pursuit right now is Christ and deepening my relationship with him. I am also really trying to focus on becoming a stronger witness, woman, daughter, sister, and friend. In my favorite book Blue Like Jazz (I know I mention it all of the time), Donald Miller talks about loving yourself and loving others. He says that in order to fully "Love your neighbor as yourself" you have to first and foremost love yourself. This is my biggest struggle. I am my own worst critic. Miller says that when you are able to really love yourself you can then love others and others can love you. I know how to love others and this is actually something I pride myself on, I love loving on other people. Now I am just charged with growing stronger as an individual and as a follower of Christ.
I am going to take a break from Facebook while I am there, but I will be trying to update my blog pretty frequently just with what God is teaching me and probably really great miracles I will witness each week.
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