Early Bird

My last few weeks at SharpTop were great. I cannot describe the joy that I get from living in community and from playing with a bunch of little ones every day. I sincerely miss waking up and walking downstairs in Eagle Branch into the living room greeted by precious children eating cereal or playing with blocks. I miss a lot about being there... I am only slightly embarrassed to say I cried when I said bye to everyone. This was primarily because all of the parents kept thanking me for being there, even though I wasn't their nanny, they told me they really appreciated me loving on their kids anyways. I don't know how to take compliments, maybe I don't feel like I deserve them or maybe I am just flattered... but I cry every time.
Side note: On the last night there we saw a momma Black Bear and her four adorable cubs right in our backyard! I didn't even consider the imminent danger, all I wanted to do was go play with the cubs.

Photo Credit

Oh if you’re a bird, be an early bird
And catch the worm for your breakfast plate.
If you’re a bird, be an early early bird
But if you’re a worm, sleep late. Shel Silverstein, Where the Sidewalk Ends

Upon returning home from SharpTop I knew I had a few tough weeks ahead of me. The main reason being because I would have to wake up each week day at four am to be at work at four thirty. (Yes there are people waiting in the parking lot when I pull in each morning to work out. And yes there are people that get in and swim at 5:01) All this after spending 4 weeks of being spoiled and "sleeping in" until at least nine almost every day. I just finished week two of this and I survived. I did feel kind of lame being in bed by 9 each night. I have actually come to enjoy my time in the morning to sit in silence and watch the lap swimmers or read when the pool is empty. I love the air in the early morning, even though I am not a morning person, I wish I was soo bad.

After this week I will go back to a "normal" schedule of shifts after eight am. I have been a little indifferent about school starting back and actually starting to sub. I met with my boss the other day to give her some paper work. All I have left to do is choose the schools I want to sub at and I am all set. This made me actually pretty excited to start. I will also be glad to (hopefully) have a set schedule Monday-Friday. I am also pretty excited for a change of scenery. I have been working at my two jobs now since my Junior year in high school and the summer after Freshman year at CNU. Needless to say it is time to start something new and a little more grown up. I am excited to learn more about teaching and especially to get more exposure because all of my experience in schools has been kindergarten and a semester in fifth grade. I undoubtedly will also have some memorable experiences as a substitute teacher to share, so get excited!

It's a small world after all

Young Life really is the smallest world. I have so many mutual friends with people I have met here at Sharp Top. Also, I have known at least one person who was leading campers each week I have been here. Week 1, a guy I've known since 6th grade was leading kids from Charlottesville, that was a really awesome coincidence. Week 2, the Area Director from Fredericksburg, Va and his wife were here. I've known Cliff since high school, he did his intern years of YL staff in Roanoke. He got married a few years back and I met his wife back in 2009 when I was on Summer Staff at Windy Gap, she is such a sweetheart. Halfway through the week I realized another friend of mine I worked with at home was leading some guys from Fredericksburg as well. This week I am really happy to see some old Summer Staff friends of mine. My friends Will, Ben, Mary Cameron and Matt are here leading kids, I did Summer Staff in 2008 with them here at Sharp Top. It is so crazy to see what 3 years has done in their lives. Will and Mary Cameron started dating, Ben got engaged and Matt got married! Even cooler, Will, Ben and Matt are on Young Life staff now. My friend Doogie that I did Summer Staff with in 2009 at Windy Gap is here as well leading some kids. I just think it is really cool that I am at Sharp Top Cove, in Jasper, Georgia - the middle of nowhere and I have known someone each week I have been here. I really hope I know someone next week just to keep my streak going.

Happy Fourth of July/Happy Birthday to my baby brother who is 17!

Tonight the kids' Mom leaves to go home for work so I am back to full Nanny mode after she leaves until she comes back on Friday. I really feel like this week has been good just kind of observing how Sarah is with the kids as far as where they can go alone and all that stuff. I think week 1 I was just over-strict because I didn't know what was okay and what wasn't. Now that I do I think it will be a lot easier to watch after the kids. I really can't believe that there are only two weeks left, the first two really flew by.

God has been doing great things here and has been using everyone here to speak a lot of truth into my life. My favorite part of the day is at night. There are a million stars out and just a sound track of crickets and frogs and all of the awesome sounds of nature. That is definitely how I see God's beauty each day.