WAHOOO!!!!!

A few weeks ago, right before I went to camp, I got an email from one of my AP students and she told me she got to her AP Calc score....and SHE MADE A 5!!!! (Which is the best you can do, 5, 4, and 3 are passing). I was extatic! And she told me that her friend had made a 4!!! Also amazing! This made me really excited, but these were only 2 scores out of 16. So, I waited and waited, and didn't call to see. Finally today, I went up to school and found out my scores.... this was my only real purpose in going... and as I made my way to the counseling office, I was stopped several times...and one even told me me one more of my AP scores...and that they (my students) did well...but this still didn't mean I knew exactly how everyone did...

So, I finally made it to the office, and the secretary was leaving...but since she had to put something away, she said that she would look for them, but didn't know where they were... but she found them...

SO.... 11 out of 16 of my kids PASSED their AP Exam!!!! I am so excited!!!
This is just a bit more than my 2/3 that passed last year. I am so excited!!!
I had 3 score a 5! (the best you can), 4 scored a 4, 4 scored a 3!!! I am so excited!
I hoped that they would do well, and I knew that some of them would. But, it makes me really excited!!!!

I know that this isn't really exciting to most people, but all year long I try to teach these kids calculus and some days I just feel like I am hoping for the best, other days things seem to go really well. Although I don't teach directly to the test, I try to get them to really know some calculus, I do spend time getting them ready for test so that they won't be completely shocked when they get in there. So, when my kids do well, it makes me really happy, and I must be doing something right!

Here I am again...

Well here I am, back in Memphis. It is kinda strange to be back, like one of those bittersweet moments. I left early and drove the 11 hours to get here. Now I have a few hours until I get to pick up my sister and brother-in-law (and some others) from the airport.

It is hard to believe that I am back here. I know that I should be here, so that I can get things a bit organized before school, but then I was really enjoying my time in Michigan, and I'm not quite ready for it to end. As I left this morning, it felt like I was leaving my home (and I was), but when I got back here and was heading to my sister's, I felt like I was home here. It's kinda an odd feeling...

I guess it is sad to leave because my summer has been SO great. There was so much more to it than I had expected. I had expected it to be fine and go well, but I didn't quite think it would be as great and wonderful as it turned out. It was all so much fun! I got to spend time with my family, and play with my nieces and nephew all together, and separately too. I made peanutbutter balls with my gram, we had dinner at grams, which was fabulous! I got to have my dad grill for me!!!(several times too!) I got to see people at church, and really, when I am there, I still feel like I am home, it's kinda wierd. I got hugs from so many people there, and so many cared about how I was doing and what I had been up too, even if it isn't really all that exciting. And then, I got to spend time with some of my friends. It was so much fun going Up North and just having a good time. I am so blessed to have those people in my life, and they understand me, even in my stupid moments. North Carolina was also a lot of fun...not that we did a whole lot, but you don't really have to do anything when you are on vacation. I did however get a really nice tan during that time. And then to top it all off I got to spend a week at camp, at NWOCYC, and that was amazing. All of the people there made me feel so welcomed and in class, they really cared what I had to say, which was nice.

There were so many funny memories made this summer and so many things I can laugh about, especially when songs come on the radio. Do you know, that every time we got in the car to go to the beach, the song "I had a bad day..." came one the radio? It was odd, and we never left at the same time either.

The hard part of coming back, is all of the people that I made these memories with are in Michigan. And it makes me miss it, and them. I am thankful to have my job, I really do enjoy it and what I do. I enjoy that I feel like I make some difference here (not that I wouldn't other places), and that I share my faith and my life with my students. However, i still really miss those people that know me and love me even through my stupid moments, and they know where I've been and they understand stories and jokes without having to explain who all the people are.

Wow, I make this sound that I don't want to be in TN at all. It's really not that... and it's not that I don't have great friends here in Memphis. It's just different.

Well, my summer was incredible!! It really was, God has done amazing things, and shown himself to me in so many ways. It has been wonderful. He has really helped me to understand some things more clearly, about me and other stuff too. It is great to be loved by God.

WOW!

Wow is probably the best word that can describe my week. WOW! I hope that I will have the ability to describe how amazing it was.

Well, my prayer (from the last post) was that God would use me, and I firmly believe that it happened. In probably even more ways than I can imagine.

Let's start from the beginning...

It was about Thursday-ish when I got the call from Jill to see if I wanted to go to camp. Jason had mentioned it to me, but it was finalized on that thursday. I came home Saturday and left Sunday afternoon. The last time that I was at this camp, was 7 years ago...it's hard to believe that it was that long ago. It was right before I was heading off to college (campers can be up to 20-ish), and my boyfriend came along with me- he was just about part of the family. So, here it is - 7 years later and I am asked to be a counselor...and I have been one at MCYC before, I didn't know what exactly would be expected of me. SO, I prayed...what else is there to do.

Honestly, the first couple days, I was quiet and just observing what was happening, I talked with some, but many of the old friendships were being renewed, and I was being introduced. Jill and I were put in a cabin together and we had a whole 3 girls in our cabin! However, these girls were incredible! They got up without having to be proked and proded, they cleaned without being proded or complaining, and their desire to learn things and ask questions was incredible. Two of our girls did not know many things and had a ton of questions, and together Jill and I made a pretty good pair - we were asked questions about baptism and the jewish religon and about things they had heard from some show or another. Yet, it was amazing! It was amazing to see God work in their lives, to see God break into their hearts and for them to want Him to be a part of their lives. It was incredible!

However, the most amazing part was to see God working throughout the WHOLE week. (K- this is partially for you) Honestly, my eyes were opened to this on Tuesday morning, but it started Monday night. Monday night, Jill and I had a cabin devo with our girls and decided to talk about love, it's a good topic. And I was like "OH! there is this verse in Ephesians, that talks about how great God's love is, and that it is so great that we can't imagine it!" (Eph 3:18) And so Jill thought it was cool, and we shared that with our girls and after trying to get it for a bit, they also thought it was cool. The next morning (Tues) we had a girl's chapel, and Mandy talked about God's love and as girl's always remembering that God loves us, even when we feel unlovable. I was amazed my this! I mean, what we had talked about the night before was exactly what we were talking about that morning. It was cool. So, that afternoon, I was sitting on a bench watching them play "polish golf/hillbilly golf" (something like that), and I was sitting next to Steve, and he is Mandy's dad and was running the video and powerpoint during chapel, and is also a preacher in IL. So, we were chatting, and we eventually got on the subject of that morning's chapel. And I told him how cool it was that what we were talking about in our cabin devo was what the chapel was about- and I explained what I had shared about how God's love can't be described, because of the length, width, height, and deepth and our brain can't picture that. And Steve then tells me that he is talking the following night about not being able to keep God in a box, which is exactly what I was describing. AMAZING!!! So, he asked if I would explain to everyone, what I had explained to him. And that was pretty cool.

Now, if it stopped there, it would have still been pretty impressive. However, that wasn't the end of it. During our "staff" class in the afternoon, someone mentioned the verse about "taking every thought captive", and Jill underlined it in her bible. The VERY next morning, before our devo, Jason (her husband) goes, where is that verse that says about "taking every thought captive". And that was exactly what Jill had underlined. AMAZING! This happened over and over again. I would say something to Jill or write a question or thought on a piece of paper and then someone would teach about it or make a comment about it. It was amazing!!!

Kendra - by the end of the week, all I could do was think about you and the last comment I left you! I had seen Him in little things, but I would have had to been blind not to see Him working this week. It was so evident, in all things. I did not know what I was doing this summer, never really had a definate plan, but maybe that was what God wanted from me. I think that allowed me to be available to Him this week. Kendra, I have never seen God so alive and working as I did at this week at camp. I have seen His work when we have been at camp, but never quite like this. It was amazing to see.

Really, this week did a lot for me. I needed it, in so many ways. The people really took me in as one of their own. I was very loved and cared for, and they cared about my thoughts and I learned quite a bit. I went to one of classes in the morning and got be involved with the teens and I really was able to see their hearts, and Jill and I were even thanked for being in there and for our comments. In the afternoons, our staff class was just what I needed. I needed to be feed spiritually. And what we talked about was beneficial and I was blessed by hearing others thoughts and comments.

I also made some new friends, and maybe I helped one not be quite so scared to go to college in just a few weeks. I hope, and she could use your prayers, because she is nervous and a bit intimidated, but I understand how it can be - we had some good talks. There were so many amazing people, and really the time spent with Jill and Jason was also blessing, they are wonderful! I miss them a lot and really haven't spent this much time with Jill since Fair. Also, I this nice talk while setting up the camp fire, it was refreshing to talk about all that God has done in my life. There is a chunk that is sad, but from that I really do believe that God is using me and molding me into what he wants me to be. And one day, He will make all of my hearts' desires come true. Psalm 36:4 "Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires." Thank you for your prayers. GOD IS AMAZING!

Home again, Home again...

Well, I'm not quite home yet. Or, maybe it just depends on which home I am talking about. I made it back from the Outer Banks. We stayed in Kitty Hawk, NC. It was a nice week. I was able to sit on the beach and relax. We sat on the beach a lot, and it really was fun. The weather was nice, only rained on the last two nights we were there, but it was clear the next morning. We really did spend quite a bit of time at the beach... I worked on my tan. I know it isn't the most productive thing to do, but just laying and relaxing was quite fun. We played catch with a football on the beach, and a little bit of frisbee. I was attacked by a couple of waves...they completely took me down. I landed on my rear and then was pushed back on shore... This happened on the two days when the water was "a bone chilling...57 degrees." And it was that cold. The was the quote that was on the life guard tower. And it really was cold in the water, but that was only the last couple of days. Really, the first couple of days the water was really nice and warm, like 75-ish. And although the water was cold, it was refreshing to dive in and then come back on shore and dry off in the heat. I spent time finishing up a book and almost finishing another book, solving some crossword puzzles and other puzzle like things, playing games - some of them I won...it was fun. It was fun even if I didn't win. We all had a lot of laughs, and it was a great time! I know that it doesn't sound like we did much... and that may be partially true. But it was a good vacation, and hey - It was a vacation, no one said I had to DO anything on my vacation.

Honestly, I was a little apprehensive about this trip. I was excited to spend time with becky, but I didn't really know the others that were going. SO I really had doubts of how things would work, and since the others knew each other so well, but really I had a great time. I did know all of the people, but not very well. It was good, I'm kinda starting to miss the beach, I really enjoyed the sad and sitting there relaxing... and even laughing about the waves.

Now, I really thought I was going to be heading home, as in Memphis, after this trip...but then I knew I had absolutely NO plan for this summer...and I think that has worked out well, because I am going to go to Camp next week. Well, not so much next week as Tomorrow. It isn't the camp I grew up going to, but one I went to in Ohio with my cousin. I am really excited to get to spend this time with Jill and Jason -my cousins. They are great people, really they are just like my brother and sister. I know that my week won't be just with them, but I will be with them more than I normally would, so that is good. I am a bit nervous, I know that is silly, since I work with teens all week long, but I pray that God will use me and that there is a reason that I am there.

In a way, I am looking forward to getting back to Memphis. I miss some of the people, actually many of them. Yet, I am really enjoying my time in Michigan. I have loved every moment of my summer. It has been incredible! I have been able to see my family and friends and it has meant a ton to me. I have thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent up north with my friends and then in NC, it is hard to explain how much it has meant to me. I miss these people a lot when I am in Memphis, I have some good friends there, but it's not just the same. I found my self being totally silly for the past weeks, and I have loved it. I know it is dumb, but I needed it. In these times, I have had some of the most un-intelligent things come from my mouth, and yet these people still love me. It is great. I had one of these moments with becky this week, while floating up the east coast shoreline... it's a pretty good story. But I'm not typing it here...

Well, this has gotten much longer than I had planned. I hope things are going well with everyone. Keep my sister and her team members in your prayers, while they are in Australia!

See ya! bye!

On the road again...

Well, I've been back at "home" for a day, and I leave again tonight for my next adventure. Tonight, I am heading with Becky and someother to OuterBanks, NC. I am excited, get I am still a bit tired and not quite ready to go, but I will be.

My mom took Brenna and Darian to meet their other grandma in OH yesterday, so last night it was just my parents and Rayne & I. And Rayne convinced me to sleep in a tent in the backyard...so, I didn't sleep that well. My dad left today for his biker trip...it's kinda funny to think of my dad as a "biker", but he really enjoys it. He and his friends are taking a trip around Michigan and stopping at different places.

My sister & brother-in-law are on their way to Austalia. They are doing a survey trip, and plan on moving there in about a year. They will be gone for about 3 weeks.

Well, it has been good to be home for a bit, yesterday was rather amusing with the variety to songs that were stuck in my head. I woke up with songs going through my head, and I don't even listen to that type of music...

So, here I am, trying to pack for this trip. I have been procrastinating all day - and most of the stuff is back in the suitcase, but I just am not motivated to do much more. I have been packing from one suitcase to the other for a month and a half now...It's hard to believe that much time has gone by.

Well, keep my family in your prayers, since there are so many that are traveling. I am very thankful that it is summer, I have been thoroughly enjoy it and my time off of school!

Auf Wiedersehen!

Camping

For the past five days, I have been camping Up North at Black Lake. Just for those non-Michigan people, "Up North" is not a direction, it means the Northern part of Michigan, but not to the Northern peninsula.

Anyhow, this weekend was fabulous, terrific, wonderful and incredible! To say the least, I enjoyed my time on the lake and with my friends. I needed this time, for so many reasons. I have enjoyed living in Memphis and working at Harding and the people I go to church with, but it still isn't quite the same as being here. And that's okay, but sometimes I need time like this. I have not laughed and been quite so goofy in such a long time. There are so many stories that I could tell, but I doubt they would make any sense. However, all the memories from this weekend leave me smiling.

This weekend, we had 7 people for the first couple days and then 11 for the last few days. We were at a cabin some of my friend's in-laws own, and they go up every year, and I was invited this year. When there are 7 or 11 people, things can get pretty comical and that is what happened, whether it was with cooking, off-roading, playing cards or just talking...we laughed. Usually I am a rather intelligent person, but I said some of the stupidest things...and it was too late to take them back once they were out of my mouth, but we still got a pretty good laugh over it. I screamed over a bug diving at my face in the dark...and seeing we should get someone to kill it. I don't usually scream over bugs, but it was HUGE!!! and it dove at my face...and it was so dark that night you couldn't see your hand infront of your face.

I did so many fun things too! It was great! I got to swim and play in the lake several times. We also went off-roading in Tom's truck- it was great! I laughed a lot! We say a turtle cross one of the paths, and he was moving quickly on the way back and he feel off the log-also rather amusing. Becky hit her head on the window while off-roading, she wasn't hurt...so it was also quite amusing, we laughed about this for days. I sorta learned how to jetski on a stand-up, I even have bruises to prove for this, actually, I did manage to stand up for a bit, I was so excited! It was a blast!! I learned how to play Texas Hold 'em (poker), and I won twice - and I beat all the boys...it was rather amusing too. We spent 4 hours (a record for becky) playing Euchre, Matt and I won the first two games and then we couldn't win again...Dave and Becky won with most of their points coming from us getting Euched. We laughed so much playing...it was fun. We went to Ocqueoc Falls, and played in the river and falls bit. We went canoeing, and we didn't see the lightning, so we went rather far. We saw 2 movies, I really enjoyed Superman! We went to Mackinaw City and I saw the island from a distance and the bridge, we watched fireworks there and played putt-putt, and I had FOUR (4) holes in one! AMAZING! It was great! I've never done that before. We watched the stars, had a few campfires, I ate toasted marshmellows...and also relaxed a bit too!

It was great! The stars were amazing! They were so clear! You could see some of the bands of the MilkyWay and thousands of stars and planets, I even saw a shooting star and a satelite (it was moving). It was gorgeous, the stars reminded me of how big God is and how very little I am. It was so peaceful. I really enjoyed having a campfire too! The first one we had, I was sitting there with it (playing with it a bit) and after awhile, the flames were gone but the embers remained and were glowing, and it looked like they were sparkling. Becky said they were dancing...and it was true. For awhile the other had gone inside or to bed and so I sat there and stared at the fire and sang quietly (probably hummed). It was so beautiful.

As much I enjoyed all of the things we did, it was the people that made this so great! I was asked by Tom and Ali to come, and Becky helped with allowing me to borrow some of her things for camping (which we didn't use because we stayed on the bunkbeds in the cabin), but it was really fun being there with all of them. For the first couple of days, 5 out of the 7 of us are teachers, then there were 6 out of 11, but I never noticed how nice it was to have teacher friends, especially those that understand. I know it is summer, and we are not in school, but still we shared our stories and laughed about our students and talked about how things were going or not going. We listened and shared and laughed...and I as I drove home from Becky's I was thankful. I was thankful for these people, those that know a bit of where I've been and still love me. It is great to be able to talk and just know what the other means or to know that they understand. I miss these people a lot when I am in Memphis. I have some good friends there, but I needed this time. I am so glad that I went. As Becky said, "My laughing muscles haven't been used so much in a LONG time." It is very true...we laughed about everything. Good times....

I'll try to add some pictures later. If you made it this far...I'm amazed...but if you didn't catch on...it was a great trip! OH, and the weather was perfect and I have a pretty nice tan! It makes me happy!