2 photos, 4 links, a few words.

Hi!

I'm leaving for another week of camp this weekend - highly excited.



Before I go north . . .

. . . here are some pretty cool things . . .

Fennec foxes.

Will, Kate, and Canada. ♥

Classical music and how it's incredible.

Levitation self portraits. From Tokyo. ♥ ♥

And . . .



Prints of romantic paintings for $5.

Life is good in summertime.
~M

Home.

It's been a long week at camp. Feelings like awe, exhaustion, joy, near-misery, peace, and many others flew through me at a million miles a second. Camp is like that. I'm in a different environment, the kids are in a different environment, and we're there simply to have fun and meet God.

The growth I see in the kids is worth all the challenges. God's ability to soften hearts, forgive our failings, and show His love simply awes.

When I'm away from home, and wildly busy at my new location, my perspective changes. Coming home makes that clear.



My driveway becomes a source of pleasure to look at.

I remember how much I love the trees in the yard.



I'm reminded, delightfully, of how much fun my sister is.



I remember how good it feels to take pictures.



It doesn't matter that the floor isn't spotlessly vacuumed or that someone forgot to put away their shoes. It only matters that I'm back home.

It's a hard word to define....I still don't have my definition figured out, even though I'm reveling in it. :) I think that if I melded contentment, peace, and simplicity together, I'd begin to get to that meaning.

Anyway, I should go finish the laundry. :)
~M

Currently reading....

Sure, I could have simply updated my books page, but I am so excited about the books I am reading right now I had to do a post about them. Starting from the bottom:

Peace like a River- This is the book I read in the evening while enjoying the sunset. I love the atmosphere of it.

Les Miserables- After listening to the musical's soundtrack, I was absolutely pumped to begin the book. It is really good. The writing and translation are clear and sharp, and the depth is enough to blow you away.

Enna Burning- Who doesn't love or at least like anything by Shannon Hale? My favorite part of any of her books are the characters, and Enna Burning's are no exception. :)

Mossflower- I am loving the forest-ey setting for this one.

Gone with the Wind- I have found it! The perfect summer read! I can park myself outside in the sun and read this one for hours and hours. It sweeps me away. I know that I won't finish it by summer's end, and I probably won't read it during the school year, but I am definitely reading it next year.
~~~~~
Today I am leaving for my second and last week of camp counseling, so I won't be posing or commenting for the rest of the week. I would appreciate any prayer!

It's raining where I am at today, but I hope that the rest of you find ways to stay cool and enjoy summer!

~Margaret Rowena

Camp

Here I am, returned from camp! My duties, aside from being a cabin leader, were to lead crafts and nature expeditions. I had fun! Here are some samples of the week:

We went on a scavenger hunt.

I helped them make Popsicle stick boxes.


We did some watercolors.

We caught some bugs to look at. Isn't this Damsel fly pretty?

On the first day, a lady came with supplies to paint tote bags. The kids loved it!

Here is the lake, while it was rainy out. I love the grey and green. It rained all day Monday, but inside games and activities kept people happy. Every other day had splendid weather, though.

Being a leader was not always an easy job, but it was worth it when I saw improved behavior in some of the girls. It was incredible to see God work in them. The other cabin leaders were fantastic, too! I was so glad to have such great people working alongside with me and to meet new friends.

Leaving

Today I leave for my first week of being a camp counselor. I would totally love it if you would pray...

1. ...that the kids will be open and receptive to the Gospel.

2. ...that the other counselors and I will form a great team.

3. ...for good weather!

4. ...that God will be glorified. I know He will be. :)

But Jesus called to them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a small child shall not receive it. -Luke 18:16-17

I love this verse. It reminds me that I do not need to get all technical and picky about God and my faith. I just need to love and trust Him.