My sweet sweet girls!

I got to hang out with my now senior girls all day and tonight at Core.
It was so good to sit and chat and catch up on their dramatic high school lives.
I love it!
They suprised me with a gift - "Jarbie Jo"

I missed our mission trip to mississippi that my girls went on so they got a barbie doll dressed her like me and put her in a jar with my picture on it (hence - Jarbie Jo instead of jibby jo). Cute huh! (kinda weird - but that's all Matt's fault).
They also gave me a picture of all of us from winter retreat. So Cute!

I really missed them and I love Jarbie Jo!
Thanks girls

Back in the Saddle Again . . .

Truth be told - I'm suffering a little culture shock! Not from Costa Rica but from having to come back to "real" work after such an amazing summer. I've processed what I learned this summer so that I could share that with others, however, I haven't processed the feelings of becoming so close to people in a short amount of time and then being seperated from them. It's been hard - pray for me.
I went to the Padres game (they played Arizona) last night with Tom and Tanya - which was fun - but I was rooting for both teams to lose (which I know is impossible) but the Dodgers are battling both these teams for the post season.
well - the d-backs lost - like anyone reading this cares. oh well.

Costa Rica (the real deal)

Ok - I'm sitting at my desk at church for the first time in 3 months - weird.
Here's the official Costa Rica replay.
First things first - it's really hot and stupid humid - wow! But absolutely beautiful. I am now convinced that no other resort holds a candle to the four seasons. It was the most amazing experience of luxury - I am so blessed (spoiled-whatever). This is a shot of the jungle with our suite in the middle of it.

We had our own covered patio, table and lounge chairs - we could see and hear monkeys and racoons. (the monkeys sound like bears by the way.)
On the way from the airport to the hotel a computer came flying out of the overhead and hit me in the head which caused a slight concusion and made me nauseaed for a few days but I'm okay now.
The days were mostly sunny with thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. It was nice to see rain after the dry winter we just had. My favorite parts of the trip were sitting by the pool, the massage I got at the spa, and of course the zipline (Aaron - yours is way better):)
It was an amazing trip - lots of fun!
I miss Pondo (still can't talk about it).







The last picture is of a Rodeo we went to - interesting stuff.

costa rica

I'm back from costa rica - which was amazing! (thanks again mom and dad).
Still struggling with some computer connection glitches caused by my camp Internet connection so you'll have to wait until tomorrow for my official costa rica post. Tomorrow is my first day back at church in 3 monthes so i guess that means the end of my summer vacation. So sad!

One mountain to another

So I left Pondo (so sad i can't talk about it yet) to go to another mountain.
I'm spending the week with my family in June Lake. It's beautiful here and it's been nice to just relax and spend time with those I love.

Pondo 10.4

Tomorrow is sadly my last day at Pondo!
Never in my life did 10 weeks go by that fast.
I'm sad it's over (probably the best summer of my life so far) but it's bitter sweet because I am done living in a trailor and sharing a bathroom with 8 girls, doing afternoon rec (especially the relay), and don't get me started on the food!
Looking back on the summer - I am so glad I did this!
Life is too short not to take advantage of opportunities to grow and change.
Highlights of the summer . . .
1. Meeting some amazing people - Nikki, Brooklyn, Kaylee, Daniel, Kayla, Ashley (just to name a few of my favorites)
2. Hanging out with some of my favorite people (who I now know and love even more) - Dan, Becky, Aaron, Brady, Debbie, Lisa, Angie, Tori, JG, and Dave.
3. Breathing fresh air, soaking up sun, and starry nights
4. Monday morning each week as the campers arrive (I love the excitement and newness of camp).
5. Thursday night walks under the stars

Thanks to everyone at Pondo for the most amazing summer!
I love this place and can't wait to come back and visit!

Good Things come to those who save!

The minute I saw the keynote on mac.com I started saving . . . and now she's mine!
To my friend Eric - Mac made a killing on us this week.

Pondo 9.5

This week was tough.
It was hard to get back into our normal summer routine after campfire and juniors week.
There was a chance of thunderstorms this week and I found myself praying it would rain during afternoon rec (one of my least favorite things).
However, God is good and uses our weaknesses to show how powerful He is. I think He spoke to me more this week than any other week this summer. Sean McDowell spoke and I wasn't all that excited about hearing his talks for the second time but God used used him to teach me some much needed lessons and now I'm left to process it all.
We also finished Velvet Elvis and our discussions on it - which have been really good. I am learning so much from Rob Bell this summer.
So here I am on Friday night still at Pondo - very tired but still absolutely loving this place and this whole experience. We packed Aaron and Rachel's house up this afternoon which was sad and made me all the more glad I chose this summer to be here and have the chance to hang out with them.
One more week!