Weird Week, Day One.

So, this week I have the most diverse bunch of people in one group, ever. It's so fun. Also, a bit weird. There's no way I could share everything without showing you complete footage of the entire day, but I would like to give you a little something something to help create a scene for your mind. [sidenote: I will be incorporating my thoughts into the dialogue/descriptions as I report, and I will do so in the same manner as I presented this information]

Let's begin with dinner. Intentional time. So I see some students of mine and their table is full, but they offer to switch tables to sit with me. Looking back I see that this probably should've been clue number one. Instead I'm thinking, "yes, my students like me!" So we sit, and 3 minutes into the conversation Teddy decides he's going to be intentional with me. It went like this:

:Conversation about the weather:

Teddy: I want to go to Disney World

Jenna: Disney World is fun.

Teddy: Maybe our youth group could go. Maybe you could go with us.

Jenna: ohhh,mnnn,uh

Teddy: I'd ask you for your number, but you probably wouldn't give it to me

Jenna: [Did I miss something? Was that logical? I thought we were talking about vacationing...Oh no, I am so tired that I'm missing complete chunks of conversation now?] Yeah, I'm not giving you my number.

Teddy: Hmnn.

...[1.2 minutes]....

Teddy: Do you have any brothers or sisters?

Jenna: Yes, a sister, two brothers.

Teddy: How old's your sister?

Jenna:16

Teddy: Is she hot?

Jenna: I'm sorry, what?

Teddy: Does she look good. Like her face. Is it good?

Jenna: [What does that even mean?! Why are you crazy? Why am I at this table? Has anyone seen Kellen's keys?!!!] Um, you are ridiculous, and that is a question I will not answer.

-Annnndddddd End Dinner Scene.

Then, after worship I decide to go to Sonic for some cheese tater tots. They bring me chili cheese tater tots though, so I politely decline and ask for just cheese stating "sorry, but I don't eat meat or I would just eat those" to which Sonic Friend replies emphatically, "Really? That's actually really cool" (Apparently being a vegetarian is the thing to do now.) So he goes to get the ones with just cheese which takes at least 7 minutes, but no fear because just when I think he's forgotten about me he returns with cheese tater tots, 4 coupons for free shakes and this: "Do people tell you you're pretty all the time?" To which I naturally reply, "uhmm, what? Oh, uh, no, but thanks, that's really sweet" [go go gadget super speed window roll-up]

And of course the day wouldn't be complete unless something else weird happened, so hello there county fair nightlife. There I was just hanging out by the horseshoes (dumb) and sweet baby Nick comes by and says, "hey, do you want this slushy" and I really don't so I tell him I'm good, but then he's all "yeah, I bought it for this girl, but when I took it to her, she said she didn't want it and walked away." OH NO! rude girls are not okay. So I felt bad for baby Nick and said, "I won't reject you!! Thank you" and took the slushy. And in his gratefulness he says, "thank you. I appreciate that...are you a leader? [yes] I think I saw you in the lunchroom earlier" And cue awkward conversation/shifty eyes.

Also today, my kids had a debate about how old I am and whether or not I'm married. The verdict? "25, and I knew you weren't married. You didn't have a boyfriend either do you?" No, I didn't. Furthermore, I don't. I'm not sure whether to be complimented or not. They think I'm 25 because I "act so old and grown up" but I'm not sure if they think "sheesh, why hasn't anyone snatched her up" or "yep, I knew it; she's practically a crazy cat lady already," and that my friends makes all the difference in whether or not this day was an 8 or 9 on the weirdodometer.

Obsessions.

I love houses. I like looking at them, and I certainly love living in them. This is what I desire:

A house with stairs like this, somewhere

A house with trees like this, all over

And, A house with a library like this, near a window.

Yes, please.

week one. deuces.

So sometimes I just like to share things I love. Because Love is fun. Well, it can be. If you hate this stuff, it won't be fun for you. Today I am wishing that I could draw, because I absolutely cannot. I can communicate fairly well with my words, but I really want to be able to do so with pictures. I also wish that I was a better illustrator. And by that I mean one who utilizes Adobe Illustrator to its full potential. If I had those skills, here's some fun things I would be inspired by.

Ok, so maybe the second one was stamps/paint and the last one was Photoshop. I just wish I was more artsy and talented. Maybe I should get a degree in fine arts. It could be fun. You're right, I don't mean that at all, but while we're putting on our "Serious Faces" let's talk about Week Uno of Camp.

This week the kids weren't out of school, so instead of children's ministry I did painting, construction, and yardwork. I won't lie; this girl was not excited. I've never been trained in how to lead or teach service in that track, but of course the Lord was faithful. I really struggled the day before they came because I had been studying how Jesus taught and what a big responsibility the Bible says it is, and thinking about how I had selfishly let myself get caught up in, ... well, me. Again, not worried about the Fall, but finding myself devoting my thoughts to speculation rather than the tasks at hand that God has sovereignly placed in my path, and I kept thinking how am I going to teach those kids starting tomorrow when I can't even do right in my own life. The answer? I can't, The Holy Spirit had to teach through me, and everything that happened last week just made that so evident.

Pray that God will make you humble and use you to glorify Himself, and He will certainly do so. I had all but like 2 junior high kids with Bible study material infinitely deep and wide, PCY with no concept of the sites or time management, and the silliest sort of weather. That's what I had, and I felt afraid. Oh, and I started off on a terrible foot by messing up during the very first thing I was responsible for at camp (Placing kids in track groups [PIT], essential for starting any week of camp). However, God gave me, the most flexible kids, the most loving and patient adults, and unplanned examples to relate Biblical truths to kids that they understood.

Be careful what you pray for, because humility is a scary thing, and being vulnerable is most terrifying, but be careful who you trust in, because independence is deceitful, and being prideful ends painfully. This week was hard, but it was so rewarding.

Let's Get Reflective

So yesterday we had to take pipe cleaners and make something that represented how we see God everyday. This is what I made. "why?" you ask. Well, here's why. I made two people (engaging in a side-hug of course. I mean are we Christians or are we Christians?) and I did that because lately I've been seeing God as my comforter.

At first I thought this task was sort of impossible because I see God so many different ways at any given point in my day, but this is the most prevalent way as of late. When I'm in school, I'm in school. I give everything I have. I think about Iago in the shower, and I dream about Charles Dickens at night. Consequently, being out of school kind of made me feel at a loss. Almost unneeded. I had no tasks to complete; no one was waiting on me to finish something and turn it in. What was I supposed to be doing?! Then there's Fall. Forget knowing where I'm going, I don't even know what direction I'm supposed to turn my foot for my next step. And then this summer. Going to camp where the catch phrase is "flexible" (not literally) and not knowing who will be there, or who my students will be, or what I'm going to encounter on site.

But as I was given this project and I started to reflect on what's been happening in my life, I realized I'm pretty much all caught up on processing, and I'm not really afraid or worried about any of the unknowns in my life. God is my comforter even though I never cried out to Him in desperation for one. He has protected me from fear and anxiety, and given me opportunity to focus on His glory and my purpose (which is a little redundant of me to say, but true). No, I am not in the least worried about what I''m going to say June 7th when my first campers get here. And no, I am not upset or troubled in the least about July 28th-ish when I end up back in central Alabama with absolutely no plans. My God is in control, and he comforts me when I don't have the answers. It reminds me of one of my favorite Psalms.

Psalm 62:5-8 "My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him.

He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.

On God my salvation and my glory rest; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.

Bet you didn't expect all that from pipe-cleaners, now did you?

Desert Island

I love this game.

If I were on a desert island and I could only bring:

3 books, they would be

• Bible. It's living, how can you tire of it?
• Anna Karenina, so much to analyze
• Complete works of Jane Austen, she's a genius

2 movies, they would be

• An Education, so beautiful and heart-breaking and amazing
• Peter Pan, original Disney, it will always be my favorite

1 nonessential treat, it would be

• Chapstick, an endless supply of, lest I die and I'd probably make my own toothbrush because I would never survive without one.

And you?

Skeptical

Last summer I met some super amazing people. It was a hard summer. I cried, I hurt, I wanted to die at least once, but it was so rewarding, and if I could relive it, I would. It is for this reason that I am torn about working camp again this summer. I know I'm going to love my new staff and have just as much fun, but I don't know how that's even possible. I'm not going to dwell on it because then I'll start missing my FUGE09, but I am curious about a few things.

Will they completely love an awkward family photo like we did?

Will they think Flarp is the funniest like we did?

Will they be able to rock a fro, rollar blades, and American flag shorts in one photo like this?

Or even just love America like we did? Live the dream.

Will they think Wild Sweet Orange is the best like Miss Alice and I did?

Will they think paper party is the worst like Baby Nick and I did?

Will they be okay with me speaking "site baby" English like Jakobi and I did?

Will they think a crazy praise is the weirdest like we did?

Get ready FUGE 2010. You've got big shoes to fill.

Secret Saturday Lives On

I know I have neglected you faithful few, so to make up this secret Saturday is going to be saturated. Fasten your seat belts. :]

I'll be honest. Sometimes I'm needy. Sometimes I talk to myself, sing to myself, and yell at other people when myself is the only one who can hear. I used to have a list. And not just of boyfriend qualifications, but of careers and places to live and names for babies that P.S. I am terrified about having. I like the Winter and I love it when it rains. I hate having to repeat myself, but I love when people can communicate with their eyes. I forever want country music to get out of my life, and I am sometimes gangster in my car with Ice Ice Baby and Run DMC. Every now and then I cry, but mostly my cheeks just hurt from smiling. My hair gets stuck in my seatbelt and car door a lot, and brushing my teeth is one of my favorite things to do. Ever. I'm just a girl, but I don't think that's a bad thing at all.