Speaking....from God....

When I came to South Dakota I did not know any of the people I was going to be living and working with. When I stepped off the plane that night I realized that this summer was going to be full of adventure, finding myself, and learning how to deal with things. However little did I know that I was going to be laughing, crying, and fellowshipping with some of the coolest people. There are 10 SummerShiners here in South Dakota, 7 of of them come from North Carolina, one comes from Texas, another from South Carolina, one from Georgia, and then there is me from Illinois. These other 9 people I am working with have somehow showed this girl from Illinois that is it okay to let lose and be free, laugh at the dumb things, and most of all just live.

I made a commitment to myself at the beginning of the summer that I was going to have fun, and enjoy each and everything that I would encounter. To this day as I write this it is all falling into place. I have learned to not sweat the small stuff. Like wearing the same shirt a week and a half before it gets washed again. Walking every where we go has become a daily exercise, andlaughing has become the best medicine.

As I write this I am in some pain due to a Chrones flare up, but I have been able to sit with my friends, and laugh about the oddest things. Half of which has come out of my mouth. I have learned to laugh at myself, because even I cannot control what comes out. I have found that I am pretty fuuny, and I have been blessed with a sense of humor that MANY people understand. I never knew I had it in me.

As I sit here half falling asleep I have learned to listen to God, and I think the way I have learned to listen is by laughing. I have never laughed so much in my life, it is when you get some of us together that we sit and laugh. Then when you get the whole group together....well its just insane.

When God formed this South Dakota group he had a plan, and whatever that plan is I know we will fullfill. When Pastor Chris Thore put all 10 of us together I am sure he had no idea maybe he did....who knows....that this group would come together through the hard times, fun times, and times when we cannot figure out. We would JUST laugh our way through. As the summer goes on I can see Christ in each of these people, and I thank God everyday for speaking, and by speaking he has taught to to laugh.

Snakes, Gators, and spiders....oh my...

These pictures prove God has a sense of humor....

A few of us went to Reptile Gardens today. We got to see some snakes, spiders, gators, praire dogs (which I am CURTIAN they are not reptiles however they were there and they were SOOO stinkin cute.)

Anyway this place has over 50 snakes half of them are deadly, and the DEADLEST right here..

Snakes do not bother me unless they are running lose, thats when I get scared....

What a dofus...

YES I am talking about me...

I am planning a trip to North Carolina this fall. I have not left the people I am working with this summer and I am already planning a trip..anyway...all but seven of us call North Carolina home. I looked at the map...not only is it 15 hours and 1004.02 miles from Lincoln Christian College BUT North Carolina is more south than I thought. I honestly thought it was a stright shot East from Illinois....nah...thats another North Carolina....so this means South Carolina is MUCH more South then I expected....OY BOY.....

In this trip I may stop by Tennesee and see my Uncle Cliff and Aunt Deb. Whom I always seem to miss EVERY time they come home to visit. They plan it this way:) So...I am a'comin to visit ya'll!!!! Although Franklin is a LONG way from Wilmington N.C.

Ya'll....I have worked with seven people from North Carolina for 4 weeks, and I am starting to act like them.

If you look at the light blue mark...thats the route......

Can you sign this?

I never thought my name could me so much to a person. Actually my scribble. If any of you know me well enough you know my handwriting is horriable.

Anyway, we SummerShiners have been writing out our names for our littlest fans. After a skit show, and Fuel for your Journey. They come prepared with paper and some kind of writing utensil. They ask us "Will you sign this for me?" and of course we do not hesitate. We forget our name and how to spell it by the time we are done, but we write our name a a little message.

To know that the smallest people are looking up to you kind makes your...okay my heart melt. When we met families through out the week, and we get to know them we fall in LOVE with the kids they bring. When those kids come up and say. "Can you sign this?" what can we do other then say. "This will be worth something someday, and when it is look us up:) They laugh, we laugh, and we watch them walk away hoping we got through.

I think the biggest thing I have learned the last few weeks is that the smallest eyes are watching, and those eyes MELT the hearts of 10 people who in the end, can MELT the hearts of our smallest fans:)

Oh HAIL!

Yep I said it, and all I have to say is that it was hailing, the sun was out, and then a BUNCH of rain all at once here in the Black Hills.

All I can really do is show pictures. Just know the weather around here is NUTS. It rains and its sunny all at the sametime. It rains at one end of the campground and does nothing at the other. It HAILS and the sun is out, it snows, rains, fogs, winds, and COLD...all in the SAME day.

And we thought Illinois was bad. Come to South Dakota. They told us to pack for 90-100 degree weather.....we are still waiting....

Something about it....

There is something about seeing something for the first time.

A new baby....a nine month long wait...

A new movie....sometimes you like it and sometimes you wonder why you even bothered.

Or there is that little thing you call something you learn about, and never thought you would bothering going to look at it, or even imagine yourself actually enjoying it.

I kinda felt that the other night when the group and I went to see Mt. Rushmore. I have learned about it, seen pictures, and can tell you the four faces on it, but I never imagined myself stopping and looking at it in amazement. I am not sure what was going through my head, but I do know that standing in front of it made me realize how lucky I am not only this summer but in this life. I have had many opportunity's not only this summer, but in the 26 years I have been alive.

It was in that moment I looked up and saw the four faces on a mountain that I realized I am free, and able to walk, talk, be a Christian, and know that I can do all that because of four people.

Moments...

I looked up at the sky and this is what I found......

I have been in South Dakota for a week and a half or so. I have experienced every type of weather one can see. However, tonight I was watching a video and I looked outside, and there was the coolest thing I had ever witnessed. The sun was going down and it was reflecting off the mountain. I have to admit I have not seen anything more indescribable than that. I had to stop and take it in. I went to get the camera and as soon as I got back to the window it was gone. I missed it, but I can tell you it is a sight I will not forget.

I cannot imagine my life without God. I every now and then He gives me glimpses of His fingerprints. Whether it is a child's smile, giggle, or laugh. Or it could be the sights I have got to see throughout the last week. There is nothing more breath taking then a child or nature. I have learned that this past week.

It is something that I will not forget anytime soon. I have learned also not to put the camera down.....because at any moment there is going to be a moment...and that moment will soon pass.

Just a few seconds later I looked back up and this was what I found......