Thursday, August 12, 2010

Summer is coming to an end!

Okay, so my summer is coming to an end, and this means packing. For those of you who know me you know that I am notorious for making messes. Well, I have been home for about 1.5 weeks and a mess I've made. The only hard thing is, is that I leave tomorrow to go back to Alabama. This meas packing. I am so excited to get back but not about cleaning this mess. I know that once I start doing it it will be fine. I just can't make myself actually do any of the work. Plus I have an exchange student living in my room this next year. That means that I have to clean every part of my room... even the stuff that normally stays in the draws. Grrrrr! The thing is, is that I know as soon as I start working it will be and go fast.

So other than cleaning my room I'm kind of stressed about getting a job. I really need to have a job and stop asking the parents for money. I'm almost 20 yrs old. So I have applied to several different locations but nothing is looking amazing. This is part of the reason why I am leaving 2 weeks before school actually starts. I just want to get a job and start working.

I also have spent little to no time practicing my instrument.... which is not a good thing. So I have to hop on that before I just completely suck.

Its been weird being so busy all summer then coming home and not having anything to do or any one to see. Its been interesting... not bad, just different. I have enjoyed having my days to myself and spending time with my parents. I really just want to get back to Birmingham and moving on with things.

I do really miss all my CK friends! Its been nice having sometime by myself but I wish I could see them. I mean I will get to see several of them in the next couple of weeks, which is quite exciting.

I just have so much to do but am not quite motivated to do it today. Its nothing particular, I just don't feel so up to working. All well.... here goes!

SEC

Thursday, July 1, 2010

yaya laundry washing!!!

So I am sitting here washing clothes. Its bee a great day though!!! God has opened a lot if doors for me to share with several girls tonight. I have really enjoyed meeting all of them! God is so good.

I have also been thinking about loneliness. Its an interesting thing I have decided. Its like I can be around soooo many people all day long but when I have to sit here by myself washing clothes I remember how alone I really am. Its not like a depressing thing at all.... its just me thinking about the reason we are made for. And I believe that reason is for relationships.

Relationships are exactly what God wants form us. Its what we as people yearn for. I believe that a basic necessity for life is company. We need each other. I guess I really never thought too much about it, but it is completely true. We need other people.

I was just thinking about what I really would desire in a relationship, and here is what I came up with.
1) I want some one to be around who equally wants to be around me. I want that person to have a desire to be around me and just sit and talk to me.
2) I believe what my heart really wants is that person for the rest of my life. Yea like a husband. I really want that... I mean not like immediately but yea I truly believe that what my heart wants most now is to be satisfied forever.
3) I want this person to know me

I feel like that has been the hardest part of this all...."It's not about you" is what is said to us all the time. That is so true, so no matter how many people you are around though its not the same satisfaction of being around one person who knows you and you know them.

I believe also that as a girl we seek that out. Not having time to talk to anyone else even my parents has made that really hard. I think that I desire it so bad right now because I am not getting any attention from anyone and all I am doing is pouring myself out!

Again I am not desperately lonely. Its just a new kind of lonely.

Thanks for listening!

Sarah

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Campbell Week for Ck-1

So we are here at Campbell University. It is now down pooring and lightning kind of bad. I really hope that this week goes well. It has gotten off to a good start, but it has been hard to transition into this new location.

I am not feeling so hot right now. I think that I am getting sick. I have some sinus issues and I am not liking it. I really hope that I get over it soon. I am also really excited because tomorrow I will see my dad. I am so happy!!!

Things have been hard recently. I am tired and starting to get comfortable. I really do not want this to just become another thing. I really want to stay focused on the reason I am here, which is the kids. Its hard when you never get to talk to anyone over the age of 12. It just takes a lot of strength to get through a day. Its hard when you also don't have time to call anyone. I would love to talk to my mom and family but its difficult.

We hare officially half way done with this summer, which is exciting but also a little hard/ sad. I really have enjoyed all of this summer so far and wish everyone would be able to have this opportunity.

Today for the first time I did housing assignments for all the churches... at points it got a little stressful, but of course I took care of it :)

Lets see... my worship band has been doing really well the past several weeks and I really have enjoyed teaching it.

My church group this past week was really great. They are from right near my home, so that is nice.

Keep in contact with me some how.... sorry I might not be able to do the same back!!

Love you all!!

Sarah

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

1/3 of the way!

WOW!!! It has been a long time since I have blogged and it has been a long week! A camp ended today and a camp begins here today. We are at Ridgecrest right now. A new group of kiddos come in tonight. I am excited. I really like having the kids. Although right now a break would be nice.

I feel like so much has happened I am not sure where to start. I guess I will start with us leaving Lee University.

We left Lee last Friday and drove here to Ridgecrest. Then Saturday we unloaded everything and got ready to start camp on Sunday. We started and have been non stop busy. The ride was a good one. I really enjoyed being on the van and not having to drive. I slept in the back. I missed most of the trip cause I was exhausted. It was such a beautiful ride though. Through the mountains and everything. The landscape was great. I really like the van rides too because it is time for us as a team to hang out and get to know each other better.

I did a lot of production set up this week for camp. We are assigned a crew from the beginning and my crew is the store, but that went rather fast so I helped a lot with lighting. I really enjoyed getting to set up the equipment that I was using. Although I am not sure if I will be doing lights anymore. We are rotating, which will be good cause I really would like to sit in with the kids.

Here at Ridgecrest I am rooming with Bethany and Kristin. Kristin has been sick so we let her have her own bed. She went to this doctor who did nothing for here but talk to her about how he was in the army or something like that. Idk. Anyways she's starting to feel better, although she did keep coughing last night. I feel bad. It is a tough job to be sick doing.

Hmmm.... My kiddos this week were fabulous. It was interesting group. I really didn't have any kids who were completely ignorant of Jesus and salvation, so idk I kind of felt more relaxed about things and bible study. They were not the most athletic bunch either, so rec was interesting. I love rec, it is probably one of my fav things about camp but its hard when the kids aren't into it. Some weeks the kids love it and other weeks they just don't care.

My worship band group this week were good. I really enjoyed what we did. We have three groups of kids the boom boom, tank tank, and the ting tings. These are catigorized by the sound their percussion instrument makes. We did a "we will rock you" beat and three kids rapped, it was really cute. Im not sure though if that is really what should happen. I feel like the kids love banging on things and the percussion part. Its just hard to add in the worship part. Idk, I'm going to talk to Andy about it, see what he has to say about it.

Im really tired though. Its just long days and nights. My home church is here this week with Fuge camps so it was nice to see them and get some stuff from home!! :)

I really love my team. I think that in the start of the week we struggled a little with the focus being on us and not completely on the kids. It was hard after spending so much time traveling together. Things got better though towards the end.

Well, I love all you guys!! I hope all is going well with you and I am praying for you!

Sarah

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Summer Dates and Addresses

June 7-17 — Lee University
Attn: CentriKid Staffer
Sarah Cole
1120 N. Ocoee St.
Cleveland, TN 37320

June 19-27 — Ridgecrest
Attn: CentriKid Staffer
Sarah Cole
P.O. Box 128
Ridgecrest, NC 28770

June 29-July 3 — Campbell University
Attn: CentriKid Staffer
Sarah Cole
30 Pope St., Wallace Student Center
Buies Creek, NC 27506

July 5-11 — Shocco Springs
Attn: CentriKid Staffer
Sarah Cole
1314 Shocco Springs Rd.
P.O. Box 886
Talladega, AL 35161

July 12-23 — Norman Park
Attn: CentriKid Staffer
Sarah Cole
P.O. Box 199
Norman Park, GA 31771

July 26-30 — Ridgecrest
Attn: CentriKid Staffer
Sarah Cole
P.O. Box 128
Ridgecrest, NC 28770


Make sure you send it to my name!!!

Friday, June 11, 2010

End of week one!

So it is the end of week one here at CentriKid. It was a great week. I am soooo great full for all that I have been able to do and all the people I have met. It has gone by so fast yet so slow. The day's have felt forever long but the week just flew by.

My bible study group was more than I could ask for. They were the best group to have for my first week. They were so willing to listen and follow my directions. I feel so honored to be able to be here and share my life. My church group this week was fabulous as well. They really went out of their way by giving me pizza and a sweet card. Track time was good as well. Although it was the time of day that I really wanted to take a nap everything some how got done and my kids performed amazingly.

I will share a story.... One day I was getting my book bag and I heard this boy crying in the audi. I ran over to this boy thinking that he was hurt. Well, he wasn't hurt, he was crying because of the storm. (There was this storm out side that was rather bad. ) I sat down next to him and started talking to him. We talked about God and how he protects us. I related some to him about storms and how they sometime scared me, then prayed. We then just sat and talked. I heard some boys out in the lobby poking fun at him saying, "Do you see that boy in there? He's crying because of the storm." It was really sad!!! So I went and shut the door and just kept talking to him. He was the most intriguing little guy. We talked about animals, music, and tv. He was just precious. Well while we were talking apparently his whole church was searching for him. Later his mom wrote me a letter. She was so impressed that I took time and just prayed with him and kept him company. That was amazing!!

I wish everyone could spend one week with me this summer and just see how amazing God is when it comes to kids.

This week has been great, but just like with anything there are struggles. Track time didn't go exactly like I wanted, but none the less it went really well. The kidos did so well performing in worship band. I am so proud of all of them.

Today we worked for half the day and had some free time to hang out or like I did take a nap. It was a good nap, and much needed.

Today was sort of a hard day. I was really tired and having to count t-shirts was a hard task to accomplish. I love everyone in the group but my patience was running short. So I was more than happy to take a nap. :)

Now we are all laying on the floor of the audi watching the movie UP, which I have never seen.

I miss everyone! A new group of campers come in on Sunday. So tomorrow is our day off, sort of. I am happy to at least have it, hopefully get some practicing done and get some clothes washed. Keep prying for us. The team is going great!

Sarah

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Middle of week one!

So it is the middle of week one and I am exhausted. It has been a very hectic week but yet very good. I really feel stressed but it is sooo cool to see how God works even when I don't feel prepared.

I love my first group. God placed some amazing kids in my life and I am very excited to play a part of their lives. I was really scared about working with boys at first, but the boy's in my bible study are amazing. They are complete gentlemen and servants. The kids are just great. At first I really wasn't prepared and struggled through the first night. Today was a lot better though. I really felt prepared and like I got through to the students.

At time this week has been really hard. I have cried every night or at least shed some tears. It just this underlining stress. I really like to have things organized, and just not knowing my surroundings its really hard. I feel like next week will go so much more smoothly.

Currently, while I am writing this, several staffers from the team are giving funny stories of things that have happened. I am really enjoying it! Speaking of my team, I LOVE them!!! I feel so lucky to have such wonderful people. I am excited to see how well we will know each other and really grow together and in love.

There have been several moments were I just feel stressed and really would like 5min to myself. Or even just time to eat dinner. Its ok though. I know that Gods will is being done and I feel so honored to be apart of it.

Please keep praying for us. For me please pray for physical restoration. If you are reading this and would like to send me mail please contact my mom and she can give you my addresses. Thank you so much!! I love you alll!!!!


Sarah Cole

Friday, June 4, 2010

Ck- Hardcore!!

Hello!!!

So today was the first day on our first camp site location!!! I am so excited to see how everything will work out over the next two days. I can't believe how much we have done, but how much we still have to do. I really am feeling overwhelmed.... they said that I would be.... they are right!!!

So after driving the van through Tennessee, and avoiding about three accidents and speeding past the budgets trucks we made it here! It was quite an experience driving a 15 passenger van. I really am quite proud of my self. I will share one story from my experience. Here goes!!!

So there is a strict rule about not passing the Budget Trucks... these are like big moving trucks. Well we were traveling through the mountains and well... I was really focused... I mean there were like 11 other peoples lives in my hands. We also have co-pilots. The both of us were so focused on driving and the road that we both completely did not realize that we passed the budget trucks. Once I was somewhat out of the twists and turns I realized what that I was not near the other vans. We then thought that they had passed us so we started speeding up a little. Well.... they really were not infront of us... they were behind us. Yea, first time driving and I end up breaking one of the golden rules!!! Ok thats all!!

Anyways I am really stressed now and am trying to stay positive for the next 12 cycles of camp. I know it will be okay!

I really want to ask that if everyone can pray that I stay focused on the kids this week and not worry about everything else going on. There are a lot of details about camp that can be really distracting to the real reason we are there. I really pray and hope that my focus stays on point.

I really miss everyone!!! Love you all! :)


Sarah

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Third Day with CK-1 and some 32 degrees

Hey Hey!!!

So today was great. I am getting to know and love my ck-1 hardcore group. These people are completely amazing.

Camp has already changed my life. Not so much inwardly but more on the outward me. This is a girl who hates taking night showers and loves to get up and start the day nice and clean. So far that has been crushed! I, for the past two days, have taken a show in the evening and ran around all day sweating. I'm cool with the sweat (no pun intended). This is a big step for me... and why I agree with ck-1 hardcore... cause its kinda hardcore.

I love getting to know all the silly about camp and all the competition and many chants and songs that I will have to be creative enough to create. This I believe will be very interesting.... maybe fifth graders will be really creative with it all and will not resort to my lack of cleverness.

Spiritually today was amazing as well. Being apart of such a great Christian ministry that has its act together is fa-nominal. The bible studies are great as well as the spiritual quality that they provide for us as staffers. I am so happy to be a part of this.

I know that God has so much in store for me to learn and to grow in and out of this summer. I am so super excited to see where He will lead me.

Another cool thing our group did today was go to this little shack barn thing/ stand right down the road from the school we are at and get shaved ice. It was so much fun just bonding with the group and getting pumped on some sugar. Tonight was great!!!

I am excited for the rest of camp and to talk and learn more about helping make a change in children hearts this summer.

Sarah

Monday, May 31, 2010

Second Day of CK- 1

Hey! So today was the second day of training for CK 1. It has been a long exhausting day of training with recreation and bible study. Not too much for me to say. I will write again soon about something interesting. The only thing is, is that I am really hungry!!!!
The end!

Sunday, May 30, 2010

First day of CK- 1

Hey Everyone!!!!

So it is my first official day as a member of CK 1. For those of you who do not know I am working for LifeWay fuge camps this summer as a counselor. I am working with CentriKid camp, it is a fuge like camp for grades 3-6. I am soooo excited and already exhausted!

So far I woke up at 3:45am and have been non stop all day. I left Jville on an early flight headed to Nashville via Atlanta. I always seem to sit next to some of the weirdest/ creepiest people on planes, and for the first time fell asleep.

When I arrived in Nashville I was alone. I was the first to make it in this morning, but it was all ok, soon other people started arriving. We spent several hours in the airport waiting for everyone's flights to get in. A group of about 25 of us at one point were on the floor in the baggage claim of the Nashville airport playing catch phrase. It was tons of fun!!!, and a good way to get to know people. We also had lunch, but for some reason could not take it into the airport so sat on the sidewalk in the pick-up area and ate. It was a little unsanitary but I figure I might as well get used to it.

We finally loaded everything up around 1pm and all piled into four vans. The majority of the people meeting were in my group so we got to really chat and meet each other on our caravan to Kentucky. It was a nice little two hour ride! Which by that time I was really tired.

After we got here tonight there was a lot of excitement and information. We all had a cook out on the lawn and got to talk with our group. We learned about how CentriKid got started and what their mission is. We then filled out some tax information, which was oddly fun.

Im now laying in my bed pooped but ready to see what tomorrow will bring! So far so good :)

The only thing that sounds tough is that I have to be ready at 6:45am.