Camp begins.

As you can imagine, my day started with Molly and Joe trying desperately to wake me up. But, fortunately, I managed to get up by 7:40, and we headed over to the camp just in time to see the kids arriving. We went over some basic stuff with Kate, the director, and we each picked a group that we would be with for the rest of the month. Molly is with the 2nd and 3rd graders, Joe is with the 4th and 5th graders, and I am with K-1st graders. I can't speak for Molly and Joe, but my group is totally awesome. I'm a novelty to them – a new person – so they were all hanging on me, talking to me, and whatever else. I have to say that my first day with them went really well. I was kind of worried that I had forgotten how to be patient with little kids – and it was only day one, so we'll see if that lasts. Fortunately, I handled the fighting, crying, shouting, etc. that goes along with a day with a bunch of 4-6 year olds, and I'm excited for tomorrow.
Tonight, after dinner, I joined one of the housemates, Chris on a journey to Temple University, where a group of his friends were meeting to play ultimate Frisbee. I wasn't really interested in playing so much as watching, so I sat around and watched them all run around throwing a neon yellow Frisbee. I think I should have joined in the fun, but I stuck to the sidelines, a little too shy to participate. I did tell some of them that I'd be back with Chris next week (if he goes…) and this time I would play. I want to test out my healing lungs.
I think the biggest thing I've learned today is to let words slide off your back. I had to tell a little boy in my group, after a couple of other boys said that he was a bad basketball player and that they didn't like him, that it didn't matter what those other boys thought. The only thing that matters is what God thinks. I don't usually think that way in regards to my own life; in fact, for the last few hours, I've been struggling pretty hard with some things that have been said about us and to us (Molly, Joe, and I). If I could ask everyone to pray one thing on my behalf it would be that God will draw near to me while I'm feeling nervous about all that's happening. And, on top of that, anything that you can think of. I remember Anna saying something Sunday morning about God putting a hedge around my mind – so that I wouldn't ruminate over things that were being said to or about me –and that is a prayer that I need to be said continually. Satan is trying to inch his way in over here, and it has been discouraging – but also means that something huge is going to happen. Either way, remember us when you pray.
We're going hiking tomorrow, and I can't wait. Keep us in your prayers, and keep your eyes open for some awesome pictures of our new friends.
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