PSUth Missions Trip

well we are back (and settled all in at home) from a week out in Brinkhaven, Ohio where Janet, Darryl and I took 9 kids from our church's youth group (fondly called PSUth - I always thought that was such a clever name for Prince Street's youth group) for a missions trip to the Joy Of Living Camp. We left last Sunday (after we were commissioned in 1st service) and returned shortly before 7:00 on Friday evening. The experience was one that I had been apprehensive about (transitioning over from guiding 5 year old children to teenagers is actually a big mental adjustment if it is not something you are use to), but I soon realized that all of my woes and worries were for nothing (should have known that before we left for the trip considering we were going out there to do God's work, but sometimes, God, I guess I am just a little slow on the uptake hehe) Our nine teenagers (Jim, David, Shannon, Austin, Joey, Emily, Maddy, Samantha, and Shontay) ranging in age from 12 to 16 were some of the hardest working (AND non complaining) kids this side of the Mississippi LOL Their serving nature and selfless actions made me so proud that some nights sitting around the campfire and reflecting on that day it made me a little misty eyed.

Our camping village for the week

Austin ripping apart a picnic table to take it up to the burn pile

cleaning out the rain gutters

painting the horse barn

the kids taking a break from clearing brush

I got to drive the four wheeler for the day

Maddy going for a horse back ride (afterwards she asked if she could have one! haha)

the kids had a mud fight



the van ride home

 As you can tell, we did a lot of work (and a lot of playing) while we were out there. We cleaned gutters, painted a horse barn, and did lots of brush clearing (on a quarry site, fields, and trails). We also were given the opportunity to interact with the children by playing games with them and worshipping each night at chapel together.
I cannot wait to go back next year and see what the experience will hold!

Last Day

Feels like I haven't posted a blog in forever (oh, that's right - it has been forever! just too busy closing out the school year), but now it is finished and yesterday was just such a bittersweet day.
The last day of school always is bittersweet for Maddy and I. My last day? same ole, same ole....Maddy's last day? A little bit more momentous: it was her last day as a middle schooler!!!



I know, everyone can pick their jaws up off the floor now once they recover from how old Maddy is getting. She is super excited to be going to the high school next year, many new adventures lay in store: block scheduling, band (she twirls a flag :-) just like her Mama use to do haha), a new school (which she is says is "FREAKIN' HUGE MA!" lol), and permission to wear some makeup.
What happened to my baby girl who asked for me to do her hair in "chicken nuggets & french fries?" Translation: lots of pony tails all over her head - some left dangling (those would be the french fries) and other tied up into a bun (those would be the chicken nuggets). Or in the summer, we would braid her hair into dozens of tiny little braids that then were left in for about a week? Ah, those hairstyles were priceless. Now my assistance in the hair department is only needed if another set of eyes is needed to check the back of her head for any missed areas that need to go back in the straightening iron. She has taught herself (from Youtube, nonetheless) how to french braid her OWN hair!
Anyhoo, how did I get off on a tangent about hair? (Yes, Maddy I KNOW your hair smells divine! My daughter isn't too vain?! haha) While I may be apprehensive about the next adventure around the corner, I am excited too. Every day before our very eyes, she is growing up into a wonderful young lady that we are SUPER proud of!