Saturday, August 28

Happy Five Year Anniversary :)


I'm not one for sentimental things, but Martin and I have been together for 5 years today. That's half a decade. All of college. Since I was 17. Since Martin was 16. Since Anna and Mae were 9. Since Karlie was in 8th grade. Since Drew was 1 and before Macy was born.

From awkwardly watching movies together, not holding hands, pep rallies and football games (and basketball games and baseball games), Sundays on jet skis at the cabin, tailgating and the Junction and the student section, road trips, CMA Music Fests, date parties and formals, Sigma Chi and Chi O, being apart for freshman year... and that summer.... and this summer (my bad), lots of birthdays and holidays, Anthony's trips, our Raymond Street family and our Greenwood family.

And the blessing of not being defined by each other, but being a better person because of each other.

Thursday, August 12

Entertainment

I thought it might be fun to share some journal entries from the summer with you. Enjoy.

June 9

CPR Training. Miz. However, I can now successfully make a sling for a broken arm. Bet that will be useful.

June 11

Last year seniors. What the heck am I going to do with 10th graders? I wish this is where I had been the summer after my 10th grade year. Things would have been a whole lot different if this is where my priorities were. I am absolutely terrified and overwhelmed but I know that God has his hand in this.

Please God, be with me in the morning when those girls walk into my cabin.

June 14

They are really quiet. And of course I'm akward.

June 15

106 degrees. Cool. Not.

Whatever happens,
those who have learned
to love one another
have made their way
to the lasting world
and will not leave.
Whatever happens.

-Wendell Berry

June 21

Today was Circus Day! It was so much fun to just play all day long. And eat. And by eat I meant I had 3 corndogs.

June 26

I stayed up for a while last night just thinking about things, and I'm scared that I haven't been doing my job as well as I should. I just don't feel like I have gotten as deep with the girls as I should have after two weeks. I've had some great conversations but I still feel like I'm missing so many of the things that I want to know about them.

June 29

Dear TTS Schedule,
I'm glad we have gotten to spend so much time together lately, but I need a break. It's not you, it's me.

Love, Kelsie

July 4

Horseback overnight was last night, and it was my favorite thing I've done all summer. Laying in a field under the stars made me realize how small we really are. God doesn't need us. He chooses to love us. Seriously?

July 6

I just tucked them in for the last time. I hope they learned a lot, and I hope they feel successful. I really couldn't be more proud of them.

July 9

Lord, please bless these girls and their families. Prepare their hearts for this camp experience and give me the ability to know how to love each one of them well. Thank you God for this opportunity.

I lift my eyes up to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

July 11

I really hope they like me. Why can't I get past that?

July 18

The Olympics have come to Camp DeSoto. It is incredible that butcher paper and twinkle lights can transform the gym into the Opening Ceremonies--and you feel like you really are there.

July 21

I'm to the point where it takes every single bit of energy I have to get out of bed in the morning. I also cannot understand how kids can eat this much honey. Honey on cereal, honey on every piece of bread that they eat. Honey on rice. Honey on chicken. Honey on fruit? I don't think so.

July 24

"You never know what's under a rock until you turn it over."

July 25

Wrangler horseback ride this morning. Yay for Sunday mornings off. We rode down to the river and then went to Sarah's house and made omelets. Perfect morning, for sure. We are leaving in 10 days, this whole summer has come down to the last 10 days.

July 26

Mary Jo showed up at Camp! Seriously the most perfect timing ever. Thank you for wonderful friends.

Thank you Lord for the rain. And for the the 2 1/2 hour rest hour that came with it. Whoop whoop.

July 29

CHRISTMAS IN JULY! Quite possibly better than actual Christmas. Scratch that--definitely better. Can we do this again in August?

July 31

Last day of July.
Last day of activities.
Last horseback class.
How did we do this?

August 2

Thank you God for everything you've given me. I never thought I would be in this place with this cabin of girls. I have loved them as well as I can all summer, and I hope that has been more than enough.

August 6

Exhausted.