We have been able to visit with many family and friends during this cross country trip........
me and my bestie........
our beautiful host family (and super dear friends), the Queens.....
...a crazy couple of days with the Hearns.....
....then down to Georgia,
my Dad and Grandmother Hyde........
....lots of fun cousins.......and of course, Mimi and Pop!!We are so blessed!

6 weeks, almost 5000 miles, and 16 different states.....that's the title of my life right now. We are wrapping up a very long trip back east, visiting family, friends and supporters. It's been a good trip and we have shared many meals and late nights catching up with friends and family.
Mostly it's been encouraging....there have been a few that really want to hear about our ministry, our struggles, our victories, the people that we minister to, etc.....but mostly they just want to chit chat, catch up on family news. That's good, too.

I'm enjoying my time away, but at the same time, my heart longs to be back home knee deep in my ministry. That's a good sign, if I miss my work, right? I miss pouring over my Bible in preparation for a lesson....I miss hearing the neighbors chopping wood.....I miss the wind that always blows in from the west.....I miss the smell of the barn.....I miss the little neighbor boy pressing his face against my the glass on the front door, peeking in to see if Peter is home and can come out to play.....I miss my Ft Wingate girls.....I miss working in the lodge kitchen with Nanette and our long, deep spiritual discussions....I miss going for a run through the pine trees....I miss the amazing sunsets....I miss home.

But for now I will enjoy my time away, try and get some rest, focus on family, and prepare myself for the busy year that lays ahead of me.

It's been non-stop for the past 3 days.....literally. This is the first time I've really sat down, with my cup of tea, and just relax.
Being busy has been good to keep me busy and moving, but I do love my times where I can just sit and rest.

I enjoy that we have a late service at our church....Sunday mornings are always relaxing and slow. Everyone sleeps in and then just roll out into the living room to watch cartoons. It's our only morning to do that. The wood stove would be a nice addition to this morning....it's cold!!

I haven't been to church in 3 weeks. (mixture of sickness and traveling)....it will be nice to get back and see my church family. And it will help to find that "normal" feeling I've been missing for a while now. It's been weeks since I've had a normal week of school, ministry, church, eating, etc. I really, really, hope this is the week where my productivity returns. I miss my routine and those feelings of accomplishment.

I can even start today....after our cartoons :)

Well, it's been exactly 3 months since I have been here. I was just reading over the last few entries and I remembered why I stopped.......I hit the wall....physically and emotionally. I remember that time in the summer and all of a sudden I was just 'done'....exhausted. And I never seemed to bounce back. I went from tired, to exhausted, completely dead. I am just now starting to pick myself back up. It was a rough summer and it left me more tired than usual. I think the spiritual battle was more intense this summer....but in the end, the Lord was victorious and many, MANY children left here with the promise of eternal life.

The fall schedule started up right away, with little time to rest. We started school the very next Monday and our fall ministries started just a week or so after. The Lord has given us a bountiful ministry here, and the opportunities are endless....almost overwhelming at times. The work here will never be complete....there are always people in need, both physically and spiritually. Therefore, the need for me and the other missionaries here to be in top shape physically and spiritually is crucial. If I miss the opportunity to help someone gather their wood for the winter, I may have missed an even bigger opportunity to meet their spiritual need down the road. And obviously, if I'm not spiritually equipped to meet their spiritual need, the outcome is devastating.

I am currently failing in both areas.

I have had some health problems that have left me unable to do some of the things I need to. I am even supposed to be training for a half marathon but I am no where near ready. It's disappointing and sad.

I have also had some 'spiritual' problems that have left me in a place of discouragement and sadness....and as I look around at the people in my life that need encouragement and guidance, I find myself lacking and unable to help. Again, disappointing and sad....

But I know whom I have believed in, and He is able......

So I suppose there is hope....... :)

Week 5, Wednesday

Wednesdays are late....it's Mission Impossible night. We stay up late and play a "catch me" game in the dark. I love it and hate it. I love it because I always go out with my camp bffs and we laugh til we cry....I hate it because I lose so much sleep on these nights. But in the end, it's all worth it. The campers LOVE it!

It's the little things like Mission Impossible that can break down the walls that these campers sometimes have. Just the simple act of "busting" them and then tying them up can close that gap. Funny, the things God can use to draw people closer together and eventually closer to Him.

Thank you Lord, for this ministry and all the different aspects of it....from the chapels, the family style meals, to the late night games. May our efforts bring forth a bountiful harvest....and may we give all the glory back to You.

Week 5, Tuesday

Another Tuesday come and gone.....cabin pictures, activity classes, grilled hamburgers, water fight and snack shop....all were a success and the campers are enjoying themselves. There are a few that are homesick, but they are hanging in there. It was really hot today, but about an hour before the water fight it cooled down quite a bit....it was the COLDEST waterfight EVER! Being cold is one of the things I hate the most....ugh! But once it was over, I realized what a blessing it was, as I saw the smiles on the faces of all the kids....I was still cold, but my heart was warm :)

The rain clouds are moving in and the wind is picking up....praying for rain tonight....we need it. Looking forward to God "raining" down blessings on us this week. We are all weary and tired, but expectant....excited to see what God is going to do this week.

Week 5, Monday

This has been our smallest camp so far....we barely have 100 campers....and then to top it off, the girls outnumber the boys 80 to 20. Where are all the boys this week?

Our work team is small too....we have 11 people from NJ here this week....but they seem willing and eager to work. They all seem to really want to get involved....that is my prayer, at least. It is often like pulling teeth to get people to get involved and step out of their comfort zone. Praying this week will show something different.

We are praying for a bountiful harvest despite the small numbers....it could be a blessing to our tired staff....fewer campers but more opportunities for one on one time with them. Praying that the Lord will bless us all with the smaller numbers and slightly lighter load.