Currently Reading The Second Summer of the Sisterhood (Sisterhood of Traveling Pants) By Ann Brashares see related

"There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered." Nelson Mandela

Isn't that the truth?

Well, I'm back from camp.  It's kind of strange being home - especially knowing that I'm only going to be here for a few short days.  It's going to be a crazy week of decompression, unpacking, cleaning, packing, and a wonderful driving tour of the Midwest (Grove City, PA; New York; Valparaiso, IN; Milwaukee, WI; Bowling Green, OH; anywhere else I should be going?). 

Wow.  I can hardly believe that the summer is over.  It feels like I left so long ago, yet the weeks I spent at Mowana flew by at "lightning round" speed.  So much has changed in 10 weeks, and it's really hard to say right now how I feel about everything, let alone how I'm handling it.  There are so many memories, so many new friendships and so many emotions that are flooding my mind.  The weeks were filled with loud campers, amazing moments of ministry, and challenges beyond belief.  The weekends were filled with fun, fellowship, relaxation, and lots of "girl time".

I have changed in so many ways this summer.  My life has changed in so many ways.  I can't even remember a time when I felt so disconnected and uncomfortable, yet so free and satisfied at the same time.  I'm single again - for the first time in longer than I can remember.  If you want to know more about that, you'll have to ask.  Aside from that, things have changed in many aspects of my life.  I've been struggling a lot spiritually the last few weeks, and I'm not really sure what that means, but hopefully God and I can work things out soon.

Yikes.

So, just wanted to write a quick note to the Mowana Staff - and especially for the girls who helped me get through this summer (you know who you are):  I love you all more than you could ever imagine.  You are an amazing group of people, and you hold a very special place in my heart.  Hope to see y'all and talk to y'all soon.  Keep it real. 

Ok, I'm sure there will be countless camp memories to come, but that's it for now.  I'm really just too overwhelmed to write about it all now.

Peace.

Currently Reading Rachel's Tears: The Spiritual Journey of Columbine Martyr Rachel Scott By Beth Nimmo, Darrell Scott, Steve Rabey, Darrell Scott with Scott Rabey see related

So, thanks to a reminder from a very cool friend of mine  I realized that this thing hasn't been updated in almost a month and that if I don't take care of that soon, that month will quickly turn into 4 months.  A little bit of an update on life is in order, I suppose. 

This weekend was most definately the official start to my summer.  Scott and I went down to Columbus on Saturday and got together with some of the coolest people I know.  We played frisbee in a field of concrete corn, took pictures and climbed trees in a topiary garden filled with shrubberies (haha Sarah ), had some ice cream at Graeter's, got free hats in German Village, visited an incredible 38 room bookstore, and had one of the most fun and random days I've had in a long time.  I'm going to have to agree with Sarah about being thankful for my college/camp/LSM friends with whom I am completely comfortable being myself.  I love you guys (and girls!).

Yesterday was dubbed the first offial day of the Mowana summer, as four of us went down to get trained to lead and teach challenge course elements and games.  Staff training starts a week from today, and I can't wait!  Serving those kids for the summer is one of my absolute favorite things to be doing, and I think I'd rather be there than anywhere else (although it would be just a little better if Sarah, Candace, Liz and Scott were there with us ). 

This will very likely be my last post before camp starts, so it could be a while before another post. (Sorry to all my faithful readers).  Feel free to send me e-mails or write letters while I'm at camp and I'll make sure to write back.

So, I remember swearing to myself when I wrote my year in review 2004 weblog entry on the old liketherain.net that I would never again write one of those mushy, over-emotional, end-of-anything sorts of weblog entries...

I lied.

Up until tonight's KKPsi meeting, I had been pretty good about avoiding any potentially emotional end-of-school year events, and was doing a good job getting excited for the summer.  Honestly, I've been really good at avoiding school altogether this semester, by getting off campus as often as possible.  But, tonight during a lenthy and emotional round table discussion, I began to realize that as much as I'd like to avoid it, the school year is coming to a close faster than I expected.  People are leaving, friends are graduating, and my undergrad college career will soon be half over.

That's a scary thought.

Anyways, this (academic) year has been amazing.  There have been incredible memories, horrible tragedies, and unforgettable friendships.  I'd just like to take a little opportunity to give shout outs and thank yous to all of the people who have really helped me through this year and made it memorable.

KKPsi Brothers - I honestly didn't realize the amazing bond that this group has become for me until tonight, and I'm definately going to miss it this summer.  For the seniors, you are amazing... and I told my stories tonight at the meeting, so I'll spare you the repetitiveness of hearing them again.  You are ALL amazing people, and I can't wait to get to know you all better.  Special shout outs to my BIG, Erin - You are amazing and it's good to not be terrified of you anymore and Becky - You and Erin have together helped me through sooo much this year.  I'm so thankful for your friendship.

IMOKers - Wow, I can't even imagine that a year ago I didn't even know Lutheran Student Movement even existed.  Now I can't even imagine I would do without you folks.  Special shouts to my MowanaLSMers and my small group from Spring Retreat - especially Liz - you rock my socks.

Mowana Folks - It's been amazing to know what an amazing support group I have available from the summer.  Staff reunion was awesome in December, and I can't wait to see you all again soon!  Special props to my Indiana Roadtrip folks - Sara, Morgan, Mr. Ricketts, Steph, John Watson, and "Nougie".

Small Group - Despite our lack of meetingness, you girls are amazing.  I don't know how I would have possibly survived this year without you.  Susie - I haven't seen you nearly enough this semester, and I'm definately going to miss you next semester when you're in Spain.  We need to take another class together.  Sarah B - It has been incredible getting to know you.  I love hanging out with you, and I hope you have a life-chaging experience in the DR.  I know you will impact people, and I can't wait to hear all about it.  Sarah M - Wow.. where do I begin.  You have been an amazing friend this semester, and I'm sooo glad you recognized my Mowana t-shirt during the involvement fair.  From LSM to small group and everything in between, you have been one of the most supportive and dependable friends that I've gained this semester.  Thank you for everything you've done.  Hopefully we'll get to see you around Mowana a few times this summer.

Rel Life Folks - Wow.  There are so many of you I don't know where to begin.  To my FGBS girls have stuck around this year, I still love you girls more than ever.  You are amazing.  WELL Leadership folks, you rock and I can't wait to join you next year!  Lauren - your continued support and friendship this semester have been such an amazing blessing.  Erin M - You are one of the most faithful and dependable friends I have.  I'm looking forward to pen-paling with you again this summer while I'm at camp.  AO - Good luck as you graduate!  You are amazing, and I know that you'll be an amazing asset to the seminary next year.  To the new freshman girls - we've had some funtimes hanging out this year, and you girls are awesome.  I'm really looking forward to getting to know you better in the coming years.  Candace - It's really funny how things have changed since the freshman orientation icebreakers, but I'm so glad that we've gotten to know each other this year.  You're amazing.

To anyone who I haven't mentioned, you've changed my life this year.  I love you all, and thank you so much for an amazing and memorable year.  If I don't get a chance to say goodbye, know that I love you and have a great summer.  Send me your address and I'll write to you while I'm at camp this summer!  Feel free to write me, too:

Erin Satterlee
Camp Mowana
2276 Flemming Falls Rd.
Mansfield, OH 44903

Currently Reading The Christian Camp Counselor By Jim A. Badke see related

Let me just say, that I am uberpsyched about my internship this summer.  That's right, folks.  This summer I will be getting internship credit for working at Mowana, which means a little more prep work, but I can already see how totally awesome that prep work is going to make this summer.  I started working on my programming binder tonight, and I can't wait to start using some of the amazing ideas I have found!

Aside from that, this semester cannot end soon enough.  My work is done, so that means I've got the next week to... well, to relax, I suppose.  Sure, for all of those who have mounds and mounds of work this might seem amazing, but don't be too quick to get jealous.  I would gladly trade my nothingness for a little more work to do.  It's no fun having nothing to do when everyone around you is uberstressed and super busy.  It actually leaves me rather bored.   Hopefully I'll find some way off campus this weekend so as not to add to the stress of all of my finals-frenzied friends.  Hoping for a mini-roadtrip... maybe to Cbus?

Ok, all of this nothingness has me feeling very sleeeeepy, so I'm gonna get to bed a little early tonight.   And then tomorrow is my last day of field experience at Cornerstone Elementary!  (My last morning of waking up at 6:30 EVERRRRRR - at least until I have a real job  - but I can hope)