Free day Friday

It's Friday!  

Happy free day from Camp Jabez!  Believe it or not,  everyone got out of bed and ate breakfast together. .. of course they all went back to bed with the exception of two.  ;-)

We left the camp at 11:45 and drove to Whitewater express for lunch,  touring of their facilities and the high ropes course.  It was a rainy day,  but it cleared up right when we needed it too.  Everyone who wanted to try the course got to do it.  Taylor conquered her fear of heights by doing the rock wall and Michael conquered his with John's encouragement by doing the rainbow bridge. I was so proud of all of them. .. the ones who choose not to do it were great cheerleaders for those who did. 

After the ropes course we visited the chapel and when we were there the skies let loose!  We danced in the cabin and played until John and Ed brought the vans to us. We still got wet but not near as soaked as if we would have walked to the cars in the lot.  We drove through the monsoon and just as we made to downtown Blue Ridge the rain stopped again.  

We were able to walk around the town and eat together at the Serenity Garden Cafe. It was super yummy and the teens were especially grateful to John for picking up the tab. (For that matter,  so were the adults.) After dinner we headed back towards camp and stopped at the sugar shack for ice cream.  (Thanks to our festival tips,  the teens didn't have to pay for that either! ) The owner talked to Christine and I about the great blessings that he had received from being friends with Doug (the owner of Camp Jabez). He asked us to take a group picture and putt it on his Facebook wall. He said,  "I am a dinosaur when it comes to technology,  but post it anyway". (He cracked us up. )

We made it back in time for the dance party and bonfire. The teens hung out while the adults cleaned the vans and pre-packed. After we finished packing we made skyline dip to share with everyone (because we are from Cincinnati you know. :-D) and presented Adam with his shirt. He seemed really pleased and grateful.  

Emily,  John,  and Ed took the teens back to our cabins while Christine and I cleaned up. By the time we got done,  the girls were all asleep! Amazing!  Good thing though. .. because they have a lot of packing,  rafting,  and playing to do tomorrow.  

Thanks for following along with our trip. The next post should be finished from home. .. please continue to pray for our safety on the way home. .. and know that we hold you in our hearts and prayers as well! 

Adventures from GA

Good morning!

For only having a half day of work, it was quite the eventful day. We scarfed down our French toast and hit the ground running.  We arrived at Ms Clare's at ten til nine and immediately started finishing our projects. We did way more than the original list so they gave us more to get done.


Over the course of three and a half days,  the teens (with the chaperones help) put spindles on the front deck,  stained the spindles and railings (2 coats), "deck - overed" the floor of the front deck (2 coats), stained with deck-over the back deck, emptied her shed and put her things under the canopy tent they constructed... which then they decided needed to be moved to the back of the house, so they moved it again. .. tore the three layers off of the shed's roof to get to the frame,  weed whacked her entire lawn, pruned her trees and shrubs, landscaped the new flower beds,  bought the plants for the beds,  and visited with Ms. Clare (before and after her fall). Whew! They really were "all in" this week!


At noon we finished cleaning up and Ms. Clare shared her story. It was very heartbreaking and moving. .. please ask one of the teens (or chaperones) to tell you about it. I don't feel comfortable sharing her personal info on the internet.  I'm not sure she would mind,  but I do.  After group hugs and pictures, we said goodbye to Ms. Clare, Mr Frank, and Bella,  the pooch and left to drop Adam and John's truck back off at camp.


We grabbed our bags and went to get gas and fast food lunch. After eating we went to the Cherokee National Forest to swim at the Blue Holes.  It was a gorgeous day and the weather felt great. We warned the teens that the rocks could be slippery when wet and they went bounding over them. We had a couple slips but thankfully no one got seriously injured.  They really just seen to like to hang out together.


We left the holes and went to Pizza Hut for dinner and headed back for chapel. After the usual wonderful singing and dancing, we had a message and special prayer service about leaving whatever brokenness behind and putting on Christ. We were led outside and prayed as just our small group. After prayer,  I had the honor of praying over our group and blessing them individually by name. I love this part of the week because it gives me the opportunity to affirm the wonderful Catholics that they are. .. and to remind them that they are a true blessing to our community!


After the prayer service we went back to our small group space and shared "The best part of their week... it didn't have to be good,  just the best". It led to tons of great comments and memories. I was truly moved by their openness and love for one another. We brought an extra youth group shirt along and everyone signed the back of it. They are going to present it to Adam tomorrow night to say thanks.


We were all pretty exhausted by now so we went back to our cabins to go to sleep. As Emily went upstairs to get a moth (!) from their room, the infamous mouse showed up and the screaming began. They went to go get John and Ed from their cabin (I was with Casey and McKenzie calling Caitlin to wish her a great trip! ) We get back and all three lights are on in both cabins and while they got the mouse to go downstairs, into the leaders room, they never caught the little bugger! They promised to take care of it for us tomorrow. .


On that happy note,  We bid you good night

Thursday

Good morning! 

For only having a half day of work, it was quite the eventful day. We scarfed down our French toast and hit the ground running.  We arrived at Ms Clare's at ten til nine and immediately started finishing our projects. We did way more than the original list so they gave us more to get done.  

Over the course of three and a half days,  the teens (with the chaperones help) put spindles on the front deck,  stained the spindles and railings (2 coats), "deck - overed" the floor of the front deck (2 coats), stained with deck-over the back deck, emptied her shed and put her things under the canopy tent they constructed... which then they decided needed to be moved to the back of the house, so they moved it again. .. tore the three layers off of the shed's roof to get to the frame,  weed whacked her entire lawn, pruned her trees and shrubs, landscaped the new flower beds,  bought the plants for the beds,  and visited with Ms. Clare (before and after her fall). Whew! They really were "all in" this week! 

At noon we finished cleaning up and Ms. Clare shared her story. It was very heartbreaking and moving. .. please ask one of the teens (or chaperones) to tell you about it. I don't feel comfortable sharing her personal info on the internet.  I'm not sure she would mind,  but I do.  After group hugs and pictures, we said goodbye to Ms. Clare, Mr Frank, and Bella,  the pooch and left to drop Adam and John's truck back off at camp. 

We grabbed our bags and went to get gas and fast food lunch. After eating we went to the Cherokee National Forest to swim at the Blue Holes.  It was a gorgeous day and the weather felt great. We warned the teens that the rocks could be slippery when wet and they went bounding over them. We had a couple slips but thankfully no one got seriously injured.  They really just seen to like to hang out together. 

We left the holes and went to Pizza Hut for dinner and headed back for chapel. After the usual wonderful singing and dancing, we had a message and special prayer service about leaving whatever brokenness behind and putting on Christ. We were led outside and prayed as just our small group. After prayer,  I had the honor of praying over our group and blessing them individually by name. I love this part of the week because it gives me the opportunity to affirm the wonderful Catholics that they are. .. and to remind them that they are a true blessing to our community!  

After the prayer service we went back to our small group space and shared "The best part of their week... it didn't have to be good,  just the best". It led to tons of great comments and memories. I was truly moved by their openness and love for one another. We brought an extra youth group shirt along and everyone signed the back of it. They are going to present it to Adam tomorrow night to say thanks.

We were all pretty exhausted by now so we went back to our cabins to go to sleep. As Emily went upstairs to get a moth (!) from their room, the infamous mouse showed up and the screaming began. They went to go get John and Ed from their cabin (I was with Casey and McKenzie calling Caitlin to wish her a great trip! ) We get back and all three lights are on in both cabins and while they got the mouse to go downstairs, into the leaders room, they never caught the little bugger! They promised to take care of it for us tomorrow. .

On that happy note,  We bid you good night from Camp Jabez. Praying unceasingly. ...

Workshirt Wednesday

Today is brought to you by the letter W.   W for Workshirt Wednesday Wackiness! We ate our breakfast burrito and hash browns and then I made them promptly go outside to take a group picture. It is so fun to see them all in the same type of shirts! (and of course we had to call them all by their new work shirt names. Who knew I birthed a Roger?! Ha!)

 We left to go back to Miss Claire's and everyone was ready to work hard.

Last night at group time we switched things up and made teams to get all the work done today. It made a big difference because everyone knew where they were supposed to be as soon as we got there.

Some of the group started tearing down the shed's tin roof. It was hard and hot work. They did a great job though and got lots farther than expected.  

John and Ed took a group and got them started on the back deck and I took a group to finish up the first coat on the front deck.  We asked Emily and Christine to go back to home depot and pick up some paint remover for our "oops" moments. 

Everyone was doing fine when I heard a yell for help from inside. John and I flung the door open and ran in to find Ms. Claire on the floor where she had fallen on a loose rug.  (Remember when I mentioned that all of us worked in service?) Our police officer (John) and our EMT/firefighter (Ed) assessed her damage,  got her to a chair,  and our nurse (Emily) got her an ice pack while our teacher (Christine) kept the teens calm and out of the fray. The youth minister turned the stove off. ... and prayed she wasnt seriously hurt.  Ha! She rested her leg and was up walking on it a while later.  (Thank you God!) 

Every day it tends to rain as soon as we pray before lunch and thank God for the good weather. . . What do you think he is trying to tell us?  ;-) This time the teens stayed dry and made up raps and other songs at lunch. I love seeing them including everyone.  They were especially excited for the snack box that the Endres family sent us! We pulled it out for a special treat and even shared the Twizzlers with Ms. Claire... that's how you know they like her.  The rain didn't last long and soon they were back at it.  

At the end of the work day,  Ms. Claire brought us out donuts from the bakery in town. You would have thought she had given them the last food on earth the way they tore into them.  :-D I think she truly loves talking to the teens and sees great value in what they have to say.  (She is my kind of friend! )

We made it back in time to change and head to the beach at Potete Creek Campground. The river was beautiful and the teens enjoyed swimming in it.  There were a lot of gorgeous boats (and lake houses). The leaders Sat under the trees and watched them swim while planning out the next few days. 

After the picnic at the beach we came back for chapel. The message was all about Christ 's redemptive power. Zach did the application points and shared his story of being bullied,  and self harm,  and the phone call from God that came in the form of his friends voice telling him not to commit suicide at three am right as he was ready to give up. It was very powerful and had a huge impact on a lot of our teens.  We debriefed a little in small group and then they were given some time with their prayer partners to discuss how they could use their talents and gifts to work for God. We ended with Hey Gods,  Yeah God's,  and mad props. 

There were wonderful heartfelt prayers tonight.. and it's great to see them going deeper in their faith.  

Praying for all good things for our families,  friends,  and community back home. Please continue to hold us in your prayers as well.   Blessings!

Tuesday

Hello Tuesday!
We welcomed you with bright smiles and happy hearts on this very cloudy day. Ms. G (the head chef) made pancakes and fresh cinnamon apples for breakfast. They were super yummy! We packed our lunches (that we actually ate today) and headed out to Ms Claire and Mr Frank's.


When we arrived, we started immediately on building the spindles and handles for their front porch. The landscaping crew got the beds ready and our painters worked around everyone. ;-) Ms Claire didnt have the time to go get flowers for her garden, so she took Emily and went to Home Depot. We had some gift cards left from last year's mission so we used them to "gift her" with them. She was super happy.


Around 12:15 we stopped for lunch and just as we sat down, The rain began to fall. While we ate under the carport, the teens couldn't resist playing and singing and dancing in the rain. They had so much fun. (And I did too. .. from my nice dry spot. Ha! )


When we realized the rain was going to stick around for a while, The teens started picking up, bagging, and hauling the tree trimmings and weeds. The rain didn't even slow them down!


John and I ran back to Home Depot because we wanted/needed more paint brushes and flowers to finish the jobs we were working on. When we got back, the sun was out and they were back to working hard.


The home health care nurse came and visited Frank today. She was from the nursing home they are going to move him to. It was heartbreaking to hear her talk about all the help he needs (and she provides). The idea of having him not in her home really pains her but he will be given excellent care. She made sure to tell them that she still wants to cut his hair because she knows how he likes it. I'm not sure she knows what to do anymore. My heart hurts for them.


Ms Claire didnt let her "brokenness" stop her from helping others though. At the end of our work day she brought out a huge watermelon for us and sat and talked to us. She is so sweet!


After we got back to Camp and showered, we had a little free time. Some napped, but most went outside and mingled with the other church groups. Dinner was chicken and mashed potatoes, and then more free time before chapel. Some of us hiked around the camp and found a trust course. It was neat top see all the different flowers and plants too. There is a creek that borders the camp to play in as well. (I guess they felt they were wet enough because only the other groups got in. . .although when they did the "wobble" I bet some of ours would have. ;-)


As always, They were first in line for chapel, and danced and sang and prayed. The message was about being "all in" and not caring what others think. .. or thinking that you can't be what Jesus calls you to be because of your brokenness. Your brokenness allows God to make you stronger and shine brighter through you. We had a great small group with prayer partners and came back to do our Hey Gods, Yeah Gods, and mad props. The teens got a kick out of hearing a "long distance" mad prop from John C. for McKenzie for bring kool aid. We prayed for all of our families and loved ones back home, especially for Sue and Chuck. .. that the malignancy becomes noon existent.


Heading to bed. .. tomorrow is work shirt Wednesday, so I am sure there will be lots of fun photos on my Facebook page. Love from GA!

Happy Monday!
Today has been an extremely productive day. It started at 6:30 with a few of the boys running with me...and by 'with me', I mean they ran and I enjoyed the quiet morning prayer time while watching to make sure they were ok. Ha!
The rest of the group got up, played frisbee, and hung out until breakfast at 8. We had biscuits, sausage, and cereal and packed lunches for our site. We are lucky in that our site is in Georgia and only 15 minutes away.
We are working with Ms. Claire and her husband Frank. Frank is in a wheelchair and will be moved to a nursing home in the next few months. It is a pretty rough time for them right now so we all spent time just talking with Ms.Claire and playing with her dog, Bella.
Dont get me wrong, a ton of time was spent on the deck, yard, and painting the roof of her porch (the rest to be stained tomorrow) but with all 5 chaperones working in service positions, the fellowship and sharing of love is a big deal....not to mention she was super sweet to the teens! ;-)
Eric, Nicky, Michael, Robert and Ben worked on the yard with Emily. Ms. Claire didnt own a lawn mower, so they used weed whackers to cut her yard and clear back brush that was over taking....well, everything. It was hot and buggy (including wasps!) and they never once complained!
Taylor and McKenzie helped Christine paint the roof of the porch, while Sam, Lydia, Lauren, Elise, and Casey used the power tools to cut and hang spindles on the handicap ramp and deck.
(Did I mention they all worked hard today?! )
At lunch, Ms. Claire brought out homemade hamburger patties and hot dogs and Christine grilled them for us. (We told her we packed our lunches, but she said she made them especially for us, so we didn't want to turn her down. ) At the end of the work day, she brought out a homemade chocolate cake and ice cream. She was the best. ;-)
After we got back and showered, we went to our annual walmart run. The teens bought walkie talkies ...because we have no cell service and they think I am an idiot and don't know they want to talk to each other after lights out. . Since the boys are in one cabin and the girls are in another. ..good thing I love them...plus I plan on confiscating them when I go to bed. Haha.
We made it back in time for dinner (after going over an Awesome Dam) and then had some free time before chapel.


Chapel started with our teens dancing and singing (well everyone was. . But our teens were in the front rows and then on stage! ) This time other groups joined us and then they asked for volunteers to say how they saw God today. Two of our teens got up and shared. One talked about Ms. Claire and one talked about how seeing all of us together working hard let them see God. We prayed into the message. Today's message was on pride. (The theme for the week is brokenness. ) They showed a video and it was pretty awful. The speaker sat at a table, messed up his words and kept having to look down to read from his paper. I asked God to make the person doing the application points (a real speaker at chapel) better than the video. (Here is a thought: be careful what you pray for! )


One of the other leaders, Rachel, got up and shared a really powerful story of how her uncle just passed away and how he asked her before he died, not to come home because God needed her here and put her here for a reason. So she stayed at camp. It made a lot of people cry and led to great small group discussion in our parish time.
After our hey Gods, Yeah Gods and mad props, we paired up for "prayer partners" and spent some time on our devotionals. God has been with us all day...and we are so blessed. Please continue to pray for us as we continue to hold you in prayer as well.
Much love!
Lori Anne

Hi friends! 
We made it safely to Camp Jabez and are excited to be here! It was a long day of driving, but we only made one wrong turn. (If you know me and my sense of direction, you will find this to be miraculous. Haha) The ride down was filled with music and laughter and car games in the big van....and sleepers in the parish van. The teens were great about rotating cars so that everyone had the chance to be together. 


We arrived at Camp at 5 (ish) and checked in. After multiple changes in cabins (moving in and out due to the size of the other groups and our "Safe Sanctuary" policy) we finally left for dinner. Lots of fast food choices, so we let the teens pick what they wanted and got it 'to go' so we could eat together at the picnic tables back at camp. We met our counselor Adam...who is from Cincinnati (and went to Lakota East...which Casey promised to not hold against him) and went to chapel.

I was so excited and proud of our teens. They sang and cheered, sat in the front rows, volunteered for the "game" and threw themselves into worship with both feet. I think they took the message of being Christ's hands and feet to heart and are leading by example!


The group nominated Casey to be a participant in a type of "telephone" game. .. except instead of whispering a sentence in another's ear, you had to watch the person before you act out a scene and then they had to act it out to the next person, etc. (You only got to see the person before you. .. not everyone. ..) She rocked it! 


After chapel we had a leader meeting and then we got to go to our own parish group time. Christine and Emily talked about the day and did mad props, hey Gods, and Yeah God's (which are prayers of thanksgiving, prayers of petitions, and affirmations of each other. ) I think the teens are enjoying themselves and that always makes me smile! 


The day ended with some bumps.The camp is so far out that our phone coverage is very spotty. We have to walk out to the end of the road or walk around the field to get to a good spot.. so I am super glad there is a land line we can use if needed. (It is the number on the sheet we passed out ..) With that being said, we will check our messages as often as possible and call during our working hours when we are on the worksites (at breaks, of course ;-) )


Also, the blog might be shorter than normal because we got all the way down here and my laptop refuses to turn on. (Ugh)... so I am writing this from my phone. .. which is kind of a pain. I will continue to post updates on Facebook during the day so you can see pictures that way. :-D


Please know that we pray for our parish community and all of our loved ones back home. Please continue to keep us in your prayers for a safe and blessed week! 
Sending much love! 
Lori Anne

P.S. In case you didn't read the comments from the earlier post, Erich has agreed to help me post the blog...as soon as I give him the correct address. Oops! Sorry Erich!