Ok, ok, so it's been a while, but let's be honest, there's only a miniscule group of people reading this, at least based on the 2 comments a century that I get on here. However, I'll give the benefit of a doubt that there are those (identity kept secret) who are afraid to comment because the computer is too "high-tech" of a thing and they're not sure how all of that works anyway. Whatever. But a disclaimer on my part, I still have no internet connection at home except for those rare moments such as this when I can tie up the phone line, and I'm guessing I might not be sticking around at Fossil too much longer if I was taking time to post from there. So there you have it. I do what I can.
For now, I'll give a brief version of the latest adventure at work. A week or so ago, we had our Annual Sales Meeting, a 3 day long event that I didn't understand half of. Or much of any of it actually. But one afternoon we had a team builder which apparently used to consist of going to a ropes course. Here a sigh of relief was breathed after it was announced that we were actually trying something different this year: our own version of the Amazing Race. Now for those of you who don't watch this show, we need to talk. Cause they don't call it amazing for nothing. Anyway, our 4 teams ventured out to follow clues, complete tasks, and buy watches all around the Dallas area. Our team traveled to GolfSmith where one of us had to hit a drive and another sink a 10 ft putt. (Got that one, being the golfer that I am...!) We journeyed to a new Fossil store to seek out a certain t-shirt and then on to an apartment complex where our clue was waiting at the bottom of the swimming pool. Finally, we all met up at a bowling alley where the first team to get 2 strikes won the race. A close second place we were. In conclusion, it was a great way to spend an afternoon of "work." But I do believe it has made my desire to actually be on the show that much stronger. Over 40,000 miles in 30 days, never knowing where you get to go next. Pretty incredible. Until then, tune in next Sunday night, 8:30 pm on CBS, for the season premiere. Should be amazing.
Week 1 and a half. Complete. And it's been pretty good. I'm now working in the Special Markets Division working up comps for clients who want their company logo on our watches, sunglasses, etc. That's the short version, the non-design lingo that most general public will comprehend. In addition to working for "Speedy" as it is deemed, I've gotten the priviledge of arranging 600+ watch tins in order on a huge display wall. Great fun... Anyway, we have this employee store at Fossil in which the company stocks items that are overflow or didn't sell or whatever and they discount everything HUGELY for all of us. So I got to go check it last Friday and it reminded me of a favorite elementary moment. Anyone remember Santa's Secret Shop back in the good ole days? I know Mom does because she still has nick-nacks from it displayed at home in all their glory. Since I didn't get into the payroll system at Fossil until this week, I couldn't buy anything last week at the store. It was a mere window shopping experience. Which is fine with me. The pink purses were horrendous. But I remember when December hit in elementary and everyone got their own cardboard gingerbread house bank to save up pennies for Santa's Shop. One day we'd all go to the shop, set up on the gym stage, "just to look" so we'd know what we wanted and how many quarters it would take to get that special "No Place Like Home" plastic window sign, perfect for my Mom's stocking. And after a century had passed, we were finally able to go back and make our purchases. But you had to be quick, for Suzy and Billy also had their eye on the soccer ball eraser that you wanted and there were only so many... And so, the Fossil employee store reminded me of fond memories of Santa's Secret Shop. Thought I'd reminisce a bit.
It's gonna be hard to catch up the last two weeks...Got moved to Richardson on Friday, started work at Fossil on Monday, and it's been fast and furious ever since. My computer isn't hooked up yet, so I'm about to go into deprevation over that. Better posts later. For now...
Things I won't miss about camp:
*sleeping on the breezeway and getting attached by rabid bugs
*sweating constantly, even in the shower
*crucifixion and all that entails
*ham
*middle-of-the-night bathroom runs
*counting kids constantly
*the heat (oh, wait, it was 106 here today...)
*licking my plate
*stairs
*the laundry room
Things I will miss about camp:
*playing with kids
*hiking with Brad into uncharted territory
*soccer games on the weekend
*worship every day
*being surrounded by 40 people my own age all the time
*clean-up and popcorn Friday night
*good conversations
*my best buds
*making lemonade for spa night with Katy
*Matilda, Willy Wonka, and Mike Wizowski
*Lacy's creepy running stories
*off nights with Chris and Stacey-even the unexpected ones!
*letters from home
*Death By Chocolate
*the kids stepping off the bus
*dance parties on the breezeway
*true fellowship
*chair stacking
*seeing kids grow up
*waking up at camp each morning
*pretty much everything not listed above...
Things I have learned since moving/starting work:
*enjoy the years at school, reality sets in soon enough
*get a map of the place you're working if it's big; that way it won't take you forever to find an exit
*if someone asks you for help, you should help them
*if someone wants to do things on their own, you should let them
*there are many, many people in the cubicles next to you who need to know God
*it is good to see/talk to people you haven't in a while
*missions is still on my heart and mind
*illustrator is much like freehand, praise the Lord
*sugar-free pie is just as amazing as with the sugar
*always have an air-vent in your bathroom
*reading is a luxury
*I miss people...a lot
*families take care of each other (thanks for the calls DM)
*it's time to start running
*don't take for granted having friends to go to church with; it's harder starting from scratch
*learning patience is an ongoing task...
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Oh yeah, and I forgot to add that I will miss Grandma's cinnamon rolls and Granny Field's peanut butter cookies :) Feel free to add to the lists...
Camp is officially over. Well, is was on Saturday. There's a lot to be said about the summer. But it hasn't really hit me yet. So I'm moving to Dallas tomorrow, starting my internship on Monday. I'll post more about the summer when I get there. Until then, a quote from Oswald Chambers:
Naturally, we are inclined to be so mathematical and calculating that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing. Certainty is the mark of the common sense life; gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, we do not know what a day may bring forth. This is generally said with a sigh of sadness; it should rather be an expression of breathless expectation.
Be certain of God today.
Well, I wasn't going to post anything this weekend, cause I just don't have a lot to say. Or rather, I do, but couldn't ever put it all down in words. But I ran across this quote and thought I'd throw it in here:
"I have loved the feel of the green grass under my feet, and the sound of the running stream by my side, and the face of the fields has often comforted me more than the faces of men."
-John Burroughs, philosopher
Perhaps intended to be a bit depressing, but I see it as the fact that sometimes we can't explain everything that we feel and the only thing we can do is sit in the presense of God's creation and marvel that He is much bigger than everything going on. So from that viewpoint, I sorta like it.
Much going on this week. Last week of Camp of the Hills. 120 kids booked. Tired and ready to be finished, knowing it's time to move on. Last crucifixion, praise the Lord. Much transition ahead. And my best friends to say goodbye to, as well as this place. It's going to be tough. Many more stories from the summer to come, but for now, I believe I'll go do some marveling at the stars. After all, they serve no true purpose, God merely blessed us with their beauty because He loves us so much.
High school week is now complete, 67 campers have come and gone. The week went by relatively smoothly, as far as high school weeks have gone in the past. I was blessed in seeing campers that I've gotten to watch change and grow over the past three summers, some even longer as with the Impact kids. Having older kids can be a much greater challenge as they are more hardened to their world than the younger ones, everything is bigger-including the kids themselves!, and everything is much more dramatic; however, more blessings come from deeper conversations than with the younger kids, and I was certainly able to be apart of that this week. Those of us who have been out here for several summers were reminded of our purpose and great task in this place as Alexis Nicole Biggers stepped out of the van. Two summers ago Alexis was one crazy girl, constantly in trouble, frequently yelling some interesting choice words, not wanting to do anything that was asked of her. Last summer I had Alexis in my cabin and she was much improved, though certainly still had her moments and went on contract a time or two. This summer Alexis got off her van and proceeded to hug counselors that she knew and began to tell me about the new girls in her foster home and how her year had gone. I believe Alexis had a great week this summer, and it's been amazing to see her growth and maturity over the years. There are many stories like that that I wish I could share. Getting to see Zeke from Impact, whom I've known since he was around 8 years old...Autumn crying on Saturday morning, knowing what a safe place this is...Zephyr's letter of finding a place to belong...some unexpected events in the middle of the night early, early Saturday morning. I wish there was time to recount it all. But the moment that touched me most this week came from one of my girls, 16 year-old Heather. She was from the same home as Alexis, and we had many great conversations throughout the week. But Thursday night I walked into the cabin and she said, "Gretchen, will you adopt me? You're old enough to do that, right? Cause I need someone who will love me all the time, every day." Words can't really respond to that, but my heart sure did.
A few more pictures:
