Well, I haven't updated in a while cause there just hasn't been a lot to say...but, it's finally here. Camp of the Hills is just around the corner as I'm packing my plastic bins and heading outta Canyon on Saturday. Yessssss..... Part of this was posted on another blog, but I thought I'd share some memories from previous summers and what I'm looking forward to this year.

There's no way to relate every story, every child, or every way camp has changed those who have been there. It has certainly changed my entire outlook and perspective on the physical and spiritual needs of so many people...but here's a small taste from 04 and 05...wasp killing or lack thereof, "The Ride," Robert's thumbs up during crucifixion one night, the Smithwick church, Death by Chocolate, the Oliver's rooster, color dance, ham logs and ham salad, the "flowers" week, Sam Adams, Cassandra, JaShaun, Hollie, Shakira, Poppy, Autumn, and TeT Petite to name a few, the first time I saw crucifixion and every time after that, the moments when I realized it's really about the resurrection, turtle hunting, two insane week 7's: one with Patsy and the girl's of G3 and one Wed. military night, SS retreats at the Germany's and Whitman's,...I look forward to meeting many new faces and seeing the ones I already know as well, listening to a child read out of the Bible for the first time, talks on the breezeway, challenges beyond any I've faced yet growing from them, Friday night banquets, watching the kids pile off the vans and not wanting to load back up on Saturday, enduring attitudes from a few campers knowing that you have the opportunity to pour the love of God out to them in exchange, watching the counselors give selfishly of themselves, witnessing the innocence of these children who have been through so much...

If there was any way to sum up what COTH means to me, it would be this: walking up to the front porch for the first time in May 04 knowing one person and intending to leave after 4 weeks and now being able to leave at the end of this summer 3 years later, having known the most amazing children, knowing God will carry on the work in the future no matter who's there... it's walking away having met my very best friends in this place, men and women of God who I will continue to have relationships with for years to come...it's the moments that you will never be able to relate to anyone other than those who lived through it with you...

Well, it's official. No more school for the rest of my life! I think I'm ok with that, really, though I'm not sure what to do now. I have all this free time for the next 10 days or so. Should be a wonderful time of relaxing and getting geared up for the summer. Some observations I've made over the last few days:

*Regardless of National Mom's Day, as Jayme would put it, I really do have the best Mom ever. Because not only is she my Mom and everything that encompasses, she's also my friend. I was very blessed to get to spend some great time with my family this weekend. They take good care of me and spoil me ridiculously, and I am indebted.

*Graduation was actually fun, the ceremony part. I figured it would be long and boring, but it really was kinda cool. Especially the part where Mom hooded me twice and butchered my cap before we got it right. ;) It was the after ceremony part that it finally hit me that everything was over. I'm so thankful for my opportunity to be at camp this summer with many of my favorite people, as it will provide a bit of transition time. Makes leaving Abilene a piece of cake...I think.

*I hate moving. It's a complete pain and annoyance. But I find the annoyance lies within myself at having so many things. I consider myself a pretty simple person, but after packing everything up...wow. It bothers me when I know so many people who don't even have pictures on their wall or a closet of clothes to choose from each morning as I do. Makes me disgusted and in need of simplification. Makes me not want to live in our American society of consumerism, working in a cubicle, catering to people with money who want to advertise their newest 'stuff' to further inhance their riches, while people blocks away are going hungry. *sigh*......

*Friends are amazing. How would we ever go through life without someone to lean on? There are those friends who are hurting and you don't know what to do to help, but just knowing you can sit and cry together is somehow healing. There are those that show up on your front porch bearing a chocolate shake and a smile just when you needed it. And there are those that you didn't even know you were that close to until you had to say goodbye. And you wonder what you'll do without them.

So I'm headed back to good 'ole Canyon for a bit until time to be out at camp. I'll have to post some COTH stories later....

I'm also inclined to feel incredibly grateful; thankful for the time I have been given with my Dad. Oh, how your perspective changes when you're struck again with how short life really is on this earth. So...Happy Late Birthday, Dad! (It was Monday) I have been so blessed in the memories we've shared together over the last 22 years. So here's some things I will always remember/love about my Dad...

*going to the Father/Daughter Valentine Banquet at church in elementary school
*cooking elk steak and deer sausage over our campfire in the backyard
*the day you surprised me and picked me up from school with our first horse Daisy
*the sandwich in the tree incident
*the way you put your family first before your job
*picking corn at Granny and PaPa's farm, chopping corn worms and then carrying that tradition on to our own garden
*how proud you are of your tractor and how you'd really be quite satisfied to be a simple farmer
*how much you love that puppy
*how you get us to the ski slopes a couple hours early just so we won't miss a single minute
*how you take care of the 'ole Exploder
*how you know the importance of escaping into the wilderness every year and find such joy in your adventures
*how much care you take in building a campfire, pitching a tent, and reading maps and how you've taught us those things too
*how we're gonna be on the Amazing Race together someday
*the little gifts you give Mom just because
*how you brought back purpleheart wood from Guyana and worked hours to make me a special box
*wahoo battles
*the time we rode in the rain in the Pecos
*playing spades and usually winning when DM went blind nello every hand
*pushing me on a swing as a little tyke
*our outing in Albuquerque one year instead of my going to prom
*how hard you work for the church youth group even after DM and I have left
*riding in Palo Duro and Caprock Canyon
*how you don't really like to smile in pictures
*Saturday morning omelets and burritoes
*our love for blackberries and blueberries
*your love of Western movies and terrible classic country music
*how excited you get over your "Santa" gift each Christmas
*how you encouraged me in training for the marathon and ran along with me during the race
*your constant love and support

Oh, how I could continue for quite some time... love you Dad.

A lot has happened in the last week, yet I don't feel like I have much to say. This past weekend has left me drained and confused. I don't even know what to feel really. I'm inclined to feel sad of course. I'm inclined to feel shocked. I'm inclined to feel angry and bitter. I'm inclined to not understand why God would take from such an amazing family, of all people, and why it's the second time this has happened this semester. I'm inclined to much questioning. Continue to lift up the Hill family in your prayers, as they will need support not just now but especially in the months to come.