And the Iphone tells the story of...

This last weekend/half of week, I got to spend some time in Portland. I spent the weekend with Emily doing wedding prep galore. On Sunday, we went to Solid Rock and I ran into some friends from Corvallis! :)

me, Emily, Sara, and Tina! <3 (the boys are not photographed)

Emily gets married in 8 days. EIGHT. {enter here squeals, jumping, and the big to-do pile} Then her and her hubs are moving across the country to Tennessee. I'm ganna miss this lady. We were so busy, I didn't get around to taking any pictures. I spent a majority of my time working on the Wedding Playlist. Really, I was just illegally downloading songs hardcore. Shhhh. Ladies and gentlemen, I don't think you understand what this tasks entails. I'll be honest with you: click, copy, paste, find song somewhere on hard drive, put into itunes, playlist. bam. NEXT. It took hours upon hours. BUT I'm so glad I could do it instead of the Bride.

The future Mr. & Mrs.

Monday evening, Brynn and I did a test run on Emily's wedding day makeup. I can't say any more than that, but it is going to be GREAT. Brynn and I went out to dinner with her Dad. YUM. We went to Chevy's and we delighted in cocktails and mexican food. Is there really anything better? Well, yeah, there is. But I really enjoyed my pina colada.
When we got home, we put on the Olympics. I gotta say, these people are so deserving to be there. They do some amazing stuff! While we were watching the Olympics, we laughed our booties off reading Damn You Auto Correct. Have you ever read it? You should. Pure hilariousness.

I don't know how we came up with this idea but Brynn had some extra fireworks she didn't use on the 4th of July, so we headed out into the church parking lot behind her apartment and let some loose. We we're having all sorts of fun and laughter, until we realized how late at night it was and we saw a cop car driving down the street. We picked up everything and ran inside. SO WORTH IT.

The next day, we headed to Salem. The birthplace of our beautiful friendship. I got a haircut and Brynn got a new piercing! I have been contemplating getting my nose pierced for nearly 2 years, and I almost did, but I chickened out. In my defense, I don't have ANY piercings at all. Not even my ears!

We went out for really good, but expensive BBQ. I put a napkin in my shirt. Yes, I was that person and I have no shame. It was worth it for every single fabulous bite of ribs. Ah, drooling just remembering how good it was. We then came home, put on the Olympics and did a puzzle. Don't judge us, it was a really hard one. We worked on it patiently for all 3 hours of the Olympics. 

We kept losing pieces, and then I realized they all somehow managed to land in the crotch of my sweatpants. Don't ask. I was (and still am) as confused as you to how they got there. We laughed hysterically.
Favorite moment of the night: Brynn goes "is it weird I like to eat..." And before she could finish her sentence I said, "no, most people eat..." and we died. Literally. If laughter could induce dying it would have happened that night. Love this girl so so much. AND I'm so beyond happy she is finally back in Oregon!

Lately, I've decided to take on the task of riding a bike. {large amounts of laughter here}Yes, I do not know how to ride a bike. So Greg and I walked downtown to Peak Sports so I could get correctly sized for a bike. They let us take the bikes out on a test drive. So we did, or really, Greg did. I went on a nice walk with my bike. I rode it for probably 0.5 seconds, if that. I attempted, and Greg laughed. After such a refreshing walk downtown, we stopped at The Beanery for blended chai, and then walked to central park. I played on the swings and went down the slide. I enjoyed acting like I was 5. What's better than that? Really.

Then we decided a swim would sound absolutely decadent. So we got Peter to go along with us, and we all went swimming. Did I mention I've been sick? Well I have. My life has revolved around this nasty cough that induces dry heaving and lack of breathing. Swimming? I didn't think that one through. But it was still a refreshing little dip. Later that evening, we went on a motorcycle ride since Greg sells the beloved bike today. We enjoyed a last ride on the beautiful red babe. Or, I did. I'm not really sure if Greg enjoyed it. I couldn't see where we were most of the time, so I was singing worship in my helmet while it was too windy for Greg to hear me. I live a really beautiful life and I am amazed at the many ways God answers my prayers, hears my every word, and blesses me with such wonderful people to love.

The Journey

I'm going into my 5th year of college. Yep, 5th. Was this intended when I graduated high school four year ago? Nope. Would I change the journey I've taken to get to where I am today? No. I wouldn't.

I started out my college experience at Corban University in Salem, OR. I learned a lot in my 2 and a half years there. I learned about friendship, both healthy and unhealthy. I learned about depending on the Lord. I learned about my identity and making it fully in Christ. I learned how to take care of myself. I learned how to lean on my community. I learned how to tell when people genuinely care about you, and when they are after something to gossip about. Most importantly, I learned about my passions. The things that make me, me. I learned about God's character as a loving Father and how it relates to me and my life. God cares deeply about the small details. And not only does he care, he plans each and every small detail.

In January 2011, I transferred to Oregon State University. Little did I know then, this place would become my home. I love Corvallis, OR. I love the weather. (People, this is a really BIG deal.) It rains a lot here, and I used to hate it, but now, those rainy, misty, cloudy days are my favorite. I love my community. I have a wonderfully supportive loving family that is also known as 242, my college group.
In my time at Oregon State, I learned how to cook (And I learned I actually LOVE it). I learned how to navigate finding my way somewhere when I have no idea. I learned how to develop my opinion and to voice it freely. I learned more about service. I learned how to ask other people for help and actually let them help me. I learned how to move into my own apartment. I learned how to find cheap free furniture and make it look fabulous. I learned how to express myself appropriately. I learned how to make lesson plans and teach them in a classroom. I learned how to make mistakes. (Well, I already knew how, but I learned how to fix them). I learned how to budget. I learned how to worship God all day, everyday. I learned how to have a heart that is constantly praying. I learned how to love deeper, stronger, and greater, only because I have a Heavenly Father who loved me first.

I've been through a lot in my 4 years of college, and I'm nowhere near done yet. I'm excited for the journey ahead, and all the more learning I get to do with my life. I'm excited to see where God is going to move, how He is going to show up, and how he will work in all the ugliness to make it beautiful.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Camp: Week 1

Caeli and I were placed at Ranch Camp where we had the exciting opportunity to co-counsel for the week! Our campers arrived on Sunday June 17th. We went to church in the morning on Sunday, moved our stuff down from the cabin in Timberline to Buckskin at Ranch Camp, and then prepared for our campers!

 Ranch Camp was a blast! We got to spend a lot of time with horses, our campers, in the pond, laughing, singing songs, doing skits, and learning more about Jesus.

A typical day at Ranch Camp starts at 6:15 when our staff meeting begins. We have our staff meeting, pray, talk about the schudele for the day, and then put on crazy wacky costumes to wake up campers.
We saddle up our horses, brush them, and clean their hooves.

Me brushing a horse with one of my campers, Arabelle

At 8:30 we have a yummy breakfast. This often consists of someone being forced to SING A SONG. The song goes..."Sing a song, Sarah, sing a song. We wont stop singing til you stand up, sing a song, Sarah, sing a song" Each time, it gets louder and more and more people sing along until the person's whose name is in it stands up and you guessed it, SINGS A SONG. The staff put a limit of 2 sings a song per meal, otherwise it is very obnoxious! After breakfast, the campers have classes. They are: Trail Riding, Arena, Vaulting, and Horse Science. They girls are separated into groups and they rotate with their group through these classes all week. This week, I had the bandanas.

The Bandana's with Christine (a Wrangler) 

After classes, we have KBAR. Also known as Kick Back and Relax. EVERY COUNSELORS FAVORITE TIME. No, but seriously. It is. At the beginning of the week, Caeli and I used this time to talk to our girls, or just play some chill games, but as the week went on, we got more tired and so did our girls. By Thursday, this became NAP time. Gotta love it. Then we had lunch time, which consisted of more sing a song songs. FUNNNNNN. When my girls tricked me into singing a song, I sang the Beaver Song. I still honor OSU even way down here in California. My girls sang along. I was so proud.
After lunch, we had some solo time and then Cabin Devos. This time was really aggravating this week. It was hard for the girls to focus, and many of them grew up in Christian homes, so they already know Jesus. It was hard for Caeli and I (who were not Christians until a later age) to understand how best to lead them. A big answer to prayer happened on Thursday: we had a great discussion about how to listen to God and hear his voice. I was really impressed with a few of the girls eagerness to follow God daily.
After Cabin Devos, it was pond time. I really loved this time, because we just got to hang out and have fun with our campers. There is no rush for time, and we got to play silly games, talk more about life and God, and just enjoy have fun together.

Caeli and I at the pond with some of our girls

After pond time, we have some sort of activity before dinner. Activities like: games on the soccer field, Shoot for Gold on horseback in the pasture, or a night ride. After dinner, we have a cabin activity. On Monday night, we made our cabin flag. We lived in Buckskin, and our cabin name was the Chick-A-Dees.

 After that, was the BEST time of the day. Campfire. I have a GINORMOUS collection of pictures from campfire. Please enjoy. :) This was a time of silly songs, skits, yelling very loud, competitions, learning about God, testimonies, and worship.

On Tuesday night, Ranch Camp camped out under the stars. I had so much fun that night. We ate hot dog dinner cooked over the fire, and then made our own dough boys. That night, the stars were amazingly beautiful. Caeli and I stayed up talking. We prayed and the wind hissed through the trees. It was a lovely way to fall asleep all laying on a tarp close to each other for body warmth.

I have an embarrassing story to share with you all: I was sleeping very very soundly and very warmly. So much that I didn't wake up when I had to go to the bathroom. So I started to pee my pants and I woke up as soon as I realized what was going on. Luckily, I only peed through my first layer and it didn't soak through much at all. But I was so embarrassed and it was quite a night. I also peed in the woods for the very first time! Caeli was very proud of me! :)

The hoedown was one of my favorite nights of the whole week. Here is the hoedown in pictures:

Haley, myself, Jenn, and Caeli

Our crazy Chick-A-Dees

All of Ranch Camp at the Hoedown

On Friday, it rained unexpectedly, so we had to improvise our plans for the day. I got to teach cotton-eyed-Joe and the Hoedown Throwdown for 2 and a half hours. All those nights of country dancing are really helping at Ranch camp!

Here are some miscellaneous  pictures from the week:

Caeli and I dressed like twins one day on accident

Here's the cabin mid week

Our Cabin :)

Halliday and Katie with their horse Peppy

Our Cabin: Me, Rawnie, Arabelle, Kendra, Caeli, Katie, Zoozer, and Halliday

So BLESSED to have this girl at camp!

Ranch Camp Staff Week 1

This is our natural state. Be jealous.

 "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful" Hebrews 10:23

Prayer Requests for the next week: 

I've never worked with junior high/high school campers before-wisdom and direction

For our staff to continue to bond with unity

For those traveling to the River, for safety

For campers to come to a deeper understanding a saving faith in Jesus Christ

For rest and good sleep for staff

For spiritual growth and trust in the Lord for what He is doing

Camp: the beginning

On Tuesday, June 12th, Caeli and I left for Mount Hermon Kidder Creek to start our summer at camp!
Here is our road trip journey in pictures:

all packed up and ready to leave Corvallis

Stopped for ice cream at the K&R Diner in Rice Hill, OR

We made it to CALIFORNIA! and ate really yummy huckleberry lollipops!

We arrived at camp around 8pm on Tuesday night and we dropped off our stuff in our cabin and went down to Ranch Camp for campfire.

Later in the week, we learned how to belay on the high ropes course. It was fun to all train together and belay on each other. My favorite part was when I would fly up in the air trying to belay Morgan and Caeli.

Alysaa, me, Caeli, and Morgan

Later that evening, we got to watch the other counselors lead a campfire for their campers. We enjoyed silly songs, hilarious skits, and I pretty much almost peed my pants. Campfire's are one of my favorite things about camp! After campfire, we had smores and broke out into impromptu worship. It was beautiful.

One afternoon later that week, Caeli and I didn't have much to do so we went to help pick up some bikes for the Marble Mountain Marathon happening that weekend.

 Kyle, Alyssa, Caeli, myself, and David all came along. We stopped at Dotty's for ice cream! YUM.

We played "Hot Seat" which is a game that allows you to ask someone anything you want for 5 minutes while they are in the hot seat. I really enjoyed it! It allowed us to learn more about each other and get to know each other on a different level. Later that evening, I introduced some staff chaotic, which is pretty much the best card game ever. Every round, the winner was in the hot seat.

We had a relaxing weekend, and then prepared for campers that arrived on Sunday June 17th! This place is beautiful. The nature is breath-taking. God is clearly at work here and He is changing lives. I'm so excited to see what this summer is going to hold.

Hide and Seek

In my dance class today, we got to perform our final project. My group made a modern/lyrical dance to Hide and Seek by Imogen Heap. My group got to go last (and I certainly think we were the best).

Watch our Dance

After we performed, our dance teacher had us do it again. Then, she had us wait after class, and she went and got camera people and a videographer to make a momento of our dance for Oregon State. Um, big deal. We were all so surprised. I really loved the way it turned out and it has always been a dream of mine to choregraph this song. I love to dance. When I dance, I feel alive. I am so glad I picked it back up. I am so glad my dance teacher encourages me to keep going. She reminds me that I am good. She challenges me to take more advanced classes so I can get better.

I guess God kinda does the same thing with us sometimes. He gently reminds us how beautiful and talented we are by using us to accomplish his purposes. He loves to show off his magnificent ways through his children. God uses difficulties to challenge us so we can grow more of a dependance on Him.

He makes beautiful things. He makes beautiful things out of us.

Some Days are filled with the Unexpected

Some days you hit little road bumps. Things don't go quite as planned. And you know those days, you get kinda frustrated and start feeling really down.Those are the kind of days Satan likes to attack. He sees we are weak and he takes advantage of it.

My Friday the 13th was one of those days.

It all started with a very difficult and unplanned Thursday night. I normally spend my Thursday nights at bible study, with some lovely girls, but this week, I was doing something very unexpected and somewhat traumatic. I woke up Friday still dealing with what happened the night before. I went to class, took a quiz, and went back home to pack for my exciting weekend at the beach for 15 beautiful girls from my college group. I packed my bags, picked up the girls I was driving and got all the way to Monmouth when my car started making a noise. A thereisarocktumblingaround noise. I pulled over and put on my flashers.

After a few attempts, I ended up having to have my car towed all the way back to Corvallis. Yay AAA. I got home, walked in the door after paying the tow man and cried. Literally sat on my bed and cried. I was pretty certain at that point that I wasn't going to be going to the coast for the retreat. But Aimee was not okay with that, so she called all the cars that hadn't left yet and arranged a seat for me.

my poor baby being towed

Beautiful sunset view from the house

Then I finally arrived on the coast for the weekend with some lovely girls.

Erin, Rosie, Amy, Tina, Lexi, me, Sara

Catch phrase: aka INTENSE

On that night, we stayed up til 3:30 in the morning or something sharing stories. It at all started with games where we would ask a question and everyone would go around and answer. The question that kept us up so late was, "What is something you have overcome?" Little did we know at the time what that question would turn into. There was tears, laughter, hugs, confessions, acceptance, confessions, and so much more. It was really a beautiful time.

I woke up on Saturday morning rested. We made breakfast and then headed down to the beach.

Back row: Deanie, Taylor, Christy, Rosie, Erin, Lexi, Erin, Lacey, Sara
Front Row: Amy, me, Aimee, Tina, Casey, and Jessie

A few of us decided to hike up the massive dune. And then have a few little adventures. :)

Sara, Rosie, Lacey, Deanie, Jessie, Lexi, and I after hiking up the dune

Rosie, Deanie, Lacey, and Lexi walking sliding down the other side

Yep, we did it.

Isnt this just beautiful?

Deanie and Sara

Me and Deanie

the two Sara(h)'s

I sat down on top of this mountain and looked around me. God created all of this. I sat there singing "Indescribable" quietly to myself. God, you are indescribable.

 The whole earth is His.

"the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them-The Lord, who remainds faithful forever." Psalm 146:6

Lacey was sitting on this ledge and she turns around to me and says "Each wave is a little different. Some have spunk, some just kinda sizzle away. And each of the rocks, they are all different shapes and sizes. (silence) Kinda like us."

What Lacey said couldn't be more true. We are all different because God created each and every one of us exactly how He wanted us to be. That is so comforting and absolutely beautiful to me.

As we were sitting and admiring the beauty, Deanie, Rosie, and Sara went on a little adventure.

This is my view is Sara, Rosie, and Deanie from where I was sitting

We headed back over to the rest of the group and plopped right down.

Then we had a little cermony for Ryder, Lacey's dog who died suddenly this week.

Ryder loved popcorn, so it was only appropiate to write his name in the sand, cover it in popcorn, and wait for a wave to wash it away.

What an unexpected, but so amazing weekend. I am so blessed by all these AMAZING women who love the Lord that I have in my life. My car still isn't fixed yet, so that's kinda a downer, but it's okay. I have a great community of friends helping me out. :)