savoring Gilead

I know I promised a proper post, but I just had to share this. Finished this gem today. Read the entire last half in one sitting. You know how some times books are described as "one to be savored." I never understood that until I read this one. It is one of the most beautifully written books I've read in a long, long time. I filled up pages of my Moleskin with quotes and passages from its pages.

I literally read it slowly, so I could enjoy each word and each sentence. It's that wonderful. Here's one of the dozens of parts I loved...

"And memory is not strictly mortal in its nature, either. It is a strange thing, after all, to be able to return to a moment, when it can hardly be said to have any reality at all even in its passing. A moment is such a slight thing, I mean, that its abiding is a most gracious reprieve."


It wasn't on my summer reading list. That list is filled with young adult novels, you know. I rarely read Pulitzer prize winners. But a friend recommended it, and I'm so glad I gave it a chance.

You should too....

movie minute

I saw a beautiful little movie this week. And by beautiful, I am referring to both set, costume and story.

Just look at these photos...



















Paul Bettany is one of my all time favorites. This character reminds me of his character in Master and Commander (one of my top 10 movies), maybe because they are both scientists. His wife in the movie is his wife in real life.

It is the story of Charles Darwin, writer of The Origin of Species. It is sad, sweet and thoughtful. I saw several bad reviews of it, but decided to see it anyway because I love Paul Bettany. I was pleasantly surprised by it. It's definitely one that I would like to see again.


I'll be back this weekend with a proper post. I've been writing posts in my head all week, but haven't had the adequate time to sit down and pen them. It feels like the words are just spilling out of me!

See you soon....

xoxo,

Cottage Girl

oh, the cuteness

I managed to squeeze in a quick 15 minute photo session with some sweet, camp friends that were visiting this past week. I got to meet their adorable kiddo for the first time.

Oh, the cuteness.



I also fell back in love with my 50mm.


Hello, beautiful bokeh. I've missed you.

Week 6 = finished.
Only 2 more to go.
Where did the summer go?

100 sponsors in 100 days

An Orphan's Wish, whom I am honored to volunteer for, is offering a really cool intensive if you sign up to be a sponsor in the next 100 days.

You can get one of these fantastic shirts to help spread the word of AOW. FREE!! That's right.


It's really beautiful. I have one and get compliments on it all the time, which of course is great cause I can talk, talk, talk about AOW and the wonderful work they are doing in China.

They are changing lives and loving children. Little cuties like Shannan....


She's the little one I sponsor. I just love getting my reports on how she is doing, how she is growing and just staring at those adorable chubby cheeks!

If you have any questions about AOW, what sponsorship is, how long it lasts or anything else, just leave me a comment. I'll happily talk about AOW forever!

And if you do sign up, be sure to let me know. I'm praying that a few of you, dear readers, will feel a tug on your heart to help these precious ones.

Could that be you?

sea creatures

This morning...

Standing on the beach watching the Junior campers (7-10yrs) ride the banana boat. Chatting to the sailing instructor about the day/weather/crazy clouds. Look up and see fins. As in fins in the water.

We actually have skates in our river, so I thought it was just a couple of them flopping around. But no, this was different.

We had dolphins in our river. A small pod of about 20. They were headed out of the river back into the bay.

The boat driver slowed down so the kids on the banana boat could get a good look as they swam right by them. Dolphin sighting banana boating. Our newest activity.

I was giddy and super excited. Dolphins are incredibly cool. Love them.

Then everything went downhill. The jellyfish have been super horrible the last few days. The junior campers on the banana had a major freak out because of said jelly fish, and needed to be rescued from our floating pier. The morning ended with about 15 jelly fish stings up and down my legs. It was like walking through a sea of angel hair spaghetti that burns when it touches you. No fun.

Sea creatures of every type today. Some sting and burn. Some are beautiful and majestic.

I'd like more of the majestic if possible.

the sweetest message

My review of Inception:
Ummm...speechless, really. It's just that good. Go see it immediately. I won't say anything else. It would ruin it.

The actors:
I love Joseph Gordon-Levitt even more, if that's possible. I'm also in love with the brown leather coat he wears and pretty much his entire wardrobe. And Ellen Page's wardrobe too. And then there's Leo. He has always been one of my favorites. This seals the deal.


Now, you may remember that yesterday I posted about my want to see this movie with my brother. Kind of whining. I do that sometimes. Sorry...

Anyway, a friend read that post and texted me the sweetest message. It said "we aren't your brother, but would you like to see Inception with us (he and his wife)?"
How sweet is that?! I, of course, said YES! They drove all the way up to the theater near me, and we got to share the wonder that is Inception together along with my roomie.

Thanks so much, Rob and Kirsten. That meant the world to me. You guys are so wonderful. And Kirsten, I'm diving into the wheel of time books on vacation next month.

discuss the cinematography

Dear little brother of mine,

Will you please come home and see this movie with me this weekend? I feel that you would be the perfect person to share this big sci fi movie with. You won't mock my choice of movie, nor will you scoff at the 5 other sci fi movies that I will want to see (Tron) after viewing the previews at the beginning. You will boo along with me at the romantic comedy preview that is sure to be in the mix. And you will want to discuss the cinematography and key plot points for this movie in the car ride on the way home. Or at least listen to me as I ramble on about them.

Please? I know a plane ticket from Utah is a lot to ask, but I'll pay for the movie. And maybe some snacks.

Love you,

your big sis


ps...on a totally un-related note....has anyone else watched this trailer 50 times since it was released? Again, please come quickly holiday season movies. You will be our saving grace in movie world this year.

pssss......I really miss my little brother.

washed up grass

Sometimes there are parts of you that just refuse to be quiet.
They are so deeply a piece of what makes you who you are.

Not just the way you look.
Your hair color.
Your height.
The curve of your nose and your lips.
Those are a part of you too, of course.

But traits of what build your personality.
What makes you laugh.
The thoughts you share only with your friends.
How you share your heart with those you love.
The words you write with.
The way you see the world through a viewfinder.
Those types of things.

Yesterday and today, I realized that a part of me had been missing.
Missing because I haven't really had time for it.
I tried to fit it in when I could,
but time is so precious right now
that this part was shoved quietly to the back of the line.

But thankfully, it wormed it's way to the front.
I sat on the beach yesterday,
watching over the kids,
making sure they weren't drowning
or fighting
or swearing at each other
or throwing rocks at the boats.
I looked down,
and there, washed up on the shore
were a few pieces of sea grass that had died.
I reached down and ran my fingers over them.
After playing with them for a few minutes,
not even thinking about it,
I braided them and turned them into a bracelet.
I wore it all day.
And then made another one today.

And I have to admit that
yesterday I felt a little better about life.
It felt a little more like...
life.
A life that I live and am a part of.

Ministry is very outward focused.
It MUST be.
It MUST be consumed with others for it to survive,
and for you to survive in it.
God can't use you if you are inward focused.
I'm 100% for that.

But I don't think that we are supposed to lose who we are.
I don't think that God wants us to become robots.
He created each of us uniquely.
He, himself, is a CREATOR.
He is the most creative being in the entire universe.
He MADE the universe.

So, I'm going to make sure that I take moments to be me.
I'm going to keep making headbands for the girls I love
because that's the way I can show them I do.
I'm going to make bracelets out of sea grass.
I'm going to write notes with markers
and fun paper and old books.
I'm going to do this thing that God has placed before me.
And not only do it,
but do it in a way that only I can.
Because Jesus loves ME.
The person I am.
The one He forgave and died for.
Yup, that one.
The one that makes bracelets out of washed up grass.

anxious heart

(my favorite flower is in bloom all over the place. yes, it's technically a weed, but just look at those flowers! Queen Anne's Lace, you melt my heart.)

We've passed the half way point. 4 weeks done. 4 weeks to go. How in the world have we gotten this far already?!

As I was in the Word this past week, I found this verse...

"Say to those who have an anxious heart,
be strong; fear not!
Behold, your God will come with vengence
with the recompense of God.
He will come and save you."
Isaiah 35:4

"He will come and save you" makes me think of Aragorn. A mighty king that comes to save the kingdom of people who are fearful and shaken because of the army that about to annihilate them. Helm's Deep, anyone?!

There are so many things in my world that make my heart anxious. Camp craziness. The constant life guarding, making sure kids don't drown at the beach, making sure my boat drivers are being safe. This crazy schedule I keep. 12 hour work days. Little sleep. Not enough free time. Trying to keep connected with my family and friends amidst this crazy schedule. Thinking about the fall season and how busy it will be. Friends who need prayer. Trying to fit in normal things that need to get done like getting the oil changed in my car, doing laundry, paying bills, cleaning the messy Cottage. Editing photos for AOW.
And I'm a worrier too. Pessimist. I tend to automatically think of the worst scenario. I expect the worst and fear it all at the same time.

So, yes, I have an anxious heart. And I have been constantly reminding myself that God will come and save me. I have no need to fret. I have no need to panic.

You won't beat me, anxious heart. My God is bigger than you or any of the things you throw at me. I stand on the Rock and know that my foundation is sure.

Whew....I feel better already. Let's go 2nd half of the summer. I'm ready to see God do some amazing things!

topped out at 105

We survived today. Barely. When the temperature topped out at 105 degrees, I wanted to cry.


Actually, I wanted to cry when I walked out of my house at 6:45am to drive the boats and it was already 80 degrees with 97% humidity. I was sweating before it even got to 8:00am.

During the hottest part of the day, I pulled out the hose next to the Cottage front door and hooked up the sprinkler. Camp has a pool, boat rides, a beach, a lagoon, still nothing compares to a good old fashioned back and forth sprinkler when it's hot.

All is wet and hot here at camp. We are doing our best to ride out this heatwave with a smile. But, please, Lord! Send us some cooler temps and a breeze or two!

melting in grand form

(this, of course, doesn't factor in the horrid humidity. Add about 5+ degrees for that.)

Please send all the ice cream, ice tea, pools, umbrellas, fans, air conditioners, ice water, popsicles, tank tops and sunscreen you can part with. We will be melting in grand form over here at camp. And by melting, I mean trying not to die of heat stroke.

When you live 95% of your day outside, the weather is suddenly much more important than just filler conversation. It's life and death. This week, it's death.

See you on Friday....maybe....

red, white and blue

(credit where credit is due)

I love The Big Picture. It makes me want to be a better photographer. It makes me see the story behind a photo. It gives me chills and makes me cry.

I saw this image last night as I was catching up on the many posts that I've missed lately. It immediately stuck with me. I've pictured it in my head constantly for the last 24 hours. Its emotion hasn't left me. I think it tells such a beautifully, hard, tragic story without using any words. And it is the image I'm thinking about on this Independence Day.

I don't hold our country above everything else. I think that sometimes we can over-do patriotism especially in the church. But I am VERY thankful for where God placed me on this earth. I believe that it gives me much responsibility for all that I have been given. Just like my money and my time, it is something that God has given to me to use for His purposes. It doesn't make me better than everyone else. It doesn't give me a golden ticket into heaven. It doesn't mean that my part of the world is better or more advanced or more anything than any other country in the world.

But it is the one I live in. It is the one I am thankful for. It is something to be celebrated with fireworks and picnics. (and naps and Friday Night Light marathons and 24 FULL HOURS OFF!)

Happy Birthday, America.

Thank you so much, my sweet friend! You have no idea how much that meant to me. God sent you at exactly the right moment.

I miss you and can't wait until life slows down so we can get together. And maybe do some shopping...

Xoxo,

Cottage Girl

can...not...wait

Forget all these lame summer movies. Yawwwwnnnnn.... I simply can't wait for this one. Sophia Coppola is one of my all time faves. I've watched this preview a few dozen times since it debuted a week or so ago.

Come quickly December and bring Christmas and Somewhere with you!


ps...Toy Story 3 is adorable. I cried. You should see it.


psss...I just literally ran around the beach like a crazy person trying to put everything away as a HUGE thunderstorm rolled in. Out. of. breath.....Trying to get a 19ft. inflatable banana (that weighs about 50lbs more than me) into a tiny shed all myself....let's just say that it wasn't the easiest thing I've ever done.

hop on over

Want to help the orphans in China, but not sure how?

Well, this is as simple as it gets...

Just go to Ni Hao Y'all (one of my favorite blogs) and comment on this post. Stefanie is donating one dollar to An Orphan's Wish for every comment. It's that easy!

I'm already a sponsor for Shannan and LOVE getting updates about her each month. Plus, I'm honored to be able to volunteer for AOW. It's a wonderful organization that is doing amazing things for orphans.

So hop on over, and spread some love!

a shade from the heat

Remember that time I used to post on my blog?

Me, neither.

I could drone on and on about how busy it has been here, but I guess you already knew that from my absence. Didn't you?

It's island week here, which means I've spent about 5,000 hours in the sun, on the boats, in the sand, lathered in 5 layers of sunscreen, sweat and dirt.

Oh, and let's not forget that it was about 103 degrees with the heat index yesterday. No, I'm not joking. It literally feels like my skin is baking in the oven.

God has been teaching me much. It's been yet another week of tough times. Things breaking. Being exhausted. But you know what? I'm learning so much in it all. How selfish I can be. How great and amazing God really is. How He picks me up when I'm completely done, completely empty, completely finished and reminds me that He loves me and is everything I need.

I've been reading and re-reading the book of Isaiah quite a bit lately. We were studying it in my small group this past spring, and it has been water to my soul during the past 2 months. I loved this verse I read last night. It was perfect for the end of a particularly long, HOT day...

"For you have been a stronghold to the poor, as stronghold to the needy in his distress, as shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat..."
-Isaiah 25:4

Gotta run. Back to the river. Kids awaiting their time in the water. The fun never ends here!

love you, Daddy-O

I'm sure you all have wonderful dads. I'm sure they are loving and kind and giving. I'm also sure they can't even compare with mine. He's one in a million.

My nephew LOVES him. He is the bees knees to Luke. No one else comes close (except Mom, of course). The rest of us feel the same way. We know how blessed we are to have him. We know how much we LOVE him too.

Have a wonderful Father Day, Daddy. Sorry your kids are scattered across the globe today and not able to be with you. I'm so glad I got to spend some time with you last weekend playing games and eating yummy meat. You are the best. The best dad in the world and I love you pieces!

please enjoy this list

• I have missed being here this week. It can't be helped because of how busy/crazy/horrible it has been, but none the less, I've missed it. While I won't go into detail about why this week was so tough, I will say this. Sometimes God shines brightest when things go absolutely horribly wrong. Like "the banana boat pops twice and both boat lifts break" wrong. And that's just the tiny tip of the iceberg.

• My time in the Word was amazing this week.
  

• I was able to re-connect with a dear friend, whom I haven't seen in a few years. Just her being here helped me get through all of this mess. I actually met her here at camp my very first summer 12 years ago.

• ....I can't believe I've been here for 12 years. That's just crazy. I was only 22, fresh out of college and desperately missing my college friends. This place changed my life......

• I'm now wearing swimsuits just about every day. Part of the beauty (and the curse) of working on the waterfront.

• These shorts are the most comfy thing in the world. Seriously.

• I broke my TV/internet diet today and watched 3 shows I love: 9 by Design, Friday Night Lights and Chuck. Oh, and caught up on blogs for a good long while. It was a wonderful escape.

• 2 hour naps, complete with crazy dreams are the best.

• I have the best brother in the world. And I miss him terribly.

• Text messages are perfect for camp life. Especially when conversing with my Sundance brother.

• My sister is going to Paris on Monday. Argggg..... Super jealous.

• I'm thankful to be loved by a God, who doesn't leave me where I am, but challenges me to run after Him.

xoxo,

Cottage Girl

My God is bigger

(source)

It's been a tough, tough week here at camp, friends. I can almost physically feel the evil one trying his best to destroy us. It has been one thing after another each and every day....

If you feel so led, please pray for me and our little camp. One thing I do know, anytime a group of people are poised to do great things for God, the evil one is.not.happy. I also know, that my God is bigger that him. My God moves mountains and turns shepherd boys into kings and puts orphans in homes and raises the dead. He doesn't leave His children when life gets hard.

I'm counting on that. I'm betting on Him winning. And I'm convinced that no matter how ridiculously ugly it gets, He will still come out on top. I'm trusting that His Word is truth and His love is everlasting.

I'm loving the words in this song right now.

gem of a find

Too hilarious not to share....one of the guys was telling us all about this gem of a video yesterday. Enjoy!

ps...things are going well, except that our banana boat popped Day 1. But I did get to talk to a little girl for about 20 minutes about everything under the sun. She told me that her mom is in heaven and she lives with her grandma. And she had never walked in the sand before. This was her first time at a beach. My heart melted and I prayed at that moment that Jesus would love on her this week through all of us. What a beautiful reminder of how important camp can be in a child's life.
Gotta run! Dinner and then back to the beach!

(the office)

The campers arrived tonight. Week one has begun. That means that I switch over to my "summer office." It looks quite different than my spring/winter/fall office. I must say that the summer office is my favorite. It's pretty. It's fast. It has laughter and fun written all over it.

I'm sorry I've been so MIA lately. I fear it will only get worse as the weeks go on, but I'll do my best. I'm trying to spend less time watching TV/being online this summer. It's tough. Sometimes I fail miserably. Tough habit to break. But I know it's good for me. I'm reading more. I'm spending more time in the Word. I'm gardening, art journaling, cleaning and playing Banangrams with my parents. You know, the usual...

If I'm away too long, you can always coax me back with lots of comments! Remind me that there is still someone out there who reads all this silliness. Oh, and pray for us too. We're doing our best here this summer to be empty of ourselves and filled up with Jesus so these kids can see Him and know Him. It's hard work!

xoxo,

Cottage Girl

smoothie update

Today is the 3 week mark of my smoothie experiment. The experiment that kinda just happened. I just decided on a whim to give it a try one morning when I was craving a smoothie. And I didn't stop. I've had one every morning for the last 3 weeks.

The small things that I noticed that first week have only continued.

• I have more energy (relatively speaking...it's camp insanity now, so of course I'm tired). Thank you, Chia seeds.

• My stomach issues that have plagued me since I was about 15 have become almost non-existent. For just that reason alone, I'll drink one every day for the rest of my life.

• I'm getting a great big serving of fruits and veggies when it's hard to eat as much as usual because of my camp food diet at the moment.

• They just taste delish. I do miss eating cereal though. I LOVE cereal. Gotta put that back in my diet in the evenings or for snacks.

There are more, I'm sure, but those are the biggest.


This particular one pictured is my second favorite recipe lately.


The ingredients:

raspberries
strawberries
blueberries
spinach
chia seeds
water
a tiny bit of agave

Blend it all together and enjoy! I get the fruit at Sam's Club or the grocery story already frozen. I don't add ice because the fruit is frozen and perfect without it. I also use water instead of juice, which I always thought would water it down, but actually is perfect. There isn't all the processed sugar that's in juice.

The only big thing I noticed is that I have Elevensies almost every day. I get so hungry between breakfast and lunch! It's helped to eat a small amount of protein or starch at breakfast time with every one else at camp. If I don't, I try to have a piece of fruit or some granola on hand to get rid of those stomach rumbles.

Such a wonderful discovery. I'm loving every minute of it.

I would like to....

(I went to Paris once.)

Go to Japan (and buy lots of washi tape)
Stay at the Princeville for a LONG vacation
Learn to surf
Adopt an orphan from China
Marry my love
Sew an entire outfit for myself
Get a photo published
Write a novel
Watch a scripted TV show being filmed
Have my (plus family and friends) photo taken by Tara Whitney and The Image is Found
Find the perfect vintage dress to wear somewhere fancy
Live next door to my brother again
Write more letters and mail them
Go to Sundance again (and again and again)
See Italy on a long, extended tour
Meet the Chapman's
Not be such a hypochondriac
Travel the country in a RV
Take a hot air balloon ride
Finish my art journal
Find vintage furniture for super cheap at yard sales and flea markets
Complete a reading of a C.S. Lewis book (other than Narnia)
Not be a person consumed with money and things
Give more than I want/get
Do a girls getaway trip with my camp girls.
Do a girls getaway trip with my college friends.
Have an avocado tree, peach tree and tomato plants in my backyard
Write in a journal every day for a year
Always and forever make lists of random things

3 chapters

3 chapters in and I'm hooked.

If you need a book to read this summer, start with Ender's Game and then jump over to Ender's Shadow. I don't see how you would ever be disappointed, especially if you like space ships and children and a well told story.


On a completely different note....
I really liked the movie Revolutionary Road. It's not happy. It's not a comedy. It's dark and twisted and sad. But told so very well. A movie doesn't have to be fun and happy to be enjoyable, in my opinion.
Tonight, I was once again berated and belittled because I liked this movie (my friends all HATED it). Sorry, friends, I like my stories with a twinge of sadness. I like to cry and feel something. A great big NO THANKS to sappy, silliness for me. I'd rather claw my eyes out than watch The Notebook. The horror!

But we can still be friends, right?!

emotional overflow

"Joy is the emotional overflow of experiencing God's grace in our lives evidenced by gentleness and peace." -Pastor Greg

Church was good this morning. Good as in...exactly what I needed to hear. Philippians 4:2-7

I'm sorry I've been so absent. I used my precious off time today to take a nice long nap, plant some bushes and do some crafts. Ahhhhh...... I feel so much better now. Well, at the moment at least. I'm going to bed way too late, but I think I need this creative time to make myself a little less mentally crazy this week.

We are doing another week of staff training. Lots of working on the beachfront and answering phones and a bazillion other small things. Have to have it all ready for when the kids come a week from today (yikes!). I still can't believe that it's here already.

I promise to pop in this week when I can. I still have that long list post half written and just about ready to post.

Night, everyone! Stop by and say hello, if you get a chance. I'd love to hear what you are doing with your summer.

xoxo,

Cottage Girl

severely lacking

(source)

I'm working on a nice long list post for you. It still needs a little more time. Unfortunately, time is something I'm severely lacking at the moment. Or should I say blogging time is actually something I'm severely lacking.
For instance, I have to say goodnight now (at this ridiculously early hour) because I have to teach a boating class at 6am tomorrow. I'm thinking it's not such a good idea for the teacher to fall asleep while teaching important things like water safety. So off to bed I go.

i miss you.....

all over again

(source)

It went well today. And, by golly, I'm tired. Met some cool new people. Did some boat drivin'. Did lots of talking to God. Ate a super delish dinner. Off to bed to do it all over again tomorrow. God is doing some great things here...


***this photo reminds me of the beginning of Charade, a classic Audrey favorite of mine. You should watch it this summer.

hold your right hand

(source)

(check out this fun tutorial on messy buns from Elsie's blog a few weeks ago.
Tried it and love it!)

Feeling a bit (read: VERY) overwhelmed tonight.
We start staff training/camp 2010 tomorrow.
My free time goes to pretty much "non-existent" in less than 24 hours.
This is especially tough for me this year for some reason.
Selfish...that's me.

I've been spending lots of time in the Word this month.
Isaiah, especially.
I think that is the only reason I'm not in the fetal position crying right now.

Doing ministry requires such a great amount of selflessness.
Some days I'm good with this. (Read: some days God is gracious with me)
Some days I stomp my feet like a child and complain.

But truth be told,
I wouldn't choose to do anything else for the next 10 weeks.
I'm still in love with what I do.
Once again, I was humbled tonight at the reminder that God chose me to be used here.


So, will you please pray for me/us? We are 70 people trying to be selfless, serving children and teenagers, and emptying ourselves each moment so that we can be filled with Jesus. It's HARD and the enemy does NOT want us to do this. But we KNOW that He will provide us with everything we need. He promises...

"For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, 'Fear not, I am the one who helps you.'" -Isaiah 41:13

xoxo,

Cottage Girl

mind cheater. saw you

(source)

I have watched this clip about 10 times in the last 24 hours. Please, watch and laugh and wish you had licorice (liquice? that's for you, J) hair, too.


Chuck has been my "TV to craft to" as of late. I adore it. It's just so sweet and funny and the story line is cool (and gets better every season). Not to mention the adorable main character, whom I have already gushed about time and time again. I've gotten so many of my friends and family hooked on it as well. (Thanks, brother for introducing me on our vaca years ago). After the super good season finale this year, I had to go back and re-live the season 1 fun again.


What do you have playing in the background lately? I'm always on the hunt for new TV and music to fall in love with.

art journal

This art journal class that I'm taking has been so good for me. It's helping me explore my style, try new things, write down who I am at this moment in time, play with the piles of paper I have saved up and explore new ways of expressing myself.

It's kinda embarrassing to share your journal. All those thoughts you usually keep inside. But in some ways it's so free-ing to get it OUT.

Here are a few pages I've finished over the last few weeks....






And now, on to the craziest 10 weeks in my life each year. We start staff training on Wednesday after we host a picnic for 500 people tomorrow. Holiday, you say? Really? Not here. We don't believe in holidays during the months of warm weather.