Upcoming Assignments

So - it's almost the weekend already! WOW. I have my assignment for next week now: counseling in Bayberry. I get to move back into my cabin :-). On Thursday that camp ends and on Friday Mid-Summer Family Camp begins and I'm on Custodial for that with this weeks crew - I'm excited about that lol.

You know you're on custodial when.... (cont'd) UPDATED

Two of my campers from last summer were in a staff friend's cabin. Also notice I was carrying the radio :-)

- You know the exact number of dispensers, sinks and stalls in each bathroom.

- You can say windows or mirrors and your crew still knows what you're talking about.

- You play musical sinks and toilets to make your job more interesting. lol

- You wear the same shoes and shorts all the time but never the same shirt.

- You give someone funny looks for wiping things off in a different pattern than you.

- You feel that you have an intimate relationship with the cove bathroom floors (which we hand mop).

- Your knees seem permanently stained black and red.

- You have favorites of the camp junk rags and you're possessive of them.

- You've discovered that the best pattern for drying a mopped floor is the Waltz.

You know you're on custodial when....

- The best part of you day is a toss up between the 5 minute nap on a wooden bench or the moment you realized God answered your prayer about how to fix the carpet spot cleaning vaccum! :-)

- You realize that you spent thirty minutes coming up with your best two parts of the day just for your blog while doing the almost mindless task of cleaning the carpet! lol

And here's some others off the top of my head:

- You read the labels on every garbage can very carefully to make sure it's not recycling!

- You have this feeling that won't go away that God is teaching you humility.

- You feel on top of the world cause you get to carry "the keys".

- You expend mental energy thinking about what to think about.

- You can walk into any bathroom for any gender and not feel odd.

- You sing at the top of your lungs while carrying garbage over your shoulder on the way to the dumpster to keep you from going insane or dropping over from exhaustion. hehe

I hope that brought a smile to your face! I find it amazing how much God can teach you when you're willing to learn - or even when you're not. lol. There won't be an update about last week tonight because I'm going to bed. Yup, you heard me - 10 pm and Courtney's going to bed! I'm for 8 hours tonight and that gives me only a few minutes.

I did want to give you a short update on this week.

Yesterday:
I tried to do PQT's (personal quiet times - time with God) three times. The first time one of my previous campers came up to me and invited me to go to the fishing dock with her. I decided that I could give up "my time" later for God so that now I could glorify Him by reaching out to this camper. The second time I tried and fellow SSTer came up and talked to me for 45 minutes. I decided that God just wanted me to reach out by listening. The third time I almost fell asleep but forced myself up because it wasn't "me time"! All three of those attempts happened on "my swing" - my favorite spot at camp for four years. That happened in the morning and afternoon and was a nice reminder that God can use me to glorify Him and encourage others no matter what I'm doing. The cool thing is though, He continued to use me! That night I listened to and prayed with someone else, listened to and advised someone else and led another staff friend through a particular cabin devo I gave to my campers a few times last year.

Today:
Today was EXHAUSTING!!!! I have a huge amount of respect now for Jessie (the head custodian). Today I decided that instead of letting her finish up the little things she usually takes care of after telling us we're free to go - I followed her. I couldn't believe all the "little things" she does that most people don't even know about. We worked straight from breakfast to lunch and then from lunch until we had to open the canteen (snack shop) and then when that finished I was asked to take Canteen inventory which I did. Then I met up with another previous camper for 20 or 30 minutes at Rifelry and then I had about 30 minutes to try to do PQT's before dinner. After dinner we cleaned, went to Chapel and then went back to clean until about 9pm. WOW long day. I'm exhausted, my hands are dry and beginning to blister, I'm sore, I'm dirty and I smell pretty bad.... but I'm definitely not complaining because God is teaching me so much. I don't feel as close to Him this week per say (that's my fault) but I'm learning alot! He had SOOOO many reasons for putting me on custodial this week. The only problem is that with a lack of freetime I'm not getting anything done from my "To Do" list - ike!

A note to peoples: the "s" abbreviation that shows up in some of my posts doesn't mean anything. I'm not sure why blogspot is replacing some of my words with "s" but it is....

Much love - thank you all for praying! More support has come in - praise be to God - but please pray that that would continue since I'm still low. Also pray for rest and time for all of us counseling soon to prepare. Along with myself I'll be helping two other people prepare so please pray for that. Also, please continue to keep last week's campers in your prayers. Some of them have contacted us and we are trying to remain connected to some of these kids.

Much love, your sister, daughter, niece, granddaughter, friend,
Courtney Lynn

Where to begin?

Staff friends (some of them are SSTers and some of them are close friends from home)!!!

Well, last week was extremely hard and extremely amazing.

.....that's the short update.... lol


My week was soooo packed (the schedule) that I simply had no time to update. Right now I'm tired and would like to go to bed so this will be the short update: more about the here and now instead of last week. Last week is coming - I promise.



After the stress and craziness of last week I am blessed to be on the custodial crew this week. Physically it's a bit of work but it's a bunch of mindless tasks and I finally have some free time (a new concept! lol) and I'm working with two of my SST friends. I wanted to counsel but I know I'm where God wants me whether I know why or not. I'm excited about the week though because I really did need the break and I know God knows what He's doing.

Below I have listed prayer requests (which is also kindof like a short bulleted update :-). There are tons of them and I wouldn't expect that you pray for them all - please just lift up in prayer those that God so leads. Again, I really appreciate your prayers.

My prayer requests:

For Me:
-My back
-That I would find ways to minister even from custodial and that I wouldn't give into the temptation to make my free time a bunch of "me time".
-That I would glorify God in everything and take every opportunity to reach out to the campers and staff around me.
-That God would be my first priority - especially over "me time" and relationships - and that I wouldn't be distracted from that focus.

For the Staff:
-For continued health and bodily strength of the staff.
-For patience with and quick recovery of the injuries we already have.
-For wisdom and spiritual endurance with the campers.
-For all of the personal struggles, difficulties and pain that each of us are going through (including but not limited to future plans and s of friends)

For my campers:
-All of my campers from last week had things they were really struggling with. Pray that they would let God work in their lives and that they would leave in God's hands the areas they surrendered to Him this last week.
-That when I write to these s this week that God would speak through me to encourage them and challenge them.

For my friends:
-One of my friend from home's grandfather (who basically was his father) died last week. So prayer for the family and for comfort for the pain. My friend, the family and the grandfather are all saved.
-One of my casual friends from home has run off with her boyfriend and walked away from God. Please pray for safety and restoration to the family and with God.

My praises:

-For everything that God did in the lives of the campers last week.
-For giving me the opportunity to be here.
-For all the lessons God's already taught me (like the body of Christ, forgiveness, human inadequacy, etc.)
-For blessing me with so many amazing friends both at camp and at home.
-For putting LLBC in my life.
-For the amazing world that God made.

LOVE YOU MOM

Mom - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I'm so sorry this is a day late but there was absolutely no way for me to get on yesterday. I hope it was wonderful and I'm so sorry I missed it for the fourth or fifth time...... I love you, you're an amazing mom!

Your daughter, with love,

Courtney Lynn

Prayer Requested Again

Well, I'm here. Today was the first time since Monday morning that I've had time to even think about checking my email or writing a note and even now I'm crunched for time and on the go.

I was expecting to get a "younger" cabin (campers who are in 9th and 10th instead of 11th and 12th). Well, yesterday I found out that I have: 14,15,16,17,17,18 *gulp* My oldest camper is only five months younger than me. At first I was really worried that there could be issues because of the closeness in age but I've been surprised and very appreciative of their respect. They're all very different and it's a really wide mix but I'm so happy they're getting along so well. They chatted and laughed for an hour after lights out and it was hilarious and alot of fun. Please pray for me though because I'm having such a hard time with devos this time around and the lessons and references seem to continue to escape me. I was talking to another SSTer today though and realized that I'm still trying to do things in my own power. I'm trying to make sure that I stay on top of things and that I am prepared and that I do everything right. As I told Brooke "Even when I think I'm doing everything right, I'm still doing it all wrong!". At this point I don't really need encouragement for what I'm capable of but really just need prayer.

I don't have time to update anymore. Please just pray for my campers, some of who are really going through alot and pray for me. I'm excited for the week because I know that God put into my cabin the s that He wants there, but I'm still concerned especially after my flopped devo last night.

Your sister in Christ,
Courtney Lynn

Prayer Warriors Requested! :-)

I found out yesterday that I will be counseling this next week for the 9th-12th graders. I'm excited, but feeling inadequate. They aren't going to be alot younger than me and this is the oldest age group I'll have ever counseled. Please pray for wisdom and guidance and that I would have time to plan the devotions - I'm alittle worried about that one.

In other news, I'm trying very hard to get done all my requirements before I leave to go home today (I'll only be home for 24 hours!). Support Letters, Verses, Surveys, etc. .... AHHH! lol

That's all I have time for - an update will hopefully follow in the not to distant future.

In HIS faithful and loving grip,
Courtney Lynn

Lessons, Chickens and Cold Temps.

Yesterday morning it was forty five degrees out! This morning it's still really cold but not as bad. The weather is really dreary though.

I'm going to post an excerpt from my journal from yesterday instead of re-explaining it :)

3:52pm
Before our afternoon sessions I was once again struggling with various things and I plopped down on my bed and laid there thinking, with tears in my eyes. Just resting, thinking, praying. Then I flipped open my bible and my memory verse cards were book marking the passage we studied today with Sammir. Luke 10:38-42: The story of Mary and Martha. The passage had really stared to make sense this morning but it really spoke to me then. Martha's problem wasn't that she was serving (she serves in John 12 also, but without reprimand), her problem was that she was distracted - focused on the wrong priorities. It says that "Martha was distracted with all her preperations..." (vrs 40) and Jesus said "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary..."(vrs. 41 and 42). That's me! I become so busy worrying, planning, analyzing and preparing that I miss the first priority (found in earlier context). I chase after the 2nd greatest commandment (love your neighbor as yourself - well, sometimes :) ) but I, in my distracted and anxious state, miss the 1st greatest commandment (love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength)~ Such a short passage (and a story nonetheless) but it clearly stated, clarified and really spoke to me about lessons that God's been teaching me: He comes first - always - in everything. This has been developing mostly in relationships and the way I spend my time. I know my various issues have been a direct result of letting things (even really, really "litttle" things) come before God: emotions, dependence, security, etc. I know God will not fully bless my relationships with various staff until I go to Him first always and in everything.

Last night we had "Girls Night Out" (and the guys had guys night out). We ate Salad, chicken alfredo and fondu; had a photos scavenger hunt in the pouring rain (which included catching a chicken, telling a secret in a closet, eating an orange, canoeing across the lake and singing Christmas carols); played games; took pictures; and had a worship, devotion, prayer and foot washing time. The night was amazing and I know God used it to really help me with various things. Being able to hang with just the s was such a blessing and it was the perfect mix of fun (the scavenger hunt was hilarious because it was pouring rain) and praise and worship to God.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of the scavenger hunt, I re-injured my back. I was in a ton of pain when we got back and sat immobile on the couch. As painful as it was, it was such an encouragement to see some of the s come around me and support me and help me without question and many asking how I was. Everyone was willing to help me up off the floor or couch, get me advil, etc. and God used even that to speak to me. Praise the Lord that my back is doing fairly well this morning. It's still stiff which means there's still alot I can't do but the constant pinch has subsided alot -but it still hurts. Of all people I didn't expect to be the one who had injuries this summer (some of our staff are injury prone)! The sad thing is, I don't have a fun story to tell about it - I don't even really know what happened! lol

The schedule is supposed to come out tonight for next week so I'll know what I'm doing. It's the 9-12th grade week which means I wouldn't usually be counseling but because of the small number of veterans available next week - I might get to. It would be a stretch which is part of why I'm hoping to do it.

Well, I need to go - It's time for PQT's (camp lingo for personal quiet time with God).

Prayer Requests:
-Obviously my back
-Relationships with God
-Time to finish everything!
-A 100% priority of God first in everything

Thank you all for reading this - I really appreciate it and thank you all so much for keeping me in your prayers.

Much love, your sister in Christ (and daughter, sister, niece, cousin, granddaughter),
Courtney Lynn

Filming Day 3

Well, today we filmed for the video again. I think I've decided that I'm going to give up my childhood dream of being a movie star cause I'm ready to be done! lol We filmed two and half hours today which seemed much longer. Somehow I ended up with a large "piece" - no details yet, sorry - so I've had to be at all the taping sessions (and I have to watch myself everyday all summer - !) That's almost over. We have a shot to do tonight and some to do tomorrow and then we should be good.

My graduation thank yous have been put on hold until after I can find time in my schedule to sleep and keep my stuff together! The schedule is crazy here.

Tomorrow we finish up SST support pictures so that should be fun. I didn't do mine today because of the filming. The bugs up here are insane. I've killed a ton of spiders in our bathroom (and my towel), smooshed three in my camera bag, removed a june bug from my pile of stuff and I've flicked a few ticks (cause I can't get the guts up to kill them with my fingers). Camp is full of surprises!

Time is flying by yet it seems like forever since I've been home. My life is all here it seems because it's all I have time to think about.

Yesterday I hit the culmination of some frusteration over a few things going on in my heart and had the chance to talk to Mama Ruth (camp director's wife - AMAZING lady, God works through her SOOO much!) about it and that helped and then I was working on changing my thinking and I was praying and then that night God just came along an comforted me through the fellow staffers. I no longer felt like I was alone, but surrounded by people who supported me and knew how I felt cause they'd been there to.

God is amazing. I could type on and on but I need to get my junk together for Chapel (this messenger bag of mine gets really heavy! haha) Thank you Rach and Jenn for emailing me - I really appreciate it, I'll try to get back to you as soon as I can.

Beth and Rebecca, thank you SOO much for the letters - I almost cried when I read them. I love you guys! (and I'll try to get back to those too)

Prayer Requests:
- Right now my big one is that God would bring His healing touch to my back. This is the third day that I've struggled with a severe pinch in my lower back on both sides. Caroline's going to try to help message it out but I don't know if that can be done. I'm in alot of pain and I couldn't even carry Elana (staff child - age 4) because it compressed my spine to much. I can't sit unfidgetting for more than two minutes because it hurts. So, if you could pray for that I'd appreciate it and if you have any ideas, please pass them on.

Thank you all! Much love, your sister in Christ, appreciating your prayers,
Courtney Lynn

Five minutes

I wonder how much I can say in five minutes....

In five minutes I need to be one room over in the dining hall because I've got setup and cleanup duty today. So, it's almost 7:30am and I up, showered and hopefully will be able to function on my small amount of sleep. I thought last week that the schedule was busy - ha! lol I didn't realize when looking at the schedule that not only does this coming week have a tighter schedule BUT I also have chores three times this week which means those small thirty minute breaks in between stuff... yah, they're non-exsistant! lol

Yesterday was great for a number of reasons: God taught me another lesson, it was alot of fun, it was stretching and it was more on the relaxing side.

I'll have to tell you about it later though since Heidi needs the computer to setup a potential missions oppertunity for next year before her chores start this morning!

Pray requests:
-Staff Unity
-Sleep for me
-Time for me to be refreshed
-For us all to be open to learning God's lessons

I appreciate your prayers, I would love you emails... (since I've only gotten two personal ones from the same person...Thank you!)

Your sister in Christ,
Courtney Lynn

Filming Day 2

So this year we're not only filming the opening day video but the entire week's saga! We're on day two of taping and we still have alot to go! It's so funny how we'll work really hard one afternoon and the next we spend all day filming! Though, this filming thing is proving to be hard work lol. I can't really tell you what happens cause that wouldn't be fair to all of you headed up here. It'll just be a really amusing surprise. I can't wait to see how it turns out yet - I don't know if I want to!

In other news, I've had my first run-ins. Nothing major, but people don't always agree and it's the beginning of me learning to get along with everyone and let go of little things.

I got about seven hours of sleep last night but I'm exhausted so hopefully I can get more. Though after all that running around for the filming I'm just hot, and sweaty and very awake lol.

We got to canoe today and that was interesting! I'm glad I at least knew as much as I did or it would have been even worse.

I've just been informed that I need a "brain to mouth filter" - thanks Matt! (I just said something that was alittle ditzyish) lol Yah, so any of you who know me would find that amusing so I thought I'd tell you :-)

Well, I should go. I need water inside and out so I'll talk to you all later. Thank you Rachel K for the letter Thursday!

Much love,
Your sister in Christ,
Courtney Lynn

I'm Here!

Hey guys! I'm doing this a few minutes before lunch while we shoot the opening video. :-) I'm here - it's weird. I plan to do most of my updates on here so as not to clutter anyone's inboxes - but then, I may change my mind. Please keep me in your prayers as I'm still very tired, very busy and having a hard time being excited. Nothing's going wrong, I just want my heart to be in the right place and rejoicing in God's plans for everyday from the begining. Gotta fly- hopefully a more detailed post to come!

In Christ,
Courtney lynn

ps. Email's not working yet :-)