Thursday, July 28, 2011Big Moments
THe last 24 hours have been filled with some big moments. First, my sweet husband drove down and was here for our meeting yesterday. The kdis were really excited to see him. WE shared a few things we had learned and maybe the reason that they were here. One said that her life moved at a lot slower pace here and she saw more things, a very different perspective. Others talked about how their camper's resistance, tantrums, etc. reminded them of their relationship with God. We also realized that we talk to God so much more here, because we need him and can't do it without him, which is how it really is all the time we just don't see it. It was a really great time together, we pray ed for each other. The Barnastormers talked about dealing with people around you who don't do their job and about how they are learning to be around kids with Special Needs. AT the beginning of the week, they were very unsure, now they want to serve food so they can be around them. Sweet bunch of kids!
The big dance was the party last night, always a favorite. They love to get dressed up and dance with boys! Jalen's sib cabin even had escorts for the dance(Bill doesn't know this yet)Oops! IT is always a blast and the love it so much! They miss out on things like Prom and so this is something they really look forward to. Also, the Wrap up time was very touching. A lady read a story and kids acted it out about who God is and where He is. It was unbelievably almost quiet during this time. One of my campers said, "Oh, I get it now." Another said, "Jeseus is right here.(and pointed to her heart." They hadn't really said much like that before. You could feel God's presence in the room. I think kids with Autism pick up on a lot more about God than we think. IT's just hard for them to explain.
Another big moment was the Cross Carry and Say-So tonight. IT is the high light of the week. THe cross is passed from cabin to cabin and the campers pray over it. Then they get to share whatever they want with the camp. It's really cool to hear in their own words what camp has meant to them.
Time is bittersweet right now. While we can't wait for normal food, nice showers, and a bug-free world(at least in your room) our hearts are breaking to leave our campers tomorrow. I will share one final blog tomorrow, but I am too emotional to tell you what happened in my cabin tonight. I believe God has been showing me it is the reason we are here. Please keep the kids in your prayers ( and me) as we process all God has shown us and done for us this week. Sometimes it takes a little bit of time to see it clearly. Pray for them, give them some time and then ask them what God showed them on this trip.
AGain, thanks for raising such wonderful kids. I also want to thank Mary jean for leading the prayer team. YOur comments, notes, and prayers have made all the difference. Thank you!
Friday, July 29, 2011
Why We Are Here
I was so tired last night that I accidentally did my post to the Trinidad 2011 blog. I cn'g copy and paste with this computer so yo u can read it there. So sorry!!
I will try to put in words what happened last night in my cabin. W went to the cabin after Say-So and were getting ready for bed. Elizabeth started crying and said she didn't want to go home. THis broke my heart becuase I have been doing her elaundry all week, because her parents sent her with two pairs of underwear and one bra for the week. I didn't get the feeling that she gets much attention at home and she isn't sure she will get to come back next year. Then Jalen who is autistic and severly ADHD started bawling. She isn't one to show emotion and rarely put a whole sentence together. She clung to us and said "I am sad because I do not want to go home." That was a huge effort for her to put that together. She also threw.. up this morning. I think these girls see Good's presence here and love just flows to them, aroudnd them in their cabin and all over them. AT Cross carry, one little girlwas crying about the cmpers who had died. We had a great alk about heaven and Jesus. She ocmpletly understood and has definiely asked Jesus into her heart. Jalen earilier in the week had been jumping around, suddenly stopped, got very still, looked at my earrings (which were crosses) and said "Jesus". We are here not only to take care of them, but the biggest reason is to tell them about Jesus and experience unconditional love(at least as close as we can get here on Earth) I have seen these anxious, hyper, in their own world girls blossom this week as God's love was given to them. They made friendships, had moments where we had real conversations, laughed together, prayed, and did things they had never done before. IT made me realize how improtant this ministry is at Camp Barnabas and how life-giving it is. God's love makes all the difference. IT's hard to explain what it does in your own heart while here, I think we all wish we oould live in a world where people treated us like we treat our campers. Your heart feels so free when you know people love you, are rooting for you, and want you to know Jesus. I don't know fi this makes any sense, butIT is why we are here.
I won't get to trave bakc with your kids today, james and I are heading on to Kanakuk. Thanks for being amazing parents who have taught their children to love others and do something about it. Iwon't get to see you today,but stop me later and I would love to tell you about our week and your child. We will be sharing in all three services on the 7th. THanks so much for sharing this journey with me. Now, I ahve to go do the hardest thing, I have to go say good-bye to my campers.
Trish
I will try to put in words what happened last night in my cabin. W went to the cabin after Say-So and were getting ready for bed. Elizabeth started crying and said she didn't want to go home. THis broke my heart becuase I have been doing her elaundry all week, because her parents sent her with two pairs of underwear and one bra for the week. I didn't get the feeling that she gets much attention at home and she isn't sure she will get to come back next year. Then Jalen who is autistic and severly ADHD started bawling. She isn't one to show emotion and rarely put a whole sentence together. She clung to us and said "I am sad because I do not want to go home." That was a huge effort for her to put that together. She also threw.. up this morning. I think these girls see Good's presence here and love just flows to them, aroudnd them in their cabin and all over them. AT Cross carry, one little girlwas crying about the cmpers who had died. We had a great alk about heaven and Jesus. She ocmpletly understood and has definiely asked Jesus into her heart. Jalen earilier in the week had been jumping around, suddenly stopped, got very still, looked at my earrings (which were crosses) and said "Jesus". We are here not only to take care of them, but the biggest reason is to tell them about Jesus and experience unconditional love(at least as close as we can get here on Earth) I have seen these anxious, hyper, in their own world girls blossom this week as God's love was given to them. They made friendships, had moments where we had real conversations, laughed together, prayed, and did things they had never done before. IT made me realize how improtant this ministry is at Camp Barnabas and how life-giving it is. God's love makes all the difference. IT's hard to explain what it does in your own heart while here, I think we all wish we oould live in a world where people treated us like we treat our campers. Your heart feels so free when you know people love you, are rooting for you, and want you to know Jesus. I don't know fi this makes any sense, butIT is why we are here.
I won't get to trave bakc with your kids today, james and I are heading on to Kanakuk. Thanks for being amazing parents who have taught their children to love others and do something about it. Iwon't get to see you today,but stop me later and I would love to tell you about our week and your child. We will be sharing in all three services on the 7th. THanks so much for sharing this journey with me. Now, I ahve to go do the hardest thing, I have to go say good-bye to my campers.
Trish
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Frustration, Faith, Family, and Friends
So sorry, the internet has been down, I was just getting ready to drive into town and try to find someplace with connections! I kind of have to sneak out of camp, so this is no small feat, let me tell you. I'm really glad that it started working again. Today is for the mamas who want to know how their kids are doing. I'll try to briefly cover everybody. Let me just say it has been frustratin at times (like when one of my campers honestly screamed for two hours without stopping), a time togrow in our faith(learning you can talk to God about anything and watching him answer sometimes in unexpected ways), family (missing ours and wish
ing some of the campers had families like ours waiting for them at home, some of them it is hard to hand back over), and friends(new ones and from LIberty that don't let us give up and encourage us at just the right time).
David - Has a sweet little guy who can be a handful at times, Dave's doing great and enjoying this a lot
Julis- Very challenging camper who tell Julia she doesn't like her, Julia is handling it great, has a great staff, and showing great steadfastness
Jess - Cute little girl with Down's,mostly copperative, Jess is great
Sammi - Little bitty, Sammi has a 200 pound boy as her camper named Drew, her cabin full of boys loves teasing her, she is doing great
Victoria - Smiling every time I see her, great attitude
Brad - Has a fun camper, seems to be enjoying it, quiet around me, doing a good job
James - Cute little Asian guy, very polite, his first melt down rocked James' world, our kids feel responsible and want to make them happy, James is working hard
Mariah - Nice camper, but has major mood swings that can change when she overheats(stop laughing Jennifer) Mariah has been a trooper and done amazing with her
Jon - Probably the funniest, has a boy who is terrified of girls, Jon is honestly his personal bodyguard and clears the room of the female persuasion for him, I think Jon is loving reconnecting with friends here at camp
Preston - Doing very well, very attentive to his camper
Bailey - Challenging camper, loves her support staff, working hard, doing well,
Jalen - Hard time sleeping at night, made friends with her whole cabin, enjoying life here very much, went camping last night
Kelsey - Amazing, has a camper who truly wants things to be quiet, she spends her days walking and sitting with him, very patient and content (when I grow up, I want to be like Kelsey)
Rachel - Doing a great job, working very hard, smiling
Nick - Challenging guys who likes to pinch, Joe and Josh have ennjoyed hanging out with him when they can, doing well
Jake - Challenging camper but a great attitude, seems to be enjoying himself
Katie - Was very, very homesick but we talked and she is truly learning to depend on Jesus for everything(even missing her family) Doing well now, very proud of her
Haley, Camille, and Elisa - Doing a super, fabulous job smiling lots and giving their best great girls
Kenneth- Quiet at first, now has found his place, know he won a prize for working hard
Josh and JOe - Doing well, enjoying hangin with campers when they get the chance
Me- Trying my best, cabin mom to a great bunch of girls with autism, trying to keep track of our bunch
I think that is everybody. We meet again today and Bill is driving down. Hope to have some things to share with you. I wnat to thank all of you parents who raised kids who could come minister this. I don't think you can come here without it impacting you in some way. There are a lot of things that I didn't do right as a parent, but bringing my family to Barnabas has been one of the best decsions I have ever made. IT has been the place of lots of special memories for us, and usually our favorite week of the summer. (which is saying a lot because we get to do a lot of cool things over the summer)) In fact, to be honest, I cried myself to sleep last night because it doesn't seem right without JOrdan here this year. God's ways are best though, so I will trust him.
Ok funny story of the day.
I was hanging with one of my campers and James walked in with his camper. I said, "That's my son." Ella said, "IS he a CIA?" I said, "Yes, don't you think he's cute?" And this sweet, loving , quiet little girl said, "Yes, I do. Do you think he would show me his six-pack?"
ing some of the campers had families like ours waiting for them at home, some of them it is hard to hand back over), and friends(new ones and from LIberty that don't let us give up and encourage us at just the right time).
David - Has a sweet little guy who can be a handful at times, Dave's doing great and enjoying this a lot
Julis- Very challenging camper who tell Julia she doesn't like her, Julia is handling it great, has a great staff, and showing great steadfastness
Jess - Cute little girl with Down's,mostly copperative, Jess is great
Sammi - Little bitty, Sammi has a 200 pound boy as her camper named Drew, her cabin full of boys loves teasing her, she is doing great
Victoria - Smiling every time I see her, great attitude
Brad - Has a fun camper, seems to be enjoying it, quiet around me, doing a good job
James - Cute little Asian guy, very polite, his first melt down rocked James' world, our kids feel responsible and want to make them happy, James is working hard
Mariah - Nice camper, but has major mood swings that can change when she overheats(stop laughing Jennifer) Mariah has been a trooper and done amazing with her
Jon - Probably the funniest, has a boy who is terrified of girls, Jon is honestly his personal bodyguard and clears the room of the female persuasion for him, I think Jon is loving reconnecting with friends here at camp
Preston - Doing very well, very attentive to his camper
Bailey - Challenging camper, loves her support staff, working hard, doing well,
Jalen - Hard time sleeping at night, made friends with her whole cabin, enjoying life here very much, went camping last night
Kelsey - Amazing, has a camper who truly wants things to be quiet, she spends her days walking and sitting with him, very patient and content (when I grow up, I want to be like Kelsey)
Rachel - Doing a great job, working very hard, smiling
Nick - Challenging guys who likes to pinch, Joe and Josh have ennjoyed hanging out with him when they can, doing well
Jake - Challenging camper but a great attitude, seems to be enjoying himself
Katie - Was very, very homesick but we talked and she is truly learning to depend on Jesus for everything(even missing her family) Doing well now, very proud of her
Haley, Camille, and Elisa - Doing a super, fabulous job smiling lots and giving their best great girls
Kenneth- Quiet at first, now has found his place, know he won a prize for working hard
Josh and JOe - Doing well, enjoying hangin with campers when they get the chance
Me- Trying my best, cabin mom to a great bunch of girls with autism, trying to keep track of our bunch
I think that is everybody. We meet again today and Bill is driving down. Hope to have some things to share with you. I wnat to thank all of you parents who raised kids who could come minister this. I don't think you can come here without it impacting you in some way. There are a lot of things that I didn't do right as a parent, but bringing my family to Barnabas has been one of the best decsions I have ever made. IT has been the place of lots of special memories for us, and usually our favorite week of the summer. (which is saying a lot because we get to do a lot of cool things over the summer)) In fact, to be honest, I cried myself to sleep last night because it doesn't seem right without JOrdan here this year. God's ways are best though, so I will trust him.
Ok funny story of the day.
I was hanging with one of my campers and James walked in with his camper. I said, "That's my son." Ella said, "IS he a CIA?" I said, "Yes, don't you think he's cute?" And this sweet, loving , quiet little girl said, "Yes, I do. Do you think he would show me his six-pack?"
Monday, July 25, 2011
Settling In
I'm not getting any comments, but I am assuming people might be reading this, so I will keep blogging!Today our kids are getting to know there campers better and better which makes life so much easier. You also begin to truly appreciate their unique quirks and peronsalities. It is amazing how much communicating you can do without talking if you truly listen. I met with the kids yesterday and about 85% of them m truly have very difficlut campers. They really weren't complaining though, just a little shell-shocked and overwhelmed. We laughed, prayed together, and shared each other's pain and funny moments. I think we all felt better after being together(isn't that what fellowship is all about?) WE read Psalm 142:3 which says "When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way that I should turn." That kind of says it all. I am going to keep this short and blog more later. I got to sleep about 4:30 am because one camper didn't really sleep the whole night. I will blog more later, I promise. I have one very homesick child, so please pray for that and emotional, physical, and spiritual strength for all here. If you could, send an e-mail or card to some of our kids, that would really help. Okay, here was one of my highs yesterday.
"Two of my campers in my cabin were walking with me holding my hand(very unusual girls with autism)Ella said,"I am lactose intolerant, did you know that?" Her CIA said, "Just like me, did you know that Mama Trish?" So Ella said to her counselor, "OH, so you have autism too?" Her counselor said, "Well, no I don't." Elizabeth, another camper, pipes up in an excited voice, "You have austim? ME Too!" I t was said with the utmost amzement, like finding out that you share the same birthday with someoone.(Remeber 70% have autism this week) I bit my lip and laughed when I got inside my room unhtil I cried.Also, another camper, Piper looked in the mirror and said "When I look in the mirror, I can't help but think I am just so beautiful!" I don't know about you, but when I look in the mirror, that's not what I think. Hmm, and she's the one with the disablity? Seems like she's the one that has God's perspecitve.
Trish
Trish
"Two of my campers in my cabin were walking with me holding my hand(very unusual girls with autism)Ella said,"I am lactose intolerant, did you know that?" Her CIA said, "Just like me, did you know that Mama Trish?" So Ella said to her counselor, "OH, so you have autism too?" Her counselor said, "Well, no I don't." Elizabeth, another camper, pipes up in an excited voice, "You have austim? ME Too!" I t was said with the utmost amzement, like finding out that you share the same birthday with someoone.(Remeber 70% have autism this week) I bit my lip and laughed when I got inside my room unhtil I cried.Also, another camper, Piper looked in the mirror and said "When I look in the mirror, I can't help but think I am just so beautiful!" I don't know about you, but when I look in the mirror, that's not what I think. Hmm, and she's the one with the disablity? Seems like she's the one that has God's perspecitve.
Trish
Trish
Sunday, July 24, 2011
THey're here!!
Things change quicly at Barnabas! Our campers and precious families arrived around 4:00 p.m. By 6:00, I had been bitten by a camper and had food thrown at me!(a first for me) However, drop off time never ceases to bring tears to my eyes. To see all these cars waiting in line with some excited campers, some not-so excited campers, wheel chairs, medicines, Pediasure, baskets of medicine, and frazzled, hopeful, nervous parents is something to behold. To watch the parent's faces, as their child gets out of the car and 150 people are cheering for them, is a beautiful thing. Then their counselor comes up, takes them by the hand, and says "I'm so excited to meet you. I can't wait to spend this week with you." Some of these kids have never heard these words before. Their parents have never had anybody excited to take care of their child before. I can't help but think that heaven will be like this with people cheering for you and Jesus taking your hand saying, "I'm so excited you're here, I can't wait to spend time with you."
The rest of the evening was wacky and crazy. CIA's were trying to figure out their campers and getting used to their behaviors. (I learned to keep my arm away from Anna!) Since we have so much autism, many campers roam outside because even the music can hurt their ears. Jake has a runner, so I am pretty sure he did at least 30 laps around the Mess Hall already. On the other hand, James' camper got out of the car said, "I missed you Camp BAnrabas. We're going to be good friends James. I love you!" So I would say varied chaos would best descirbe our evening last night. Please pray for peace and wisdom for our kids today, it is reality and it is hard to figure out how to take care of your camper and what they need. My daughter is having trouble sleeping in her cabin, so please pray for her too. At this point, we all feel a little lost, overwhelmed, and wonder why on earth God thought that he could use us this week. I know even after all these yeats, I feel incredibly overwhlemed and unworthy to lead this team here as well as all my Barnabas duties. However, I am beginning to wonder if that is the point, I NEED to depend on God here. There is no other way. That is how I should always live my life. Love you, LCF!
The rest of the evening was wacky and crazy. CIA's were trying to figure out their campers and getting used to their behaviors. (I learned to keep my arm away from Anna!) Since we have so much autism, many campers roam outside because even the music can hurt their ears. Jake has a runner, so I am pretty sure he did at least 30 laps around the Mess Hall already. On the other hand, James' camper got out of the car said, "I missed you Camp BAnrabas. We're going to be good friends James. I love you!" So I would say varied chaos would best descirbe our evening last night. Please pray for peace and wisdom for our kids today, it is reality and it is hard to figure out how to take care of your camper and what they need. My daughter is having trouble sleeping in her cabin, so please pray for her too. At this point, we all feel a little lost, overwhelmed, and wonder why on earth God thought that he could use us this week. I know even after all these yeats, I feel incredibly overwhlemed and unworthy to lead this team here as well as all my Barnabas duties. However, I am beginning to wonder if that is the point, I NEED to depend on God here. There is no other way. That is how I should always live my life. Love you, LCF!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
The campers are coming!!
In about 20 minutes, the campers will be arriving, which is a really big deal here! There are 41 new families coming to camp this year. So far, all our kids seem to be doing well. Last night, they met in groups and decided who would get which camper. Seventy percent of campers have autisim and others disorders such as oppositional defiance, ADD, and lots of other things. So far, our kids are excited and nervous. They have just sat through about 6 hours of training where they learn what to do when cammpers have seizures, how to daily care for their camper and about specific disabilites. IT is overwhelming for sure! Last night IP meeting and family time were great, helping us think about how God wants to stretch us and use us and connecting with othere=s in our group. I'm thankful to have been able to get permission to do this and have it working. That has taken some of my time. I'll try to blog some more tonight. Thanks for supporting us at home! This is a scary time of unknown before you meet your camper. Got to run!
Trish
Trish
Thursday, July 21, 2011
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