friend[Ships]

I will start with this picture...

I posted this quote on my moms Facebook wall because on the day that I found it I had called her upset while coming back from a relaxing retreat in my yoga class. I called her because sometimes a mom is the only person who is going to have the answers you need and when you cannot be there in person with them technology allows you to call them and chat it out. Thats what I did --- details will be limited on this however I want to be real. I called her because my friendship and character was falsely accused.

My mom reminded me  "I have alot of good girlfriends, we've had our ups and downs too, it is alot of give and take!"

My text message and my moms advice got me to thinking and appreciating {after all there is always something positive and meaningful in every difficult moment or situation}!!    ...

Number one thing learned = family will always be your best friend -- through thick, thin, ups, downs, agreements, disagreements they will always have your back and love you for you. That's pretty amazing the man upstairs she is a smart man! Fam{ily}!

Friendship is tricky. It really is. I cannot say that I have always been the best friend. And much like life, I'm pretty sure friendship didn't come with a set of instructions. So there is going to be moments of mistakes, where judgement doesn't pan out well with you and sometimes friendship doesn't deal you the best hand of cards. But I truly believe that everyone wants a good friend and wants to be a good friend as well.

This summer I have been shown what it looks like and feels like to be treated and accepted as a friend. Flaws and all. I have also learned how to strengthen, rejuvinate, and embrace old friendships as well. I'm still working out the flaws and kinks however I will always stand behind what I say and believe 'friendship works two ways' without it going two ways it is destined for failure....

 "A good friend is a connection to life -- a tie to the past, a road to the future, a key to sanity in a totally insane world."

Brittany Lynn. In all honestly I can truly say I did not like her when I met her, however God put her in my life and has kept her there ever since. Thank the good lord above for her. She's the girl I already have labeled as maid of honor far before a ring or idea of who would put a ring on my finger ever came to be. And that label will stand until the day my dress need latching, my veil needs straightening and I need a sidekick but more importantly a best friend. She's the girl I want holding my hand through the ups and downs and all the big moments life has to offer and from prime examples Britt will always do a fine job at that. "Everything is funnier when you are with your best friend." I believe this quote is 100% true. Britt keeps me on my toes makes me remember how to belly laugh, go on random adventures, and to find the best times out of the littlest moments. People may not understand us most of the time or a majority of the time at all but that is why I love us and will always be so thankful and cherish every beat of our quirky yet amazing friendship. We get each other and that's all that matters. We will never fully grow up but if and when we decide to shes the type of girl I want holding my hand through it all, as she has already done, continues to do, and what I wholeheartedly believe she will always do. She has never let me down and this is why I call her my best friend.

 I know I have said it before but this girl pictured above is that person that God puts in your life that you unexpectedly come across for some reason and things just click. Jennifer is so amazing in so many ways she became an instant friend. She has seen me in all ways of my being and I admire her for continuing to love who I am. Jen has a way of letting me cut lose, break me down, to build me back up and has made me appreciate exactly who I am. I admire her and will cherish her every day of my life.

"A true friend warms you with her presence, trusts you with her secrets, and remembers you in her prayers."

 Friendship comes from all facets of life. While some may find it odd I found a friend in eighth grade and that friend just so happened to be my social studies teacher. I can tell you that I learned about manifest destiny, that is honestly the only thing I remember learning, oh and those brain teaser things we did every Friday. Aside from the course work I learned so much more, I was shown a fine example of how not only to be a teacher that students liked but also what it was like to be a teacher who is a friend. I continually look to Jill for the educational and teacher perspective of this teaching adventure I am going through and appreciate her support and guidance through all those days where education just doesn't make sense and when I just want to turn my back against it all. Jill has shown me what it looks like to have a mentor, a positive role model for a teacher, and most importantly what a good friend consists of.

My friend from another school! But oh so much more. She's the type of girl that has said to me before that if we actually went to the same school people would have such a hard time figuring us out that it would be way to much fun and nothing would ever get done. So true after this summer. This girl has a heart of gold, the brain of a genius and the sense of humor that will put a smile on anyone's face and bust the gut of those who enjoy a taste of an awesome sense of humor. Katlyn recently moved out {not enjoying the empty side of my closet} and left me a sweet message but this stuck out to me "I am extremely proud of what a beautiful, strong, yet gentle soul you are- and it was only shown through how you allowed Africa to break and change you - never let go of that." Not many can say their friends allow them to know how proud of them they are, I can honestly say that those close to me I am proud of who you are as an individual and for who you have helped mold me in to and for all that you stand for. I think it is important ,and thanks to Katlyn I have learned this, but to surround yourself with people who can make you laugh and enjoy a good evening of lounging and talking about life with. That is what I am going to strive for this academic year. Not to mention I cannot wait for my trips to Valpo!! Thanks for being an awesome summer roommate Katlyn -- it's fine, no worries!

Four best friends that anyone could have. I would like to officially titled the four of us with one of the most unique yet highly awesome friendships I could possibly ever ask for in my life. We have a interesting webbing of how our friendship works but it works for us all and it is one rocking and fun friendship. But that is what is so great it is a chain of friendships that intertwined and have formed a bond one that I always wanted to find in college and the most fun part about it all is that we are two couples that are dating however even walking down the street I would want to be friends with each one of these people, but lucky for me I get us all as couples!I am so glad I have been able to walk through life adventures and experiences with these three by my side loving life, laughing, dancing, running {yay color run}, and camping 2012. I look forward to watching our friendship grow up and as we all take our own unique career paths and form a lifestyle out of each of them and yet still {fingers crossed} become neighbors!! Thanks best friends! Smooochesss!

"Always pray to have eyes that see the best in people, a heart that forgives the worst, mind that forgets the bad, & a soul that never loses faith in God."

I continually am trying to better myself, my surroundings, and continue to find people who lift me up. I have learned so much just in this summer about myself, my family, and my friends. Friends are going to come and go and I know there are still friendships out there that have been tucked away on a shelf collecting far too much dust --- its time for me to begin to clean shop and dust the old ones that are never forgotten. But I will always be a firm believer that friendship takes two like any relationship does one can not take all the pressure to pursue a quality and stable friendship. I want to take the above quote and apply it to my relationships and friends and never be too quick to judge, but instead to pray. And even when times get tough and the waters get rough the friend[ships] that are built will always help you along. Friends are pretty fantastic and they should always accept you for exactly the way you are and to me that is pretty amazing && lucky for me I have found a handful of friends who are just that --- I consider myself pretty lucky!

Find the friends that mean the most to you and you have forgotten to be grateful for and thank them --- to all of you above mentioned thank you!

Sunshine

A year ago I posted this picture...

There are many more photos that captivate this place however I remember sitting on the beach and reflecting on my week at camp. Last year brought many challenges with my camper however it is always still rewarding. After much reflection after coming home this summer I was signed up for session two to be a counselor. After much debate and inner workings I figured out that this year camp would have to be set aside. I would continue to be a part of camp just in a different way this year, I was a floater. Meaning I would be paired with a camper for an hour to allow the counselors to catch some shut eye shower in a less hassled area or just take an hour to do nothing but reflect. I had a hard time allowing myself not to partcipate in the four day three night adventure I take every summer -- I had to weigh my pros and cons.

Pros. I would still be able to attend the talent show, I would still get to participate in an hour of crafts and an hour of recreation and a hour of lessons. Times that by two days and I got six wonderful hours of camp activities! I still got to sing songs & see those beautiful campers.

Cons. I would not get to call a camper my special friend, I would miss out on the sunsets on the deck, reflections, counselor friends, campers who continually have a positive attitude, smiles, tears of happiness, pure joy and love. I would miss the campers singing in pure delight. I would miss campers being overly pumped about the camp food, the amazing staff that works in the kitchen. The amazing staff that puts camp on every year. The crystal clear sky that shows God grace with him shining brightly through the stars (there has not been one year that hasn't showcased beauty like his sky at camp).

And while my cons outweigh my pros it was necessary for me to step back this year. For many reasons however I know after volunteering for a couple hours each day was enough for me this year. 

Another thing that spoke to me that I had made the right decision to allow myself to just get a glimpse that was the theme: TREASURES. On Saturday morning I listened to a lesson on what Mimi treasured most in her life from showing numerous pictures, rocks from adventures and from different places around the world. Sitting around my neck that first day floating was my beaded necklace from a market in Dakar -- unintentionally wearing it as a treasure it was true, I treasure that piece of jewelry. And treasures were exactly what I thought about the rest of the weekend -- I wasn't meant to do camp this year because it was necessary for me to treasure my trip this year. That is not to say that I won't be attending next year and sitting in the middle of the talent show instead of as an 'outsider.'

Like any year of camp it is so refreshing to walk on the grounds of camp and be in a non-judgmental environment, pure happiness all around. It is so refreshing to see counselors who showcase that there are still pure-hearted goodness left in this world that most recently has been shaken with gunmen and so many other injustices the world holds. At camp that is all subsided and the environment is so care free and a breathe of fresh air. I am so honored to be part of such a wonderful community. Camp Sunshine sure makes me happy. 30 years of pure perfection!

Think of what you treasure and be thankful.

Happy Tuesday!