. . . but thankfully I won't be gone from HW for those five months!

For those who don't know, last summer I worked at Grace Adventures youth camp May 2nd – August 28th . I was hired to work in the kitchen, doing dishes, vacuuming, cutting vegetables, putting food away, and things like that. This year I was rehired to work May 1st - October 7th . If you scroll down a few posts, you'll see these dates have been changed.
That's over five months where I won't go home at all, and will only see my family once a month. . . Over five months of helping serve at times over 200 people meals in shifts. . . Over five months of meeting new people, forcing myself outside my comfort zone, and doing more work than I'm used to. . . That's also five months of learning, growing, and having fun!

I'm both slightly nervous and very excited; last year I grew in my faith and learned a lot, but I also at times felt emotionally, spiritually and physically drained. I grew up quite a bit during that, and my safe little world I'd stayed in was shaken. Sometimes I'm not sure if I'm ready to do that again, but I'm ready to grow in whatever ways God has for me.

All that to say, I'm going to be here less. I'm not going to be completely gone from HW, but my time will be cut back. I won't have as much time, and the time I do have, I'm going to have to be careful with. There are only so many hours in a day!

Before any of you start bawling, remember I WILL be around. I'll pop in when I can, and try to keep up with HW as best as I'm able. Once I get into routine, I'll know better when and how long I can be on. I promise you, my time here will still be more than adequate.

Last year I journaled almost every day and emailed a weekly letter to my family, friends, and people from my church. I probably won't have time to repeat over and over to you all what I'm doing, but if you'd like to PM me your email address, I'll put you on my email list. My emails will build on each other, (I won't be explaining who certain people are over and over, or what I mean by certain activities, etc.) so if you could PM me your email address BEFORE I leave, that'd be best. I want to keep up with you, and how you're doing, even if I'm around less!



~ZA

PS, It's still a little over two weeks until I leave, but this gives some fair warning, means I won't forget until the last minute, and leaves you time to decide if you want a weekly ramble from me in your email box.

*puts hand on chest* Gave me a fright there you did.

I'm glad you won't be completely gone during that time. Have fun!

I'll pray you have a blessed time at camp.

I'm glad you won't be away for five months.

*Chuckles* I was like 5 Months!!!

Glad you won't be away all that time, Mira!

I hope you have a blessed time away.

*sighs with relief* Don't scare us like that!!

Have a nice time!

*Sniffs* Have fun at camp, and I will miss you! *hugs tightly* I want to be on your email list, too. You already have my email.

*Is sad despite what Elrond said* I will miss you, my friend. That I will. *Sends 200 coupons for magical chocolate pudding for whenever Za wants.* Hope you have fun. *Tries to smile without crying*

Five mon- Oh. *sigh of relief* Have an awesome time!

*Starts laughing* Sorry! I just couldn't help myself! The thread title just popped in my head, and I couldn't let such a good idea go to waste! It really got your attention, didn't it?

Thanks everyone for the well wishes!


*Winces at the sad faces*

*Hugs Maye back* Ok, I'll put you on my email list!

*Takes coupons and puts them where I won't lose them* How much pudding do I get per coupon? Danko, I promise I will be here.

~ZA

*chuckles* As long as no permanent harm was done, I guess. If the idea had been mine, I'd have done the same thing.

*Grins and agrees* Yes, I think you would've.

*Can imagine Mark doing that*

I got an email today saying that camp got an intern, and I'm only going to be needed May 3 - August 23- that's a bit less time than last year.

I'm very happy about it. Don't get me wrong, I love camp and the people, but five months is a long time to be away from home. . . this at least I know is manageable for me, because I did it last year.

~ZA

Am I that infamous? Perhaps the little incident with the arrow, broken glass, and censored had something to do with that...


That's good to hear, Ophelia.

Yes, it is.

*Laughs* Yes, I think it did. I never quite figured out the mystery to that.

I am gonna miss you, girl, as I said elsewhere. You be good, have fun, and come back to us safely.

Thank you, Airi.

"You be good"? Does that mean I need to behave myself?

~ZA

*waggles eyebrows * It does.

*Watches Airi's eyebrows waggle*

*laughs * I haven't used that term recently, have I?... We must rectify this travesty!!!

I remember back when you used it frequently.

*grins * I'm sure you do.

And her computer died. So I'm guessing she's going to be on even LESS.

I can't help it!!! *Sniffles*

Just updating everyone. (And perhaps whining a little bit...)

Wha wha what!? It died? Ahhh, noooo!

I still can borrow others computers, so don't go crying. I'll be on less but I'm not gone- Just. . . sporadic.

*Is glad that Mira won't be gone completely*

*misses her Za*

I'm home!! It was a good, though very tiring, summer. (Someone can archive this now. ) I'm able to use my dad's laptop with some regularity, so I hope to be around a bit more now. I can't wait to catch up with how ya'll are doing! *Heads off to unpack*

~ZA

YAY!!! *throws glitter everywhere and dances*

Welcome back, Ophelia! It's good to have you back.

It will be awesome to see you around more, Mira! I've been missing you!

Welcome back, Za!

*Twirls in glitter* Thank you, all! *Skips around HW*

We are so happy to have you back, darling!

So glad you're back!