A day in the life of Hannah

Well, I have been at camp for a week now and am happy to report that I'm pretty well settled in, and comfortable in my new surroundings. I thought I would talk you through an "average" day for me at YAA.


Breakfast is served at 8 so I need to be in the kitchen around 6:30 to get it going.


If the meal is cleaned up quickly, and there's not too much lunch prep to be done I get to sit in on most of the Joshua Project (college students) discipleship time.


Lunch is served at 12 so I need to be in the kitchen around 10:30 to get it going.


After lunch is cleaned up (around 2) I usually have a couple hours of down time - great to catch a quick nap, do a load of laundry, go for a walk, email/blog/facebook, read & pray, etc.

Dinner is served at 6 so I need to be in the kitchen around 4:30 to get it going.

Every night after dinner there is fireside time.













On rainy nights it is held in the chapel, with the wood-burning stove going. This might be my favorite time of the day. The group sings worship songs and has some discussion time and reflection on the day. Many of the staff stay after for fellowship. It's been a wonderful time of encouraging conversations and getting to know people better. I'm *trying* to deal better with being cold and smoky smelling. It's good to have a nice hot shower before bed, and thankfully there's a washer and dryer right in the house I'm staying in!


So, now you know what I have been up to.


The college students here are amazing! Most of them did not know each other before arriving, but have meshed very well. They have very positive attitudes and I've seen them building each other up. There's a lot of musical talent and they even sing and dance while doing dishes. They've been a huge help to me in the kitchen and to others around camp too.


Please pray for the Timothy Project (high school students) who arrive tomorrow evening.

I would like to hear what's going on with you!

Wacky Weather

The calendar says June,

but we had some snow

up here at camp

yesterday and today.

Not too much,

just enough to look nice.

And since I don't need to

drive or shovel -

it's all good!

First Hike

I had trouble getting pictures uploaded last night, so here is yesterday's blog.

Today I went to Bear Canyon for a hike.

That's not a good sign!

My poor car is so dirty.

It was a long trail with some beautiful views.

I did not see any bears though : (

I met the college students who are here for the camp's Joshua Project (discipleship program).

They're a nice group.

I miss you all back home, but it's fun to be meeting some new people.

They all have great stories of where they're from and how God led them here.

At night we enjoyed a little campfire with some singing and a great devotional message.

And, of course, another fantastic sunset.

nesting

I need You Lord, in all I do

You're always there, to see me through

I can't get by unless I lean on You Lord

The Lord has a will And I have a need

To follow that will To humbly be still

To rest in it, nest in it, Fully be blest in it

Following my Father's will

Today I had the opportunity to relax and get settled into my new home. I got everything unpacked and put away. Did laundry and vacuumed. Made a trip into town to pick up a couple of things. My big project for the day was to hang a curtain in my room. I've got skills!

The sun sets late out here (around 9:30) because we are so far West. But, the sky is beautiful and definately worth the wait. A group of college students is arriving tomorrow. I'm looking forward to being busy.

Travel, day 5

What a great last day of travel. Drove 479 miles, mostly in a light rain.

Wyoming was interesting. Lots more beautiful landscapes...rolling hills and farmlands, etc.

Saw a bunch of these animals. Anyone know what they are? Deer? Elk? Antelope?

Made it into Montana. Whoo-Hoo!!! They have a nice little place to pull off the road right by their welcome sign. Now that makes a person feel welcome : )

Made a quick stop at Custer Battlefield. Saw the tomb of the unknown.

(note to self: crack open a history book this Summer)

There were paths leading through the battlefields and cemetery. It was chilly so I had socks and sneakers on today. Good thing I did because: oh yeah, more snake warnings.

Arrived at camp around 8pm. So, just how much does 1 person bring to Montana for the Summer? Answer: a lot! Thanks Cathy for helping carry it all in.

Look at Monty being all helpful by wearing my sunglasses so they don't get lost in the piles of stuff.

Now the roadtrip is officially over and the real adventure begins. I am looking forward to seeing how God will use me here this Summer. Please keep me, the camp, the staff, the campers and their families in your prayers regularly.

I'm off to unpack and unwind now. Would love to hear from you. Please keep in mind that this time zone is 2 hours BEHIND the East Coast. Calling when you get up at 6 is *not* a good idea!

Good Morning

This is Monty, my official road trip mascot. He is sad because I have not let him say hello to you yet.

His job originally was to take care of the map. But since I gave up on the map he has just been sitting there looking cute. That's a job I normally do myself, but since I have to drive and all, it's good to have some help with that.

You can't see it, but he has on a nice little backback. I have been putting pennies in it and they will go in my big jar when I get back to NJ.

Wish us well on our last day of travel. It's a bit wet and dreary out and that might make for a long day.

Travel, Day 4

I don't know what happened to the format I tried to use yesterday.

It looked much neater in the preview than the post. Sorry about that!

Anyhow...I got a nice early start this morning. Drove 490 miles.

Stopped at Wal-Mart for batteries (my camera and Ipod were both dying).

The cashier was nice enough to cut open the plastic blister pack for me.

Yeah, definately not in NJ anymore!

I spent a few minutes at a nice little "park" on the side of the road.

That's a pelican or something in the water there.

Next stop was the world's only corn palace.

The outside of the building is decorated with murals made only with corn and husks.

Annual cost? $13,000.

Admission was free though so that's a good thing!

Lots more murals and some history of corn type stuff inside.

On the way to my next location I pulled off onto a scenic overlook.

I was walking out to the edge and was greeted with this sign.

Now, that's something you do NOT want to see when you are out for a walk,

although it is better to see the sign than the snake.

Needless to say the walk was over.

I only had flip-flops on.

Exposed toes + poisonous snakes = trouble!

I did get this picture from the safety of a bench in the picnic area.

Back onto the highway.

For 200 miles I saw billboards for a place called Wall Drug.

Well, it must be good if that advertise it that much.

It was fun...lots of little shops inside.

Their nickname is the Ice Water Drug Store because

they built their business by giving out free ice water to travelers.

There's a whole story about how the owners wanted to use

the gifts God had given them to serve others.

On to the last stop: Mount Rushmore!

One fun fact is that flags from all 50 states are flying as you walk into the park area.

The state's name and what year they became a state are engraved on the marble pillars.

And did you ever wonder what's on the OTHER side of that mountain?

Well, now you know:

Sunset (taken on the loooong ride down from Mt. Rushmore).

The day was not over yet and I was still driving after the sun went down.

Ended up in Wyoming. Not the part I had expected to be in, but not too far off.

Thanks for all the prayers and comments and emails. I really do appreciate them!