Drift Prevention

As an intern, not only do I have some unusual tasks to complete, but I have the opportunity to do some pretty awesome things. This past weekend, I had the privilege of traveling to the Ocoee River for some fellowship and fun with our high school students.  Our team of twenty-one was (in my opinion) the perfect size for having fun like a family.

This trip also marked a first for me--the first time I ever got to drive on a trip.  I know what you're thinking...isn't this the girl that got eleven parking tickets this school year?  To answer that question, yes it is (oops), but do not be worried.  The only thing I transported was all of the luggage in the back of my handy dandy Jeep.  Oh, and a more than willing Alexis Pham :).

She was one of the biggest blessings of the trip for me.  Not that I expected our car ride to be pained (let's be real here...either one of us could talk to a lamp and be entertained), but it's always a nice surprise when a six and a half hour drive can feel like twenty minutes.  We passed the time talking about life, singing at the top of our lungs to everything from Taylor Swift to N*Sync, and waving at the other two vehicles in our caravan as they went up the exit ramp that Kris didn't give me enough notice to also take.  No worries, we found our way back.  It made for a funny story and a few punches once we finally made it to our destination.

When we arrived at the camp, we were instantly swept away to the ropes course.  I had only done something like this once before, so I was really excited.  And, it is always fun to watch and participate in team building activities.  The first obstacle was the log, which required us to re-order ourselves without falling off.  This resulted in critical thinking, a few stepped-on fingers (sorry Reed), and LOTS of laughter.  The next thing we came to was a group of square platforms that decreased in size.  Our goal was to get the whole team suspended off of the ground for at least three seconds.  I'm not sure if we completely accomplished this, but the girls definitely beat the guys :).  Then came the most challenging task yet...the wall.  I'm not sure how tall it was, but essentially we had to get the entire team over it with a limited number of lifts and pulls from each team member.  But, we did it!  Well, Reed and Ryan pretty much got everyone over.  The only thing I did was help pull myself and tiny Rebecca Botter up...but I have a pretty good bruise to show for it! Hahaha.  The last team building thing we did was the Spider Web.  The task was to get every team member through to the other side, without touching the web, and most holes could only be used once.  Once again, the guys were our MVP's, and us girls channeled our inner cheerleaders as we made our way through the openings.

Once the lower ropes were completed, we moved on to the high ones, harnesses and all.  It would be difficult to describe them, but I can say that they are MUCH harder than they look.  Only a few were allowed on the activities at a time, so that left most of us down on the ground for a while.  However, the coolest part of it all was hearing our students cheer for their friends in the air.  Constant encouragement and clapping were heard.  Not a single person, leader or student, went up on the course without hearing their name called accompanied with a "You can do it!" or "You're almost there!". It was so inspiring.

After we completed the course, we headed back to the main part of the camp for dinner and to get settled into our homey, cute, country, spider-infested (ok maybe just a few, but it felt like a million), cabin number eight.  Then, it was time for one of the most heart-warming times of the trip.  Our whole crew of twenty-one trecked out in the field to play an intense round of Ultimate Frisbee.  Many of us, including me, were surprised by our skills, and my team came away with the victory.  Right after we finished, Jen and I left to prepare for the devotion.  Behind us we heard "Good game!" being said, high fives being given, and "What do y'all wanna play now? How about Wiffle Ball!" being happily yelled.  We love having students that not only love to learn together, but play together as well.

That night we participated in an FSM trip tradition...late night game night.  We began with Catch Phrase and ended with a few hilarious rounds of Mafia.  I do have to say, even though Maggie McGrath tried her best to convince everyone I was guilty, and I am known to be an awful liar, I came away the victor.  It was the first time I had EVER won mafia, and I was quite happy :)

The next morning came bright and early and way too soon.  Especially after fitting two people in a smaller-than-twin-bed bunk that Lindsay graciously shared with me so that I wouldn't have to sleep on the spider-infested floor.  A little extreme I know, but nobody likes spiders right?  Anyway, we ate breakfast, us girls didn't put on makeup, and we headed out to get our gear for rafting.  At this point all of our adrenaline was pumping.  I had been rafting once before, but most of our crew had not, so anticipation was high.  Long story short, we survived the rapids, and the phrase "Forward Two!" only rang in our ears for about three hours.  There was a lot of laughter, a lot of screaming, and a LOT of water.  I have to say that I was proud of our raft of the "Fellowship Four".  Alexis, Hunter, Ryan, and I held our own against the Ocoee, and our guide Stan the Man only yelled at us a few times...success in my mind!

However, the best part of the trip wasn't the ropes or the river, or even the Cheesecake Factory stop that we made for dinner on the way home.  The best part was getting to experience and share "Drift Prevention" tips with our students.  The first night, Kris started us off with some encouragement to not drift from our faith, especially for our students about to go off to college.  Then, Jen and I set up four stations for the students to experience God more deeply.  "Be Forgiving" had them writing names of people they need to forgive, and tossing those rocks into the woods.  "Be Prayerful" had them writing prayer requests on pieces of paper that they put in a bag for us leaders to pray for.  "Be Still" had them out in the field, just being still and enjoying God's creation.  Finally, "Be Thankful" had them writing on a canvas things in creation that they are thankful for.  The next afternoon, before we left the camp and headed home, Jen and I gave our friends some helpful hints on how to not drift.  We related each of the pieces of equipment used when we whitewater raft to "equipment" that we need to stay strong in our walk with the Lord.  It was a very cool thing to experience, and it made me appreciate Jen's wisdom that much more.

Sorry about the length of this post, the trip was just THAT GOOD.  I still can't believe that I get opportunities like this.  I enjoy every second I get to spend experiencing life and ministry with these people.  Tomorrow is July first, meaning I have one month left as the summer intern.  While that is so weird to think about, it makes me super excited to make every day of this month count doing what I love.  Oh and Kris? Sign me up as a leader for the third annual Whitewater Express Trip...please and thank you. :)

Becca

Registers. Running. Remembering.

About a week and a half ago, Fellowship had the privilege of helping out with the Sam Bomar Night at the Jackson Generals.

Sam was a student in FSM that was tragically killed in an accidental shooting a little over a year ago.  He was just a year younger than me, so I pretty much grew up with him in the youth group.  Specifically, I got to experience his zest for life during Student Impact my senior year of high school.  He was a wacky kid, but when he started opening up about his walk with the Lord, you couldn't help but listen intently.

Love these people.

Because he touched so many lives during his short stint on this earth,  a volunteer team of parents and friends began the Sam Bomar Memorial Scholarship Fund.  Sam was taken up to Heaven just a week shy of graduating from Madison Academic High School, and his dream was to go to UT Knoxville.  Sam's parents wanted to give other student the opportunity to fulfill their college dreams even though their only son was not able to.

Mommy the volunteer doing her sorority pose.

To raise money for the scholarship fund, the Jackson Generals (a minor league baseball team based out of Jackson) has allowed a night to be dedicated to him for two years now.  Fellowship's role for both years has been to work the concessions.  It is just as crazy and fun as it sounds!  Personally, I was in charge of organizing the volunteers for this year.  I was blessed with a team of FSM leaders and students that were more than willing to sacrifice their time.  Some were even still jet-lagged from a mission trip to South Africa! Yet, everyone joyfully served.  It was beautiful to see the Body of Christ come together.  And, let's be honest, we had a BLAST doing it.

At the 5K with Sam's mom...such an amazing woman.

The next morning was the Sam Bomar Memorial 5K.  It was also held at the ballpark, and all of the proceeds benefited the scholarship fund as well.  Jen, Bailey, Sophie, Hannah, and I ran the race together.  Well, ran and walked.  I'm going to break this down for a second:  3.1 miles + Becca legitimately not being able to remember the last time she worked out = not an award winning performance that morning.  However, with the constant encouragement from my beautiful friend Bailey, I finished it, only needing to walk a few times (much less than I anticipated).  We all considered the morning a huge success.  Oh, and let's not forget that Jen Howell got a MEDAL in her age division.  This is a Momma of four that thought she might never run again after a back injury last year.  SO inspiring. 

But, the best part of the weekend, and the weeks of organizing leading up to it, was the encouragement that I received from everyone involved.  My contribution was so miniscule in the grand scheme of things, yet I was blessed with sweet encouragement from organizers that had much more on their plate than I did.  From Sam's mom's emails, to Donald literally telling me good job a hundred times (he was one of the jet-lagged ones so we cut him some slack),  I felt so humbled by the experience.  The person who showed the most joy that weekend was Rayna Bomar, Sam's mother.  She is a true testament to the healing power of the Lord.

Becca

I get paid to hang out with my friends.

I have the best job in the world.  Seriously.  Most summer jobs for college students involve working in an office or waiting tables all day.  While there is nothing wrong with that at all, my job is different...I get paid to hang out with students.  But not just students, some of my best friends.  So, I get paid to hang out with my friends.  I'm shaking my head in unbelief just typing it!

Granted, I do actually do work.  And a lot of it is spent in an office (well, sitting in the conference room next to an office...I'm just the intern remember?).  However, even that is fun for me.   Not only do I enjoy yelling back and forth with Kris about my tasks, or covering his desk with sticky notes letting him know that I have accomplished those tasks, but I love the time I get to spend in the church office as a whole.  Just today I had some copy-machine issues (now I really sound like an intern) and the amazing ladies came to my rescue with laughter and love, not scolding.  It's a learning process, and I'm just soaking it all in.

Most of my work is a continuous cycle of planning and executing.  I work with Kris to plan out Middle School and High School Powerplays (weekly youth events), and then execute them on Sundays and Wednesdays.  Whatever tasks have to be completed, whatever errands need to be run, and whatever phone calls need to be made happen on the days leading up to each event.  The church credit card makes its home in my purse frequently, and I've only abused the privilege a couple times.  Kidding!  I would never do that...I work for a church remember? :)

Along with planning and executing, I've been given a few super random tasks this summer like:

• Purchasing 25 giftcards at Starbucks.  My barista loved me that day.  Not to mention I taught the people behind me in line a very valuable lesson in patience.  Obviously, I'm just constantly thinking of the well being of others.
• Unloading, organizing, and re-loading a coke machine.  You would think the people that drive the trucks with 2394872947 cans of soda would do this job, but that would just be way to obvious.  Of course it was one of my tasks, and I made it out alive and with a free can of Dr. Pepper. (Shhh..don't tell Kris)
• And for the grand finale, one my jobs last week was to weed the sand volleyball court.  I know what you're thinking...it's just a few weeds right? Like your grandma's garden in the backyard? Wrong. Wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong.  This thing was overgrown with weeds and grass.  But, we needed it for the Powerplay last Sunday, so it was one of my jobs.  Cons: heat, blisters, bugs, tedious-ness.  Pros: happy students and tan shoulders.

I hope you know by now that I am extremely sarcastic sometimes.  I really do enjoy the wacky tasks that I am given throughout the week,  blisters and all.  In terms of the volleyball court, it was well worth it just to see the students laughing and playing in the weedless sand.  Seeing a giant volleyball fly through the air didn't hurt either. :)

But, the best part of my job by far is the relationships I get to build on a daily basis.  I am so very thankful for every minute spent teaching and growing with my students, or laughing a leading with my peers and mentors.  Here are a few pictures from the High School kick-off that we had the first Sunday night in June at the Howell's home.  It was a beautiful night of food, fellowship, and gearing up for a summer full of fun with FSM.

 

As you can see, my job is full of smiling faces that are eager to spend time together and learn more about deepening their relationship with the Lord.  I couldn't imagine spending my summer any other way!

Becca

Beachside Babysitting

Some people take classes during the summer, some people start jobs, some people just chill and do next to nothing.  While two of those three apply to me now, they didn't last month when I had the privilege of being a beach babysitter. TWICE.  Hard life right? :)

The first trip was with my friend/mentor/role model Shannon Stewart, her husband Jon, and their three precious girls.  I had my last exam of sophomore year the morning of April 29, came home to Tennessee that night, spent Saturday unpacking and repacking my things, and then left for Fort Morgan on Sunday morning! It was a fast turn-around, but being able to relax on the beach after a week full of exams was just what the doctor ordered.

Capturing a picture was quite impossible!

The general schedule of the days had us all going to the beach in the mornings, coming in to give the kids baths (literally, they would be completely covered in sand), eat lunch, naptime, hang out, go out for dinner, and then bedtime.

As I mentioned before, Shannon has three girls: Carlee Hayse is three, and Stella and Addie are now almost twenty-one months I think. Yep, they're twins....does this trip sound crazier yet? These girls are a hoot (Chi Omega pun intended of course, Shannon is a sister!) and we were all in endless laughs the whole week.  A couple of cute Carlee Hayes quotes:

"At night I use Colgate, but in the morning I like to use Crust." (she meant Crest)

"Mommy, Daddy, the weather is forecasting!"  (pointing to a map of the United States)

Needless to say I had a BLAST.  For me, the best part of the trip happened after we put the girls down for bed and Shannon, Jon, and I sat out on the back porch and just talked about life.  And laughed.  And vented.  And convinced me to start a blog.  You know, normal stuff.  I stated earlier that Shannon was a role model of mine, and it's for that very reason.  Not only do we do the typical "Starbucks run with your mentor", but she just does life with me.  Whether at the beach or at her home in Jackson, she constantly encourages me to live daily for the Lord.  And let's not forget about Jon, he makes all of it possible by being an all-star dad keeping the girls while Shannon is out with me, or just offering words of wisdom when the conversation calls for it.  Basically, I love the Stewart family, crazy girls and all.

The next beach trip I got to take was about three weeks later, right after the NAIA National Golf Tournament.  When I say right after, I literally mean right after.....I got back from Illinois at 8pm and was in Nashville at 7am the next morning to hit the road.  Nothing like sleeping in the car the whole way right? It was perfect. :)

We took this exact picture last year!

This trip was with Heather and Michael Russell, and Anita and Michael Sloan to Hilton Head!  The two couples have been friends since college.  Heather and Michael used to live in Jackson and go to Fellowship, so that is where I go to know them.  The Sloans live in Nashville (where the Russells now live) and we first met three years ago when I first traveled with them to the beach.  That's right, I am so blessed to have  been asked to go to the beach with these amazing families three years in a row! 

The Russells have two boys:  Preston is seven (he had a birthday while we were there!) and Carlisle is four.  The Sloans have two girls:  Ava is six and Anna is two and a half.  At least I think I got those ages right...parents, I apologize if I am wrong! 

Think back to when you were growing up.  How many times did you hear the phrase, "My goodness! You're getting so old!"  I still hear it to this day as a twenty year old.  Well, let's just say I completely over-used that phrase the first day I was with these kids.  Because the Russells just moved to Nashville this past year, I was used to seeing them when I came home for a visit.  However, it had been a full year since I had seen any of the children, and TWO years since I had seen little Anna (she didn't come to the beach last year).  To put it in perspective, the last time I had spent any time with her she was six months old and spitting up peas.  Now she's two and a half and running and talking and swimming and singing and......you get the picture. It's crazy.

Sweet kiddos!

Our general schedule for the days was pretty simple for me: free time until about 2:30.  Yep, you heard me right.  I literally could lay on the beach, read at the pool, go shopping, or take a bike ride as long as I was back in time to watch the little ones for their nap that afternoon.  It was amazing.  Usually the parents would leave for dinner around 6pm, and my responsibilities for the night would be to feed the kids dinner, get them in bed, clean up the condo, and then just chill until they came home!  Once they did, I really enjoyed my time to get to just hang out with them.  Whether it was making fun of Michael Russell and his music tastes (he knows we love him), or gawking at the gypsies on TLC with Heather and Anita, I'm so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life that invite me into their lives. 

Not only is it fun to lay in the sun, but there's something about being at the beach that makes you slow down and appreciate life.  I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that I am about to be a junior in college, and my summer life has sped up drastically since returning from my trips.  My two weeks spent in front of the ocean just allowed me to forget about that for a while.  I got to forget about work, preparing for rush, painting a house, and summer classes, and just praise the Lord for the blessing of the past year.  And pray for the upcoming one.  While it shouldn't take a beach to make me slow down and do that, it certainly helps.  Thank you Shannon, Jon, Heather, Michael, Anita, and Michael for giving me a little piece of tranquility to end my academic year and start my summer.

So, when are we going back? :)

Becca