Week 10 has come and past. Summer camping at SharpTop Cove is over until next June. This session, the third and final, comes to a bittersweet end for me. I am excited about moving on from summer camping, to get back to a normal schedule and get some much needed rest. However, I am sad to say goodbye to some good friends. Both interns, whom some of which I've been with for 51 weeks and others 10. I am also really sad to say goodbye to the assigned team here for session 3.
One thing about YoungLife camping that is great, but makes it so difficult, is the intense relationships created in a short period of time. Most of these people I have spent 16 hours a day with for 3 weeks with. Serving next to and experiencing the joys of life with. And as of 10AM tomorrow morning, they will be gone. Surely some of our paths with cross again. Others, it is realistic to say, they won't. Regardless, this has been a great time of getting to know people and really sifting through and throwing aside facades and false identities.
As I said in my last post, I'll be visiting home and then coming back to STC. However, it certainly will not be the same without these great friends I've met.
Hasta la vista.
August 7, 2011
August 4, 2011
Future Plans...
My future plans are that I have no future plans. Okay, well that isn't entirely true, but in a sense yes, it is.
It is hard to believe but Saturday marks the end of the summer camping season here at SharpTop. It signals that roughly 4,000 high-school students have come and gone. And a large percentage of them have had their lives changed forever. What that also signals, is the end of my year-long internship here. Looking back now, it feels like a whirlwind. Nevertheless, 52 weeks have come and 52 weeks have gone.
As I look forward I've realized that I am not very good when it comes to the unknown. I always want to know what is next and how that transition will look. Recently, I have been resting in the fact that I don't know. That I can not control this one, and that I need to trust God. So that is what I am doing.
I have been asked to stay here at SharpTop and help out for a little while. I'll be heading home for a week but coming right back down and working through September. I am excited for that time and have another 6 weeks to try and figure things out. I do not know what is next; long term, but I have been presented this opportunity and I'm going to take it.
Adios.
It is hard to believe but Saturday marks the end of the summer camping season here at SharpTop. It signals that roughly 4,000 high-school students have come and gone. And a large percentage of them have had their lives changed forever. What that also signals, is the end of my year-long internship here. Looking back now, it feels like a whirlwind. Nevertheless, 52 weeks have come and 52 weeks have gone.
As I look forward I've realized that I am not very good when it comes to the unknown. I always want to know what is next and how that transition will look. Recently, I have been resting in the fact that I don't know. That I can not control this one, and that I need to trust God. So that is what I am doing.
I have been asked to stay here at SharpTop and help out for a little while. I'll be heading home for a week but coming right back down and working through September. I am excited for that time and have another 6 weeks to try and figure things out. I do not know what is next; long term, but I have been presented this opportunity and I'm going to take it.
Adios.
July 17, 2011
Not So Fast My Friend...
So I might have said goodbye blog. Well not exactly. Occasionally I'll make a post on here. Generally longer thoughts.
But as I sit here, I am in the middle of a whirlwind. Session II has ended and Session III begins tomorrow. So that means about 150 staff & volunteers are leaving by 9am and 150 new staff & volunteers will be moving in. With that begins week 8 of our 10 week summer camping schedule. It's crazy to think that 70% of the summer is done. This thing that consumes us most of the year, as far as preparations and planning, is almost done. How quickly it goes, but not without victory. Tonight 80 high-school kids stood up at the "say-so"; representing 80 lives changed. How awesome that I get to play a small part in that. It is truly a privilege.
But as I sit here, I am in the middle of a whirlwind. Session II has ended and Session III begins tomorrow. So that means about 150 staff & volunteers are leaving by 9am and 150 new staff & volunteers will be moving in. With that begins week 8 of our 10 week summer camping schedule. It's crazy to think that 70% of the summer is done. This thing that consumes us most of the year, as far as preparations and planning, is almost done. How quickly it goes, but not without victory. Tonight 80 high-school kids stood up at the "say-so"; representing 80 lives changed. How awesome that I get to play a small part in that. It is truly a privilege.
July 15, 2011
The Twitters
Follow Me
Twitter is a neat, clean, easy way to make posts. 140 characters. No long posts. So see ya blog, hello tweets.
Twitter is a neat, clean, easy way to make posts. 140 characters. No long posts. So see ya blog, hello tweets.
June 18, 2011
Session II & Twitter
Well session I comes to an end tonight. That means, one thing, session II begins! We say goodbye to the assigned team and welcome another for 4 weeks. We're all excited to get a fresh start and team with this group.
On another front, I was coaxed to finally starting a twitter. My name you ask? Of course, it's @JoeyRattlesnake - Thanks to inspiration from Will Otto and Drew Holcomb.
On another front, I was coaxed to finally starting a twitter. My name you ask? Of course, it's @JoeyRattlesnake - Thanks to inspiration from Will Otto and Drew Holcomb.
June 13, 2011
Joey Rattlesnake
Wow! That was a fast 2 weeks. The first couple of weeks of summer have come and gone and I can barely wrap my head around it. I've met some good friends, seen some incredible sights, and gained a nickname, all in the process. Quick story on the nickname...
James Rockwell, the camp speaker here at SharpTop Cove for session I, called me Joe one night during his club talk. He had some sort of slip and called me the wrong name, not once, but twice. So it became a rather funny joke, no one quite knew where Joe came from. And later that night I received a call from the girls house with a frantic tone. Turns out there was a rattlesnake outside their door (See previous post). I went down and took care of the girls. Well news about that spread and insert Rattlesnake. Joey Rattlesnake. It's pretty funny how quickly it caught on, and I'm starting to believe that some people don't even know my real name anymore!
But the job here at camp has been one of long hours and many humbling experiences. Through all that, I'm loving my job. I really enjoy the challenge and having something I can take ownership over.
There is a little update and I hope to be keeping you in the loop more often. Sorry about the long gap since my last update!
Take it easy.
James Rockwell, the camp speaker here at SharpTop Cove for session I, called me Joe one night during his club talk. He had some sort of slip and called me the wrong name, not once, but twice. So it became a rather funny joke, no one quite knew where Joe came from. And later that night I received a call from the girls house with a frantic tone. Turns out there was a rattlesnake outside their door (See previous post). I went down and took care of the girls. Well news about that spread and insert Rattlesnake. Joey Rattlesnake. It's pretty funny how quickly it caught on, and I'm starting to believe that some people don't even know my real name anymore!
But the job here at camp has been one of long hours and many humbling experiences. Through all that, I'm loving my job. I really enjoy the challenge and having something I can take ownership over.
There is a little update and I hope to be keeping you in the loop more often. Sorry about the long gap since my last update!
Take it easy.
June 3, 2011
May 23, 2011
May 14, 2011
April 28, 2011
Eddie's Attic
Best Buds
April 10, 2011
Turner Field
Went to a Braves game today. Phillies won 3-0. Free Avett Brothers concert afterward. Pretty sweet deal!
April 7, 2011
Atlanta and Six Feet Under
We went to church last Sunday in Atlanta. Afterward we went to this neat seafood place called Six Feet Under. I may have a new favorite meal now. Shrimp and grits!
March 18, 2011
Drove to Knoxville
So I've been spending some time in Knoxville, Tennessee recently. I have some really great friends up there and it's been a blast visiting. Here is a picture of "Market Square" in downtown Knoxville. The city has been undergoing a major revitalization the past decade, and it shows. This area is so neat, with locally owned restaurants and shops, people flood here on nice days and warm nights. This past weekend I also got the pleasure of seeing a Tennessee Walking Horse show. It was quite a time. Definitely a culture shock of sorts, but a great experience. Then Saturday evening dinner in Market Square and a tour of the Old City, and then back again Sunday for some fun in the sun.
As for Jasper, it's warm. All of you back in Upstate New York will appreciate this. It was 81 degrees today! Welcome to spring in the south.
FYI - Thanks to Jon Black's song for motivation for the title of this post.
March 15, 2011
The Joy House
As part of the help, we laid hardwood floors all day. The house we were working in was a gorgeous building that will soon house 8 teenage boys and their house parents.
The Joy House is a ministry and helps teenagers who are having trouble in their home lives. They stay at this beautiful campus in the North Georgia mountains and have a couple live with them and be their house parents. Here through schooling and some counseling these kids get their lives back on track and the main goal is put them back into their family as much healthier people.
Not only did we help this great mission, but I sure learned a lot. It's neat, the things I'm learning, hopefully I can use on my house one day. Now... about that whole buying a house thing...
March 6, 2011
Don't Fly Delta
Well, now I can let the cat outta the bag! I got back from a trip home to Rochester last weekend... finally. And the moral of the story is do not fly Delta! Yikes.
My sister and I planned a surprise 30th wedding anniversary party for my parents, so I flew in for the big shocker. Well anyone from Western New York can tell you that last weekend, February 25-28, was full of snow. But anyways, I got to JFK in New York City, barely. This is a story in it's self. I figured, 7:20 flight out of Atlanta, security will be super quick. Well I was wrong. After a mini heart attack and running through the terminal with my belt in my hand and my boots half way on, I made my first flight. So, back to New York, I was suppose to leave NYC for Rochester at 12:30PM. It got delayed until 2pm, no big deal! Well then that was cancelled. And then I was put on a flight to Syracuse. Cancelled. Then I was on a later flight to Syracuse. Cancelled. Then I was stand by to Buffalo. Cancelled. Then I was given the option to fly to Detroit and fly stand by to Rochester. Vetoed by me. So basically I threw my Delta ticket out and ran over to Jet Blue. Booked a flight, for a small fortune, and got home!
The time at home was great, yada yada, then came to Monday and flying back. 1:50PM flight to Atlanta. Delayed. 6PM flight to Atlanta. Cancelled. Sensing a theme here? At this point, I said forget it. Put me on a flight for the next day (Tuesday), went home and finally on Tuesday got off to Atlanta. What a nightmare. I know, I know, this isn't Delta's fault, it's weather. But Jet Blue had no issue getting me from JFK to Rochester... just sayin'
Anyways, I can finally let people know I went home last weekend and it was great to see friends and family again. It might be the last time until August, but it was well worth the travel head aches! As for now, I'm back in Georgia and enjoying the early change into spring weather.
My sister and I planned a surprise 30th wedding anniversary party for my parents, so I flew in for the big shocker. Well anyone from Western New York can tell you that last weekend, February 25-28, was full of snow. But anyways, I got to JFK in New York City, barely. This is a story in it's self. I figured, 7:20 flight out of Atlanta, security will be super quick. Well I was wrong. After a mini heart attack and running through the terminal with my belt in my hand and my boots half way on, I made my first flight. So, back to New York, I was suppose to leave NYC for Rochester at 12:30PM. It got delayed until 2pm, no big deal! Well then that was cancelled. And then I was put on a flight to Syracuse. Cancelled. Then I was on a later flight to Syracuse. Cancelled. Then I was stand by to Buffalo. Cancelled. Then I was given the option to fly to Detroit and fly stand by to Rochester. Vetoed by me. So basically I threw my Delta ticket out and ran over to Jet Blue. Booked a flight, for a small fortune, and got home!
The time at home was great, yada yada, then came to Monday and flying back. 1:50PM flight to Atlanta. Delayed. 6PM flight to Atlanta. Cancelled. Sensing a theme here? At this point, I said forget it. Put me on a flight for the next day (Tuesday), went home and finally on Tuesday got off to Atlanta. What a nightmare. I know, I know, this isn't Delta's fault, it's weather. But Jet Blue had no issue getting me from JFK to Rochester... just sayin'
Anyways, I can finally let people know I went home last weekend and it was great to see friends and family again. It might be the last time until August, but it was well worth the travel head aches! As for now, I'm back in Georgia and enjoying the early change into spring weather.
March 3, 2011
Aaaand We're Back!
Well, we returned from Nicaragua a week ago now and I'm still trying to put my experience into words. It was a great time.
We stayed at "La Finca" the name of the Vida Joven (Young Life) camp in Jinotega, Nicaragua. For 4 days we dug trenches, painted buildings, picked coffee and a bunch of other various jobs. It was great to see what this ministry looks like in another country.
The people we worked with were incredible. It was so obvious that they had a huge heart for this mission. And like most, we entered this "missions trip" worried about what we could bring and how we could help the people of Nicaragua, but I believe most of us received more than they ever thought possibly to give. My eyes were opened to no matter where, or what language, or what living conditions, God is God. He is God of all and how nieve I was to think that God was American.
At the end of the trip we were able to do a very touristy things and even visited an active volcano. We ended the trip staying another night in Managua, the capital of Nicaragua. All in all, I enjoyed my time. I wish I was able to bring a bit of the simplicity we enjoyed there, back here to the USA. It was so freeing, not having so many things to distract me and fight for my attention.
I hope to one day get back to that place and again see the friends we made.
We stayed at "La Finca" the name of the Vida Joven (Young Life) camp in Jinotega, Nicaragua. For 4 days we dug trenches, painted buildings, picked coffee and a bunch of other various jobs. It was great to see what this ministry looks like in another country.
The people we worked with were incredible. It was so obvious that they had a huge heart for this mission. And like most, we entered this "missions trip" worried about what we could bring and how we could help the people of Nicaragua, but I believe most of us received more than they ever thought possibly to give. My eyes were opened to no matter where, or what language, or what living conditions, God is God. He is God of all and how nieve I was to think that God was American.
At the end of the trip we were able to do a very touristy things and even visited an active volcano. We ended the trip staying another night in Managua, the capital of Nicaragua. All in all, I enjoyed my time. I wish I was able to bring a bit of the simplicity we enjoyed there, back here to the USA. It was so freeing, not having so many things to distract me and fight for my attention.
I hope to one day get back to that place and again see the friends we made.
February 15, 2011
Off to Miami
Here we are about to board the plane to Miami. Then later tonight we are heading to Managua, the capital of Nicaragua.
February 14, 2011
Phase III or More Commonly Known as...
February 13, 2011
Phase 2.5
Adios!
Phase I
February 8, 2011
The Stache & A Little Place They Call... Nicaragua.
So a week from today, all of the interns and I head to Nicaragua to help a lending hand to a YoungLife camp down there. We're all pretty excited to get to see what YoungLife, and just life in general, looks like in another country outside of the U.S.
As a form of preparation we have decided to grow mustaches. Well I've been growing out my beard since Christmas with the plans of shaving all of it off but a mustache, right before we leave for our trip. It's been a rather funny bonding experience amongst all the guys. Either way, it should be a hoot!
Anyways, back to Nicaragua. So we leave on Tuesday and we'll be heading down to help out at the camp. The camp, La Finca, is in Jinotega, Nicaragua. This area is a great place for growing coffee, and supposedly selling coffee is a major fundraiser for La Finca. Hopefully I'll be able to bring some home with me. The other great part about it is, every bag purchased sends a Nicaraguan youth to camp for one day.
So check out the links above (La Finca & Jinotega) and I'll be sending updates as I can, but it may not be until after we return, February 22nd.
Thanks all!
As a form of preparation we have decided to grow mustaches. Well I've been growing out my beard since Christmas with the plans of shaving all of it off but a mustache, right before we leave for our trip. It's been a rather funny bonding experience amongst all the guys. Either way, it should be a hoot!
Anyways, back to Nicaragua. So we leave on Tuesday and we'll be heading down to help out at the camp. The camp, La Finca, is in Jinotega, Nicaragua. This area is a great place for growing coffee, and supposedly selling coffee is a major fundraiser for La Finca. Hopefully I'll be able to bring some home with me. The other great part about it is, every bag purchased sends a Nicaraguan youth to camp for one day.
So check out the links above (La Finca & Jinotega) and I'll be sending updates as I can, but it may not be until after we return, February 22nd.
Thanks all!
January 31, 2011
End of an Era
Yesterday was the official end of my rotation in the kitchen. Here is a picture of Pete and I. It was a fun rotation for sure. I really enjoyed the weekends and serving meals for 500+. This past weekend we had a group from Columbus, GA in at SharpTop. All in all, another smooth, fun, and productive weekend. I think their official numbers were 640 people. As for tomorrow, I'll be reporting to Sites & Facilities. There, I'll be working with some of the guys and doing some more maintenance and physical labor, orientated jobs. It'll be quite the change from not only this past rotation but from a year ago. Last year this time I was working 65 hours a week, wearing a button up, slacks and working at a desk and now I'll be wearing Carhartts, work boots and working outdoors. I'm pretty pumped. Working with those guys in Sites will be fun, no only because of the work we will be doing but what I'll learn from them. Most guys are between 35 & 50 with tons of experience is various fields. So a new adventure begins tomorrow.
To be continuted...
January 17, 2011
UT vs. Vanderbilt
On Saturday I headed up to Knoxville and caught the basketball game.
Back in Jasper for a man weekend since the girls all went to South Carolina.
January 13, 2011
January 6, 2011
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