So much to write, so little time...

Okay I must say, camp wore me out. I do not heart camp anymore after last week. It's interesting how heat follows me. I came up to Kansas this summer hoping for a little break from the Texas heat, this has been one of Kansas' hottest summers though. Last week at camp in central Missouri, we just happened to be there during the hottest week of the year. Our last day there, the temp was 106 degrees. Yes, that's right, 106 degrees with no air conditioning... anywhere. We measured the temperature in the cabins at 120. I've never been so hot in all my life. I remember actually thinking, "If I stayed here much longer, I could literally die." I didn't pee in my pants though, so that's a plus.

Two weeks from today I'll be leaving Kansas. I just can't believe that. How sad am I! I get emotional just thinking about it. So, no more typing about it.

Well, I'm off to camp for a week. Please pray that I don't pee in my pants. Thanks.

And the truth shall set you free...

Wow, I never knew how true that statement was. I just did something that required me to be more honest than I have ever been in my whole life. And I feel so much better. The truth does set you free! Who knew?

I'm so blessed. I'm having such a great summer. I was talking to my boss today about my last day and I started getting so emotional. I don't know how I'm going to leave. Here's some pictures for you.

Okay, this story is for Lynsey Moudy. If I was a lady, I wouldn't write about this on the internet. If you are grossed out by stories about peeing on yourself, I would skip today's entry.

I must say, camping probably isn't my thing. It's really fun to set up your tent and build a fire, but then it's not cute anymore and I'm ready to go home. This weekend on our canoe trip we camped out in southern Missouri. Our campsite was pretty big, and we were definitely the only sober people there. On the first night I woke up around 4:00 am and I really needed to pee. I could still hear the drunk people around us partying and I was a little scared to walk to the bath house to use the toilet. Plus, I couldn't find my flashlight and I have bad feet right now. So, a dark solo journey up to the bath house was out of the question. Then I thought I'd mind over matter it, but that didn't last long and I knew I had to do something. So, I unzipped my tent and there were two of my highschool girls sleeping about three feet from my tent. It was too bad though, I had to go. So I just squatted right there by my tent and by the girls. One of them did wake up, but she thought it was funny. So, on night number two I didn't sweat it. I'm a pee-pro, I'll just unzip the tent, pee, and hop back in my tent, no problem. When I woke up around three I knew that I had to move quickly because my bladder was full. I rolled over and grabbed the zipper and oh crap it's stuck. I can handle this...unstuck...now stuck again...crap...CRAP. The tent zipper finally set me free, but by then it was too late to pull down my pants and squat. I was already peeing. So I just went with it. For some reason, if a zipper is involved, I'm destined to pee in my pants. I really need to move to a zipper free world.

Well, I'm off to the canoe trip. I'm about to spend the next two nights in a tent. I'm not really what you'd call an outdoorsy girl, so I'm not really looking forward to this intimate time with nature. It will be great fun with the kids though, I just hope I don't have to squat in the woods.

My kids love to play Scrabble. Isn't that weird, they're teenagers. Last time we played I won with the amazing word "axle" landing on a triple word score. Gotta love the X. Tonight, however, I was defeated. I'm not going to lie, it's a bit of a blow to lose when I'm half way through a master's program and everyone else is in high school.

How was everyone's 4th of July? I spent the day working on a quilt (my newest hobby). Then I watched some fire works from my patio. Some people might be depressed to spend the holiday alone, but for me it was a gift. I love to be alone. It's so nice. I can wear pajamas all day and be judged by no one. That's luxury.

See this pile of stuff behind these two ladies. It represents a family's entire life. Years and years of purchases and gifts and payment plans and memories. When we were talking about our experience in New Orleans, one of the kids said: "It all goes to the curb." Even that special stuff that we justify having and even worshipping still ends up in a pile of rubble. I once had a friend who told me he just wanted to be homeless. I'm starting to understand that more and more. I hate being so motivated by stuff. When will I be able to buy a new car, or buy a house, or get DVR. These things just seem so worthless now.

***************************

I'm feeling more and more loved here as the layers of Sue continue to be exposed. On our trip, while we were waiting for the youth minister, one of our dads told all of the kids and adults to look at me and I'd tell them a story. So, there I was, 60 people staring at me and wanting an entertaining story. In these circumstances there is only one story that is appropriate. Ahh yes, the time I peed in my pants when I was in college. I still have a job after telling that story, this church must be a place full of love. The people here are also discovering the fact that I do not have an inside voice. I think they're surprised that one person can be so loud all the time. In the back of my mind I keep thinking, they ain't seen nothing yet.

***************************

Camp is quickly approaching. Just two more weeks. I love camp. If I could pick a dream life, I'd live at camp all year around. I would have to do something about the shower situation though. There's nothing nastier than needing to wear shoes to protect yourself from fungus when you're just trying to get clean.

***************************

Please pray for my dear friend Albert Hall. We interned together at Broadway in 2003. I read a message on MySpace that he and his wife lost their baby girl who was due in just a week or so. I don't know any details. What a tragedy.

Has everyone seen this video?? It's hilarious.