Peer Support

so i just got off work tonight around 10pm. it was a good week. my favorite part was when my co-counselor came on wednsday morning and we worked together that day and the next. both days the girls kept commenting, 'you're different when chief sharon is here.' 'really?' i'd say... 'how so?' (smiling,... i know why). 'i don't know. you're both different. it's wierd. you're, like, happy.' hahaha! seriously! it's amazing how much easier, better, and more fun this job is with a partner, a friend, a peer... peer support, that's what i call it.
with sharon on, we can laugh together when the girls do or say crazy things that they know they shouldn't. we can evaluate together when we have a question or concern. and we can cover for eachother when the other just needs a break or is at a loss for words or ideas. we compliment eachother. and we are stronger together than we are individually. oh, plus a hug is nice every now and again as well.

i felt a lot better about being on alone this week. and i felt a lot better about being on with sharon too. sometimes when she comes on i just stop working and let her do everything (however, she does get real into it and most of the time doesn't notice that i'm still there also) herself. but i'm still learning to do this on my own as well as with a co. it's fun. and hard. mostly, what is the most beneficial ever is just letting God be in control. He's the best co anyway. plus, His joy and love are better than mine or sharon's combined. it was hard coming back to camp knowing He wasn't being my center. my first day on was hard. i didn't want to be here. that night i just laid it all down again. and i really began to pray. hard. now this is where hard meets good for real. the past three days really have been fun.

for those of you who know i sprained my ankle... it is still swollen and sore. of course, i've been walking on it and rolling it over and over again all week. so i'm resting it now and icing it, i promise. i even got the ice bucket out (aww, so nice). so yeah, we are building a tent in my campsite and so we've been cutting down trees in the woods and pulling them out. haha. i'm sore and have bruises all over. but it's great and the girls have been working real hard. they complain a lot, but they work hard too. mom, i'm sorry i complained so much and pushed boundaries so much. i know i did it too. it really is annoying. haha. i know that now.
but thanks, mom, for teaching me patience too. not only for others, but for myself. and for always encouraging me to keep trying, even long after i wanted to quit. even if i gave up on myself, you never gave up on me. that's i think the one thing that speaks louder than words to these girls... i can never give up on them.
it's a good thing i had a good role model or two.

i love you mom and dad. i couldn't do this job without you both.