On the road again...

Well I haven't updated this that much recently, we've been a little busy traveling. I was a little nervous to leave Fort Collins, we got a little too comfortable there, but it was time to move on and actually hit the road.

The first day of travel was rough. It was an 11 hour drive to our first stop: Kansas City, KS. Driving through Kansas was absolutely horrible. I know it's typical to complain that driving through the midwest is boring, but it was more than just a little boring. Other than the "I Love Jesus" signs every other mile, and the porn shops...there was nothing. It got a little pretty towards the last hour or so of the drive, but the rest was just boring as anything. However, it was fun when I got to drive or sit in the passenger seat of the Ryder, it was exciting to be that tall above the other cars and to see how fast you could get it to go (which wasn't that fast at all).
The extent of the drive...

We got in late at night, staying at Hyatt Place (absolutely gorgeous), the room had it's own living room, it was great. Then it was off to meet with Setrak and Caylene, who will be helping us out at our last camp, and I'm so excited about it.
The next morning Melissa and I went over to Kansas City, MO to attend mass with Setrak and Caylene at the church that they go to. The church was run by Jesuits I'm pretty sure (yay!) and was absolutely gorgeous.
This picture doesn't do it justice, and the inside was just amazing. The priest's homily was really touching. Talking about meaning what you say when you say "amen" for receiving communion, and how that also means that you have to take up your duties as a Christian and help people. We all felt like it was kinda directed right at us since we're doing that all summer.

Right after mass we had to hit the road right away to get to Saint Louis, MO. We got to the facility we were staying at for the night, which was at the school with the St. Louis crew, which was fun, but we were all a little tired. I think this was the most trying day for our crew to date. We were all a little cranky from the back-to-back long drives. We had to help another crew out and they were all high strung, and we didn't really feel like it...we kinda just wanted to sleep. Plus we were in a crowded area and we had no control over anything...so being trained to take control was a little weird at this point.
However, we had a little saving grace moment. Melissa, Ken, and I figured we'd be nice for the St. Louis girls, and we were really hungry, so we went to a shady Krispy Kreme place and decided to get a dozen donuts for everyone. However, they were about to close so they gave us 3 extra dozens of donuts. It was so nice of them and obviously...who doesn't like donuts? So it was a good night. It made the stress that came with bidding for a hotel on priceline so much better.

After the night at the school, we headed out in the pouring rain to see a little bit of St. Louis...aka the Arch.
Despite the rain, we headed out and it was actually a lot of fun. We got to go to the museum and go up and look down. We went to this cute little Irish place, Tigins, which had some amazing food. Then it was off to Nashville!

The ride to Nashville was really nice, there was a lot more to see and I actually got to sleep and read for a lot of the drive, which was good.

So basically, the second we got to Nashville I fell in love with it. It's so ridiculous, but in a good way. We went out to dinner last night where there were people dancing on bars, live music everywhere we went, and just everyone was having a good time.

Unfortunately, we're leaving this crazy city tomorrow morning, and we're off to the first camp set up!
I'm a little nervous, not gonna lie. Trying to remember everything I have to do...which is proving to be a little difficult, but it's okay...we're gonna be fine.



God bless,
Catherine

Chaous, Change, Emotions.

Well, the insanity of running a camp is nowhere close to starting for my crew. We still have another 2 weeks of freedom basically. However, today we all (especially myself) got an insight of the craziness that goes on behind the scenes at Group headquarters to help run a single camp.
There was some issue with other Summer Staffers paychecks, so I had to help out 2 of the Group employees that work for Group Workcamps, to overnight people's paychecks. People who are staying at random places all over the country and Puerto Rico. Working with a deadline was exciting, but hearing the backlash about the problem and such made me feel really bad for Jobe and Staci (the 2 people I was helping out today). At least it was a good insight/preparation for what is about to come my way.

I've been experiencing a few different things the past few days. A whole mix of emotions. I have been getting a little nervous about the upcoming camp week, being that I haven't been a training atmosphere in a while, and everyone else I trained with has been with other people in my position/have been on the road. I've also been getting antsy, just wanting to hit the road already. However, at the same time, I've been so thankful that I've had time off with my crew here in Fort Collins. I've learned more about all of them, and I've also had the chance to meet and get to know two really great girls, Krista (Special K), and Madisynne, who will be staying running a Week of Hope camp in Loveland at a Catholic Church. We've been having family meals, movie nights, and just an all around good time with them...so that has been amazing.

Despite all these emotions, last night was a moment of clarity, an "a-ha" moment if you would. 4 of us went to find a Redbox to rent a movie, which was "He's Just Not That Into You" (not too great btws). I was a little tired, but I wasn't gonna be anti-social so I stayed up to watch the movie and clean dishes. We were sitting around after the movie joking around and making fun of its ridiculousness, and I can't remember a time where I laughed so much. It was all silly stuff, but it was just one of those moments that will never be recreated and was the perfect way to end a night.
I went to bed last night wanting anything with my crew, or with my position, or my emotions on the job to change for the rest of the summer, but I know it won't be that way. Things will happen, things are gonna challenge us, there won't always be moments like last night, but there's no reason to spoil what I have with worries about the future. Last night I realized that I am prepared for this job, I'm ready, and my crew...this week brought us together, we know more about each other and we're ready to be on our own and on the road.

I've already seen some of the spiritual effects of this job. It's given me so much more faith and trust in those around me...which is something (let's be honest) I normally lack...extremely.

So as for the jumble of emotions that's been going on...It's finally settled and I'm just content.
Content with my Starbucks (which yes...the people at the one here in Fort Collins already recognize me. Sad? Yes. Thank goodness I'm leaving soon)
Content listening to music and relaxing, while the rest of the house is napping.
Content with the route we set today (First stop Kansas City Saturday night, then St. Louis, then Nashville, the Rocky Mount, VA!)
Content with change...cause it's the one thing you can always count on hitting at some point.

God bless,
Catherine

"Breathe in the familiar shock of confusion and chaos"-Brandon Heath "Give Me Your Eyes"

And so it begins...

So I figured I'd start up one of these things so that I don't have to keep retelling the same stories over and over again to different people.

My summer job with Group Workcamps Foundation as a Red Shirt Summer Staffer began on May 25th. The flight in went fine, I loved Denver International Airport and it's little train thing...I'm pretty sure I was the only person on the thing that found it hilarious. Getting to the airport I was greeted with a huge GWF Welcome sign and a whole bunch of other Workcamp staffers. I was able to sit with a little group at the airport for about 3 hours, getting to know some people that I'd be training with for the next 2 weeks.

We headed up the mountain from Denver into Estes Park. The town had the cutest little stores and all hte regular tourist-y stuff. We went up into YMCA Park where we would be living for the next 2 weeks, and were greeted by our trainers. The view from the YMCA was absolutely amazing. Being from New Jersey, I've never seen mountains remotely close to the Rockies. Sure, I've seen the Appalachian mountains and stuff in Maine, but nothing like this.
Also, this is the farthest I've ever been out west so this is really exciting for me.

So this is the view I was greeted with every single morning:




The camp was located about 8,000 feet above sea level, so we had to keep hydrating ourselves and even though I know I am out of shape...it really was obvious when I was barely breathing on the walks up to breakfast.


The first night we met with Jobe and some of the other leadership staff, and then we got to find out our crews and where we are going for the whole summer. I got placed on crew 7G and the other three people on it are Aaron (our returner/Program Manager from PA), Melissa (Crew Manager from AZ) and Ken (Materials Manager from CT). Obviously the first meeting was a little awkward...all the same intro stuff and small get to know you's. We went to the lodge to talk though and found a lot in common with each other...so that was nice.

As for where we're headed...our first camp is one of the Micah Experiences, which basically means it's a Catholic based camp, where all the other ones are non-denominational, and that is located at Ferrum College in Rocky Mount Virginia. We have a 2 week break before that though so we're staying in Fort Collins, Colorado for this week just relaxing and helping out at Group Headquarters in Loveland.
Our second camp is in Sullivan, Illinois and we're hoping to swing by Chicago while we're in Illinois.
Then we're heading to another Micah Experience camp in Baltimore, Maryland, which is being helped by the Archdiocese of Baltimore. So running that camp will be a big deal for all of us, there will be a lot of responsibility...Actually a lot for this whole job...craziness.


The rest of training was a lot of fun. I met some really cool people from all over the country. Specific OM training was great all the other Office Managers, are so funny, and the returners were so helpful.

On my weekend off we went to Rocky Mountain National Park, and that was awesome. the views were incredible. We went up to 12,000 elevation...and it was soooo windy, snowy, cold, and hard to breathe...but I loved it.

Just one, of the many pictures I took that day that we went. We also went to a Drive-In Movie Theatre where I saw Up (sooo funny) and Star Trek (surprisingly good).

The last week has been such a growing experience...I've learned so much about this position and my faith...so that's been great.

We're in Fort Collins right now, just kinda hanging out, waiting for instructions from Group...I'm excited to see how things progress from here, or what's next on the agenda.

A tornado almost hit where we're staying on Sunday...we got stuck in a massive hail storm...so things are already getting interesting.

Can't wait to update more about other exciting stuff!

God bless,
Catherine


"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."-1 John 4:8