Join me in welcoming guest blogger: BethAnne!
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| BethAnne baking it up! |
This summer I decided to do summer staff. One of the main reasons I finally broke down to do it was because I knew so many people who were going from WV to work at the same camp. After very little persuasion from me, my roommate at the time Danyelle, decided to do it with me!
As the months went on I was excited for summer staff, but the week before we left everything changed. I completely changed my mind about doing it. I was incredibly nervous about the whole thing. I kept asking why did I even sign up to do this? What am I doing? Maybe I should find a way to get out of it.
Departure day: the whole trip my stomach was in a knot. I was getting more excited because I was in a car full of people from Charleston that I knew. We got there, unloaded the car, then headed straight to our jobs to be trained. I walked into the kitchen unsure of where I was going or what we would be doing. Our intern wasn't there, but two work crew girls were and that's when I found out we were the only three who worked in the bakery. We started bonding over chocolate chip cookies and the rest is history!
The first few days were the hardest. My hours were from 6am- sometimes 9pm. Day 1 of the first week we went nonstop until about 10:30 without even eating lunch. It was brutal. After that we got the hang of things and it didn't matter how long we were in there because we had fun the entire time.
The girls I baked with were incredible. Even though they were work crew, we could all relate in different ways and found ways to encourage or give each other advice. They are headed to college in the next few days so I've had the privilege of encouraging them in what to expect. My intern was also amazing! She was so great at teaching us and getting to know us.
Throughout my month I met so many incredible people and learned their stories. I made friendships that will last a lifetime.
Things I learned:
Making myself wake up at 5:00am each morning to have a quiet time really motivates me now that I'm home because I had such a consistent schedule for the past month.
I learned how to completely put my trust in God. I don't know how I would have made it some of those days without his strength pulling me through. Those of you who know my public speaking qualities will be shocked to know that by week 3 I volunteered myself to give my testimony at our tea time (testimony time) in the kitchen. There is no way I could have done that without him. I have grown so much in the past month. I am really learning who I am in Christ and how to find my identity in him and to live completely for him. My relationships with people have also changed. I am a more open and confident person.
Coming out of summer staff I can say that spending that month at Lake Champion was the best decision I've ever made. It was hands down the best month of my life.
-BethAnne
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