"the destination is not that rewarding if you have not had the experience of the journey."

the end. my time at war eagle has been over for six days. yes, it feels weird being apart from a place i do consider home for a huge chunk of my summer, my year. it feels a little funny in my stomach when getting asked "how's camp?" or "shouldn't you still be at camp?" or "what are you doing back home?" time passes quickly and i've been handed my share of wonderful, amazing memories in my seven weeks on the shores of beaver lake.

things i've learned at camp war eagle:

• keep smiling. laugh as often, as loud as you can.
  
• patience is a virtue. there will always be a need for more patience.
  
• sweet little boys will never fail to melt my heart. i'm a sucker for them.
  
• comparing being a counselor and a photographer is lie comparing apples and oranges.
• getting to meet and know every kid at camp matters a lot to me.
• wherever you are, be all there.
• i cannot be without a camera, whether it's my official job or not.
• being consistent in writing [letters, journaling] is not possible for me.
• kids don't know what they need and what they need most, they don't want.
• choose your battles carefully--sometimes it just doesn't matter.
  
• your family life, your past shapes you but it doesn't have to define you.
• i love coaching the youngest caddo girls so much.
• simplify. be bare. focus. it's the little things that count.
• a little positive reinforcement and encouragement goes a long way.
• live with purpose, every moment and every day.
  
• hearing kids call me "miss xuan" makes me smile quite a bit.
• give kids a lot more credit than you think they deserve--they're pensive.
• it's heartbreaking to see how much hurt some kids go through in their short life more than i have in almost-twenty years.
• i love it when kids run as hard as they can and jump into my arms, over and over again.
• pour as much of yourself into other counselors as you do for your kids.
• don't believe everything you see on facebook [like me being in a relationship].
• every child is an opportunity to shine the Lord's grace, love, and joy.
• let it go. give it up. He'll take care of you.
• caddo! ching chang. the greatest fire-up never to be seen by campers.
• train your eyes on the unseen. focus on the greater good for His glory.
• God will work through you and in spite of you, His vessel.
• some kids just do not like to dance. instead, go poke people.
• to little kids, nineteen is old. twenty is grown-up, "grandma" status.
  
• be a prayer warrior because you can't get through this life alone.
• strive to be extraordinary--you're not meant to live an ordinary life.
• dream big. play hard. be stretched.
• be as much of a part of kids' lives outside of the camp bubble.
• try new things like skateboarding and fishing. i can now say i've done both.
  
• rice night with the fellow graphys is something i look forward to a lot.
• i have the best job, the best boss, the best support crew ever.
• every single day ushers in a brand-new adventure,
  
• be intentional when in caring, listening, and sharing.
• love God. love people. that's what it all comes down to.

that's only a short list of what the Lord revealed to me at camp and i cannot even begin to process what every moment in my war eagle day could really mean, heart-wise. i am anxious and excited and fearful of what beauty could be made of these past ashes.

what have i been doing since i've been home? sleeping. getting over bronchitis. furniture shopping. an owner of a new phone after 3 years. eating out a lot and catching up with folks. hanging out with kids from camp outside of camp with ozone. getting ready to go to colorado. being artsy with furniture and birthday presents. deep conversations with a dear soul [you know who you are]. planning for the upcoming school year. birthday parties. life is good.

so you take a tacky 70s wood-and-metal-and-glass table, spray-paint it black, make a collage of pictures and verses and words to put underneath the glass, and add a coat of glass frost and TA-DA...you're looking at my kitchen table for my new apartment. oh art.

please pray for safe travels when we embark to colorado! and pray for strength for those still churning away at war eagle. i love you guys very much. :)

I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you.
2 Corinthians 12:15a