Surprise Visit ...

Well, I don't have much time, so this will be short, but I wanted to update. I've had a great two weeks of camp so far - my cabin has been great (and we even won cabin clean-up this week and had an ice cream party!)! That was pretty exciting! However, the most exciting part of the end of these two weeks was that my sister and mom came to visit! I knew Emily was coming, but I was surprised to see mom! I'm really glad that she made it up here this year...and that she was able to keep it a secret from me! Unfortunately they could only stay a couple of days, so it was sad to see them go.

Session 3 is starting this afternoon! I can't believe I've been up here for 5 weeks already...it doesn't feel like it's been that long - but I have 6 weeks left.

If I had to choose one thing I liked most about Tapawingo, it would be growing in the Lord. I've learned a lot even just these two weeks of camp and am excited for the next six weeks. I've probably learned most about just the Lord's faithfulness and provision. He has provided various ways that I wouldn't expect...He is awesome.

Well, I've got to get ready to go back to the island... I'd love to hear how everyone at home is doing, if you get the chance to send me letter :)

The end, yet the beginning...

I don't even know where to begin... Well, staff training has come to an end and campers are coming on Sunday - wait! that's tomorrow! time does fly by... Let me rewind a little bit:

The last three weeks we have had staff training which includes, but is not limited to, welcome program planning, hiking, activity area training (sailing, tennis, camp-craft, wildlife, etc...), lost swimmer/camper drill, work crews, some staff did lifeguard and WFA (wilderness first aid) training, four other girls and I became archery certified, the barge drill, wisdom walk, co -pairings, pre-season banquet, and finally we ended training with banana-boating. I'm sure I'm probably missing lots of things that we did, but this is just a taste of what my life has been like the last three weeks.

So, yes, I did get archery certified and I have successfully hit the bullseye more than once! Okay, it hasn't been in the exact middle, but still in the bullseye! :) A few of the girls and I ended up with stellar bruises on our arms from the string snapping against our skin as we released the arrow. I guess we've all learned our lesson to roll our arms/elbows down. I also shoot left handed because I am left eye-d. (I wondered why I was so bad all those other times I had tried to shoot before...!)

Another fun time was the barge drill scenario - two counselors didn't know what was going to happen and the rest of us pretended that the barge caught on fire. We made a big scene including jumping off the side of the barge while it was still moving at a good speed, hiding under the bench because of the "inability to swim," and I "lost" my life-jacket after getting in the water and pretended to drown, and the boat boy (who didn't know this was going to happen) found out it was a "pretend fire" and just walked off the boat. Anyways, it was just a big lesson on what to do if there's an emergency on the barge.

One of my favorite parts of training is the Wisdom Walk. That is where we split up into different groups and walk around to different stations on the island where different admin are. The admin share some wisdom and encouragement with us from God's Word.

Yesterday afternoon we found out what cabin we were in and who we were cos with. I am yet again in Winnebago (11-12 year olds) with Becky!

Finally, we had our pre-season banquet last night. It was rainbow themed because of the reminder of God's promises. All the counselors received awards of promises. I received the promise of Philippians 1:6 - which is kind of ironic because I had been thinking about that verse throughout staff training! Obviously God knew all along!

With the conclusion of the banquet, the boat boys took us banana-boating, which, for those of you who don't know, is a banana-shaped tube/boat.

Anyways, I cannot express how much God has already taught these three short weeks, but it has been good. I am excited for what He is going to teach me the next eight weeks as I will be pouring into campers. God is so good - He's always been faithful to me.

P.S. Here's a link to some pictures!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=220065&id=729082455&l=ad2ab4a832

First week of training :)

One week down! It has been so great to be back here, but so strange at the same time! I've been having a lot of fun getting to know the new staff and reconnecting with the returners. This week we went on our 3-Day hike to Puffer Pond and then climbed Chimney Mountain almost as soon as we stepped out of the woods from Puffer. We had a great time of bonding...especially since in it was raining and freezing! But for the most part we stayed dry and warm. :) For Chimney Mountain we climbed up at our own pace, but as fast as we could...we just had to push ourselves. Chimney is about a 1 mile steep climb, but the view is totally worth it! Last year I made it up in 31 minutes and 10 seconds, but this summer I did it in 28 minutes and 18 seconds....I improved!!! But anyways, we are now on our day off, starting last night. We had a great adventure with doing laundry (for example: figuring out where we could do laundry since the place we were told was locked, getting more coins, and the laundromat flooding!) but aside from that, it was fun! - not that those experiences weren't fun... :) Anyways, it's about time for lunch, so I best be heading up to the Hill to eat. I'll update soon!

Hasta la Vista, Mis Amigos!

It's about that time of year again...summer! Well, I guess I've been on break since school ended back in April, but it's starting to dawn on me that I'll be leaving for the rest of the summer. This Sunday, June 6, I will embark on a journey back up to the little island of joy in God's beautiful creation. As I think about it, mixed emotions rise up all around engulfing my thoughts. I'm stoked to go to NY, but I'm also sad to leave Jacksonville and all the lives I've been involved in here. However, I know that this is all part of God's plan, and ultimately I hope this experience will bring God the glory only He deserves. I do want to keep in touch with everyone while I'm away, though, so please keep me updated on your lives!

There are a few things that I will ask y'all to pray for this summer...

• first of all that God will be honored and glorified in all that goes on throughout the summer
• secondly that we as staff will work together and get the island ready for the campers
• thirdly for the campers - that God will do a work in their hearts now and that lives will be won for him this summer
• and finally for me personally that I will continue to grow in my walk with the Lord and also, I will be speaking to the girls at Vespers session 4 Monday night (July 19, I believe). Just pray that the Lord will speak through me, that it will be His words, not mine.

If you find some time to write me a letter or shoot me an email, please do so! My address for the summer is:

Camp Tapawingo

Hannah Sanders

P.O. Box 250

Speculator, NY 12164

Also, if you're inclined to send a care package, use this address:

Camp Tapawingo

Hannah Sanders

C/O CAMP-of-the-WOODS

RT. 30

Speculator, NY 12164

I'm going to miss y'all a bunch.

~Hannah

Hungry

Last night my brothers and I were able to hang out at some friends' house. We had a bonfire and played guitar. One of the songs we played/sang was Hungry by Joy Williams. I just love that song. Christ is the only One that satisfies, the only One whose love does not run dry. His arms are always open wide...we need to embrace them. He should be the only One we live for. So often I find myself living for something other than Christ (most often myself), but He has to be first in my life, top priority. No person or thing can be above Him...

Hungry I come to You
For I know You satisfy
I am empty but I know
Your love does not run dry
So I wait for You
So I wait for You

I'm falling on my knees
Offering all of me
Jesus You're all
This heart is living for

Broken I run to You
For Your arms are open wide
I am weary but I know Your touch
Restores my life
So I wait for You
So I wait for You

Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies

I got this delicious recipe from my sister. These are the best peanut butter cookies in the world!


Ingredients:
1 1/2 c peanut butter
1 c butter
2 1/2 c brown sugar
6 T milk
2 T vanilla
2 eggs
3 1/2 c flour
1 1/2 t salt
1 1/2 t baking soda 1 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 c peanut butter chips


Directions:
Mix peanut butter, butter, brown sugar, milk, and vanilla. Then add the eggs. Then mix in the flour, salt, and baking soda. Then add the chocolate chips and peanut butter chips. Roll into balls and bake at 375 degrees for 6-7 minutes (I recommend 6 - but check it) until lightly browned. Press the leftover chips into the tops of the cookies.


*Note* you can freeze the dough.


Enjoy!

An excellent wife who can find?

You've probably already guessed what this post is going to be about just by reading the title. Well, if you guessed cheez-its and lollipops - you're wrong! haha ok. Yes, it's about the Proverbs 31 woman and becoming a wife (No, I'm not getting married. At least not now, but hopefully in the future).

So anyways, while I'm waiting for God to provide a husband for me, I want to develop and cultivate the character qualities of a woman who fears the Lord (but even if I don't ever get married, I should still aspire to have these traits). Let's take a look at what they are:

1. vs 12 ~ "She does him [her husband] good, and not harm, all the days of her life." ~ it's not what I get out of the marriage, but what I give - how do I (will I) help my husband? How will I promote spiritual growth in His life? I can begin helping him now by praying for him.

2. vs 13-19 ~ "She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. . She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle." ~ she willingly works in the home and provides food for her family. She's a homemaker (I would love to be a homemaker, but if times are rough I would be willing to work to help the family).

3. vs 20-24 ~ "She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them.; she delivers sashes to the merchant." ~ She's willing to help and serve others and she's prepared for what may come.

4. vs 25-26 ~ "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue." ~ She is wise and is clothed with strength and dignity - they are part of her character.

5. vs 27 ~ "She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." ~ She is not lazy, she keeps her house clean, and cares for her family.

6. vs 28-31 ~ "Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.' Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates." ~ This kind of woman is to be praised. I want to fear the Lord and possess these qualities. I want to be an excellent wife and mother.

For all of you who have asked me what I'm going to do in life/what is my major - here is your answer: I'm going for my MRS. degree - that's my dream job. I pray that the Lord will provide me with a husband in His timing. :)