big

The other day we all tried to get our hair as big as possible. Andrew's didn't work out so well....

C-I-T C C IT IT

 This picture was taken from the top of Big Slide. The first week I was at Tapawingo we actually went to the High Peaks Tuesday-Friday. It was great. We woke up early Tuesday morning and drove about 2 hours to get to Keene Valley. Once we got to the trail-head we put our heavy packs on and hiked 3.5 miles to our lean to. After having lunch at our campsite we then hiked Big Slide. Big Slide is my third out of the 46 peaks. It was a good hike and a great view. When we started hiking it was kind of cloudy but by the time we got to the top it had cleared up pretty well. I remember while we were hiking up we passed an old man who said we would like the view if we like clouds.

 At the top of every mountain we climbed as a CIT group we decided to do 10 push-ups. This is a pic of Bethany doing her push-ups on Big Slide. Bethany, Anna, Rosalie, Katie, and Natasha were my fellow CITs.

 This beautiful view was on top of Gothics. We hiked Gothics the day after we hiked Big Slide, Wednesday. We also hiked Upper Wolfjaw and Armstrong that day. Gothics was our last one and we ate lunch and took a nap on top. It was glorious. Gothics was probably my favorite because there was a 360 view and the way down was so exhilarating. It was basically straight rock face. It felt like I was going to slide down the mountain. At one point there were even cables we had to hold on to.

 One morning our counselors surprised us and told us we were going on a breakfast hike. We hiked Panther that morning. It was my second Tuesday of the CIT program. But instead of just hiking up, some of us ran up. It was tough but worth it. Once we got to the top, we made a fire and cooked breakfast. I cooked the bacon and Rosalie cooked the eggs. We had bacon and egg burritos. We also read some from the Bible before heading back to camp.

 Bethany, Anna, Miss Charis, and I ran down Panther and while we were waiting for the others Bethany decided to pick blackberries. It wasn't long before the rest of us joined her. We ended up getting enough to fill about half our nalgene. When we got back to Tapawingo we made a cake in the Dutch Oven with our berries. It was so yummy.

                                                           Tapawingo. Place of Joy.

 This is a picture of our campsite the second time we hiked in to the peaks. Our third week of the CIT session we went back to the high peaks. We were only there Monday-Wednesday but it was still good. Instead of staying at the lean-to this time, we set up tents in the campsite. I like staying in tents better for some reason.

 On our way to the river I decided to get a picture of everyone behind me. It's a little blurry but I like it. Somehow Miss Anna was ready. But, it's Miss Anna. She's always ready for a picture.

 This river was where we spent a lot of our solo, reflection time. We actually spent our 8 hour solo here. It seemed long but it didn't seem like 8 hours. It was so nice here on the river with no distractions. I got a little burnt but the water was super refreshing.

 This sign is at the trail head where we began our hikes into the peaks.

 Every Wednesday night that we were on the island, we built the campfire. There is a bonfire every Wednesday night for the campers and all the counselors have one-on-ones with the campers and usually there is a speaker at the bonfire. We also sing hymns at the end. Two Wednesdays us CITs led part of the bonfire. One time we got asked questions and one time we led the hymns.

 I know this is blurry but I kind of like it. From left to right is Rosalie, Miss Anna, and Anna. This was taken on top of Chimney Mtn. Our last Friday we all had to get up Chimney as fast as we could. But we could go at our own pace. By the time I reached the top I was wiped out. I did it in about 22 minutes. I really pushed myself. But because of how much it hurt while trying to get to the top, it made it even more enjoyable sitting at the top and seeing the view.

This is Bethany and me. She is a few inches shorter than me so I decided to get a picture where she could be taller than me for once. I love her.

So these pictures above are a pretty good summary about what the four weeks as CITs were like. There is so much more I could write though. God taught me a lot about leadership and so much more. He also put awesome girls into my life. 

Mr. Green: The Mystery Murderer

                                                             Mrs. White - Suspect #1

 

Miss Scarlet - Suspect #2

Mrs. Peacock - Suspect #3

Colonel Mustard - Suspect #4

Professor Plum - Suspect #5

The Crew

 During the month of July, we gathered to uncover the truth about the murder of Wilma Voischittzen. Mrs. Peacock, a businesswoman from Taiwan, was settling into her hotel that night when all of a sudden she heard a shrill cry from the room next door. Unhappy about the terrible room service, Mrs. Peacock was about to leave town but decided to stay when she heard the cry. Mrs. Peacock was always ready for a good mystery. She decided to go to the room next door and check out what was going on. When she got to the door, she knocked, and the door opened up. In the middle of the room lay a young lady...dead. Next to her were two men. Immediately Mrs. Peacock thought to herself...."I wonder who the murderer is?" As she ventured further into the room, she noticed that this woman was killed with a knife. She also met the two men. Their names were Colonel Mustard and Professor Plum. They were staying in the room across the hall and came over right when they heard the cry. Unfortunately, they hadn't found the murderer. Now, other than being a businesswoman, Mrs. Peacock had also spent a few years serving in the CIA. So she knew to take the knife to the forensic center to get the finger prints checked out. The next morning, Mrs. Peacock went down to the forensic center and with the help of Mrs. White and Miss Scarlet found out that the murderer was Mr. Green! Below is a picture of the murderer:

So, above is my version of how our Clue game went down and the story behind it all. As you have probably guessed...we all dressed up as characters from Clue and then played! It was a blast. My dad's cousin Roger (suspect #5) suggested it and immediately my sisters and I were all for it. The funny thing was, we didn't have anyone to be Mr. Green and Mr. Green ended up being the murderer. Anyway, I would definitely do this again. So. Much. Fun.

Go

 

 

These are just some of my many pictures from Nigeria. It was such an incredible experience. Words can't even describe it. If you haven't gone on a mission trip yet, when you feel that God is leading you, I would encourage you to go. Going to Nigeria was my first mission trip. I have never done anything like it before. It was full of culture shock, good friends, interesting food, piggy-back rides, and lots of laughter. And so much more. From the very beginning I could see God working. Over those two weeks I saw God working more than I ever have before. The trip made me realize how real He is. He is moving and working even when we don't feel him. 

For at least a year I have been praying about going on a mission trip. It was just...I wasn't sure which mission trip God wanted me on. I didn't think I was going to hear God's audible voice but I just wasn't sure whether or not it was the one. After a lot of prayer and talking it over with my parents, I decided to sign up for the trip. I had to sacrifice swimming, taking a couple summer classes, and money but it was definitely worth it. The main factor that was keeping me from going was money. I knew I didn't have the money to send myself and I had to completely rely on God to provide. I was working a lot and I have a very supportive family. My sister even offered to help me out if the money didn't come in. But God had a plan and all of the money came in. I was actually the first one on my team fully funded. When that happened, I knew God wanted me to go.

There is so much more I could say about the trip. But seeing as it is 10:00 and I have to get up early tomorrow, I must go. It was an amazing trip and hopefully I will be back there soon.

This video is of a dance that three little girls wanted to show me. I worked with these three girls (Happiness, Gloria, and Josephine) on school work one morning for a few hours. 

                             

packing

The past few days I have been packing. Packing for NIGERIA! We are leaving tomorrow and it still doesn't feel real. Our plan is supposed to take off around 2 but I have to go to the church at 9:45. Besides a few last minute things (ipod, face soap, knitting, camera, etc.) I am pretty much all packed. I was able to get all my stuff in my backpack (carry on) and a suitcase (checked bag). Tomorrow morning I am going to weigh them to make sure they don't exceed 26 and 50 pounds. I'm pretty sure they don't.

Yesterday was my last swim practice for about 3 weeks. I know I am going to miss it and I know I am going to die when I come back. These next two weeks I will be on planes, in airports, in Nigeria, and in so many other places. I am super pumped! This will be my first time on a plane, my first time out of the country, and my first mission trip. I can't wait to see what God is going to do.

This blog post is a little farewell for three weeks! The next time I post I will have so many stories to tell.

 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”                                                   Matthew 28:19-20

stoney

Yesterday Dad, Mom, Em Cee, and I embarked on a new adventure. We went to Stone Mountain. In the morning I went to a church breakfast, church, and then a Nigeria meeting. Nigeria is coming up so fast! I am getting on my very first airplane in 4 days! It doesn't seem real. After our meeting we ate some lunch and then left for the mountain. I wore my new hiking boots to start breaking them in for Tapawingo. They were great. It was a very fun hike. It took us about 45 minutes to summit and longer to get back to the car. It was a loop trail so I think the hike down was actually longer for some reason. On the way back to the car Emily and I couldn't resist going in a waterfall. We were already hot and sticky so why not be wet as well?

The before picture with the map.

The fake summit.

Mom and Dad at the summit.

A tree we found to sit and enjoy the view by.

 

 We're girls...of course we got a jumping picture.

We're cool.

 The after picture.

Oh, and, we fed some deer.