SUMMER

Summer, summer, summer! I can't believe it is almost over! This summer has been really interesting to me. I have had several eye opening experiences that I hope to always remember. From May 16 to June 28 I worked as a camp counselor at Camp Ozark in Mt. Ida, Arkansas. I was certified in the Ropes Course and shooting sports. For 6 weeks, I had minimum contact with anyone. It was a lot harder for me than I thought. Camp Ozark drained me physically, emotionally, and spiritually. There were times when I felt on top of the world and on the bottom. The Lord showed me so much about myself and others this summer. I learned to LIVE LIFE LOUD. To live for Him. Another camp motto was F.I.T that stands for First is Third. By putting God first, others second, and ourselves last we win in the game of life. I really strived to exhibit these two concepts while I was at camp. I met some of the most amazing people and developed genuine relationships. I've been home in Oneonta nearly a month and I'm craving some sort of adventure. On a really happy note, Jason is coming home August 12! January was the last time I saw him. In the meanwhile, I'm praying for direction in my life as I start my senior year of college. Rooooooolllllllllll Tide, Roll!

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes!

ROMANS 1:16

# 63 Work at a Camp!

Camp Ozark...here I come! Tomorrow I leave for Mt. Ida Arkansas to begin my journey working at my first camp. I'm really excited/anxious/nervous but I'm ready to go! I'm ready for God to prepare my heart to follow wherever I need to go. I love meeting new people so it will be a fun adventure for the six weeks I'm there. It's been a relaxing two weeks at home. I visited my grandparents and spent the night with them. As I fell asleep last night, it was hard for me to hold back the tears. Nothing in particular but I'm so thankful for my grandparents. Wonderful advice about life and of course the most comfortable beds in the whole world. No lie.

Kerry came up to Oneonta this weekend and I'm really glad she did! I showed her the HUGE town of Oneonta hahaha. It took all of 5 minutes! I got to see a lot of my friends while I was at home! We always have the best laughs.

I hope everyone has a fun, but safe summer!! I'll be back June 27 :)

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

-Catherine :)

#25 Send a Care Package to Troops

Training on land

Sending packages and writing letters to troops stationed overseas is something I enjoy more than anything. As many of you know my older brother Jason has been in the Marines for 4 years now. He has been to Afghanistan and is currently in Djbouti, Africa. I have not talked to him much in the last 5 months and he's already half way finished with his last deployment. Many times I feel so selfish that I go on with my regular routine of life when thousands of troops are stationed in the most desolate, destructive places in the world. My last week with my third graders will always be memorable for me because they wrote my brother and his platoon letters. The whole entire week I taught about the culture of Africa, the people, music, food, and civilization. I ended up learning many new things as I taught them. The letters turned out absolutely precious. It was so hard for me to hold back the tears as I read each letter when I got home. So sweet, so sincere. If third graders can write to letters overseas, why can't anyone else?? Since my brother has been in the Marines, I have written several troops who were complete strangers to me and have been written back many times. I think it become so easy to forget about our men and women serving our country. Just think about it....What if every person wrote just 1 letter to 1 person serving. That would be millions of letters and packages!! Jason's package should take about 2 weeks to get to him!

~Cat

# 9- Make all A's

So I'm very behind on my list of things. I've marked quite a few off but I haven't had time to write them all down online. I'll have to thank this past semester for giving me NO time at all. This semester really challenged me but I had a blast. I was placed at Rock Quarry Elementary with 3rd grade. I learned so much and I will forever be thankful for the opportunity. It's crazy to believe I'll be graduating in exactly 1 year. SCARY, but excited for where God leads me.

That one B+ has always stood in my way of making a 4.0, but not this time!

Nashville, Tennessee

I am in love with this city!!! It is full of energy, nice people, and great food! Cody, Caleb, and I went to a place called The Stage. The music was amazing and the atmosphere was electric. We met some funny guys from up North who loved our Southern accents. I can definitley picture myself picking up and moving there one day. That may be a fun adventure after I graduate! It feels great to have no homework to do. I'm almost positive I will have a 4.0 this semester. I'm really excited.

1 more week and I'm off to Camp Ozark in Arkansas for the summer!!! I'm praying God will teach me many new things this summer. Hope everyone is enjoying you summer and this great weather!

-Love God by Loving People

~Cat

#18 Go on a CRUISE :)

Another one to mark off the list! Yay :) I'm really excited about my first cruise next week. We are driving to Miami and getting our boat sometime Monday afternoon. I am so ready to relax and of course WARM weather. After all of this rain down here in Tuscaloosa, I can't wait to put on a bathing suit and swim in the ocean.

Hope everyone has a great SPRING BREAK.

Bahamas, here I come............

*Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4*

"When God writes your Love Story"

This book is amazing. I finished it this past Saturday and for the rest of the night I couldn't think straight. I can't recall when I've cried reading a book. But this one got to me. Not only was I crying like a little girl, but I felt the Lord right there with me the whole time. It was truly one of those God moments that I'll remember the rest of my life. The book is written by a husband and a wife who found true love once they let God be the Author of their life. They first had to give Him the pen. If we just give God the pen, he'll lead us.

Here are some quotes from the book that are definitely worth sharing.

Extravagant love, as in every generation before us, has been ridiculed and scorned. It is seen as wasteful & reckless overspending. But extravagent love-the offering offering of everything, the emptying of the pockets of our life-is the essence of true Christianity. It was extravagent love that caused Jesue to give up His throne in heavent & give us the gift of life at the expense of His own.

Guys, being a shoulder to cry on, speaking words that remind a woman of your affection, doing the dishes after dinner, and making sure she has a full tank of gas before she hits the road to go shopping--these are all simple little things that you can do to tenderly care for a woman. Because in her world, these little things are huge.

Girls, when a man is respected and honored by a woman, he gains thirty-six pounds of sheer muscle instantly, can outrun a bullet train, and can leap a skyscraper in a single bound. Words of respect transform mere men into superheroes.

Philippians 2:3-4 "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."