It's that time of the year again. Time to look back on the past year. What I did, what it meant, where I am today. It was a long, occasionally frustrating year...filled with ups and downs. I said "I don't know" more than any other phrase. Yes, 2008 was not exactly the year I thought it would be, but it was a year of learning, living, and growing. I met new friends, discovered new passions, and altogether came through in one piece! Yes, I have regrets, I'd like anyone who doesn't to stand up now! But I learned so much through those times. And the memories from this past year, well, they shall stay with me a lifetime!
When 2008 started, I had no idea I would be living in Arkansas today. I was thinking Midwest, but Branson, Missouri...not Little Rock, Arkansas. Last January I was getting myself prepared to transfer to the new Sight & Sound in Missouri. But then I went down to Virginia mid-January, for Courtney's birthday. It was a fun, eventful two weeks. But while I was down there, I had a conversation with a random couple and realized that working with the general public was not where my heart was. I ditched the Missouri plans, and started researching behavioral places for youth at risk for the next several months. I learned a lot about the type of place I wanted to work...and the type of place that I absolutely did not. I started applying to everything that looked promising, ie, every place that I couldn't dig up any dirt on! In May I quit Sight & Sound. I had so many good times at that place. Thanks all of you for making it such a special place to work! In the few short weeks between quitting there and heading to Camp Streamside for my 3rd summer, I helped the Sangrey's celebrate Anna's highschool graduation! And on June 4th, I received a phone call from two different camps! One I wrote off immediately, the lack of information, as well as the negative impression I got from the caller caused me to decide against...you guessed it, Pfeifer Camp! But, the camp in Texas...now that place was appealing and I began to pursue it more wholeheartedly. But then summer came. And what a summer it was! It was great to have Jenn there, I greatly enjoyed our bonding time! Also spending time with Heather, Liz, Dave, Richard, and Bronwill...well, it was an awesome time! Plus, I got to be a solo counselor in my Elms cabin and had some of the awesome-est campers ever! There were challenging moments, but I came through stronger and more confident than ever. Partway through July, Texas called wanting more information from me. Because of the busy camp schedule, it took me about two weeks to get everything to them that they wanted. Then the goodbyes to Streamside, which were very difficult. August was a long, frustrating month. My family had moved mid-summer, so I returned to a new house in Lancaster City! I knew that September 1st was my deadline to find a job with children, or I was going to have to find another sales job here in Lancaster. August 7th, Texas called to inform me that basically I was too slow getting my information to them and they had already filled that position. On August 8th, Pfeifer Camp called! We played phone tag and exchanged information, but it wasn't until the 22nd, that I was officially hired. What an emotional and exciting day that was! From then until September 6th, I packed up my life! September 7th, I started out on my adventure! I traveled via the Joshua's and Heather's before arriving in Arkansas on September 9th! The rest of September was taken up by staff training! And then straight into the first session! The last few months of this year have been challenging, awesome, difficult, and amazing! I have learned so much about life, love, and myself. I have found God in the eyes of my trusting campers and myself in the acceptance of my fellow staff members. I have faced my fears and come out on top. I have looked defeat in the face and laughed! I have done things I never thought I could and experienced things I never thought I would. Christmas break has been great to come and say hello and goodbye to my awesome Pennsylvania family and friends.
What will 2009 hold? Only God knows. As I head back to Arkansas in just a few days, I am forseeing a possible year away from Pennsylvania. Sometimes I wonder if I can actually do that! But, I know that with God on my side, I can ford rivers and climb mountains...and face 2009 and whatever comes my way!
Songs for 2008 would include: 'Things Left Unsaid' Disciple, 'Give Me Your Eyes' Brandon Heath, 'Don't Give Up' Josh Groban, 'Do You Believe Me Now' Jimmy Wayne, 'I've Got the Joy' Go Fish, 'Say Hey' FFH, 'In Christ Alone' Stuart Townsend, 'It Was So Terrible', Edward Bangura, 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight' Elton John, 'Trust In Me Now' Cadia, Viva La Vida' Coldplay, 'Say Goodbye' Skillet, 'Teardrops On My Guitar' Taylor Swift, 'Apologize' OneRepublic, 'Bad Day' Daniel Powter (also redone by The Chipmunks), and 'The Dance' Garth Brooks.

   I like watching crime shows. I enjoy Cold Case, Bones, Law & Order: SVU, Law & Order: CI, NCIS, an occasional CSI...you get the idea. I've often thought that if I were a little smarter in the Science and Math departments, maybe I would have gone into criminal justice. But there's something that always bothers me. What gives me the right to walk around safely. To walk down the street, through a dark parking lot, or even around my neighborhood with absolutely no incident? Why do all the thousands of woman and children who end up scarred for life, or dead, not have that right? I wake up safely every morning. I get to believing it's my right. I mean, isn't that the point of living in a nation like this one? The right to safety...the American dream and all that? We have the right to everything. A lot of money, a handsome man (or beautiful woman), a job to brag about, a car the envy of our neighbors, and a mult-million dollar house. Sound familiar? It should. It's broadcast out of every TV, every radio station. It stares down at us from billboards and it's there every time you log onto the Internet. It's pounded into our brains at every oppurtunity. To what end? To teach us that we're powerful, we're right, we're entitled. We've got it made. And no one had better tell us differently. And so we're shocked when we realize that not everyone is so entitled. Thousands, millions, of people around the globe go to sleep scared, never wake up, can't walk down to the store without trouble. Their children are torn away, their wives disappear, their husbands are murdered. And yet, I have the right to safety. Why?