July 6-8

I don't know if I've mentioned it on this blog or not, but my camera and I are estranged right now. I've been in a bit of a funk in regards to photography in the last little bit, and I've taken it out on my camera. In my defense my cameras do seem to be loosing some of their... I don't know, or perhaps my standards for photography have gone up, I don't have faith in myself as much any more. 

Regardless... that really has nothing to do with the post, other than to say the majority of my photos were taken with my iPhone. Again.

I kinda of regret doing that.

This weekend, was our annual Youth Jubilee in Forrest City AK. A small, small town, with limited food options. However we don't go because to sight see, but to learn more about God, and fellowship with friends all across the country. Its probably my favorite meeting of the year, despite the mosquitoes, eating Taco Bell (gag) every day and extreme heat. :)

For my family, this was the first trip with all the siblings (minus one) sans parents. It was interesting to say the least. My brothers aren't known for being the most cooperative with us (being 14 and 16) but they did relatively well. :)

Each day in the three day weekend, is packed with things to do, service in the morning, lunch, choir practice, Pizza and Skating party, then change for the evening service. After that get a late dinner and hang out at a the hotel. :)

To say its exhausting is an understatement.

I think I got total of eight hours in the last three days.

But it was worth it.

Youth Jubilee 2010

The weekend.
2010 Youth Jubilee - Forest City Arkansas
I’m sure you want to know about my weekend.
All in all, I’ve had a blast this weekend.

{My brother and his friends. Good grief who said they could grow up?}

{Hi to you too Vicki :))}

{My NC peeps, Miss you guys!!}

{he was saying something really funny...??}

{Where do you want too go? No where do YOU want too go?}

• Despite giving my puppy away for two weeks
• Despite the Quarter sized mosquito's. (I am NOT joking. Those things are freakishly big)
• Despite getting my phone wet, and having it freeze the screen up. (I’m blaming my friend Devin for this one, if I hadn’t had to go get him a milkshake, I would’nt have spilled it on my phone, therefore causing me to wipe it off with a damp, napkin and thus freezing my screen. Thankfully my friend Justine recommended I sit it in rice to dry it and, and its make too semi working order.)
• Despite being a tired emotional wreck due to staying up to 3am every night.
• Despite puncturing our radiator and having to be towed. (Fun times I tell you, I’m not going to do much traveling with my roommate again, remember last year when her car’s engine blew on the way back from Florida? Thank God for Kia’s Roadside assistance, we were able to be towed to a dealership, where we sat and attempted to figure out what we were going to do. Eventually we decided to see if we could find the leak ourselves, and patch it enough to get home.)
• Despite working for 3+ hours to repair said radiator. All.By.OURSELVES. (I think I have missed my calling and should go into auto mechanics. Though we did have several concerned men stop and ask if we need help. HELLO JUST CAUSE I LOOK like I don’t know what I’m doing, doesn’t mean I don’t know what I’m doing! But we did have a good Samaritan, who wouldn't tell us his name, that insisted on helping us out, which we are grateful for. We got home at 4AM this morning, without a single problem from the radiator. Are we good or are we good??!)

{Cheese..ok Now SOMEONE HAND ME THAT PUTTY!}

{Yep I do know what I'm doing :D}

{On the road again!}

It was awesome getting too see my peeps from all over the country again, the messages that were brought out, were needed. Its just another one of those trips we won’t be forgetting anytime soon!

Day 1 :: Trip to Arkasas

We left bright and early Friday morning from Knoxville TN; in a white 2008 Dodge Caravan. 

Who is we you ask? Christina, Rebekah, Trinity and Denise Nyenhuis; Hope Osgood; and Erin, Robyn and Kristen Thames.  Since when do Caravan hold eight people; i know thats the thoughts that are running through your mind...but well...they don't. But thats the only vehicle they had available for us, so thats what we took. 

The first leg of our journey was spent turning ourselves from ordinary girls.....into COWS.

I know its shocking but when free food is involved...well you find yourself doing all sorts of strange things...including where a cow mask and spots. :-) 

Yes we were one of many people who participated in Chick-fil-a's Dress like a Cow day. 

I personally could not bring myself to do it, but I did get some free food by having the mask on it as well as winning a couple of coupons from one of there tables. All in all I spent $2.20 on my food, on the trip down. 

After reading, eating, talking, sleeping, laughing and screaming; we pulled into the Super 8 Motel around 4PM. Which gave us just enough time, to check in, shower, dress and head to the church. 

The service was awesome and I was very encouraged by it.

After church we headed to our "favorite" hang out spot. 

TACO BELL.

THey've updated it so it looks a LOT better then it has the past 3-4 years. But the food looked as unappetizing as ever as well. 

We arrived back the hotel around 12:30AM; and basically crashed. 

After a while.........that is...:-)