Some Gingers Really Do Have Souls

Oh, my sweet redheaded girl. Now, my best friend here in Florida is a ginger (although she too is far from the stereotypical ginger) nonetheless before meeting Hayley I already had my preconceived notions. But oh, how she put those to rest all too fast. Hayley is the *definition* of a passionate person; with all the temper I would expect, yet more love than I could have hoped for. Before camp I started a facebook message with all the girls, but her and I hit it off the best. I knew for sure we would be friends, yet, when I got to camp we didn't get as close as fast as I thought we would. Midway through the first week of camp, we ended up having a heart-to-heart in the girls bathroom of the gym until sometime way past lights out (Thomas I know you're reading this, sorry we didn't follow lights out that 1 time!) and come to find out, we both thought that the other didn't like us. This couldn't have been more untrue. We were so eager for the other to like us that we feared the worst. After that night, we were inseparable. Hayley is one of those people that there are so many layers to her, so many *sides* that every day you learn something new about her and it is so fun. She has the greatest laugh in the world... one of those laughs that once you hear it you become unsure as to whether you may or may not pee your pants because you laugh so hard. Hayley has this way of always understanding how I feel. Even if she can't relate, she *understands* and I can tell her anything. I've never understood what it meant to have a friend that "laughs when you laugh and cries when you cry" I got the laugh part, but I never understood why someone would cry with me, simply because they know how I feel. That late night in the girls bathroom, Hayley cried with me. She shared in how I was feeling, and she has ever since. She's my cabin neighbor and my snuggle buddy and whether she goes to Honduras or Kenya with our dear friend Justin Beiber, I know she will always be there for me. <3

A Little Blond Weirdo With A Fish Named David

Ok, so as promised I'm continuing to write about people and experiences from this summer. Today I'm going to write about a very dear friend of mine. Her name is Miranda. Now, the first thing you have to know about Miranda is that she's a very......unique person. The first day of camp she was the last person to show up. I had seen her on facebook but I wasn't really sure what to expect. Well, in walks this little bleach blonde girl, betta fish in hand referring to him simply as "david" and talking about how her and "david" took a detour on the way up to Nakalulla Falls to do some sight-seeing. Miranda, I know you're reading this and I love you dearly but my first thought was "Well..this may or may not be a really long summer". However, despite my hasty preconceptions we all learned to know and love Miranda immensely. She has a personality that just draws you to be her friend. Her hilarious and carefree attitude make everyone laugh, along with her made up exclamations like "What the butts!". She's the only person in the world I know that listens to some random techno band called hard styles and despite the fact that it sounds like a computerized clanging of pots and pans she *loves it*. My favorite thing about Miranda is that despite everything she's been through she *delights* in life. She will never fail to admit her shortcomings but she doesn't let them control her. She lives and she loves and she laughs and without even trying makes everyone around her enjoy her presence. She loves God. Every morning we would have devotions and some mornings she would just run off barefoot into the field and write and pray literally oblivious to the world around her because at that moment nothing matters to her more than the time she is spending with the Lord. I strive to have that kind of faith. Miranda became one of my closest friends this summer. She's the kind of person I always wished I could be, but in becoming close with her this summer I realized something. Despite how put together she comes across, she's not perfect and she doesn't try to be. That's what makes me respect her, that's what makes me love her as a true friend and sister. Miranda: you changed my life this summer in more ways than one. There were some days and some moments where I really have no idea what I would have done if you weren't there. I know right now you're off frolicking through panama city with "dark and handsome" (as you like to call him) and his family, but when you read this know that you will forever have a special place in my heart as one of my truest friends. For as much as I give you a hard time about going to Alaska, I'm proud of you for following your heart. I know I'll see you soon <3

Awkward Moments and Life Changes

Ok, so here's the skinny: I just got back from Ponderosa Bible Camp. I've been there the past 6 weeks as most of you know, and it was an experience that changed my life in more ways than I can count. God used me in ways I never thought possible and brought so many amazing people into my life. So, I'm going to take the next few blogs to write about my experiences and the people I now call my best friends. I'll start off today with the funniest story of the summer: The Naked Story. Ok, so pretty much anyone that knows me knows that I'd pretty much always rather be naked. Just sayin. Well, I was in a cabin in the gym so I was allotted the boys bathroom. It was Sunday morning and I decided to take a shower. My friend Hayley was the only other person in the gym, so when I got out I didn't get dressed! The door was shut and no one was around; why would I need to? So, I started blow-drying my hair and singing "Hosanna" by brooke fraser at the TOP of my lungs. Well, much to my surprise all of the sudden this old guy comes prancing in! He came around the corner and saw me and said "AH!" and ran out. I was pretty much frozen. I mean, It's not like I had anything to cover myself with. I was naked as the day I was born, no shelter in sight. Well, I was mortified to say the least. So, I called my boss crying explaining to him what happened. Come to find out, that "old guy" was my boss's boss's boss. Oh yea. Needless to say, his stay over the next few days was ridiculously awkward. Ok, now here comes the real point: That is how we are with God. He sees us, everywhere we go, everything we do. We may think no one's around and so we do things that we'd be really embarrassed to be seen doing in front of people, let alone our creator. But he sees and he knows! So (unlike in my story) what's the point in trying to hide from the Lord? There isn't a point. He loves us and wants a relationship with us, so why try to hide? He sees you whether you like it or not, so you can bask in his love and confess to him when you mess up as he designed. Or, you can run and hide and be content to sing naked in the bathroom thinking that's the best it gets when the truth is, you can only dance around in your mistakes so long before God will call you out and make you realize that just like adam and eve we can't hide our "nakedness" of sin. So, the moral of the story is: get dressed when you get out of the shower, and don't try to hide your mistakes from God. Enjoy the freedom to be forgiven and your life will change.