2.32-33 the one from 'murica day.

The fourth of july was a good one this year. We started out the day by heading out to Fort Laramie to see some things and just to wander around (something I hadn't done before) It was nice to see the site featured in so much of this regions history. 

We returned to Haven for a few hours... most of us took naps (myself included) and then headed to a friends house for to celebrate the 4th in the traditional manner, with fire and food! Both of which were in great supply and were quite enjoyable to observe. I couldn't help but watch the fireworks going off and miss my little bro a bit. Hopefully he got a chance to see some good shows (or make some) this week... 

and then yesterday we started out by going riding with a few of the staff out here at camp. I am always hesitant to do staff rides because a) they can be a fair bit of work, and b) they're apparently addictive to the staff involved. Despite these two risks we did go on a ride and it was fairly enjoyable, only one person fell off and there were no injuries to horse or rider. It was also a bit nice to ride in the same way that would be considered a typical ride at rainbow. The terrain is a bit more extreme out here... but it was close enough to inspire some good memories. 

The rest of the day was fairly relaxed... we took full advantage of the newly constructed carpetball tables, cooked a few frozen pizzas and watched a handful of movies. I once again learned that my opinions on movies are occasionally not those of anyone else. Movies that I think are incredible (The Way), others might find boring. Or quirky stories that don't seem that implausible others think are stupid and annoying. (I'm Reed Fish) Either way I enjoyed seeing them again. 

Today Is laundry day... and long overdue. I got up to feed this morning and we're currently watching the Man from snowy river while I write this and wait to change laundry over. I anticipate much of the same today... although the captain has returned, so who knows?

2.28-32 The one where I read some good books. and some other things happened too.

Sunday started out with me dragging myself out of bed and heading off to church. After service ended and everyone abandoned me to their own social lives (yep, it's exactly as melodramatic as it sounds) I headed out to the friendly local Burger King and ate lunch and started reading the last novel in the wheel of time series, a brief 4 hours later I decided I should move on before they asked me to leave.

I then went to a friends house and visited my poor lonely computer that has been living there and played a bit of minecraft. I returned to camp later that night and slept a bit, and then continued to read my book through the early afternoon the next day (nothing like a good book to keep you from noticing you haven't eaten in a while) I was really happy with how Brandon Sanderson ended the series. (I'm trying to avoid spoilers so if you have read it and want to talk about it let me know and I'd be happy to get your feedback)

Monday didn't consist of much other than reading my book, and wishing lots of people a happy Canada day. it was super low key but incredibly restful. nothing much of note happened...

Tuesday a few of the staff returned from casper...

Wednesday we went to Scottsbluff and watched Despicable Me 2. It was everything I'd hoped it would be, and more! I highly recommend it. Also I got some shoes n stuff... but that's not really noteworthy.

This should be the last of the crazy fast recap posts... at least for now. A small update later today and we'll be up to the present!

2.26-27 The one where I finish the old week.

Lake day! Lake day began the way it always does... with breakfast.

But on a more serious note, lake day went well. Sadly I had to bid a farewell to my mum as she headed home... but I was quickly caught up in the hustle and bustle of getting everyone loaded on the buses and various cars necessary to get everyone to lake day.

We arrived at the lake and the frolicking commenced! The kids had fun (or so it seemed) and so did the staff. Only a few folks got badly sunburned and I didn't kill anyone because of it (despite rumors that I might) and the evening went well, the evening campfire (typical for a Thursday) was an opportunity for the kids to share what God had been doing in their lives this week. I was blown away by how many of them were quick to speak up. It was great to see how despite all of my tiny concerns and the steady pressure of the "what if" God delivered a powerful week in the life of these kids.

Friday rolled around and 2 chapels and a cleanup time later a bus full of kids headed out the gate. We breathed a deep sigh of relief and did a bit of a scramble to get supper ready for the staff we'd promised to feed.

At this point I should make one thing incredibly clear, I did not get through the week without help... and just in case I've forgotten to mention that face adequately I need to restate how amazed and humbled I was by the team I worked with this last week. They worked hard when they were getting sick (or just recovering from it) they poured out their hearts to kids that were strangers a short time before and I have to single out my co-director for her hard work too. Through the planning that we were able to get done ahead of time she worked hard and pushed for excellence, during the week she did well to roll with unexpected situations and stayed focused on getting things done in the best way possible.

In that spirit, on friday as cleaning and our formal responsibilities were winding down for the week, she took over the prep for supper and allowed me to relax a bit. Due to that I was able to go down the zipline for the first time and go rappelling for the first time this summer. (both of which were fantastic)

Supper was delightful and as the evening picked up momentum the large amount of staff that had stayed for the night kicked off the latest round of the haven indoor soccer league. It was a blast and despite a few minor injuries (I think the bruises should be healed by now) and very minor property damage (the fish survived the fall from his normal hanging spot) the overall ending note was exhausted happiness. There is something cool about a team that works hard, and plays hard together.

Over the next 24 hours nearly all the staff headed out to their plans for the week, some to return a few days later, others who won't be back until Sunday... I awoke to say the goodbye's I knew about... and then went to bed in the mid-afternoon for a nap. 7 hours later I awoke hungry to discover my wonderful comrades had left me a plate from supper sitting right beside my bed. I ate and read my book for an hour or so.. and then went to bed a second time. (I've been told if it exceeds a few hours it cannot be referred to as a nap)

Looking back at the week I feel more alive directing than I do in my 'normal' job at camp. Yes, it's harder and more exhausting mentally and spiritually... but it's something that I feel I'm good at. Despite my flaws and failures... I loved the opportunity and even though I learned a lot that I'd do differently I can't wait to do it again. (if they'll let me) We'll see what the future holds though...

2.24-25 the one where I fail, and the one where the week goes well anyway.

Tuesday began strangely, As I walked down the stairs to head over to the morning counselor meeting (meetings I've never been to other than this week... when I had to lead them) I noticed our hospital contingent returning. They updated me on the situation and then they all headed to bed and wished us luck for the morning.

During activities we had a few issues, but nothing the activity staff at each station couldn't handle. I particularly enjoyed maverick varying his tomahawk speech volume to compensate for the intermittent winds.  "Remember kids... the tomahawk is A WEAPON! It is not a CHILD'S PLAYTHING!" it still makes me chuckle a bit when I think about it. Also I don't feel like I did much that morning other than see how good everyone is at their jobs... I got to see activities that I don't ever get to see (aka all of them) and really enjoyed the experience.

Tuesday also was the day that our first (and only) camper headed home for the week. The one that had taken a visit to the hospital decided with her parents that she was going to be done for the week. She did seem semi-excited about coming back to the 2nd junior high week though.

Wednesday was much the same as tuesday, I wandered a bit and then I hopped in on the last hike of the week. I was impressed with the thought and preparation that had gone into an activity that didn't exist (or at least no one knew we were using) until sunday night. I also scouted out a spot where I think my hammock will fit... so that's just a win as well.

Wednesday night was one of the big headline mistakes, the kind that people remember. Thankfully it wasn't super huge and it might fade with the passage of time (Lord willing anyway) but during our evening activity staff meeting we gave a lil' speech about lake day and how sunscreen is super important. Then I added a bit that I intended to be a firm reminder that sunscreen is SUPER important, sunburned kids is a very bad situation and sunburned staff slows the team down... turns out when I'm tired and frustrated at other things that I can't talk about in staff meetings (and won't talk about on here) I sound more frustrated than I intend... and that's not the best way to motivate people... (If any of the staff who were in the meeting are reading this, I sincerely apologize.)

Also Wednesday morning my mom made it out to camp to see what I've been ranting and raving about for the last few years. I had the honor of showing her around a bit and even though I never got the chance for dad to see this... I felt his presence too, as we walked (or drove) around the place. A guy never gets over wanting his dad to be proud of him... and maybe it's stretching but I think dad would be proud of what we do here.

Next time on the N quadrant.... LAKE DAY!

Captains log. Stardate 2.20-23. The one where the 'real' work began

Saturday started off fairly smoothly, I felt like we were getting a bit closer to where we needed to be and that there was some small chance that the week (or at least the parts I had control over) would not be a complete disaster. I don't recall what I worked on that particular day... but I do remember that the increased pace of texts and phone calls that persisted through most of the week began on Saturday and only let up a week later. 

I remember struggling to keep things straight in my mind, and I also am sure that I annoyed those forced to work with me a great deal as zero-hour approached and all other distractions were banished to the less-important pile. 

Saturday ended as a bit of a blur... 

Sunday began as most days do, morning arriving too soon, the daily list of things approaching faster than you're 100% comfortable with... the staff was predictably late and training began at about 4:30. training commenced through supper, and as I finally found my bed early Monday morning I remember feeling incredibly grateful for the team that we ended up with this week, some unfamiliar faces at the time... but even when I wasn't confident in myself I was confident in the team. 

Monday... 

Monday just proved time and time again that the peace I felt Sunday night was well founded. Activities went smoothly and I got to see the normal function of camp for the first time. From my perspective everything went smoothly and any issues that arose were dealt with easily and quickly. Once again when I crashed for the night I felt like we were getting some positive momentum. 

A few short hours later I was awakened by our weekly nurse informing me that they were heading to the hospital with a camper. I was grateful to those that took that responsibility and very glad that it was a group of people I trusted enough that I could go back to sleep so I could face the next day... 

The week is already fading into a blur but I'll leave it here for now and hit a few main points in the next update, and hopefully get caught up to the present. 

Year 2, Day 19. The one where I start to catch up.

(I'm dating these retroactively so I can keep the timeline straight in my head)

There is an annoying thing that happens to me when I get so far behind at something I know I should be doing, instead of parceling it down into a managable bite I often look at the big picture and then try to get myself motivated enough to take on the whole thing. However while I'm working that side of the issue the mountain continues to grow and so I'm stuck racing the growth of the problem with my frustration over it existing in the first place. Eventually I become so dissatisfied with it that I will tackle the beast and usually knock it out (or at least do a decent job of chiseling a bunch of it away) in one swoop... Unfortunately for us both this blog has been that sort of problem the last few weeks and thus it'll take some determined writing (and likely rambling) on my part to get us caught up.

Last week as you might have noticed I began to get a bit behind on writing due to increased levels of stress and a severe lack of rest... It was a trying week due to the curveballs I already talked about and as the week of directing grew closer I more and more felt like I had two things to do and without decent closure on the week we were in the midst of I couldn't press into the next thing with anything close to the attention it deserved and that began to wear on me incredibly hard on thursday night and friday morning. Perhaps appropriately while I was at my worst and ping-ponging between frustration and plodding through routine tasks as best I could the opportunities for worship and spiritual renewal that I stumbled across were richer and more powerful that I could have ever anticipated.

By friday morning I was tired, sore, and was struggling to see how I could get through what I needed to while safeguarding some of my energy for the too-large to-do list I had for the weekend. Thankfully my condition was noticed by my dear friends here at camp and I was ordered to sit down and quantify for others what was eating at me. As soon as I had done so my cleaning responsibility for the week was completed for me and I had a huge outpouring of assistance in clearing the final hurdles to get a week of camp started. I recall being angry at myself for not being able to bring my best to bear at the time... but in hindsight I did, it just wasn't very good. Also, It was good for me to see others doing great things despite me, A theme that ran throughout the following week, but I get ahead of myself.

Friday afternoon me and my co-director Molly were in a suburban headed out to Casper to help haul some camper and staff luggage home and to give us some time to touch base and then go shopping for our supplies for the week. We talked, argued a bit, laughed a bit, ate tasty food (5 guys) and then headed home. As I collapsed into bed I felt a small measure of peace for the first time in days.

To be continued...

Guest post, (far superior to more filler)

Hi friends and family of Nicholas Oegema. I'm happy to report that Nick is not dead or MIA. Good news: being a good weekly director is a difficult job, and Nick is doing it right this week. Bad news: being a good weekly director is an all consuming job which does not leave much time for any personal tasks such as updating your blog, sleeping, reading, or even using the restroom. 

So, seeing as how being a freeloader at camp is not an all consuming job and leaves me with some available time, and seeing as how I can't help much with his sleeping or going to the bathroom, I offered to guest-post on Nick's blog. Please expect his regular blog posts to resume after this week of camp has concluded. I'll spend the rest of this post doing my best to report the things Nick would want to tell you, if he had the time.

First, having Walter and family here is a blessing beyond measure. The kids are having fun, Darcy is well loved by everyone, and Walter's speaking has been amazing! You should see the way these campers and staff are listening to him. Even when it is warm, and calm, and we just ate lunch, and sleep is pulling at their eyelids, they are fighting to stay awake because they WANT to hear. Wow. Not to overlook the fact that his clear teaching and simple narrative style are laying out nice solid theological truths. Whew, it is nice to not have to worry about what the speaker might say next.

Second, being a director is hard work. Please pray for strength and wisdom and peace when dealing with director decisions all week long. Pray that wearing the mantle of authority will neither weigh Nick and his co-director down nor falsely build them up. Pray for unity amongst the team of leadership, and for energy and health for all. Pray also that Nick will not be unduly critical of himself and will not claim responsibility for things outside of his control.

Third, it is super exciting that Nick's mom is coming for a visit this week. Many of us at camp feel like we already know her and love her. Even more than our excitement at finally getting to meet her in person, it is good to see how happy her impending visit impacts Nick. He grins like Cheshire cat at the mention of it and then adopts his silly life-makes-me-happy tone of voice for the next several minutes. This is good.

Lastly, thank you all for being faithful family, friends, and readers of the blog. Your support means a lot to Nick. Please feel invited to leave him some encouraging comments, even if he doesn't have time to read them this week, I know he'll read them later.

~respectfully submitted by griffinfledermaus@wordpress.com (one of Nick's many camp friends).