Camp at Proem

I didn't grow up always going to camp. I went to Pine Haven from time to time and young life doesn't really fall under the definition of "camp". So from going from a semi experienced camper to being a counselor in the isolation cabin, surrounded by hundreds of polish speaking children, it's a pretty exciting inauguration to becoming the extreme camp counselor.

I've learned a lot in the first half week of being here. I've learned how to belay people rock climbing. I've learned how to dance the Berney. I've learned how to greet kids saying "Czec" or "dzien dobry" along with saying other Polish phrases or words.

The kids here are so fun and I enjoy spending time with them and getting to know them better and to spread God's love to them. Sadly, I'm not staying in any of the cabins with them because of the lack of room. So I'm moved to "the isolation cabin". I'm staying in there with one other girl called Sarah. The cabin is enough just for two people and is the general stereotype woods cabin, only smaller. And no running water. Or bathroom. There is a shower down the path ways but it's a little sketchy because of the fact that anyone could walk by and come in while your showering. It looks like if king David had a shower. And there are bathrooms a couple cabins down but you don't want to go there.

Last night I wanted to be brave and go to the bathroom out there so I brought some mosquitos wipes to wave around. I opened the door to the bathroom and as soon as a did a million mosquitos came buzzing out of the toilet. I waved my wipe in the air and I'm not sure where it came from but hit a bee that fluttering around with the mosquitos. Bad news. I close the door and go to the next stall. The other stall wasn't as bad but when I was done doing my business I look in the corner and there was a huge spider in the corner. I think I died a little last night.

The roofs of our houses is in the shape of a deep upside down V. Or I guess a carrot top like this: ^. So today I was walking around the cabin digging though my bag then all of a sudden, BAM! Right on top of my head. I fall to the ground. It hurt.

Last night, another exciting story happened. Sarah, my roommate, and I were sleeping in our beds when all of a sudden there was knocking at our door. It did not stop. So finally I got up and answered it. I open the door and some of the Polish counselor.

The beach here is a public one. It's also one where your bound to be thrown in if you go there. So today when we were there some men come, in short shorts and speedos. Creepy.

There are so many more stories. So you will just have to be patient and wait till I have the time to sit down and write more.

For the meantime, czec!

Day One of the Great Adventure!

Here I bags and all (don't mind my wet curls!). Sorry, I never mentioned what's in my carry on. It's the little black Nike bag by my feet. I have my lap top, pills, Betsy and the Great World, pens and pencils, my journal, important papers, billfold, cellphone, Bible, another little notebook, my friend's cross necklace, and extra clothes along with a toothbrush and things. I also will have my camera bag with camera with me at all times!

Our first stop:Albert Lea. It took a while to get there. We had to stop by the bank to get my bank card then after driving about twenty minutes out I realized I forgot my glasses. Bummer. Sometimes when I'm mad I pretend I don't care like any other average teenagers. You can just mail it I tell my parents. I really don't need it. "Morgan, it won't be for a couple weeks before you get it". Shucks. Fine, turn around. I pretend like it's no big deal and I read my book. We get home and I ran up stairs while my dad got more food and my mom went to the bathroom. I check the upstairs bathroom and my bedroom but I couldn't find it. Umm...dad can you unlock the car? I open the back, and notice the little green bag in the top picture? Yeah, that's my night bag for my night in Iowa. I pull in open and stick my hand in. Ah ha! There it is. We'll it's not lying if I don't tell them it was in the back. What they don't know won't hurt them...

After driving two hours (we'll riding my dad drove, I slept) we meet up with Grandpa and Grandpa Olson and had lunch with them.

After leaving Albert Lea we arrive at our second stop: Clarksville, Iowa. We release the cat that came with us into the wild (facebook or ask me later). I run around a little bit, do some back walk overs, tricks for grandpa and grandma. Later on in the evening other relatives and cousins came and shared stories and advice on traveling. I'm so anxious for my trip now. Right now I'm even watching Marry Poppins so take a quick visit to London, even though I will be there in less than two days!

Ahhh so exciting! I doubt I'll get any sleep tonight. Plus I have to wake up at 5am for our drive to Chicago. Hurray for Coffee and a beautiful sunrise!

The Stone Arch Bridge Art Festival

The End

The Blue Suitcase: If your last name is Crozier, you may not read.

So here it is...my suitcase. Consisting of multiple things all packed up for my trip. My suitcase is filled as you can see with chacos, flip flops, 6 casual/nice shirts and 5 t-shirts plus one long sleeve, a a few plain white v neck T's. I have 3 pairs of nice shorts and 5 pairs of running/active shorts. I have a cardigan, a sweatshirt (POLSKA) and a Colombia zip up. I have lots of undies/bras and a swim suit. Two dresses, and one skirt. A camel back, and two pairs of sneakers and a pair of ballet flats. Some candy, a doll, and legos for the kids. Some coffee for the adults. Two towels and a bag with toiletries and some makeup. I have some sunscreen and bug stuff as well.


I think I'm set.



Stay tuned to see what's in my carry on!

Norwegian Pancakes

This recipe was brought to you by my good ol' Norwegian buddy, Øystein.

You will need
-1 1/4 cups of Flour
-2 Cups of Milk
-4 Eggs
-Pinch of Salt
-And as much or little sugar you want

Wisk milk and eggs in bowl. Add flour, sugar, and salt. Heat pan and grease with butter. Pour batter into hot pan then swivel around. It should be just a thin layer of batter covering the pan. Lightly toast then flip and do the other side.






Serve with sugar, blueberry syrup, boysenberry syrup, maple syrup, light syrup, lingonberry sauce, rhubarb sauce, apple butter, mango butter, butter, peanut butter?, or any other tasty delicacy in which you desire.





Coffee is a must.













Eat with friends or surprise people by bringing it to their house!

















Mmmm...smakfult.

Bus Adventures: #1

Only on the city bus you can find a man randomly playing a kazoo. Par-tay!

This has been the first episode of Bus Adventures. Stay tuned for many more to come.

“When you look closely people are so strange & so complicated that they're actually beautiful.”

Yesterday

So as everyone know Osama died yesterday. I just wanted to share my friend's thoughts on this event:


As I was going to bed last night thinking about the news that Osama bin laden was now dead, my heart was heavy. As today has progressed my heart has gotten even heavier. The reason is that I do not see a cause for celebrating the death of a child of God. If what I believe is true; then Osama is loved by God as much as I am and his death means that he will never have the chance to realize that love and find the joy I live in. That is not something to celebrate.

Our society provides us a sad commentary about what happens when a “bad” man dies. People party like mad, conjure up their best patriotic facebook updates, the stock markets make a rebound (how disgusting is that…economic gain positive correlated with death), our two party system finds “common ground”, and we can finally start to “justify” the hundreds of thousands of lives that have been destroyed by our countries and terrorist organizations.

The cost of this war is high: We have thousands of soldiers struggling with PTSD and disabilities. Tens of thousands have been slaughtered by the suicide bombers and our bombs. Our world is plagued with fear. And most of all war is preventing so many from hearing the good news.

I am glad that there is less evil in the world as the things Osama has done and said have been very evil. But I wonder though how much did I do to stop it. I wouldn’t have joined the military but did I really pray for him once I knew what he was capable of in 1998? (If I am honest with myself….made half-heartedly once). Did I really even think it would make a difference?

If he had the ability to do this much evil and invoke the superpowers of the world to retaliate and participate in as much suffering and hurt, then he had the same inverse potential to bring good into the world. Can you imagine a man like Osama who loved Jesus and was as passionate about bringing His love and truth into the world? That would have been crazy!

I just wanted to throw out some thoughts I have that won’t be popularly broadcasted. I am glad there is a little less evil in the world but from what I have seen in this life so far is that you cannot kill evil. It’s completely pointless; if anything it only encourages it. That is not how I believe we are called to fight evil…”For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).

Osama set the world on fire; it’s too bad it wasn’t for Christ.

I am very much open to dialogue about what I have written, let's start the conversation...respectfully please. I’ve sent it to you to provoke a different perspective on this event. I hope this finds you well.
-jono