Yesterday was wild and my mind was all over the place which is just what my mind does these days.  Camp Create has been stuck in there hard and I can’t quit it.  And I don’t really want too either, but honestly, I can’t wrangle all my feelings and thoughts even still.  It was good you guys, so flippin’ good and challenging and has given my heart and mind a run for their money.  I’m still trying to work it all out so in the mean time I thought I’d share some pics.

Camp started on Wednesday so I arrived on Tuesday with the other teachers/helpers.  Let me give a shout out to my sweet FIL who picked me up at 5:15 in the A.M. and took me to the airport.  He’s a gem you guys.  In the 6 A.M time frame he sent me this picture.

Since he was already up he went ahead and got to it.  Isn’t he the cutest with his trout?!?!

I spent a good bit of time in airports and passed the time with Big Magic
and Bible journaling.  I still haven’t finished Big Magic…I like it, but there’s a lot of Oprahisms…That’s a real thing 🙂  I do love love all her thoughts on creativity though…it’s good stuff.

Once in Kansas, I was swept right up into the people I was surrounded by.  Kimberlee and I laughed all the way from the airport to the Craft House and I gained approximately 7.2lbs from her cooking.  She exudes the confidence of the holy spirit living in her and speaks that into those around her.  Meg was Meg and genuine and great and fun as always.  She’s a rare and good one…totally legit and just brings you right in.  Di was a new friend and I wanted to crawl into her lap and let her stroke my hair and hold me and advice me on all my problems.  I’m for real.  She’s also is a turtle farmer…again…real thing.  Jeanne was freakin’ awesome and the laughter alone with Jeanne made the trip totally worth it.  Plus she is insanely talented and I could have watched her teach all the live long day.  And Amber was the southern comfort and truth my heart needed.  I wanted to take up residence in her heart and brain.  And she could relate to things like goo-goos and moon pies and RC cola.  Ahhhhhhh!  Then throw in the crazy awesome 11 ladies who joined us on Wednesday night and, well, I just about died from the goodness.

I ran almost every morning because #halfmarathontraining  Loved the scenery.  Loved the running company and chatting I got to do with Jennifer.  And I loved coming in afterwards and finding a spot to listen and join in.  Sometimes I would stretch in the kitchen floor and just soak it all up.  Kimberlee getting her cook on, ladies mulling around and chatting, coffee going.  It reminded me of Mom on so many levels…sweet kitchen, good food, great conversation and even better people.

This is Di telling a very captivated audience about her turtle farming experiences.  Seriously…turtle farmer…real thing.

Eating Kimberlee’s food is, no joke, one of my top most favorite things to do.  It’s good.  Like real good.  And Kimberlee herself is just wise and asks good questions and listens and feels like home.  I did realize something this trip…I took about zero food pictures because here’s what happens:  I eat the food.  The end.  No pictures because the food is in my stomach.  I would sit down with so much anticipation of what I was about to put in my mouth and then I got to business.  I would finish eating, look around and everyone would still have a plate full left and I’m all licking my plate clean.  It was a little awkward 🙂 but oh so good.

 I taught my Bible journaling class, but also got to help in so many other areas…dishes, food prep, serving and anything else.  I also got to create.  So much creating and at leisure which I am completely not used to and I absolutely adored.  Some days I got teary while creating because it was so special to me.  It’s really rare I sit and just create for the sake of creating.

Listening and learning from Jeanne while she taught and just had regular conversations was a highlight for sure.  And Meg had the most awesome bag project for us too.  I Bible journaled and regular journaled.  Good for my heart in so many many ways.  Being still and quiet.  Just all so rare for me.

We went junking.  We hit up antique stores and thrift shops and yard sales and the barn.  It was amazing.  I over purchased an awesome $5 tool box and $7 green and white striped afghan…I over estimated my suitcase size for sure…luckily there were some ladies who weren’t mad at helping take items off my hands.

One thing I couldn’t pass off to someone else was this Kansas road sign I found.  It spoke to me…like called my name “Laura, buy me and take me home.  Make me yours.”  I almost lost a finger prying it out of a giant stack of metal signs.  So it had my heart.  I had to make it my carry-on which was hilarious…especially watching security guys shove it through an X-ray machine.  Di and Robin even finagled a sweet handle out of packing tape and cardboard for me.

 I went home crazy grateful and challenged and honored to have been apart of this amazing time together.  I carried this little globe Di gave me close by in my bag and ate ice cream for dinner in the airport.  I might not have my time and feelings and swirly thoughts about Camp Create completely worked out just yet, but I absolutely know God is doing His thing in me.  I am waiting and anticipating what God has in store.

I trust Him.  I trust He is working in me.  I trust He is changing me.  I trust His plans for me and our whole family.  I see how He is using incredible people in my life to speak life.  I cannot wait to see what He has in store…watching Him do what He only can do.

Happy Tuesday!

PS:  Today is the last day to register for my Online Bible Journaling Class.  You can read more details HERE.