Christmastime at Pine Cove

Camp in the summer is always fun and in full swing...but camp in the winter...who knew that Pine Cove is going all year, and this year I've gotten to be involved and see so many different aspects of the different seasons. 

I had the privilege of working a conference just a few weeks before Christmas, and it was such a fun few days spent with families and their kiddos. We made gingerbread houses, used more paint, glue, and glitter than I thought was possible in arts and crafts, dressed up for Christmas skits, and as always had some great worship and speaker sessions.

This was our small little team of champions during the Gingerbread House Competition...the stakes were high, and as much as I wish I could say our house is the one on the right...I'm proud to claim that candy yard and fallen down house in the middle. :) A fun night! 

Got to be in a Pine Cove skit...which if you know a lot about Pine Cove you know skits are the epitome of camp fun...I was Ellie the Elf with my friend Eddie the Elf and we were working hard to get things ready in Santa's Workshop...but the two "Lumberjerks" came along and wanted to chop down all the trees and destroy the workshop...throughout the weekend we finally brought them back to the true meaning of Christmas and had them turn their chopping skills into making their very own Gingerbread House...a fun few days with these friends!

Arts and crafts...making Christmas ornaments and painting pine cones...if you don't make a mess, did you even really do arts and crafts?! Haha...I did, however, realize that glitter is extremely hard to clean up...but as an elementary teacher, I say more glitter, more fun, right?! :) ....most of the time...

In the midst of loving on campers, making gingerbread houses, being in skits, and painting ornaments, there are always meals to serve and dishes to clean. This is our incredibly fun and hard-working Work Crew that we got to hang out with all weekend. They made the meals run so smoothly and were so eager to serve and help! Love these girls and the friendships made!

These are my fun friends who make working on the weekends a joy and a lot of fun. We serve at the Shores, the high school camp, and the Bluffs, a family camp, helping out with retreats and conferences. These guys keep me laughing, always take pictures when I fall asleep, and know how to play a great game of Mafia at a Christmas party...haha! Love serving for the sake of the Gospel with these guys. 

New friends

Two weeks in and so many friendships made. Common experiences truly bonds people and in a matter of weeks it's hard to imagine the end of eight months.

These are the girls in the Forge...so many different, unique, and fun personalities.

These are the girls that are in my hub and that got me through Rope's Training...

This is my dear friend Mackenzie who makes me laugh and who I am forever bonded with after we both shared tears on the Ropes Course...

Ropes Training

Three days of intense ropes training...tying knots, harnessing harnesses, setting up courses, sending people off the zip line, coaching them through walking across wires and climbing ropes and passing a written and skills test.

It was a more intense training than I ever thought...but we are now certified to run the ropes course for retreat groups and conferences on the weekends.

Climbed these 50ft telephone poles twice in order to set-up and take-down the high-ropes course...

Bowline on a Bight knot...took me a few times to master. 

This is my hub for Shores and Bluffs. We will be working together on most weekends, and I couldn't have made it through Ropes Training without these guys.

Sweet little ones

I had the privilege of nannying for the Jervis family this past summer at Pine Cove. I spent six weeks living life with Lacey and helping her take care of her sweet little 16-month old, Elah. After eight weeks of being a part, seeing her again and having her giggle and say "Ta" in her attempts to say Tabs was the best reunion.


Less than a week after I moved to Texas, Elah became a big sister and the Jervis' had their second little girl, Meritt Avery. I got to hold her just a few hours she was born and it was one of the sweetest moments. She was so little and it was truly like my baby doll came to life in my arms...


This is sweet Meritt Avery barely four days old...


I am so thankful for the Jervis family and the blessing they have been to me the past few months, and I love that I get to watch these two little girls grow up over the next eight months. <3

Weekend at The Shores

My first weekend at the Forge, my roommate, Anne, and I were able to serve a retreat group coming to the Shores. I was the Work Crew Director and had the the privilege of leading our Work Crew that came in to serve for the weekend. We helped get out all the meals and helped behind the scenes, so that the retreat group could spend the weekend learning and growing more in their faith. It was such a fun weekend leading and serving.

One of the chefs at the Shores gave us a knife skills lesson and taught us how to cut and chop...felt like I was on the Food Channel!

This is the Work Crew that I got to work with for the weekend...they were so eager and willing to serve. It was a joy to spend the weekend with this youth group.

"I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls."
2 Corinthians 2:15