Day 1

Today was officially the first day of camp. At least camp with actual campers. TI started well enough and has continued throughout the day. What a wonderful day it has been. I am tired and my feet hurt. I am missing a chunk of flesh from under my big toe on my left foot. I have no idea where it went or when it came off. It feels like camp has been going on for 2 months, but its wonderful. I feel wonderful. I am excited and happy and joyous and happy and filled. I think that day 1 is so long because the kids try to do everything in one day, not really thinking that tomorrow we can do more and that will be repeated two more times. I literally spent 1.5 glorious hours in a pool. I don't think I got out a single time. It was awesome and fun and the kids came out glowing.
After the pool was the zip line and all four kids in the cabin went down the line. You would have to be here to know how much of a victory that is. That zip line scared me and these kids are jumping down this line with no fear. Of course, we were behind schedule, but its only day 1, oh well. Activity center was the first real big heart tugging memory well, it was the first after bus arrives. So I was just walking around to different activities and I see a child all alone at the shrinky-dink table. I thought that was weird so I went over and sat down with him. He looked up at me and asked me my name and then proceeded to just draw on the shrinky-dink. A few minutes later this child hands me his shrinky-dink and says this is for you. The first thing that hit was: WOW these kids are noticing. He knew I was there and he noticed me and he took the time to thank me for sitting with him in the best way he knew how at that moment. This was my first shrinky-dink gift from a camper and I have to say it will always be special.
The next "moment" came after activities. I was walking with a camper and he was asking small questions and then he starts telling me about his dad and his home life and He asks me about my home life as a child. Without going too much in details, we have lead very similar childhoods up until this point in his life. It was scary similar. God has put this child into my cabin for this very reason moment. Then he asked me a question that I really haven't thought about in a while. He asked me if I missed my mom. I had no right away answer. I thought and thought and I said, "Yeah I really do. I really miss my mom." his response was as casual as it gets he said, "me too." It was a moment. one I will not forget.
So I was waiting for the bus in the heat and it comes down the road and I get a very heavy heart. I am so very happy and thankful that RFKC exists. My heart breaks that there is even a need for RFKC. I have a very soft spot for little girls. I attribute this to the fact that I have two beautiful, fragile, precious little girls waiting for me at home. I see a little girl who looks just like Sydaleigh and I almost lose it. It was a struggle not to cry. I took a step back and had to compose myself. Who knows the horrors this girl has experienced? How could anybody not love this little person? It is so hard to not tell some kids, yes I will foster you or yes I will adopt you, but all you can do is be nice and smile and encouraging and let them know that there is love and hope and they can have it all. I hope and pray a day comes when RFKC has to stop because there is no longer a need. Until that day comes I will be here for these kids.
So tomorrow is a new day and a full day, unlike today. Tomorrow we get to swim the lake. I have an irrational fear of swimming in the lake, but I manage it and swim with the kids. It is dark and not so cold and t smells like dead fish, but the kids love it therefore I love it. I am including pictures of the lake obstacles that I need to overcome tomorrow and a picture of a guy we say on the way to camp. The green things in the bed of the truck are chainsaws. yeah that really happened.