Camp Geneva

I don't even know where to start. Last week I went to camp Geneva. . . . it was the best week of my life. I went there not knowing if I was loved by God. I felt as if God had run out of time for me, I felt as if God didn't even hear me anymore. I felt alone. Now, I know I'm not alone. We had kind of like a Church service there, but it was a really deep service. A preacher talked about how deep God's love is for us. Then, we got to sit and reflect on our past. We got to think about how big God's love is. I broke down into tears, along with a lot of other people. God's love is so amazing, I can't even put it into words. After this service, we got to have 1 on 1's with our counselors. A 1 on 1 is where just you and your counselor go out and just talk. One thing I told my counselor is that I haven't been feeling very loved by God lately, and I told her about my mom. She completely understood. Because of her, I have realized that I'm not alone. My counselor was AMAZING. She was the reason my week was so great, I'm really going to miss her. Anyway, there was a lot more fun activities that we did there, we got to climb up a rope tower, go blobbing, go zip lining, play all camp games, go to the beach, and so much more. All in all, it was a great week. Someday, I hope I can be a counselor there.

Relay For Life, 2012

I went to an event last night called Relay For Life. Let me tell you, that event is the highlight of the year. Relay For Life is an event where a whole lot of people gather at the West Ottawa high school track and we try to raise money to try and find a cure for cancer. People walk around the track too, so that they can feel like they are doing something to help. Walking is optional, though. I go with my neighbors. My mom use to come, also. We set up tents all around the track and just camp out for the night. (It's a 24 hour event.) Most of it, we just hang out by the tent or walk laps. It was so hot on Friday, I got so sunburned that I was sent to the First Aid place that was there. It looked like I had a mask on because of how sun burnt I was. And then of course, the people at the first aid station just start putting on LOADS of sunscreen on me, and it BURNED. I said thank you to the people who put it on, and ran to the tent and wiped it all off. Lesson learned. Put on sunscreen BEFORE you get burned. Anyway, at about 10:00pm, there is a walk where there are bags with candles inside of them. The bags say names of people who have survived cancer, and people who have passed away from cancer. The bags are handmade. I made two for my mom. You can't walk that lap without shedding at least one tear. I was doing fine until they started lighting the lanterns, and then sending them out into the sky. Somebody pointed them out to me, and I couldn't keep it together anymore. I bawled. Thankfully, my youth group leader was there with me. Usually my mom walks this lap with me. . . but, she couldn't this year, and never will be able to again.  The lanterns that floated into the sky kind of reminded me of what happened to my mom. She kept getting sicker, and sicker, and then she was gone. The lights in the sky kept getting farther and farther away... and then they were gone. I don't know if that really made sense... but, last night it made sense to me. . in a way.
I walked 15 and a quarter miles for my mom.
I love you, mom.
Miss you.
See you soon.

A year ago

A year ago from today, at about this time, I was walking around a high school track at an event called "Relay For Life." I was walking around that track to find a cure for caner. A year ago from today, I was told the most devastating news of my life. I was told "shes gone."
Mom, you are missed. I promise, I will fight for a cure.
This Friday, I will again walk at the the event "Relay for Life." I will walk for you mom, just like I promised. The last time I saw you, I promised you that I would walk so many  miles for you, more than I ever had before. I will walk for you, and I will keep that promise.

This is the song that I wrote and then sang at my school Talent Show.

I hope you like it :)