My Favorite Flower

I'm a nature girl.  I've always loved to be outside, exploring, playing in mud puddles, picking berries, digging up worms...you name it.

I've grown up a little now.  I still love nature, but now one of my favorite ways to experience it is behind the lens of a camera.  One thing I particularly like to photograph is flowers.  I'm amazed at all the variety in the world of flowers...

There are flowers that pop up just after the snow melts, reminding you that warm weather is FINALLY on it's way!

There are these little blue flowers (I don't know what they're called) that only grow when spring is definitely and irreversably here! :)

There are tulips, looking so fresh and pretty after a rainstorm

There are petite little white flowers that grow on a tree

 (I also do not know what these are called :) )

There are flowers that are not commonly accepted as flowers- those that people love to hate and will do anything to get them out of their beautifully manicured lawns!

But one of my favorites, though I do not like to grow them, has become the rose.  Roses are in a class of their own.  They can be sophisticated or simple, showy or subtle.  

They are beautiful in every way, 

Now, I do like red roses.  I think they are quite lovely and I generally like the way they smell, but there is another kind of rose that has of late become my favorite Rose... and that would be...

 (drumroll, please)...

Jonathan Rose

That's not what you were expecting, was it!?  Me either! :) 

Let me tell you about this very special Rose.  

At the beginning of this summer, Jonathan came on full-time at camp to work facilities/maintenance.  I thought he was nice, but didn't give him much thought until someone told he was interested in one of my very close friends. :)  I thought I should observe him to see if he would make a suitable husband for her should he ever chose to pursue a relationship.  I noticed he was very gentlemanly and nice, and...well, sometimes kinda crazy!  He was always singing and whistling/trilling.  I told one of the kitchen girls that he used to be a bird but he was reincarnated as a man! :)  

One day, as I was pushing a large water cooler out of the kitchen, trying to be independent and not ask for help, I got the cart the cooler was on stuck on the rubber mat and tipped it over,  I tried to catch it, to no avail.  The cooler was obliterated, I made a mess, and I hurt myself.

Enter Jonathan

He told me in no uncertain terms that I was never to try to carry or push anything that large without asking for help and I should get him to help me when I needed something.

One of the girls, a self-proclaimed matchmaker, was standing there watching this.  She raised her eyebrows and said "Oo-ooh...What about him?"  I told her that her help was greatly needed elsewhere, and that to the best of my knowledge, Jonathan's interests were in someone else.

Fast forward to the 4th of July.  I was finishing up some of my cleaning when one of my friends came up, the one who had told me Jonathan was interested my friend, and told me "By the way, he's fishing in different waters now," with that knowing look, indicating that those "different waters" meant me.  "What do you mean 'fishing'?"  "Well," he explained "When a guy is looking for a girl, he puts out little hooks.  If there are bites, he gets encouraged, so he tried bigger and bigger hooks til he gets her."  Ah,...I see there is a lot I have to learn about the world of men.

That afternoon, there was a picnic at camp.  I was going out with some friends afterwards, so I had spiffed up a bit and was wearing white and blue.  When we got down there, Jonathan was grilling and gave us some hot burgers just off the grill.  He looked up at me and said "My! don't you look patriotic!"  Jenna looked at me with a amused look.  She and Rebekah were wearing patriotic tshirts and he hadn't said anything to them.   In the words of Jenna "The hooks are getting bigger!"

The girls and guys on operational staff teased mercilessly.  They teased me.  They teased him.  Thankfully, they didn't tease us when were in the same place together.  I told the girls I would be glad to just have a normal conversation with him after they left.  Any time I would talk to him, one of the girls would go by,"reeling in the line" with their hands! :)

I thought he was just being nice.

I thought he was just being nice when he showed up to help cut pizzas...every time we had pizza.

I thought he was just being nice when he came during our crunch times to help get food ready.

I thought he was just being nice when he watched my chickens for me while I was gone

I thought he was just being nice when he saved my skin and helped me frost wedding cakes that I had to get done.

He was nice to everybody and I didn't think he was really giving me any more attention than he gave anyone else. (They begged to differ)  I think I was in denial because I didn't want to start liking someone and have him thinking otherwise.  I didn't want to just consider him or have him consider me because the staff thought it was a good idea.  I didn't want a string of those "crushes" that go nowhere.  

Hence, Miss Densie Dumbbell.

Well, after countless of these "He's just being nice" moments, I guess I started to get a little suspicious! :)  Plus, my sisters and the girls I work with were starting to keep secrets from me, you know, whispering and giggling, PC's in the walk-in fridge,...yeah, not normal stuff!

I gave my Dad a head's up -"I thought you should know everyone is saying this guy at camp likes me,...I don't know that he does or if he'd ever go for me, but if he does, I'd be ok with it."

Dad : "Who is this?"

I describe Jonathan

"Oh...that's probably why that guy has been so nice to me.  

I'll have to get to know him better if I see him again."

:)

In the weeks after that, my appreciation for Jonathan really started to grow.  I started thinking of him as a possibility, I mean a really good, Godly possibility, instead of just a "nice guy."  I still tried to subdue my feelings, in case he really wasn't interested, but I was definitely observing (and admiring) a lot.  I knew if our relationship was going to go anywhere, it would have to be a "God thing."

Well, God moved! 

Tuesday, September 1st, Jonathan was making a big batch of salsa in the camp kitchen and I was helping him.  The girls were going to come over and help, but they were sure taking their sweet time.  In between chopping all the vegetables up, Jonathan cut his finger pretty deeply on a can, so I helped  him bandage it up.  He wanted to talk to me about...stuff, but we had a very sociable, talkative volunteer that was also in the kitchen, so he couldn't get a chance!  Finally, we had everything on the stove and I was washing up a few dishes, and Jonathan asked if he could ask me something.  His tone got serious and I was thinking "Man, I better put these dishes down and listen to what he's got to say!"  He asked if I would be willing to begin a deeper relationship with him, said some other nice things which I will not mention here :) and said some things that I can't remember because I was so shocked he was asking! :)  And I found out he had been watching me since the third day of camp.  Yipes!  ( he actually hadn't been fishing in other ponds :) )

Well, long story short (not exactly, huh?)

Here we are.

Last Sunday, Jonathan talked to my Dad and got his blessing to officially start a relationship, and it's honestly been one of the best weeks of my life!  I so much appreciate Jonathan's servant heart and how he thinks through his beliefs.  He's not following God because that's what everyone does in our circles,...He's serving the Lord because it's something he's decided to do.  There are not a lot of eligible Godly men out there and I fell incredible honored and humbled to be in a relationship with one of the best men I have ever met.  He is not perfect, but he is growing, and I'm so thankful to be able to call him

My man

Work Day at the Chapmans

Last Monday, we were home in Illinois and had a different kind of work day than normal.  My brother works for a family in our home church.  They build primitive furniture and take it to craft shows and also sell wholesale.  They have quite the production!  I must say it is nice to start the work day at 10:30! ... Aaaannnndddd...take a swim break halfway through!  Although some people (who shall remain unnamed) enjoy terrorizing dunking people more than they enjoy swimming!

The Chapman's house-so pretty!

Their garage, where it all happens.  Brad Chapman designs and builds the furniture, then others paint, sand and stain it til it looks like something that has been around for a hundred years!

This is the piece I painted.  you roughly brush on dark paint.  That will show through a little after it is sanded later on

This is it after being painted.  It will be sanded after this and then stained with wood stain.

Rebekah and Angie

Brother dear

Ruth did some sewing...her specialty

I painted...my specialty

Addy and I.  She had the "football" stripes under her eyes too, but I think her grandma was worried the toxins from the paint would leak into her skin! :)

Cute little sheep Luann Chapman makes.  I may steal some of her ideas! :)

Andy and Hannah

Well, folks, the news is out...there is a new love relationship carrying on at good ol' Camp Joy!

I always get so excited when I see something like this blossoming..

                                                                       ...its a beautiful thing.

This beautiful thing involves Hannah Lange,...and (drumroll please)

Andy

I got to go with Hannah the first time she met him.  She had gotten a phone call from someone who thought they would work out well with each other, and I could tell after the first time seeing them walk down the driveway together...

It was meant to be.  

As appearances go, you know,...he's,...uh,...average, you know,...unusual nose, strangely shaped ears, slightly unkempt brown hair, but... as the old saying goes "It's what's on the inside that counts."

Anyhow, Hannah wanted me to do a photo shoot with her and Andy the other day, so I obliged her.

Here's a few candids of 

Hannah and Andy

Hannah, bringing Andy out of the corral.  Whoops!  Did I forget to mention that Andy was a horse?  Oh, how clumsy of me! :)

I took some of the pics that I likes and edited them.  I will probably play around with them a bit more.

Horse Love <3 

THE END

Surprise!

A couple of weeks ago, on a Sunday night, all of us basement Triplex girls were chilling in the living room, when we heard a knock at the door.

 A knock on the door of the Triplex means: #1: There's a man at the door (they don't barge into our house like all the camp girls do :) ) or #2: there's an emergency-police, fire department, rescue squad, Pizza Hut delivery, etc.  

In actuality, it was neither!

Ruth answered the door and said "You won't believe who's here!"  It was our friend, Becky, from Iowa.  I had talked to her a couple of weeks before and she had said she might come visit us, but then she wrote a letter saying she didn't know if she could come.  So, we were very surprised to see her at our doorstep!  She was glad we were not expecting her, as she thoroughly enjoys catching people when they least expect it! :)  

Monday morning, Ruth, Becky, and I went thrift store shopping in downtown Janesville.  Becky took her car and I "navigated."  Well, that is, I tried to navigate!  Needless to say, there were many erratic turns!  We visited some junk stores, and somehow ended up in the not-so-great section of town.  All, in all, we had fun.  People looked at us strangely, no doubt thinking "Hmm,...I've never seen the Amish in this section of town before."

After all that, we went to Culver's and Hobby Lobby.  We found these huge flowers on the sale rack...and just had to get one of every color...just kidding!  They were so attractive we just couldn't bear to get them! 

Ruth and Becky

Ruth and...er, Rosie :)

We had a great day!  Surprises are always such fun! (Unless, they are around the doorway, ready to scare you and make you let out a bloodcurdling scream!)

Nathan and Julia

Well, at long last the absent blogger is blogging again!  I'm sure you don't want to hear excuses why I haven't blogged in almost a month, so...I won't offer any!

One week ago, we had a very exciting event in our lives-

the wedding of Julia Hatchett and Nathan Houck.  

Julia and Nathan "re-met" towards the end of last summer, sensed the Lord bringing them together (with a little help from some matchmakers)...and the rest is history!  I am so happy for both of them, but I must say I will MISS her!  Julia was like a ray of sunshine here at camp, and I'm so thankful for the years I got to work with her.  Nathan got a good girl!  Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of the wedding, and I was very busy during the reception, so I'm posting pictures that I got from Angie, which she saved from my Dad's facebook.  (Thanks, Dad! :) )

Nathan and Julia <3<3

Another glimpse of the happy couple.  I'm sure their faces hurt from smiling so much! :)

So sweet!

Their wedding was sweet and simple.  It was encouraging to see the joy on the faces of a couple that had waited for God's perfect timing and God's perfect choice for their lives.  It has to be so worth it!

Julia and the camp girls, at Julia's wedding shower.

We will miss her tremendously, but as of the 22nd, she made Nathan Houck the happiest and luckiest most blessed guy in the world! (at least he seemed to think so :) )

A Belated Look at CJ Valentine's Banquet

 Natalie says, "you can't rush art,"...and many other people say, "Better late than never!" Therefore, I am finally posting pics of our Valentine's banquet.  This is probably the single largest event for the Camp Joy kitchen each year, and though we have capable help, and though it always goes off fine, I breathe a deep sigh of relief when it is over!

 

Nicole, a great friend and helper.  She sliced all these limes for the water pitchers, and we forgot to use them.  Oops!

Rebekah.  I can't even begin to describe how much of a relief it is to me to have her here.  She works quietly, with very little recognition, but she does a fantastic job.  Her specialty is salad bar.

Fancy food.  Fun to make...not as much fun to eat.

REALLY fancy food! (made more so by the addition of mold, I am informed.)  We got this huge wheel of Gorgonzola, so the banquet seemed like a good time to use it.  I haven't been able to work up the desire to eat something that smells like dirty feet! (however, I will serve it to campers, who must have more refined tastes than I do!)

Marinated Steak- my kind of fancy food!  Mr. Scott and Paul cooked it - 80-110 lbs of pure yumminess!

Hannah, whipping up two very large batches of broccoli salad.  We made it by the dishtubfull.

This is Mrs. Lange's domain.  When she's finished, there's flour over 3 states, but the results of her baking are unbeatable...'specially the chocolate cake!

The dining hall, ready for guests.  Angie does a great job of hostessing.

Table settings

Lovely flowers

For the centerpieces, we floated cranberries and tealights in the candleholders-very simple and pretty!

<3<3<3

Happy Birthday, Little Sis!

Happy Birthday, Ruth!

Today was my sister Ruth's 24th birthday!  We didn't make as big of a deal as I would have liked to, but after work, all of us camp staff went to McDonald's to celebrate.  I made a couple of cheesecakes-  far yummier than cake and ice cream!

Ruth is definitely one of my favorite people.  She suffered many years of Rebekah and I ganging up on her until we decided she was a fit human being to hang around with!  After the first few initial years of cattiness and cliqueshness, All of us girls decided we liked each other, and have gotten along pretty well since then.  We don't always agree on everything-we all have strong opinions that don't always jive, but somehow those opinions aren't worth losing a friendship over!

Ruth is a very wise and prudent young woman.  She has a lot of discernment for her age, and thinks things through carefully before making a decision.  She is consistent in her walk with the Lord, and I think that contributes to her stable personality.  She is a great blessing to me, and helps me to see the other (wiser) side of issues before I plunge in headfirst.  She reminds me a lot of my mom.  But, she's not entirely serious!  Her sense of humor, especially in writing, cracks me up!  Also, she makes the best slurping and smacking sound effects with the duck puppet in the nursery!  We were watching some little kids a few weeks ago, and Ruth picked up this fat duck puppet and proceeded to "eat" some of the other toys.  It was an attempt to amuse the children, but in the process, she cracked us both up!  The kids were looking at us like we were nuts!  I appreciate and love my sister so much!

"Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies."

The Three R's-THEN

The Three R's-NOW