and...we're...done...sort of.

The camp season has come to a close here at the Hammer, and it's as if my body knew it before my brain. I still can't believe that tomorrow we aren't getting new campers, that I actually can clean my house and it will stay that way, and that I can cook my own meals once more. My body, on the other hand, feels like lead. It's like it's just been waiting for camp to be over so it can collapse into a pile of sleep for hours upon end.

I'm not gonna lie, I like the sleep part.

What's next, you ask? Future Life retreats. They start next week, and so we'll have private schools bringing their students up for a few days and we'll run them through a camp-like program, only with about a third of our staff. Nifty! I'm looking forward to it, though. It looks like I'm going to be the worship leader for FL, which will be really fun and a cool opportunity in an environment I can't say I've ever lead worship in before.

So, that's where we sit. There are other things going on in life that I will not comment on, but in which your prayers are greatly appreciated as these next few months reveal themselves....

a short blog, I know. But dinner calls. woohoo!!

I am slightly overwhelmed by the amount of calls I need to return from the course of the summer. So please be patient with me and give me some time. It's still not my first nature to be a 'phone person', but I do want to talk to you :) So be waiting by the phone for that call. k?

love love,

Wharf to Wharf

There is an annual race in Santa Cruz called the Wharf to Wharf. Where you run, well, from one wharf to another. It's a 10k, which means it's a little over 6 miles. Last year was the first year the Camp Hammer summer staff ran the race as a group, complete with designed t-shirts.

Daniel didn't run it last year because he injured his foot in a bike accident. Instead, he and I had one of the biggest fights of our relationship during the wharf to wharf as he drove the camp van around to the finish line to pick up the runners at the end. I don't remember what exactly we were fighting about, but we were sure fighting. For a really long time.

This year, more than half the staff signed up to run the race, including myself and Daniel. Lori and Andrew, another couple at camp, signed up too. Lori and I run together, so we decided we'd run this particular course together as well. And Daniel and Andrew ran together. Isn't that cute?

From the very start, Lori and I decided we were not going to put the unnecessary pressure on ourselves to run the entire more-than-6 miles of the race. We were going to do our best. On average, these days, when we run, we do a good solid 3 miles. The most I've EVER run is 5 miles and that was in college, back in the day :)

Oh, and also, I haven't run in a long time...maybe twice since camp started. The only real time to do it is before breakfast, and you're so exhausted at the end of the day that you (well, me and Daniel) want to hit the snooze at least 5 times before you actually HAVE to get up.

But I still feel like I'm in good (maybe better than ever) shape. The no-sugar thing plus walking around camp all the time, going up stairs and hills (the camp is built into a mountain) every day is exhausting! But I feel good :)

So, race day. The race was on this past Sunday, which I thought was interesting. But, oh well.

The Camp Hammer staff shows up at the race. We have car-pooled, and it is early. We are all wearing our "Hammer Stache '08" tank tops. "Stache" is really "staff", but most of the male staff has been growing out mustaches all summer, so it's "stache" on the tank. Daniel does not sport the 'stache. It was not my doing, either. He said "no stache" and I said "okay!"

Some of the girls have drawn blue staches on their upper lips with eyeliner someone has. It's funny. I opt for no 'stache. I can only imagine the sweat mixing with the eyeliner and my stache is only then blue gunk smeared from nose to chin. Ew.

The race begins. There are at least 15,000 people in the race, and more on the sidelines. So when the gun goes off, it's another 8 minutes before we actually get to the starting line!

Lori and I take off and play a fun game called "people dodging"--it is played just like it sounds. you dodge the people going slower than you and look for escapes through the crowds in order to set your own smooth pace.

Mile 1 is pretty hard. I think "great. This is not fun" but I also recognize that the first and second miles are the hardest. We push past.

At mile 3, I'm feeling good. So is Lori. My knee hurts somewhat from an old injury, but I am going to push past it. At mile 4, Lori and I look at each other and say "we are soooo going to run this whole thing!" At mile 5, it's a "Yes!!!!!!" (There are large balloon canopies that mark every mile. It really helps with morale, I believe. Those balloons kept me going). And then there was only one more mile left, and we were running hard. Our breathing was steady and uniform, we were not huffing and puffing. In fact, we may have been flying that last mile. We crossed the finish line, hi-fived each other, and shared a proud moment.

I ran an entire 10k. 6 miles! I never thought I'd be able to do that. But I did. And it was great.

I came home and immediately crashed into a power nap, and the next day my body was aching. And today I feel sick. Throat, body aches, you know. But the Wharf to Wharf was conquered by the Hammer Stache. It was a lot of fun. And it makes me want to do a half marathon, if my knees could take it. I'd definitely have to train pretty hard.

Oh! I also got a hair cut yesterday. Daniel and I went in on our day off to try a new place. I love my haircut. It's pretty short, just below the chin, and kind of spunky. The bangs I had are now side bangs. They were driving me crazy down in front. Daniel got a haircut too. It's still long, but now the boy's got style!

I am flying to Amarillo this weekend for my dear Lenna's wedding! I'll be singing in it, so say a prayer that my throat gets better. I know she doesn't want a frog croaking as she walks down the aisle :)

Only 2 1/2 more weeks after this one! I can't believe it.

Hasta,

Mrs. Proffitt

ohhhhhhhhh Camp.

Apostle 3 already...only 1 more to go after this? It seems strange that we spent months preparing for this program, and we spent more time preparing for it than we've actually been running it.

I had a similar feeling not to long ago----oh yeah, it was my wedding! 5 months of planning crammed into 5 hours of party. Wonderful, yes, but short? yes, yes.

We are still doing well...the other day a mountain lion was spotted chasing 2 bucks down the road from camp, so we're all on mountain lion alert. Not freaking out, but on alert, yes.

This weekend most of the camp staff is running a 10k race in Santa Cruz. I haven't run in awhile, so wish me luck.

In other news, I actually went to Texas a few weeks ago. My great-grandmother (Granny) passed away at the age of 93. What a life!!! I was amazed that I actually got to come to Texas for the funeral--if you didn't know I was in town, don't feel bad. I didn't tell anyone and it was a really spur of the moment trip....and I spent most of it with family, which was fabulous. It was a really great time of celebration and love, and remembering a beautiful life. The whole trip was a blessing...and it came at a much-needed time. I needed to get out of camp for a bit, needed to see my family, and I needed to be able to express the things I'm learning up here with them and have them accept me in it. so overall, it was really great and restful.

I'm sorry i'm a terrible summer-camp blogger. I have to run.....duty calls!

Freedom, Love, Connection, Value, Stripped.

I believe that, as humans, those are all things we really need to function.

I've realized these last 2 weeks that I am fully human and therefore, desire those things.I need those things.

We are on our last day of our first Apostle. For the last 2 weeks, we've been showing these kids what it looks like to be disciples of Christ. Not just believers or Christians, but disciples--discipleship: the intense, never-ending journey of being like Christ. It's hard!

I'm learning myself that I'm not quite sure I know who I am in Christ and in my journey of being a disciple. I know bits and pieces, yes, of who I am, but the whole of who I am I'm beginning to think I am just now starting to dissect and discover.

I think that comes with being stripped of everything I once found pieces of my identity in. Everything from my clothes to my job to the reputation of my name. I don't think clothes, job, and reputation are necessarily bad things to identify WITH, but I wonder if I found my identity in those things. Now that my clothes have had to change with my environment, my job has been nonexistent for the last 4 months, and I have a new name, I realize that when I am bare and insecure, who I am shines through. I'm not sure I really know that person the way I would like to.

So now I am on a journey to know myself--not in relation to what I wear or what my name means or what my job is, but who I am behind all of those things. I think I know some things, but I also think there is a ton I don't know--and a ton more I will never know. Stay tuned.

In other news, we Proffitts are tired but blessed to have a great staff to lead these high schoolers, and we are hopeful that God has and will continue to use us to minister and lead and reveal Jesus to these kids in ways they've never seen or imagined.

I have been leading worship for Apostle, which has been good/interesting. It's been about a year and a half since I've lead worship with just me and my guitar. So in this area, I am stripped as well. It's interesting to see how I've grown and changed since the last time it was just me and my guitar in college. But it's also very scary. I feel very inadequate. "That's just where God wants you" you say...Yes, I know. But that doesn't make it any less scary!

In still other news, it turns out if you want to get ahold of me, it either has to be every other Saturday or at 6:30 in the morning my time. I occasionally can e-mail, like right now I have time, but the Internet is extremely sketchy and annoying. Again, stripped :) On Mondays, Daniel and I have off but we try to take that time to really invest in each other since we're running around all day at camp and not getting to connect like we would like to.

In still other news, Peanut Butter went on the "dessert" list. I found myself eating gobs of PB, in a subconscious (I believe) attempt to compensate for the lack of sugar. But, I don't crave sweets and it's not hard to say no. I also feel TONS better. My body feels better and I feel better in my clothes, which is nice. I know, everyone says "I can't do that. I could never give up dessert"....I was one of those people. But it's not that hard. And I am surrounded by dessert every day. It's like Christmas year-round here at camp. If i can do it, you can too. I know we've only been at it for 3 weeks, but i've NEVER gone 3 weeks in my life without dessert, and I feel confident about continuing!

Okay, I must run. Our kids right now are discovering the 9 Sacred Pathways, which are dispositions towards worship. This is my favorite activity. I could devote a whole blog to it, so maybe I will one day.

Know that even though I'm not talking to you, I love you!

Mrs. Proffitt

Hi, this is Bree...Camp is Underway, so

You will just have to leave a message for about the next 2 months.

Orientation started yesterday, which means there are about 50 more people at camp now between the ages of 18-24, and Daniel and I are now working on communicating the logistics of Apostle to our counselors. We are hoping they'll catch the vision of what we've been working on the last few months!

I also realized that it's CRAZY now. Permanently. I have been home only to sleep since yesterday morning, and the only reason I'm on the Internet now is because I hurt my knee running trails yesterday and am not able to hike out for some training. I am okay, so don't worry. Just a little sore!

We are having fun thus far, but meeting 50 people in one day is exhausting!
I've already told the story of how Daniel and I met 3 times. The first kiss story--twice. The "how we found the ring" story--once. I've been talking a lot!

I must run, really...but I wanted you to know that now summer has officially begun, which means it will be difficult to communicate with me. I will try to update the blog as much as possible. Just don't be offended if I don't read your blog or call you back for awhile!!!

You have been informed :)

Much love from Cali,

Simple. Tristan. German. Reef. Robot. Love.

Romance: displaying, expressive of, or conducive to love

Romantic: my husband

I woke up at 4:30 in the morning on my birthday. I couldn't sleep because I was so excited.

What, am I 10 years old or something?

One of Daniel's favorite things is surprising me, and I knew he'd been up to something!

Daniel left for work at 7, and I had been laying there (so exhausted, but unable to sleep and feeling ridiculous because of that), so when he left I got up and made my way to the kitchen for some oatmeal and bananas (my new favorite.)

On the couch was a copy of Real Simple magazine, and a note saying I'd be getting a copy every month!

If you do not know what Real Simple is, please jump in the car, go to Wal-Mart or something and get a copy...it's' amazing.

I had mentioned in passing to Daniel that I love that magazine and if I was going to subscribe to one, that would be it.

Afterwards, I do Pilates. I write in my journal. I play guitar. I talk to Jesus...extremely relaxing, wonderful, peaceful morning.

I meet Daniel at camp, and we go up to the kitchen to say "hey" to some staff who's arrived already...

While in the kitchen I am bombarded with a song, a "happy birthday" wand, a hat box full of chocolate (everyone knew it was our last day of sugar), and a homemade 4-layer German chocolate cake, made by our resident Culinary Arts major Kelli...she makes amazing everything, and cake is no exception. They're even really really pretty. She needs to open a bakery or something. And she's 18.

I am thrilled!!! And also there is a fabulous Starbucks mug (all my fingers fit in the handle, which is key in a mug) from dear Lori and Andrew.

As you can probably guess, I am soaking all of this up.

When we get to the car, I find a gift in my seat--a new CD I had mentioned in passing to Daniel that I was really excited about getting when it came out.

This is time number 2 Daniel has been really perceptive and given me gifts he knows I've been wanting. Amazing.

We drive into San Jose and stop at a cafe for lunch. We take the cake and chocolate with us (you know we're pigging out all day on chocolate), and we eat cake for lunch. Sooooooo good.

Daniel hands me another gift, and when I open the piece of cloth in the box, he takes it and puts it over my eyes. I am blindfolded!

He leads me to the car (a very funny spectacle) and we drive...

Time out: when my parents were here last month, I had mentioned to them and Daniel in passing that all I really wanted to do before camp was stay in a hotel and watch tv.

Can you guess where we're driving to?

I don't know we're at a hotel until we reach the carpet on the 2nd floor...then Daniel takes me to our amazing room with a huge bed and bathtub and all this good stuff. Amazing!!

Time number 3 Daniel has really been paying attention to me.

He hands me a gift. It is 2 seasons of a cartoon we watched every single day on our honeymoon. A ridiculous, and ridiculously hilarious cartoon. He has brought a dvd player so we can watch it!

Time number 4.

The rest of the day is ours. Of course I want to shop. We're in San Jose! So, we shop. I get running shoes, and reefs, and some comfy summer dresses.

Aren't they cute?

We grab dinner to go at Cheesecake Factory, along with Chris's Outrageous Chocolate Cake. (chocolate, coconut, cheesecake..mmmmm)

This is what was left of Chris. We ate the rest later.

We spent the rest of the evening sitting in our king size bed watching Robot Chicken and pigging out on chocolate.

It was the most amazing birthday. I always knew Daniel paid attention to me, but he showed me in new ways this weekend how he really pays attention to me, my personality, my wants, my needs....and all the things he did for me were things I mentioned in PASSING. Details!

That is why my husband is romantic. He pays attention to me. Simple as that.

So when I woke up today, I was thankful for my amazing husband, I felt a tiny bit older,

and I feel ready to begin our year of no dessert...all that chocolate and cake yesterday kind of made me sick :)

Just Call me Oodalolli!

Once a month or so here at camp, the year-round folks get together at the Facility Director's house and eat dinner and play Bunco. I will not go into the details of Bunco, but if you have not played, you are missing out on some serious fun! It gets pretty intense. Last month I actually bled a little bit. And it's a dice game. so you can only imagine...

Anyways, so last night was Bunco night, with a little extra fun--our first camp Naming Ceremony! For those of you who don't know, at Camp Hammer, we don't go by our real names during the summer. Your first summer at camp, you are given a "Camp Name", and the goal is for the kids to go the whole week without knowing your real name. It kind of adds to the magic of camp, I suppose. For example, Daniel's name is "X"...so all summer kids and staff will call him that! It's really fun.

Alexis (Daniel's sister) is spending the summer up here and got into town on Tuesday night. Alexis nor I have camp names yet, so last night at Bunco it was decided that we would get our camp names before the rest of the staff arrives (for a number of reasons)

So...we eat dinner, and then we all gather in the living room (about 20 people). Then, Eric the Camp Director comes out of nowhere dressed up as a Texan-ish mechanic, and he has morphed himself into "Vern"--the mechanic who doesn't really know about cars, has a handle-bar mustache and a bald head. "Vern" then begins the naming ceremony. This is how it happens:

Those being named are first asked to sit in a chair at the front of the room.
That person gives a "Minute Memoir", introducing themselves and sharing all they can in one minute.
Then, the floor is open for naming. Anyone who has a good name can throw it out. BUT, the name has to come with a story about why that name is perfect for that person. The story can be 100% true OR 100% false.
The idea here, when you're trying to name someone, is to come up with a really good story and build up all the way to the end, when you say ....."and that's why we should name her..........(INSERT NAME HERE)!!!!!!!!"

If others like that name, they chant the name loudly. If you don't like it, you "ching" it, and make clawing fingers and say "ching, ching", etc.

Are you following me, here?

If the majority is chanting the name, that is your name. If the majority chings it, then someone else has the opportunity to tell a story and try to name that person.

Now that we got that out of the way, let's talk about last night.

I sit there and give my minute memoir. And that wasn't hard for me because I like to talk about myself. I told how I just got married and like to play the guitar and was a pastor and like to run and all that. My minute was up really fast.

So then, the floor was open. Andrew (as in, from date night the other night) stood up and says he'd like to sing a song. It goes like this:

(sung to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star)
a b c d e f g, h i j k l m n o p....q r s, t u v, w x Y....and starts chanting "Y! Y!Y!Y!"

He wants to name me Y because Daniel is "X"...He thinks it's cute. I don't. :) Neither does anyone else, because he was immediately chinged. I don't think he really wanted to name me that, I just think he thought it would be funny.

Then someone else tells a story and then wants to name me "Swoosh"....he gets chinged too.

THEN Sarah stands up and starts talking about how I'm a Pastor and I like music , and Sarah, Lori, Frannie and I all go running together and we call ourselves a posse....and so she talks about that and how I'm in a posse and all that. So then she said she'd had Robin Hood on the brain and thought about naming me Friar Tuck b/c I'm a pastor, but that wouldn't work. So then she said she thought about Little John since he was in a posse with Friar Tuck...but that didn't work either. Then she got up and said she had a little song to sing:

I think you know it. It's the one that goes "Friar Tuck and Little John walking through the forest
.......and then it goes "oodalolli, oodalolli, golly what a day!"

and then she said "And that's why we should name her "Oodalolli!"
And everyone chanted it and it won, and now at Camp Hammer I am forever known as Oodalolli!

Cute, huh?

Then when Alexis got up there, Ellibella, Sarah and Eric's daughter, said "well, because she is going to be our nanny, and because there was a very famous nanny named "Mary Poppins", I think we should name Alexis "Poppins!"

So Alexis is Poppins. That's cute too, huh?

And now we are named....


In other news, it looks like I am kind of disconnected from the world from this point on for awhile.

Several of you have tried to call me, and I have been in camp all day since Monday. I don't know when I will be able to call you back, but I will....just give me some time!

In still other news, my birthday is tomorrow! I love my birthday.
I don't know what the plans are, though...Daniel is up to something, I just don't know what. He won't tell me, he won't let me look at the bank account online, and he won't let me in his office until he's given me the all-clear signal.

Look forward to a birthday blog.

Anyways, gotta run. Got some more work to do! Orientation starts on Monday. It's CRUNCH TIME!

love love,

Oodalolli