Friday, June 30, 2017

"Love is all there is."

We played iPod shuffle all the way to Delphi this morning-- it's my favorite game to play with the CILTs. 


We made our bi-weekly visit to St. E to visit with the residents and share songs from Tecumseh.




And the most incredible thing happened-- here's the story.

We have to start with Ruth. The last 9 years as a CILT counselor I have hung out with my friend Ruth Robertson every time the CILTs came to visit. She's the greatest and became such a special person to me. Ellyn never got to meet her because she stays at camp for clinics. This past October on our way to camp we stopped in Delphi so that Ellyn and Ruth could meet. She was having a hard day but she remembered me and held my hand and we got to chat. 


Next you've got to meet Jim. He works at St. E and is hilarious. Liz and I have known for several years now and he loves to comment on our facebook posts. That day in October I talked to Jim and asked him to let me know if anything happened with Ruth. The very next day I got a message from him telling me that Ruth had passed away. She was 99 and lived a long and beautiful life.


Last Session I wandered St. E but didn't spend time with anyone in particular and just thought of Ruth. Today Liz and I spent time with a woman named Kathryn. She touched our hearts right away and gave us lot's of advice. She told us, "I met my husband at Purdue and we were married for over 60 years. When you get married one day just love him as hard as you can forever. If loves not there, why get married? It was never difficult-- just keep loving and then it's never hard... Take hold of life and live it to the hilt. Stay away from booze and stay away from drugs. You've got to keep it pure. And you will have a great life... Jesus is real. He is real-- just love him. Love is all there is."

I got to pray for her before we said good-bye and went back to meet up with the rest of the CILTs.


We found Jim and told him, "We found a new friend today!"
He asked who it was and when I told him Kathryn's name he looked at me in disbelief, "Kathryn Goley? You've got to be kidding. Are you messing with me?"

Then Jim explained that Kathryn's daughter Jen is married to Ruth Robertson's son Kenney. We had no way of knowing the connection and couldn't believe that of all the residents at St. E we had just spent our time talking with the woman who shared grandchildren with Ruth. God is so good.

Back at camp we found our fav Brave boys Jack, Leo and Zach who all moved up to blue bands today!!!! They wanted to go see the Mayor's office and we got to introduce them to the Mayor's Assistant Justin.


Then Liz and I took Leo and Zach inside the office to meet the Queen Kathy-- just hugs for her. The boys showed off their splits and the worm too.


Krsitin's high of the day: cake that she can eat!!!


Thanks to Liz's asking campers for extra hawaiin clothes we found ourselves some theme dinner outfits. Best dressed goes to Liz in that dress.


The CILTies are ready for Hawaii.


Our man Nick yells hi to us every time we see him-- he's one of the greats.


Jack, Leo and Zach have been the highlight of our whole week. We're sure going to miss these guys.


CILT Party in the Party Room.



CILT counselor crew week 3.


Uncle Justin and Nick make quite the pair-- but I think Nick might have some competition with how much Lizzie loves him.


Kenny let us climb into the bucket truck-- we didn't go up in the air but it was still pretty dang awesome.


KRISTIN GLEASON IS BUFFALO QUEEN!!!!!


 My girl Kendall is still rocking those crutches and still has one more week at Camp Tecumseh YMCA.


Thank you Camp T Media team:





Thursday, June 29, 2017

"We met the Mayor of Camp Tecumseh. And his boss. The Mayor is a servant sooooo...."

Super speed blogging...

Personality profiles in the Green Cathedral


Pulling weeds around baby Pine trees in the Pine Forest



Being weed-pulling-partners with Katie all morning


 Being a counselor with Lizzie again


The Arrow stairs are finished!!!!!


High of the day: Lake time with our new best 8-year-old friends Leo and Zach


Introducing Leo and Zach to the Mayor and his boss



Paddling double kayaks with our best friends 



Zach caught a butterfly and Tanner played me songs she wrote about camp


A TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR


Ellyn cooked burgers for the LV


Leo, Zach and Jack went to squish their faces against the Mayor's office and saw his Master Plan


Katie got her first Chaco Taco of the summer


CILTs planned songs for tomorrow morning


CILTs through water balloons


CILTs had a dance party


Ellyn and Lizzie had the best time ever


 Honorable Mention Blog Titles:
"Don't ask about my ears later."
"Why do I feel like this is college in a nutshell."
"Ugh. It smells awful. But it's not you. You smell perfect."