- Going on my very first Joni and Friends retreat (it was AMAZING!!!)
- Seeing a chipmunk at the retreat
- Going to a local festival that was right next to work
- Riding my bike a few times each week
- Seeing chipmunks on two different days (near home)
- Seeing my work's penthouse and rooftop garden
- Getting my official college certificaite in the mail
- Seeing animals at a show, at the local library (turtles, snakes, spiders, etc.)
- Seeing a hummingbirds feeding at the feeder we have at home
- Getting invited to a professional baseball game next month
Sunday, June 30, 2019
Things That Made Me Happy in June
Here is what made me happy this month:
Monday, June 24, 2019
Joni and Friends Maranatha Family Retreat 2019
I was finally able to go to a Joni and Friends Retreat, and I am SOOO grateful that I got to go!! I had been wanting to go for a few years, but wasn't able to go financially until this year.
These retreats serve people with disabilities, and their families, for a week of fun and relaxation.
I went to the second week of the retreat, from Sunday, June 16 to Friday, June 21.
The week or so leading up to camp, I was nervous, as this was my first time staying somewhere completely on my own. I am normally a very shy and introverted person, so this was something that was way out of my comfort zone.
Plus, with this being my first Joni and Friends Retreat, I didn't know what to expect.
But, the moment I got there, and met the people where were serving there as well, I was at ease, and instantly felt comfortable there.
On Sunday, we had training in preparation for when the campers/families came on Monday. We learned what to do in the event we are in a situation where we would need help. We also learned about the activities that would go on during camp, Then in the evening we had a bonfire on the beach, and were able to make s'mores, talk, and relax.
Monday morning was our final training session, as well as getting ready for when the families and campers came. Then, they came in the afternoon, and we had an ice cream social when everyone arrived.
I had Tuesday morning off, so I was able to just relax after worship (for STMs) and breakfast, and check out the grounds. Then I worked the sweet shop for a few hours in the afternoon, with a couple other people. Then it was dinner, and a family fun night. They had bouncy houses, a horse-drawn hay ride, pie for people who wanted some, and a few other fun things. I got to go on the hay ride, which made me really happy (I LOVE horses!!!). I then helped out in the sweet shop for an hour in the evening.
Wednesday was worship for the STMs, breakfast, then I had a break until lunch. I then went to the sweet shop to help prepare for an adult dinner party. There was a petting zoo going on at the same time at the dinner, and I was allowed to check it out. There were goats, sheep, rabbits, chicken, baby chicks, a pig, and geese! I helped out again in the sweet shop for an hour in the evening.
Thursday was worship, breakfast, an accessible worship for everyone, another break for me until lunch, where I helped set up for a women's lunch, then I helped in the sweet shop. Then it was dinner (after a break), a talent show (which I loved!!), and karaoke. I again helped out at the sweet shop in the evening, while the karaoke was going on. The sweet shop was very busy during that time, but it was fun.
Friday was the last day of the retreat, so we packed up our belongings, had breakfast, those with a camper/family helped them pack up and check out, then there was a closing ceremony, and us STMs had a debried, lunch, and a clean up of the place.
I am so grateful that I finally got to go this year. By Thursday, I was not wanting to go home, and was very sad that it was just about over. I made some wonderful friends during my time there, that I will miss dearly while not at retreat, and I very much hope that I get to go again next year.
This retreat has brought me out of my shell a little more, as well as bringing me well out of my comfort zone, which I was hoping would happen. I truly enjoyed serving at retreat, and will miss it very much until next year.
To those who made me feel more at ease, more comfortable, and less shy at retreat, I cannot express just how much you mean to me, just how much what you have done for me means. I truly appreciate it, and will never forget it!! Thank you so much!!!
These retreats serve people with disabilities, and their families, for a week of fun and relaxation.
I went to the second week of the retreat, from Sunday, June 16 to Friday, June 21.
The week or so leading up to camp, I was nervous, as this was my first time staying somewhere completely on my own. I am normally a very shy and introverted person, so this was something that was way out of my comfort zone.
Plus, with this being my first Joni and Friends Retreat, I didn't know what to expect.
But, the moment I got there, and met the people where were serving there as well, I was at ease, and instantly felt comfortable there.
On Sunday, we had training in preparation for when the campers/families came on Monday. We learned what to do in the event we are in a situation where we would need help. We also learned about the activities that would go on during camp, Then in the evening we had a bonfire on the beach, and were able to make s'mores, talk, and relax.
Monday morning was our final training session, as well as getting ready for when the families and campers came. Then, they came in the afternoon, and we had an ice cream social when everyone arrived.
I had Tuesday morning off, so I was able to just relax after worship (for STMs) and breakfast, and check out the grounds. Then I worked the sweet shop for a few hours in the afternoon, with a couple other people. Then it was dinner, and a family fun night. They had bouncy houses, a horse-drawn hay ride, pie for people who wanted some, and a few other fun things. I got to go on the hay ride, which made me really happy (I LOVE horses!!!). I then helped out in the sweet shop for an hour in the evening.
Wednesday was worship for the STMs, breakfast, then I had a break until lunch. I then went to the sweet shop to help prepare for an adult dinner party. There was a petting zoo going on at the same time at the dinner, and I was allowed to check it out. There were goats, sheep, rabbits, chicken, baby chicks, a pig, and geese! I helped out again in the sweet shop for an hour in the evening.
Thursday was worship, breakfast, an accessible worship for everyone, another break for me until lunch, where I helped set up for a women's lunch, then I helped in the sweet shop. Then it was dinner (after a break), a talent show (which I loved!!), and karaoke. I again helped out at the sweet shop in the evening, while the karaoke was going on. The sweet shop was very busy during that time, but it was fun.
Friday was the last day of the retreat, so we packed up our belongings, had breakfast, those with a camper/family helped them pack up and check out, then there was a closing ceremony, and us STMs had a debried, lunch, and a clean up of the place.
I am so grateful that I finally got to go this year. By Thursday, I was not wanting to go home, and was very sad that it was just about over. I made some wonderful friends during my time there, that I will miss dearly while not at retreat, and I very much hope that I get to go again next year.
This retreat has brought me out of my shell a little more, as well as bringing me well out of my comfort zone, which I was hoping would happen. I truly enjoyed serving at retreat, and will miss it very much until next year.
To those who made me feel more at ease, more comfortable, and less shy at retreat, I cannot express just how much you mean to me, just how much what you have done for me means. I truly appreciate it, and will never forget it!! Thank you so much!!!
Thursday, June 6, 2019
YouTube Channel Favorite: FatheringAutism
I found this channel a few weeks ago, and I fell in love with the family that runs it, the instant I started watching their videos.
There is the mother and father, Asa and Priscilla Maass, and their son Isaiah, and daughter Abigail, and dog Maverick.
Abbie has severe autism, and is non-verbal. With the help of her family, therapists and teachers, she is learning important life skills. She uses modified signs, and an iPad to communicate.
Every summer, Abbie goes to a camp for people with special needs, for a week, where she gets to just have fun, and to be a kid. Each camper gets one on one time with a buddy, and from what I have seen in the vlogs, she absolutely loves camp!
I absolutely love this family, as they show real life, and they are so patient and loving with Abby. They of course are raising awareness of autism, and how people can help families and people affected by autism.
The Maass family have their own line of merch, which is, of course, themed around autism, as well as art that Abbie makes.
I am super impressed with how the family handles each situation, and each day, as they come, and how much of an advocate each person is for Abbie, and the special needs community. They are not afraid to speak up for what they believe is right or best for their daughter/sister, and they help her feel like a part of the community.
They are such an amazing family, and I am so thankful to have come across their channel!
There is the mother and father, Asa and Priscilla Maass, and their son Isaiah, and daughter Abigail, and dog Maverick.
Abbie has severe autism, and is non-verbal. With the help of her family, therapists and teachers, she is learning important life skills. She uses modified signs, and an iPad to communicate.
Every summer, Abbie goes to a camp for people with special needs, for a week, where she gets to just have fun, and to be a kid. Each camper gets one on one time with a buddy, and from what I have seen in the vlogs, she absolutely loves camp!
I absolutely love this family, as they show real life, and they are so patient and loving with Abby. They of course are raising awareness of autism, and how people can help families and people affected by autism.
The Maass family have their own line of merch, which is, of course, themed around autism, as well as art that Abbie makes.
I am super impressed with how the family handles each situation, and each day, as they come, and how much of an advocate each person is for Abbie, and the special needs community. They are not afraid to speak up for what they believe is right or best for their daughter/sister, and they help her feel like a part of the community.
They are such an amazing family, and I am so thankful to have come across their channel!
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
My 2019 Summer Bucket List
It is almost summer, so I have decided to make a summer bucket list for this year.
In no particular order, here is what I would like to do this summer:
What is on your bucket list for the summer?
In no particular order, here is what I would like to do this summer:
- Visit the city for a day
- Make homemade popsicles
- Visit the local Pier
- Be an STM at a Joni & Friends Retreat (I will be doing this June 16-21st, or have done so already, depending on when you read this)
- Make s'mores
- Go swimming
- Go to the local weekly festival
- Watch 4th of July fireworks
- Go to the farmer's market
- Visit Great America
- Go on a road trip
- See a movie at a drive-in theater
- Go thrift shopping
- Clear up my skin
- Have at least one photoshoot
- Take lots of photos
- Go bowling
- Go to the zoo
- Work out regularly
- Have a spa day
- Clean up my bedroom
- Redecorate my bedroom
- Participate in an Escape Room
- Color in a coloring book
- Buy summer clothes
- Go to the beach
- Have a sleepover
- Make friendship bracelets
- Have a movie marathon
- Make a vision board
- Meet new people and make new friends
- Be more confident in myself
- Do yoga
- Paint
- Shop at Dollar Tree
- Go on a shopping spree
- Have a picnic outdoors
- Go to a festival
- Learn how to cook
- Practice baking and decorating skills
- Get my driving permit
- Try at least one new-to-me restaurant
- Save more money than I spend
- Go bike riding a lot
- Go to an arcade
- Go mini golfing
- Learn sign language
- Learn Spanish
- Have/host a game night
- Go paintballing
- Fly a kite
- Have a water balloon fight
- Leave positive notes in random places
- Get into a loving, healthy relationship with a significant other
- Learn how to French braid
- Learn how to do fishtail braids
- Go to a water park
- Donate unwanted clothes, other things
- Catch fireflies
- Visit a museum
- Go rollerblading
- Relearn how to play the violin
- Have a girls day/night out
- Got to a paint night
- Dye my hair
- Barbecue with friends, family
- Dance in the rain
- Go to at least one garage/yard sale
- Talk to my friends on a regular basis
- Go ziplining
- Paint my nails
- Relax in the yard
- Blow bubbles
- Tie dye
- Get a second piercing
- Make edible cookie dough
- Take archery lessons
- Go karting
- Have a silly string fight
- Visit a botanical garden
- Knit or crochet 1-2 items a month
- Go get ice cream
- Read 2 books a month
What is on your bucket list for the summer?
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