Spare time is Sparce

Wow... when I first made this blog I had to hold myself back from updating it everyday. Now it seems as though I have NO time AT ALL to even think about blogging!! Such a shame...

Anyways... I thought I would update all of you on my new job since that is all I have time for right now.

For those of you who don't know... I am working at Philhaven (a mental health hospital here in Lancaster) at there summer program called STAP. I am "stationed" in York where we are working out of a church. We work with kids ages 7-14 with mostly behavioral issues... some controllable and some... not so much.

I am one of 7 counselors who run the camp and we also have the help of our camp manager, coordinator, therapist, nurse, and secretary. Each counselor has a partner (except one very capable male counselor since there is an odd number). We all split the kids up into groups of about 10. There is one group for the older kids, 2 groups for the middle aged kids, and one group for the younger kids.

If you know me at all... I would MUCH rather work with the older kids. Unfortunately, the more experienced counselors got to work with the older kids and so I am now in charge of 10, 7-8 year olds. YIKES!!!!

I am working with another counselor who I really like. We are each individually in charge of 5 of the "little kids." These 5 youngsters refer to me as their primary counselor or more informally: Miss Kelly. They are the most precious things I have ever seen and it breaks my heart to read their charts and read through everything their little 7 and 8 year old hearts and minds have had to endure so early on in their lives.

The therapist has come up with 3 goals that she wants each kid to work on this summer and as their primary counselor it is my job to see that they reach those goals. STAP is very relaxed and I can pretty much use my best judgement when picking what groups I want to run and what therapeutic interventions I want to try. It is truly one of the best experiences I have ever had the privilege of being a part of... plus I get paid!!!

However, the job does come with it's cons... Every morning I have to make the 50 minute drive to York where I have to personally pick up 4 of the "campers." Throughout the day I have to make use that everyone is behaving, fill out progress notes, and make parent phone calls when necessary. At the end of the day I have to drive the kids back home and start the long trek back to Lancaster.

God has such a sense of humor... I am working with little kids... AGAIN. I said I never wanted to work with them again... that just shows how I have no control over my life and how God has all of it.

Not only is this job physically draining... it is even more emotionally draining. Everyday my heart breaks all over for these kids. I have little experience and feel completely inadequate for this job... and in all seriousness... I am. Everyday on my long drive home I ask God to please work through me because only He knows why I am working here this summer and only He knows the best way to reach out to these kids.

To end this post I am going to share a few verses that have made a huge impact on this chapter in my life:

Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light"

2 Corinthians 9:8

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

Isaiah 41:10

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strenghten you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."