The Weekend Before Camp Actually Started

My boss, Connie, had planned an outing for Saturday which involved going to the local thrift store, Cato's, and of course, a quick stop at Walmart! 

Riding with Lauren 

Everyone was able to find a few deals at the thrift store, and I found some pretty cool things at Cato's {which reminded me why I loved that store so much!}

Quick Selfie before going shopping 

I don't remember what this store was called, but it reminded me of a JCPenny 

I fell in love with this hat....but had already spent too much money ;) 

 After going to Walmart and buying, last minute essentials, snacks for the rest of the week, candy for my tables and prayer cabin, we were ready to head back!

We got back and ate dinner, then played volleyball for a little while with new friends!

~Sunday~
The next day, we went to a local Baptist church, and in-between-services, we tried a Chinese restaurant! It was super good and we were all stuffed!

We're more than just friends, we're like a small gang! :) 

That afternoon, we took a nap, wrote our SPP letters, and watched Mary Poppins {movies are allowed as long as they are G-rated, and only on the weekends} 

After the evening service, David & I did our laundry and then went to bed; curfew is only 15 minutes longer on the weekend because the staff knows that in order to perform, cheer, play games, and do all the activities to the best of everyone's abilities, everyone needs lots of sleep. 

Staff Training Week!

This week had to be one of the busiest weeks of my life!!!!!! 

My Schedule for Staff Training Week

Who knew there were so many little things you had to do when waitressing; here are just a few:

1. Service with a smile; never look bored

2. Be next to the counter when the campers come in

3. As campers say their verse, go into the left door, and out the right door 

4. Trays should not be double-stacked

5. Take time to speak to your campers

6. Combine leftover milk

7. Do not empty pitchers in dishwashing sink

8. Do not taste food in the kitchen

9. Never leave the ice scoops in the ice machine

10. Fill your rag bucket half full

11. When adjusting salt/pepper shakers, salt always goes on the aisle side; pepper in the middle

12. You only serve what is on the menu

13. Dessert is served 15 minutes into the meal

14. Do not carry dirty plates against you

and lastly, 

15. If you make a mess, clean it up! :) 

{And that is just 15 of the 305 that we have}

Monday Morning Devotions by the Lake 

Needless to say, all of our heads were spinning with new information! Plus, there were little things like knowing where everything is kept {dishes, pitchers, glasses, silverware, napkins, condiments, cold food, butter, bread, dessert, pans, etc...} 

On Wednesday, everyone was required to wear their new Staff shirts because we had staff pictures. 

After we were finished, we met with the camp founder for a little while and Dr. Hayes & his wife gave each of us a Wilds book.

Taking a selfie after our meeting 

On Wednesday night, we had a staff Fun Time! It was super fun and before it started, we had to get coffee! :):) 

Right before Fun Time

Matt & Willie doing what they always do...

Thursday morning was like every morning....which was basically training, working, sessions, choir, lunch (where we served) and repeat....

One of our many sessions

On Thursday evening, all the waitress went to the Summit and participated in all the team challenges. Then, each cabin took a picture on the log.

Cabin 754 

Every week we have a picnic in the ballfield and all the waitresses get to wear bright orange shirts {beats wearing an apron and hairnet!}

Monica, me, & Lauren 

On Friday night, after the service, we had a girls testimony time around the campfire....until it started to rain and we moved under an umbrella. :)

Captured the campfire

And So It Begins...

The next morning, we were up and ready by 4:20 {yes, David woke up at 4} and waiting to head to the airport.  At the airport, grandpa Francisco met up with us, just to say hi. :) Neither of us had flown Delta before, so this was a new experience for the both of us. As we got to out assigned seating, there was an African/American guy sitting in the empty seat next to David. It was fine with me, because I was lucky enough to have a window seat. :P 

Towards the end, when everyone was almost on, this tall guy comes and realizes that this African/American was in his seat-so they switch. The poor guy apparently didn't memorize where he was sitting, because the next two seats he sat at were also assigned to different people. :) It was quite comical to watch! 

Come to find out that the guy next to us, is going to Florida to visit his girlfriend who is a student at PCC! This guy goes to Heartland Baptist College, and knew a lot of people from WCBC and GSBC. 

The plane ride to Atlanta was the bumpiest, hardest airplane rides I've ever been on {and I haven't been on a lot} 

Arriving in Atlanta

Atlanta airport was HUGE! There were so many terminals and people!! I thought we would surely get lost, but thankfully we made it on time, and boarded our last flight to Ashville! :)

On our way to Ashville  

The Ashville airport was extremely small compared to the ones we had just come off from. I had received an email earlier that day, letting me know that there would be three more guys getting picked up with David & I, and we made a game of trying to figure out who those three guys were. :)

One was really easy, because he was wearing jeans and a polo. Once all the guys arrived, we headed off to Arby's/McDonalds for lunch. I was kind of worried because I was supposed to be at work an hour before.... 

When I finally got to the dining hall, everyone was already at work, learning where everything was and how to run things. I was slightly overwhelmed! It had been a long and busy few days, not to mention I was still trying to figure out the time-change, plus add being jet-lagged into that...yup, that was what I was feeling!

{To be continued...} 

Time Spent With Family

Thursday~May 21st. 2015

The following day, my uncle David and aunt Lisa took us out to breakfast {David had requested going out to an "Instagram worthy" place} :) On the way to Canela's, we stopped for coffee at Starbucks!! I couldn't believe the prices were so much cheaper than in California!! 

Finally got to meet little cousin, Owen!
{He was trying to grab my Starbucks out of my hand}

My cinnamon roll came in a cute pan :)

Chicago skyline....kind of :)

After breakfast, we went to help Tio Ivan & Tia Brandi pack up their house, and then spent the day at Tio David's & Tia Lisa's house {watching Shark Tank & holding baby Owen} 

Around dinner, we had a birthday/good-bye party for Tio Ivan & Tia Brandi. 

We also got to see Vanessa, JC, and Melisa, who we hadn't seen in over three years! 

After going around the room with blessings, memories, and words of encouragement, the party was almost over. ;) We just needed one last stop at Jodi's Italian Ice (around the corner)

I got a Skittle flavored Italian Ice Cup! 

Friday~May 22nd. 2015

I must say, that by now we were both extremely tired. In order to get up for breakfast, David and I had been getting up before 5 (our time) and we were about to do it again-this time to out with our cousins. :)
Yes, David once again requested an "Instagram Worthy" place to eat; and Instagram worthy it was!
This cute little cafe was a little hole-in-the-wall in a town close to where we grew up! We spent the next few hours: eating, playing Jenga, drawing, trying to capture the "perfect coffee picture"{funny story: Abby somehow found the Barista on Instagram and pull up his page and asked him to make something that he had posted about.....awkward doesn't even begin to describe how he must have been feeling...a stranger pulling up one of his pictures! That didn't stop him from making the macchiato the same way. :) 

My breakfast sandwich was amazing!!!
{So was my Expresso macchiato} 

Fun times with cousins! 

When we got back, grandma & Tia Diana were so full of energy; David & I were not! 

We asked them if we can take an hour break and then go out, and we did! :) 

 I was able to get a pedi/manicure!! It was nice to just relax & not have to be socializing for a little bit. ;)

That night, we were able to go out with Tio Cruz & his family! We both tried Baker Square for the first time, and I have to say that it was delicious! :)

With the whole family

I didn't realize how much I missed them! 

CJ, Meli, and David

Vanessa & I {She's getting so old!} 

That concludes the time spent with La Familia. The following day brought many new adventures which I will write about when I have the time! So long, for now. 

Cindy <3