see the "daily" pages for more pics!!
email me if you have pics to post!
thank you!
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Monday, July 15, 2013
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Inspiring Moment from CHWC
On Thursday night, the residents and organizations we help at CHWC come to our program. A woman that works at a home for the mentally and physically disabled stood up and said (paraphrasing) "These teens did an amazing job! They worked so hard. I was raised Catholic but over the years, I fell away from the church. This week has changed me. I will be going back!"
I am getting teary just writing this....
That testimony alone made all of the time, work, and stress worthwhile.
People wonder why I would go to CHWC. The reason is simple, and really quite selfish. I get so much more out of it than I could ever give!!
We have an amazing group of teens at SPX and I am honored to serve God with them!
God Bless
Brenda
Sent from my iPhone 👓
I am getting teary just writing this....
That testimony alone made all of the time, work, and stress worthwhile.
People wonder why I would go to CHWC. The reason is simple, and really quite selfish. I get so much more out of it than I could ever give!!
We have an amazing group of teens at SPX and I am honored to serve God with them!
God Bless
Brenda
Sent from my iPhone 👓
Friday, July 12, 2013
Ready to raft
8 hour drive afterwards, not counting stops. Shooting for midnight arrival. Will keep you posted.
Brenda
Sent from my iPhone 👓
Brenda
Sent from my iPhone 👓
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Wednesday (four corners)
Wednesday evening is an event called four corners. In each corner of the room, you can pray for faith, gratitude, hope, & reconciliation. The priests handle the reconciliation but the chaperones (who chose to) sit with a candle as an invitation for the teens to join them. Chaperones sit in the area they are most comfortable with. Depending on what the teen wants to pray for, they choose a chaperone in that area. (Not sure if that made sense)
We started outside but a front came though and we moved inside.
It is a very moving experience. Afterwards we spent some time as a parish sharing what we were thankful for.
Erin sent a text to Jacob that he read to the group at the end of the session. It was definitely an emotional night. The seniors ending a stage in their life. The chaperones (new and old) seeing all of these kids serving God in amazing ways. We are all so proud of each and every teen. All of the teens (but I think especially the girls) missing Erin.
Prayerfully yours,
Brenda
Sent from my iPhone 👓
We started outside but a front came though and we moved inside.
It is a very moving experience. Afterwards we spent some time as a parish sharing what we were thankful for.
Erin sent a text to Jacob that he read to the group at the end of the session. It was definitely an emotional night. The seniors ending a stage in their life. The chaperones (new and old) seeing all of these kids serving God in amazing ways. We are all so proud of each and every teen. All of the teens (but I think especially the girls) missing Erin.
Prayerfully yours,
Brenda
Sent from my iPhone 👓
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Stories
Well, I am trying to get some other blog posters, but at the moment, you are stuck with me.
The first two days, my team scraped and painted window sills, cleaned gutters inside and out and cleaned the siding on a garage. Jack Emaus and Davina SPX are on my team along with 4 other teens. (2 from Philadelphia, 1 from Lancaster, and 1 from Connecticut) We did this for an older woman about 10 miles from school. There were lots of spiders and gnats but beautiful country. She has 3 kids and 5 grand kids.
Today, we are working at the Catholic school where we are staying. We cut and replaced ceiling tile in a boys bathroom this morning. Let me just say that was beyond my skill level. We are now painting the stalls a maroon color with acrylic paint. Very scary!! Lots of drop cloths but it still seems like paint drops everywhere!!
Pray for a job well done and complete clean up.
God Bless
Brenda
Sent from my iPhone 👓
The first two days, my team scraped and painted window sills, cleaned gutters inside and out and cleaned the siding on a garage. Jack Emaus and Davina SPX are on my team along with 4 other teens. (2 from Philadelphia, 1 from Lancaster, and 1 from Connecticut) We did this for an older woman about 10 miles from school. There were lots of spiders and gnats but beautiful country. She has 3 kids and 5 grand kids.
Today, we are working at the Catholic school where we are staying. We cut and replaced ceiling tile in a boys bathroom this morning. Let me just say that was beyond my skill level. We are now painting the stalls a maroon color with acrylic paint. Very scary!! Lots of drop cloths but it still seems like paint drops everywhere!!
Pray for a job well done and complete clean up.
God Bless
Brenda
Sent from my iPhone 👓
Pictures
I have not been taking as many pictures this year myself because Lindsay Visser brought her camera, too!!
Well, we both have digital rebels but they are different models and there are no compatible drivers for the inexpensive NetBook I use to upload them from Lindsay's camera.
We will be posting her pics upon our return and I will try to post some of mine tonight.
All photos so far have been from chaperones camera phones. :)
Brenda
Sent from my iPhone 👓
Well, we both have digital rebels but they are different models and there are no compatible drivers for the inexpensive NetBook I use to upload them from Lindsay's camera.
We will be posting her pics upon our return and I will try to post some of mine tonight.
All photos so far have been from chaperones camera phones. :)
Brenda
Sent from my iPhone 👓
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Posts
Do you like the posts?
Is there something you want to know?
It is hard to know if anyone is reading because there are very few comments.
Thank you to those that have left comments.
I don't want to bore anyone. :)
Take care,
Brenda
Sent from my iPhone 👓
Is there something you want to know?
It is hard to know if anyone is reading because there are very few comments.
Thank you to those that have left comments.
I don't want to bore anyone. :)
Take care,
Brenda
Sent from my iPhone 👓
Monday
Monday was our first day on the job. Everyone I asked "did you have a good day?" or "do you have a good team?" gave me an enthusiastic yes with a smile on their face. When I asked the rookies "are you having fun?" or "are you glad you came?" I got the same response. :-)
The camp theme this year is "Be Seen: Live Uncommon". At program last night, the speaker challenged the kids. It is easy to "be seen" serving God at camp, but what about when we get home? Not just one week out of the year, but every day.
He also talked about the fact that what you are doing and how it is perceived can vary by the audience. For example the pic that could be a vase or two faces.... I see both but some folks only see one or the other.
There is on chaperone here that is at her 12th camp!! I am only at my 2nd but I look forward to many more (it helps that I have younger kids)!!
If that doesn't tell you what an awesome experience CHWC is (as a parent), I don't know what will!! If you have even considered the thought of coming along for a second, you need to do it! It is an awe inspiring experience to see hundreds of teens serving The Lord!
God bless!
Brenda
Sent from my iPhone 👓
The camp theme this year is "Be Seen: Live Uncommon". At program last night, the speaker challenged the kids. It is easy to "be seen" serving God at camp, but what about when we get home? Not just one week out of the year, but every day.
He also talked about the fact that what you are doing and how it is perceived can vary by the audience. For example the pic that could be a vase or two faces.... I see both but some folks only see one or the other.
There is on chaperone here that is at her 12th camp!! I am only at my 2nd but I look forward to many more (it helps that I have younger kids)!!
If that doesn't tell you what an awesome experience CHWC is (as a parent), I don't know what will!! If you have even considered the thought of coming along for a second, you need to do it! It is an awe inspiring experience to see hundreds of teens serving The Lord!
God bless!
Brenda
Sent from my iPhone 👓
Monday, July 8, 2013
Menu
Sunday night - Lasagna, breadsticks & salad
Monday breakfast - fruit, cereal, croissants, bagels, juice, hard boiled eggs
Monday lunch - uncrustables, Gatorade, chips & oreos
Monday dinner - bbq chicken breast, green beans, & mac & cheese
Tuesday breakfast
Tuesday lunch - ham sandwich, Gatorade, chips & cookie
Tuesday dinner - tacos, rice, corn
Wednesday breakfast - French toast sticks
Wednesday lunch - uncrustables, Gatorade, chips & cookie
Wednesday dinner - chicken pot pie & green beans
Thursday breakfast -
Thursday lunch - turkey sub, Gatorade, chips & rice krispy treat
Thursday dinner - hamburger & tator tots
Friday breakfast - sausage biscuit & hash brown
Monday breakfast - fruit, cereal, croissants, bagels, juice, hard boiled eggs
Monday lunch - uncrustables, Gatorade, chips & oreos
Monday dinner - bbq chicken breast, green beans, & mac & cheese
Tuesday breakfast
Tuesday lunch - ham sandwich, Gatorade, chips & cookie
Tuesday dinner - tacos, rice, corn
Wednesday breakfast - French toast sticks
Wednesday lunch - uncrustables, Gatorade, chips & cookie
Wednesday dinner - chicken pot pie & green beans
Thursday breakfast -
Thursday lunch - turkey sub, Gatorade, chips & rice krispy treat
Thursday dinner - hamburger & tator tots
Friday breakfast - sausage biscuit & hash brown
Showers
The showers at our school are under construction so after working all day, we go to a different high school where the teens shower. While they are showering, (camp staff are in the bldg) the adults go to an old friary to shower. When adults are done, they pick up their team all clean and fresh. Then we go back to Bishop Walsh high school where we are staying.
Needless to say (as a person that showers twice a day), the first shower in 55 hours felt pretty good!!!
God bless,
Brenda
Sent from my iPhone 👓
Needless to say (as a person that showers twice a day), the first shower in 55 hours felt pretty good!!!
God bless,
Brenda
Sent from my iPhone 👓
Happy Anniversary
Happy 19th Anniversary to my high school sweetheart and WONDERFUL husband Jason. I love you. Thank you for the card in my suitcase. It was a pleasant surprise at end of an emotional day. XO
Brenda
Sent from my iPhone 👓
Brenda
Sent from my iPhone 👓
Sunday
Well, we survived the drive and a VERY LONG Sunday. We drove through some beautiful country on the way here. Last night we did some "orientation", met our teams, got our work assignments, did some team building, and celebrated Mass. The camp managers are rookies (as are Jacob and I are as SPX's YM and parent coordinator), so we are all working out some kinks, but looking forward to a great day today!!😄 Thank you so very much to all of the dads that helped load the bus yesterday morning. We couldn't have left ON TIME without you!! Wake up call is in about 2 minutes, so need to run!
God Bless.
Requesting continued prayers!!
Brenda
Sent from my iPhone 👓
God Bless.
Requesting continued prayers!!
Brenda
Sent from my iPhone 👓
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Friday, July 5, 2013
Friday before Departure
Well, we are leaving in about 36 hours. I know I am very excited!! I hope you and/or your teen are as well!! It is sure to be an AMAZING experience. Unfortunately, we did have some last minute cancellations, but on the bright side, we were able to fill those spots. We will miss those that are not able to join us, but we welcome four different teens who have never experienced Catholic Heart Work Camp before!! We have 55 teens this year, 24 are attending for the first time and 31 returning!! There are 12 chaperones traveling with the group, one of whom is our very own Father Chris!! We are also very excited to have our brand new Youth Ministry Coordinator Jacob Rolf with us! What a great opportunity for the teens and Jacob to get to know each other.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at barnbren@comcast.net<mailto:barnbren@comcast.net>, or call/text me at 616 292 5393. Brenda Bargenquast, Parent Coordinator and blogger. Tara Pankratz is our other parent coordinator this year. We will be looking for another parent coordinator to work with Tara next year! It's never too early to start to pray about it!
You do have to be logged in to blogger/blogspot to leave comments. If you have a gmail account, the same email/password will work for this! The teens really enjoy hearing about comments made on the blog, so please leave some!!
God Bless you all!
Prayers for safe travels and an AWESOME week serving GOD would be greatly appreciated!!
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at barnbren@comcast.net<mailto:barnbren@comcast.net>, or call/text me at 616 292 5393. Brenda Bargenquast, Parent Coordinator and blogger. Tara Pankratz is our other parent coordinator this year. We will be looking for another parent coordinator to work with Tara next year! It's never too early to start to pray about it!
You do have to be logged in to blogger/blogspot to leave comments. If you have a gmail account, the same email/password will work for this! The teens really enjoy hearing about comments made on the blog, so please leave some!!
God Bless you all!
Prayers for safe travels and an AWESOME week serving GOD would be greatly appreciated!!
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