Hey guys its chelsie again!!

So I've been in Austria for almost a week now and I wanted to tell you a little bit about it! It's crazy half the time I can't even believe that I'm on another continent! We left Vienna today and made the trip to Salzburg. It's about a 3 1/2 hour trip. We stopped at a concentration camp, which was really a difficult experience, like carrying the weight of the horror around with you. The hostel we're staying at is huge! We all have rooms to ourselves, there's 4 beds in mine!! Vienna was great we got to see some amazing sights, and went to two breath taking art museums. It's been a really great time so far, but it's surreal. Anyway I hope you all are having a fabulous summer! Love you guysss :)

summer on several islands ;)

Hey guys,
I hope your summer is going awesome with lots of rest :)
I am taking another online class called normal communication development and it goes on till the beginning of August, so I haven't really had a break yet. 
In two weeks I'll be going to a church conference in Aruba, which I am pretty excited about.
I also have tons of volleyball practices to go to :)
There is a good chance I won't be coming for camp anymore or the first few days of preseason.
Bonaire is finally going to compete in Panama seeking classification for something (I forget) and at this point I am also eligible to go. (Not completely sure yet, but will let you guys know as soon as I know).
Miss you guys so much!
Looking forward to seeing you again in August!

Last Week!

Hey Guys!

I miss you a lot! I've been done with Christian Theology for about two weeks, and I've just been taking my only break from school this summer, seeing some friends, spending time with family, and getting ready to go to Austria! I leave on Sunday, and it's still so surreal that I'm actually going to get to go to Europe! I'm super excited, and a little nervous about getting around on my own and not really knowing anyone in my program, but I just know it's what I'm supposed to be doing so I have confidence that everything is going to turn out exactly the right way.

One of the best parts about being home is going to this college group in town on Friday nights. I wanted to share with you a little bit what I've been thinking about this summer. The Fruit of the Spirit. Maybe one of the simplest things in the faith, or so it seems. I feel like fruit often seems like what we produce.... you know you've heard by your fruit ye shall know them. As if our fruit is all our doing. But  really our fruit is what God has done in us. What a beautiful thing, that God loves us so much that even in our most sinful state he produces fruit inside of us. Our fruit is our character, that is only possible because of God and His work in us to make us more like Jesus. The fruit of the spirit is all that can satisfy us.

Love- serving others at expense of yourself
Peace- trust in God
Patience- ability to suffer without bitterness
Kindness and Goodness- integrity
Faithfulness- confidence, courage, and reliability
Gentleness- humility

I think this is the beginning of what God is showing me, that this needs to be the focus of my life no matter what. When I look back at my life, in the worst times God always came through, and often things I did that I thought were best made things worse. It's just another example of how great God is and His plan is no matter what. So back to the basics I go! Anyone want to join me in focusing in growing in the fruit of the spirit? Love you all, and can't wait to see you in August!

- Chels

Hey Y'all!

Heyo Y'all!

Just checking in and seeing how everyone is doing! I'm doing good, I'm booked for the rest of the summer with camps. I'm also in the middle of taking a Español class just so I can be eligible to play with you lovely ladies!! I'm soooo Excited y'all!!!! Soooo ya just checking in with everyone! Clase empiece en tres minutos! Love you all!!!!

Your weirdo,

Lauren K. =)

This is a Tale of How I (Joy Kimmel) Got Married #goodtimes

A few weeks ago I went to the Renaissance Faire near my town with a few friends. They are really into it so they make dresses and everything - so this year I decided to borrow one of their fancy dresses and wear it so I wouldn't feel left out. Well it started off so wonderfully we were just walking around minding are own business. Then some of the workers of the faire asked my 2 friends and I if 1 of us wanted to go on stage well naturally we all didn't respond. Well they picked me. ya. So low and behold I was chosen to be the bachelorette. So I get up there, and my friends did not help one bit. And they had chosen 3 bachelors to sit up there - and I asked them all questions (from que cards) in front of a large crowd. Well after doing well ..... at first .... I ended up fumbling one one of the questions 3 times! haha. OH well. So yada yada yada -- I finish all the questions - I pick the third bachelor (who I might add loved dogs and the swiss alps, he was quite the romantic -- and seemed like a decent fellow haha) but anyways he was the best option (believe me haha) and then after I picked him, the actor (who worked for the Ren Faire) said "And now by the power invested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife."

So there you have it and I don't even know my last name! haha. Oh and I hugged him. Most awkward hug ever. haha.

THE END.  Hope you are all have a GREAT summer. 

A Quick Hello

Hello lovely ladies! I hope ya'll are doing well, just wanted to say a quick hello! Miss you, praying for you, thinking of you!
With lots of love,
Peach :)

Packing

Hey all, it's Krystal.

So I've been meaning to write a post here for a while, but haven't really gotten around to it - sorry about that!

Like I commented on Keri's post, I am leaving for Israel and Jordan this Friday, very early in the morning. I am going through Gordon to attend the seminar's happening there and am starting to get excited that I am leaving so soon! - Even though I REALLY need to start packing. I will be gone for about 5 weeks and will only have spotty internet connection at best but if I can I will try to update to at least let you all know that I am there safely (and again when I am back!). - I also think that I friended all of you on facebook, for those of you who I wasn't friends with already, because that might be a more convenient way for me to update you all :)

I hope that all of you are doing well this summer and that any traveling you might be doing will bring you back safe and sound! (Have so much fun on your trip this summer Chels!)

<3 Krystal

Dying...

Okay, so I'm not really dying, but I FINALLY have 2 seconds of downtime to post something to the girls I miss the most.  First of all, so sorry I kinda have fallen off the face of the planet since school got out, it's definitely been a crazy few weeks.  I don't know if any of you guys know, but my grandfather passed away the Friday of finals so I had all kinds of services to go to and family to hang out with when I got home.  It has settled down a little bit, but I'm currently taking 2 classes, Christian theology (online) like Chels, and a psych class at UCONN.  Needless to say, I have no life. It was fun when Peach and Mollie came for a visit (if you havent seen the pics and vids check em out on FB :) ) but it's been right to work since then.  Now I'm trying to get everything together for the first of 2 weddings I'm in (dresses, shoes, presents, etc) while planning the bridal shower and bachelorette party for the other one...hopefully you guys are having fun this summer and spending lots of time at the beach for me! :)  But really, I miss you all tons, and sorry this has turned out to be a novel, but I feel like its been forever since we've all talked to each other.  Soo... Chels: when do you leave for Austria?  Joy: is that internship working out for you?  Laura & Lauren: How is it up in the Wenham area? Shannon: How was la vidaaa?? Kate: any news about next year? Faith: what are you up to this summer? Gil: you have a class....at the BEACH?? Krystal: are you getting lots of time to soak up the Cali sun?  Peach: ...come live with me and help me not die during our 5k..thanks.

much love to all and please keep us UPDATED!

~Keri

PS. I know we've asked 134785298347 times, but who's doing camp??

June!! :)

Hey guys it's Chelsie!

So I've been busy doing mayterm (yuck) but my sister's graduation from pre-school was yesterday! It was super fun and then she went to her friend's super fancy party after with a bounce house and everything (I wish I had friends like that when I was her age).  But that's pretty much it! Hope you guys are doing good, miss you all!

hey guys its Gil..
I'm going to be home in 2 days, I'm super excited! But as of now I've just observed sessions of a speech pathologist, visited family and do some May term classes. I still haven't even been to the beach :( But that will change soon.
Miss you guys!

DEVO: DAY 1

Five Key Points 
Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012 

READY: 

“Whatever your hands find to do, do with all your strength…” - Ecclesiastes 9:10 

SET: 

Earlier this season, I took my middle school baseball team to practice with the high school varsity. It was good for my kids to practice on a higher level and to see how high school differs from middle school. At the end of practice the varsity coach gave them a “pep talk” about life and baseball using five key points of competition. While I had used some of the same points in my own speeches, I found that they captured my attention in a new way when I heard them from another coach and saw how they got the attention of the kids. The points that this coach made would work for any sport, and they also translate well to our spiritual lives.

Point 1: Effort – If we want to be better Christians, we must do the things that make us better Christians. We must read our Bibles, pray, follow Christ's example and attend church regularly.

Point 2: Desire – We have to turn off the Xbox and pick up a Bible every now and then. We know the names of every contestant on American Idol, the stats of our favorite teams, and the lyrics of our favorite songs, but how many Bible verses can we quote? Do we know what God’s Word says about the tough questions in life?

Point 3: Responsibility – We can’t hide behind excuses. True winners accept responsibility. If you aren't what you ought to be, why not fix it?

Point 4: Consistency – Bad habits develop naturally; you don't usually have to do anything to develop them. Just do something “any ol’ way” and you'll develop bad habits. Everything in life that's good and worth having requires effort, and following Christ is no different. You live as close to the Lord as you decide to.

Point 5: Repetitions – Reps are the only way to correct bad habits. We must keep doing the right things because they are the right things to do.

This week, let's pray for each other and ask God to work in these areas of our lives. Serving God is exciting, and we should be pumped about it! Today, let’s focus on Him and expect things to happen!

GO: 

1. How much attention do you give God in comparison to the other areas of your life? 
2. When was the last time you were excited about God, and what He was doing in your life? 
3. What part of the day could you set aside for spiritual development? 

WORKOUT: 

Colossians 3:23
James 4:8
2 Peter 1:3-8 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Justin Calhoun For more information about FCA please visit FCA.org.

Miss ya'll

Hey guys, it's Peach! Yesterday I got to visit Keri in Hickville. It was amazing! I got to shoot 4 guns and ride 4wheelers and work on a farm hahaha. Mollie came with me :). But anyways Just thought I'd share that cause that's pretty much all I've done so far haha. Look at the pictures/videos of us on facebook ;). Hope everyone is doing well! Much love <3

Hi Everyone! :)

你好！ ：）） 我爱你！ （translation: Hello! :)) I love you!)