I’m getting paid for this?!

I just want to say that I have the coolest job in the world right now.  Hopefully it will develop into more, meaning even more responsibility, but I’m ready!  After almost 3 months of doing nothing (which was really nice for the first month), it’s so great to be active and productive and loving what I’m doing again.

Last week we had a day camp for 9 kids with autism and 3 of their siblings.  It was not easy.  But as another counselor so astuetly pointed out, if it was easy, they wouldn’t need us!  The first day was overwhelming for everone, campers and staff alike.  But as the week went on and we got into our flexible-but-structured routine, I got to know some of the coolest kids in the world.  Their personalities started to shine through and we began to learn how to communicate with them in their own worlds.  Some were huggers, others were jokers, we had some writers and artists and naturalists-in-training.  Such amazing curiosity and enthusiasm for even the littlest of things.  I was worn out by the end of the week, but it was so much fun and I learned more than I ever could have expected.  It was sad to see everyone go home on the last day!

This week, through Tuesday, we’re at a mountain resort with a group of adults who have developmental disabilities and live in a group home.  This is hardly a “camp” setting, but as the participants have been calling it, it’s an amazing vacation for them.  We’ve been swimming and hung out in the hot tub, we had a wonderful dinner in a ballroom tonight (probably the nicest dinner some of them have had), we’ve played fun games and hung out by the enormous fireplace looking out over the mountains, and tomorrow I’ll be leading the golfing activity (no, I know very little about golf).  Some will also be going to tennis, horseback riding, and fishing.  Then we’ll have a hayride and a bonfire!  And I’m just here to lead a few games, be a golf instructor, and make sure everyone is having a good time.  Right now I’m sitting on my balcony, listening to the crickets and looking up at the stars.  I’m getting paid for this?!

The only drawback I’m experiencing so far is that I’m having to give up a few Sundays here and there and that’s not easy for me.  This morning I crammed in the early service at church and half of Sunday School before I had to hit the road.  But I think I can handle it as long as it’s just a few Sundays here and there.