I have a new neighbor. No it isn't the cute single Christian guy I was hoping for...;) Instead it is a fat groundhog who loves to make himself at home around my steps. I was kinda startled by him yesterday as I have never seen a groundhog around my house before. (We have tons of them in this area - but I am on a somewhat busy street.) Poor little thing must have gotten lost. Anyway, he (or she!) seems to be enjoying my place since it has not left! It scurries under my porch whenever I get too close so I'm not scared of it...just think it's funny. If you were from CA, you would think so too!

On to a more important subject...

A group of boys went down to camp today in Goshen, Virginia. (Young Life's Rockbridge.) Please keep them in prayer. It is YLWJ's first wyld life camp experience ever...yay!

The weather was actually decent today...ptl! OK...off to the gym...or do I want to exercise outside??

What should I name him or her??? I'm taking suggestions! 

This morning I turned on the radio and heard Christmas music on several stations. I thought, "What in the world is going on?" But I was so excited because I absolutely love Christmas music and Christmas time. Well, I finally figured out that today is the 25th and we are 5 months away from the big day. Turns out people were celebrating Christmas in July. How fun! It made for some good listening while heading back to New Jersey from Virginia.

This past weekend I went down to visit Kristin. She and I went to Lancaster County on Saturday and Sunday. It was GORGEOUS there. Maybe I'll do YL there someday if central PA doesn't work out? Who knows?? But is was a lot of fun. We stayed at a really cute (and old - but charming) hotel, took a tour by bus and train, drove ourselves around a bit and ate at fun places. The pics below were mostly taken by Kristin - so Kristin thanks for sharing!

Camp pics are below as well. It was a great week. Upstate New York is very nice. Can't wait to go and do some more exploring. Anyone up for a trip to that part of the state? The highlight of course was that all 10 non-believing kids became Christians. PTL!

Today was "triple H" which means hot, hazy and humid. Yikes! So not fun. I am so grateful for my brand new air conditioner unit! This is a fun story and I will close with this...

My apartment (one of three in a big old house) does not have air conditioning. I thought I would be able to make it through this summer and then worry about getting a window AC next year. (Since I was going to be gone so much for work, etc.) Well, I came home from camp and my house was like an oven. There was no way I was going to be able to make it through this summer. Plus, I sleep upstairs (and my computer is here as well) and heat rises so therefore I was just miserable. (To sleep I had to completely soak my pajamas with cold water and put a fan up to the side of my bed.) I didn't know what I was going to do as I am not exactly able to just go out and buy an AC unit. Anyway, I got a random call from a committee couple who wanted to drop by. They came by and brought with them a window AC unit! I was so surprised, thankful and shocked that I started crying. Isn't God good? They even put it in for me. Now life is so much better in my house...or at least upstairs!!

I am coming home to CA soon - I CAN'T WAIT!

Going for a drive. 

In front of our hotel. 

Covered bridge in Lancaster County. 

Love those whoopee pies! 

Us again. 

Hanging out. 

Some of the boys on 50's night. 

Our volleyball uniforms - :) 

YLWJ girls on our parasailing trip at Saranac. 

Three girls who had to run out and help facilitate a fire alarm really early in the morning...we are laughing hard in this pic because we know we look oh so hot 

Another pic of the most awesome DH crew ever...;) 

Me and the dining hall team on banquet night 

one more 

from my car window as I'm driving 

different angle 

A beautiful sunflower field in my town 

I returned home from assignment last night. Wow...what a month. It was amazing, with many fun memories and of course some things I'd like to forget as well...ha ha ha. It was great. It feels so weird to be home. I just don't know what to do with myself. Good thing I am turning around and going right back to camp again tomorrow!!

Yep, at 6 AM tomorrow we leave for Saranac Village in upstate NY. This time around though I am taking kids. There will be 18 boys and 9 girls. (Including leaders.) Please pray for us - especially kids who do not know Christ. Camp is such a wonderful time to come into a relationship with the God of the universe.

My contact info for the next week:
Ashley Phelan (YLWJ leader July 10-16)
Young Life's Saranac Village
4014 State Route 30
Saranac Lake, NY 12983
518-891-3010

Two (of the many) highlights from this month were 1) my mom coming out and visiting me and 2) the sunflower field I saw today. My mom came out on a "spur-of-the-moment" trip this last Monday. It was nice to have her around and show her Champion. I'm very glad she was able to visit. Yesterday she left. Today I had to drop Amy off at the Philly airport. I was driving back to Flemington and came across a field just FULL of sunflowers. I didn't spot it yesterday because it was dark. It has always been a dream of mine to walk in a field of sunflowers. I know that may sound cheesy, but they are my second favorite flower. (First being gerber daisies.) Anyway, I had to stop and take some pics...but was in a huge rush (lots of stuff to do for camp today) so I didn't exactly get the chance to walk in them and take up-close pics. Hopefully sometime next week I can if they last that long. Anyway, what an INCREDIBLE sight!!

I have to get packing but wanted to post some pics and say "hi" since it has been awhile. Have a good week!!