PTM Field Trip Pictures

These are pictures from our field trips to Centennial Park and Fifth-Third bank a few weeks ago. Field trips were quite a treat this summer, and we really enjoyed them!

Photo scavenger hunt: find a plane

Taking a break from our scavenger hunt

Photo scavenger hunt: make a star
Ready to make our trip into the Fifth-Third Banking world!
Eager to answer questions at the bank
Admiring the view from the very tall Fifth-Third bank building

Week 6

This past week was my final week at PTM, and I couldn't be more upset. I hate to "leave" all of the children I've come to love and care for - even though I know I'll be returning for their after school program! The past week was a "PTM Bonus Week". We had a group of 30 VBS children from First Presbyterian Church come and "buddy up" with 30 special PTM children. The goal of the week: work on reading skills and have fun! The adult volunteers ran the reading classes, so my fellow worker (George) and I did games outside. On Monday we had a fun game of kickball, Tuesday we had a water balloon toss, Wednesday we played a HOT game of soccer, Thursday we took a felid trip to the pool, and Friday we played capture the flag with water balloons. Each day brought new excitement and enjoyment. The kids had such a fun time at bonus week, as well as myself. I especially enjoyed not having to plan a curriculum for the week, but having the opportunity to just play with the kids.

Another point I loved about the bonus week was watching the two completely different groups of children come together and form friendships almost instantly. Every morning we sang a song called "Diverse City" which talked about how God made each of us different and how He wants us to grow in fellowship with each other. I truly enjoyed seeing both groups get along.

Bonus week was a perfect last week, filled with lots of fun, yet heart-breaking goodbyes. Working at PTM taught me countless lessons this summer that will (God-willing) stick with me throughout my life. One of my most important lessons, I believe, was learning self-confidence in my decisions. Many times I don't have the courage to make decisions without double-checking, but having so much responsibility put me in a position where it was necessary to make decisions on my own. I also witnessed God's work this summer and His spirit in so many children. I only hope that their example of unconditional love towards me will translate to my life. I couldn't be more thankful for a perfect summer!

PS - I'll upload pictures from our field trips to Centennial park and the bank!

Y.E.S. Pics!

The first three were taken at the St. Luke's Y.E.S. center, and the last one is a group shot at Camp Sycamore Creek.

Final Weeks at YES

I've unfortunately gotten very behind on my posts, so this installment will cover Weeks 4, 5, and 6 of my time at St. Luke's Y.E.S.

Week 4

I had such an awesome time during my second week at the St. Luke's Y.E.S. center, and I cherished every single day. The highlight of the week, though, was most definitely the unforgettable kickball tournament. Every Friday, the high school kids at Y.E.S. as well of the staff divide into appointed teams to play three kickball games. According to me, my team was definitely the best because of the awesome sportsmanship of my teammates; according to our record, however, we were the worst. While we regularly lost both of our tournament games each week, my team never failed to encourage each other, giving high fives for both home runs as well as strikeouts. We brought our usual encouragement and optimism to Week 4's Friday tournament and used it to accomplish a seemingly impossible feat - we won BOTH of our games!! On top of that, the first team we played had previously been undefeated. I was both overjoyed and honored to be a part of such wonderful underdog victories.

Week 5

Much of this time was spent preparing for camp which would take place the week after. I had fun asking the Y.E.S. camp "old-timers" what their favorite part about camp was. My skating friend Passion, for example, reveled in explaining the adventures she had last year. She told me about how difficult it was for her to pluck up the courage to ride on the Giant Swing and fly on the Zip Line. I found that her story related perfectly to the camp's theme this year: No Guts, No Glory. At camp, we would be using stories from the Book of Judges to show the kids that faith in Jesus brings both hardship and salvation. The end of Week 5 was sad for me because Friday was the last day I saw many of the littlest campers. Children younger than those entering the 2nd Grade were not allowed to attend camp yet, so I would not get to see them the next week. I finished work that Friday with a heart both heavy from saying good-bye to several of my new friends and excited about the week to come.

Week 6

This was my all-time favorite week of Turner Fellowship and was definitely a life-changing experience! On Sunday afternoon my parents dropped me off at the Y.E.S. center where all the counselors were meeting to pack and leave for Camp Sycamore Creek in Joelton. I was assigned to be a cabin leader of six 2nd through 4th Grade girls along with two other counselors I met that Sunday named Meagan and Kacey. These women are two of the nicest people I have ever met, and I am glad to call them friends now. The girls in our cabin were just as wonderful. I had an amazing time getting to know them better. My favorite Cabin Nine memory was helping the girls come up with a skit to perform for the rest of the camp. Within a half-hour they had created a truly hilarious and sweet performance. The girls pretended to be a rap group made up of celebrities such as Selena Gomez and Willow Smith; after beat-boxing and dancing their hearts out, the youngest little girl named MacKenzie would begin to sing a hymn with the others subsequently joining in. I had an amazing time hanging out with the kids of other cabins as well. During free times I regularly volunteered to monitor the playground area, and one day a new friend of mine named Annabelle asked me to push her on the tire swing. I enjoyed seeing how much fun she was having laughing and twirling higher and higher on the swing. Annabelle was apparently impressed by my tire swing pushing skills so much that I later heard her tell her friends on the playground that she refused to be pushed on the tire swing unless she was spun the "Mary Katherine Way."
The best part of camp came on Thursday. That morning, we all crowded into the Y.E.S. buses and traveled to a local church to witness five campers and one counselor be baptized. It was all I could do to keep from weeping for joy as I watched each person be dunked into the holy water; I have never witnessed anything so monumental and radiating with goodness.

My last day at Y.E.S. camp was incredibly bittersweet for me. While I was happy to be seeing my family again and take a nice, long post-camp nap, it was very difficult to part with people with whom I have grown so close. I am extremely thankful for my Turner Fellowship experience and the wonderful relationship I have begun with the St. Luke's Y.E.S. center. I feel that God calls me to continue my service there so I am eager to return to Y.E.S. next summer.

Week 5

Last week was my 5th week at PTM and the last week of their summer program. It was a bittersweet last few days with all the kids. I savored as much time as I could and treasured all the hugs and drawings that the kids gave me. They also gave me a "farewell Audrey" time in the morning at worship. The kids talked about how they loved me and how much they'll miss me. Their words warmed my heart and I hope I never forget their kind thoughts and prayers.

Last week was also my first week without Zach helping me. It was a little different and difficult but by the second or third day we had adjusted. We didn't go on any field trips but we did some fun activities around PTM for problem solving.

We also had the community supper last Friday. All of the children's families were invited, but there was a low turn out (which Chan said is to be expected). We ate BBQ and played baseball and sidewalk chalk. I also got to meet many of the kids family for the first time which was nice. It was a great way to end yet another wonderful week.

This week is a break week, but the next week is PTM Bonus week (30 kids get to come back for half days) and I am really looking forward to it. Until then, I hope everyone else has had just as amazing experience as me. God truly did bless me this summer and I couldn't be more thankful!

Week 6 at MOBC

Last week was my sixth week at Martha O'Bryan Center. I have three more days next week to make up for the days I took off for college visits, and I can't believe that I'll be done after that! It has been such a blessing to be a part of these children's lives and to work with such wonderful people. I'm definitely going to miss the kids when I stop working.

Most of the kids are heading off to kindergarten in early August, and I am so excited for them! All they talk about is how they can't wait until they go to kindergarten, but I can tell that a few of them are nervous. It's weird because the kids are having the same feelings about kindergarten as I am about college; so, I'm doing my best to reassure them since I can since what they're going through.

Friday was my birthday, and I also worked for the first part of the day. During the kids' lunch time, Ms. Marvetta and Mr. John (the teachers I work with) sent me out of the room to get some Pine-Sol. When I returned, all of the lights were out, and everyone was gone. As I stepped into the room, Marvetta, John, and all of the kids jumped out and yelled "Surprise!" John handed me a cheesecake, and Marvetta gave me a card that all of the kids had signed (some with a little help). Then, they all sang "Happy Birthday" to me. I could not stop smiling! It means so much to me that they would take the time to do that for my birthday. I love my kids, and I love the people I work with. Going back to visit everyone is not even an option, it's a must!

Week 4

This past week was my 4th week at PTM. I returned from a 2 week vacation and was overjoyed with the love that I received when the kids walked in the door my first day back. It was so great to see their faces again and to hear all that went on when I was gone. Many of the students couldn't believe that I went to the beach and "slept over" there. I felt so blessed returning.

This past week at PTM was filled with two special field trips. On Wednesday I planned a photo scavenger hunt to Centennial. Zach took 3 boys and I took 8 girls to run around the park in search for our list of items including: ducks, the Parthanon, the train, a Frisbee game, making a pyramid, the model plane, and much more. The group of girls that I took were so great and really enjoyed our day in the park. Unfortunately, the girls lost to the boys team. However, afterwards, the girls took our left over lunch bread and we fed the ducks. Overall, it was an awesome day!

Our second feild trip was to the bank. We took twelve 4/5th grade boys and girls to visit the Fifth-Third bank downtown. Unlike Centennial Park, we were blessed with cool air conditioning. Our tour guides (Ms. Tracee and Ms. Buffy) also treated us to pizza! After a nice lunch Ms. Tracee taught the kids how to write a check and balance their "check book". We started out with a good amount of money, but the kids learned that mortgages, utilities, food, and other bills cost money. As we talked about balancing our check books, and watched our money slowly dwindle, many of the kids talked about getting money from food stamps or the women getting child support. It's so strange to me the 4/5th graders mind would jump to food stamps and child support - thinking it is a given. As I looked round the room I prayed that when they grew up, none of them would ever have to be in a situation where they were in need of food stamps or child support. After our lesson from Ms. Tracee, Ms. Buffy took us on a tour of the bank. We even got to see the vault. After our field trip, Elizabeth told us she wanted to be a banker. I hope that she pursues the dream.



All in all, another awesome week at PTM. I also finished my grant to Lifeway this past week. PTM has applied 5 times for it already, but I hope the 6th time is the charm! I can't believe how much this place has already impacted me. I feel my faith growing as I witness so much love from children who not only don't have as much material things as me, but haven't grown up in a home with supportive parents. Every time I see a child perform a kind deed or receive a hug from them it reminds me of Christ's love for us.