here we go!

and we are off to see what the Father will do!
last post, sayonara, see you in a month.
if you really need to get a hold of me, you can write me a letter here:


Washington Family Ranch - Creekside Summer Staff 3rd session, Kaila Gibson
One Muddy Rd PO Box 220
Antelope, OR 97001


blessings to you for the month of august!

it's almost here!

     In about 6 days I will be on my way out here for a month! It is such a blessing to be able to escape reality and the 'real' world to go to this place. You all know it, Washington Family Ranch. Blue skies, crazy kids, and college students to fill you up and give you new brothers and sisters to appreciate. I am eagerly awaiting this time to serve and grow closer to my kids. 
     Lauren, Colin and I are taking 12 little ones, middle school some going into high school status. While this time is going to be exhausting, non-stop crazy and highly emotional, I have felt God place this on my heart since November and while it hasn't always been easy to trust Him, I know He is going to do wonders beyond my imagination. He never fails us and is always good to do what He says He's going to do, in a much better way of course. If you recall from my latest posts, please continue praying for us as we embark in the 6 hour bus ride with over 60 students. Oh the joys! To hear their laughter hopefully will keep us sane. 
     I will post again before I leave. Ta, ta for now. Where has the Lord brought you this summer? Thanks for reading. :]

home, sweet home.

Fourth Parade!

Fireworks!!

Moving...joys.

     After returning home from China, it took quite some time to get used to the time adjustment. None of my other trips were this way so I was really surprised at how tired I had felt for a four days. Once I was adjusted, it was time to begin packing the boxes. Two of my friends were able to come down and lend their strong muscles for the duration of a few hours. One of them had a suburban so we loaded the puppy right up with my furniture and a load or two of boxes. It was the greatest thing.
     I now live at 587 Catron, a block closer to 99, and there is air conditioning! Well still the heat finds its way in but with this place not being in direct sunlight it can go a long way. Unfortunately I still have to walk upstairs. I am excited to see the adventure God is taking me on and this time He has given me to relax is nothing short of perfection.
     Since being back, I have learned many things about myself and one being very obvious is the fact that I HAVE TOO MUCH STUFF!! If I ever live on my own, I have enough for about 10 people to be over using my kitchen stuff with extras, I'm sure. I have also learned to appreciate the lack of humidity we have here and rain is a great thing, though sparse in the summers.
     About two weeks until I will be on a bus towards camp, so keep our 12 campers and 3 leaders in your prayers please! After those 5 days, I will stay out there and work in housekeeping for three weeks to return home August 22. I am so overjoyed to be around these kiddos and serve more middle school students by cleaning their rooms. God has definitely blessed me with many things.
     Looking towards the upcoming school year, I may have an opportunity to babysit two girls before and after school so prayers about that would be terrific. It is also possible that I may be on Student Staff with Young Life where friends and family support you in the expenses needed for Clubs and such throughout the year. This would be a great opportunity to learn more about Young Life and the possibility of being on Staff someday after college. Since the application deadline has passed, our area leader would need to approve this to happen and who knows what will go down while I'm out at camp. 
     Please keep our kids, my family, and what the Lord is doing in my life in your prayers. If you would like to be mailed my newsletter to be sent out in the next few weeks, send me your email address at kgibson08@wou.edu

     Thanks for reading. :]

Jet lag is winning.

heading to China!!

squatty potties as we called them; 
you place your feet on the grooves and squat, 
and sometimes there were no doors.

one of the buildings
at the Emperor's Palace,
now called the Forbidden City.

crammed on a train.

Terra Cotta Warriors!!!

riding bicycles like the locals.

ping pong tables.

of course I bought some nutella.

gotta love the translations.

dragon fruit anyone?

she brought me joy, baby Bethany.

 

    I selected a few photos to capture some of the things I experienced on my journey. It is hard to some it up in words but these pictures don't do it justice either. God is definitely moving in China and we were blessed to be witnesses by it. Please continue to pray for the people we encountered or those who merely saw Jesus shinning through us. There is much to be done but He surely isn't finished.

    In Beijing we mostly were tourists around the city. We saw Tian'anmen Square, The Forbidden City, walked a ton and got to experience the subway and bus transportation systems. From there we took the train to Xi'an. A 14 hour mode of travel in which we hardly slept but had a great time singing, laughing, and being thankful we actually had seats and food. The morning of the 21st we got McDonald's to re-engerize before seeing the Terra Cotta Warriors. The next few days were spent meeting college students and establishing relationships with locals and foreign missionaries. We had the opportunity to hear their vision from the Father and it was incredibly inspiring. Following Xi'an, we flew to Nanchang on the 25th and helped some children with their English. This school is led by Christian's who could use your prayers to allow the Father to work and reach their students lives. They tell everyone they meet their story and are not afraid to show it. This is the future people; embrace it.

     Now that I am home, I find myself quite emotional from lack of sleep, which brings exhaustion and unawareness about the time. Thank goodness it is summer cause God has lots to do and I have lots of free time! Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for reading. :]