128 Days Completed

So this is post 128. I don’t know how summer managed to fly by this fast, and how I’m sitting here even thinking about writing this last post. This summer…this summer has been everything I thought it would be and completely different from what I thought it would be at the same time. I’ve learned so much and done so many things, and yet my list is barely even half complete!

This summer I started out with a simple little list that I wanted to accomplish. Final tally is in!

THINGS I DID:
– Hammock
– Tan
– Volunteer
– Go to AGO
– MUCH quality time
– Read a lot of Bible and some other things (kinda monastic retreat-ish)

THINGS I DIDN’T DO:
– Actually finish learning New Testament Greek
– Pass bootcamp (or maybe I did … not really sure)
– Learn guitar
– Become a pro slackliner
– The Ex

THINGS I GOT TO DO I DIDN’T THINK I WOULD:
– Meet many new people
– Experience healing and love
– Be a camp counsellor
– Learn about God’s grace and how to trust
– Love freely and be loved

This summer I was able to reflect, recharge, relax, re-think, and get ready for the next step. While I’m sad to leave behind some of the sweeter days of summer, I move on knowing that God has great things in store for me – even if it doesn’t always seem like it. I was incredibly blessed this summer. I don’t even know where to start to tell you all the things I’ve learned and been able to experience.

As I move forward, I carry excitement for the new ministry opportunities, but also for the continued journey of my own life and faith. I still have a lot to learn, but we all do. I know as I walk forward i will continue to be taught lessons of patience and trust.

So thank you to those of you who walked this journey with me, reading all these blog posts (though I swear some of them had to be super boring), and especially thank you to those who made this summer all that it was, whether you were a part in May, June, July, or August, I dearly cherish all the memories of this summer.

“I’m not even going to look at a school book in vacation.” she told Marilla. “I’ve studied as hard all term as I possibly could and I’ve pored over that geometry until I know ever proposition in the first book off by heart, even when the letters are changed. I just feel tired of everything sensible and i’m going to let my imagination run riot for the summer. Oh, you needn’t be alarmed, Marilla. I’ll only let it run riot within reasonable limits. But I want to have a real good jolly time this summer, for maybe it’s the last summer I’ll be a little girl. Mrs. Lynde says that if I keep stretching out next year as I’ve done this I’ll have to put on longer skirts. She says I’m all running to legs and eyes. And when I put on longer skirts I shall feel that I have to live up them and be very dignified. It won’t even do to believe in fairies then, I’m afraid; so I’m going to believe in them with all my whole heart this summer.” – L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

My thoughts precisely, going into (and now out of) summer, Anne Shirley. Well put.

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Monday, September 2

I’m writing this one a little early in hopes I’ll be able to start up on post 128 about the entirety of my summer. Today was say goodbye (again) to people and drive home (again) and unpack (again). I feel like I’ve done this before……

Anyhow, I’ve completely unpacked (finally) and I think I might be ready to start tomorrow. Maybe not. It’s a little weird to be sitting here the night before everything hits. I’m tired and my finger tips still hurt a little, but it’s ok. I’m starting to feel the regular large dose of stress that comes with the rest of life, but as I can do nothing about that, I’m going to have to deal with it. Hopefully tomorrow will alleviate some of said stress. Once I get a week done, I think I’ll be good.

Anyway, this evening has basically just been spent getting ready for tomorrow and scheduling things. What a way to end it! I think I shall end by going and eating ice cream. Ice cream is a splendid way to end a summer.

Sunday, September 1

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. ITS SEPTEMBER ARE YOU JOKING ME?

Today was long day number 2. Take care of kids, do about a thousand bajillion harnesses, and kill my hands working bottom of zipline. Also, enjoy the moments of worthwhile conversation with other staff and the guests. Run back to the house to see cousins we hadn’t seen in years, and then go back for MOAR harnesses and things! Yes. That was my day. It’s good to be at camp, but I’m still slightly freaking out about school starting so soon. Summer is basically….over!

Saturday, August 31

You know that awkward time when the schedule you were emailed isn’t the real schedule and you work earlier than you thought? That happened today. Luckily, I had showed up early to get a wristband and be official and things. Thus commences one SUPER  long day. I’m kind of tired of doing up harnesses, but it was fun to be able to spend time at camp with my cousin and a few friends. It’s always a good time, even when it’s not a good time at ALL. And my friend is sleeping over tonight! Super last minute: check. Didn’t ask permission: check. No one had a problem with it: check.

Friday, August 30

Today I did lots of things. Started off by taking my sister to buy her textbooks, which resulted in me spending all of the money I could possibly spend in one day. Fantastic.

Secondly, I volunteered again! It was kind of nice to still be able to have some sort of a routine in my week, even if it IS the last week before school starts. It was the last time for most of the ones going off to school to hang out, so it was a little bitter sweet I think. Also I got schooled in Blokus. Really badly.

Thirdly, we drove to Michigan! Again! I’ll be working Saturday and Sunday and also my mom is visiting my grandma so it worked out splendidly. I’ll get to spend time with my cousin and friends and get paid. Yeeeee! However, on the drive down there was a massive storm and our new car is slightly (as in a lot) lighter than the old so it didn’t like wind. We had to stop on the side of the road for a little while but we made it through alive!

Thursday, August 29

So today I learned that once I finish cleaning my room…I have nothing left to do. once everything has a happy home, I literally had nothing left to work on. I mean, yes, I have the Gnostic Gospels that i’m reading through, but it isn’t the same as having a hands on type of project. On the plus side, my room is quite nice now. Hopefully it will stay in it’s usable state. The only thing left to do these days is work on my Greek/monastic retreat things! Since the other half of my list is clearly not happening.

In other news, I bought a swimming suit today! It has been a while since I got one, and it was nice to find one that fit, was one piece, and actually looked not like a speedo. Satisfaction = present.

Wednesday, August 28

I took my sister downtown with me today to get our hair cut. It was kind of fun. We were super early though so just killed time walking around. Said haircut is nice, but I still feel like I’m missing some of my hair. Now to grow it ALL back!

It was also the annual scavenger hunt with CCF, which was pretty fun. The new first years who came out seemed to enjoy themselves and they seem like nice people. Hopefully they continue to come back and we will get to know them more!

However, today real life hit me hard. I was tired when I finally got home and realized that being happy/energetic while around lots of people is really draining for me. Tomorrow will consist of some alone time, which will be good I think.

Tuesday, August 27

Today I mostly just did little things around the house until I went out for the evening. Then I proceeded to get completely drenched when it opened up and poured and I didn’t have an umbrella. I was also slightly lost when I got off the subway. By slightly I mean I thought North was South, and thus went the wrong direction. This made said drenching worse. Also, I don’t know if you’ve ever tried, but texting/operating a touch screen phone is very hard when your fingers are wet and becoming wrinkly.

Once I got to the house my meeting was at though, it was fine. I obtained a nice towel and they dried my sweater. Also it was a good time of fellowshipping and talking about the year for CCF.  While I’m glad I’m not on committee this year, it is still nice to know that planning is happening and there is excitement bubbling.

Monday, August 26

I was able to meet with my friend for “coffee” today 🙂 She had returned from her missions trip to India, and it was a wonderful time of catching up and sharing what we learned. Sometimes it feels like I’m way too lucky to have these people in my life who care about me and who I am able to continue investing in and being invested in by. Friendships based on a mutual desire to grow continually in faith are the bestest kind.

I also got to teach again today! It was actually really fun today. The cuteness and eagerness of the students totally made the entire evening. I love being able to laugh with the students and I feel like I feed off of their mood, so it’s nice when they show up in a good one. Also “Call Me Maybe” was on the radio afterwards when I drove home. *Fist pump*

Sunday, August 25

I feel like I accomplished a lot today. I managed to finish cleaning my whole room and find places for all the things I have. Hopefully it will be functional as well … but I’m just pleased that I managed to get everything to fit. I even cleaned my closet for the first time in about 5+ years! Granted, I still have to buy textbooks and find a place for THOSE, but lets not talk about that right now.

This morning was wonderful though. Highlight of the day. Leading out on Sunday was…definitely harder than I thought it would be. But it was also really cool to see God pull everything together and make the day his and not mine. From the number of curve balls we were thrown, I think it’s clear that God was showing me to let go and worship him myself instead of worrying about all the other things. Would I be open to doing something like that again? Yes. Seeing God glorified and giving others the opportunity to glorify him is something I would like to see happen again.