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.

Advertisement

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!