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Summer 2007 Highlights
Major events with some detailed explanation:
Ran a really cool trip in June with a mix of skater punk kids and a couple kids from gang background. Decided skaters dress much cooler than gangsters. Seriously though, it was an incredible trip to be a part of. Two kids decided to follow Christ on that trip. AWESOME.
July:
Ran an extended IK with my church--that was cool. My mom came on the trip, and jumped off a cliff into the river. She's 57--yeah mama! I could go on for 3 days about that trip--Peter and I got to run it together which was a huge blessing, I got to take kids I've known since they were 5 down the river and show them that following Christ is not boring! It's been sweet to see those kids and the impact that trip has had on their lives--two of the girls went from being the kind of girl that leaves their hair hanging over their face to hide from the world, quiet, complainy, insecure, to two smiling, much more confident, happy girls who are actually reading their Bibles on a daily basis, talking to older women in the church, and becoming better friends with eachother. I can't believe my eyes when I go back to visit--it's so awesome! Waaaay bigger than anything I could have made happen on my own.
Also ran an extended IK with a group of girls from Montana that my mentor brought out. I could not believe how much meat those girls ate. It was also a really beneficial trip spiritually for the girls and their leaders--God's so big, how he works specifically in each kid's life on even a 5 day trip just blows me away sometimes.
Ate my first crawdad at the hostetler 4th of july celebration with all of Kens family. There's over 100 hostetlers in canby. I don't like crawdads.
August:
One of the trips I was on was with a guy who works with kids just out of JV hall--that was really different. I loved it--those kids just haven't been loved. Definately my only trip where all the students were addicted to nicotine. We got to listen to each of them tell their stories over a 4 day period--no one should ever have to grow up like that. Broke my heart for them, but at the same time they were so much fun to hand out with. I'm not sure if I've ever had a more enthusiastic group of paddlers--and I'm not sure that I've ever had more fun rafting! And to overhear them commenting to each other--"man, this is so awesome. We can have fun while we're sober..." God digs them. It was cool to get to tell them and try and show them that just a little bit.
Registered for my classes at Western...I got a scholarship from my church--God totally hooked me up and all my tuition is paid for through the first semester. That's awesome! I'm stoked to begin! Starts Sept 10...
Got a new car. The metro died early in the summer--that's a pretty funny story in itself. But, I just got a 96 toyota corolla. Runs great, feels good to have bought a solid little car that's going to last awhile.