"Whirlwind" as a descriptor might just begin to touch on these past few weeks. Where to begin! I've touched the sky on one of Colorado's famous 14,000 ft peaks, watched mule deer antlers crash together and lock while brushing my teeth, saw a blanket of stars that put Van Gogh's "Starry Night" to shame, driven more than 1,000 miles (including a few in a car that started with a push button!), listened to Gabe Lyon's speak on his new book and woke up to a sheet of frost lining my tent yesterday under the towering features of Seneca.
God's carefully crafted creation is glimmering with beauty, whether that looks like standing in a room of fellow staff members or on a peak reading a log journal with new friends. Either way, His glory is always standing right in front of me, waiting to humble me and steal my breath away. So what brings me into this whirlwind of a lifestyle? Just this - being able to continue growing in my knowledge of my profession so that, with the smarts God has granted me and the full reliance on Him, students would be able to experience a glimpse of His kingdom. At the Christian Adventure Association conference in Colorado, I got to hear several dissertations on WHY outdoor education works and what aspects of camp have the most effect on campers, as well as network with amazing individuals across the nation. From there, the plane carried me back to PA, where I attended a training seminar for my job in the beautiful valley of Ligonier. Getting to catch up with fellow staff members and hear Gabe Lyon's speak on the new generation of Christians beginning to engage our culture and live out their faith in all things was exciting and refreshing. My departure found me on route 80 once again, going to my parents' home on the other side of the state to share with their church about the CCO and my position with the OLT. A few days more in the 'burgh, then another drive to Seneca Rocks, WV for some rock climbing training. Never have I felt so exposed than Friday on the rocks, getting whipped by the wind while practicing rappel setups and rescues. But those moments remind me that truthfully, God is in control of everything and is just and fair and harsh, as well as loving. Though the wind was harsh, the gift of being able to learn with friends and laugh despite the cold was well worth it. More journeys are coming, more stories with emerge...but my prayer is never to have a story with learning something from it. Christ told lots of stories and none of them were meaningless; but rather, provide fruit for learning even today, 2000 years later. So here I go again, ready for more stories - and more God.
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