"Can anyone tell me what God created on the second day?", I asked.
"Um, wasn't it... two turtle doves?", Kirsten answered.
Perhaps the highlight of the class I taught at camp.
I got there and I wondered what I had gotten myself into. It was going to be over 100 degrees several days in a row. Now, I can handle forty below, but I can't handle heat. My body turns off. I mean my mitochondria seriously stop making ATP. After all, in keeping with the week's theme, I am a "nordique". Qoi.
So I pretty much wondered what I was doing at a camp 1204.3 miles away from my home. Where I knew 3 people. Not very well, I might add. I was hot, dirty, far from home, and not feeling a semblance of spiritual presence. I don't even like kids that much. I am retarded.
Let me tell you that it was, far and away, the best week of my summer. I came home exhausted yet invigorated. Part of it was devotions, part chapel and tabernacle, part group time, part alter calls and subsequent catharsis, part worship, part nature and dissociation from civilization (as much as you can be in New Jersey), part fighting my natural introvert tendencies to go out of my comfort zone and meet people who are much cooler than me. All of it was being enveloped by Christians, meeting people who do nothing but inspire me, kids with legitimate concerns and issues kids should never have to deal with. Teachers and counselors and deans giving up a week of their lives without pay to keep a camp that changes lives afloat.
I met so many awesome people. Brian, Emily, and Danielle were kind enough to pick a Minnesotan up in Philly. Sarah E. and Scott were my team leaders (Jesus, Hockey, Breathing), Sarah M. inspires me to play guitar- chicks rock!, and Sarah J., the sweetest girl ever. Courtney and Matt Ralph, the best deans in the history of deanhood. My roomies Lauren and Jill. Jon and Dave and Bandu in the lounge. Mama Ralph, my fellow Midwesterner/hugger. Dave Ralph and Tina, technology extraordinnaires. Angie, Greg, DJ, and Jay moving us with worship. My prayer group girls. My team (Go Leafs!). Milkshakes at 2 AM. Nightswimming in Lake Agape. Watching the kids fish, remembering the curiosity and thirst that seems to hasten with age.
I sat on the beach, moved by the acoustic music, emotions swelling, pleading to hear God. About two seconds later, I heard, "I'm tired of searching for a love that only comes and goes." That is so true. Believe it or not, the trip was worth that one single moment.
I also got to see my classmates/friends: Suz, Sarah, Nicole, Jentry, Julie, Shana and Chad, Kathryn, Carla, Greg and Arayel, Jen and Tom, Colleen and Laura. I got to attend a housewarming party, view where a friend's wedding will take place, and celebrate the birth of a baby boy and the engagement of a friend. And, as usual, I feel like the rest of the world is moving and I am standing still. I miss them all so much. One year is too long to not see them.
"And the world's got me dizzy again
You'd think after 22 years I'd be used to the spin
And it only feels worse when I stay in one place
So I'm always pacing around or walking away"
~Bright Eyes
