Well, it's 6:05 and I'm waiting for Pam to show up. She's spending the night before we head down to camp tomorrow. I'm exhausted today and the only thing I did was move boxes around. I think that's sad.
I'm a little nervous about camp, you know that whole I-don't-like-not-knowing-what-I'm-going-to-be-doing-and-if-I'll-be-any-good-at-it thing? Yes.
Have a great three weeks all. I'll see you at orientation or shortly there after.
Hello All. Today I will tell you about numerous items of no interest to any of you except the extremely bored.
First Interest-less Item:
I am in Telephone. I came last night and will leave tomorrow. A large motivator for our trip was my intent to use Luke's computer to burn my digital Ireland pictures from DVD to CD, thereby gaining the necessary access to edit my pictures (Bruce does not have a DVD drive) and turn them in by Friday. I would hate to fail Fine Art Photography. So, today at 9:45 I headed to Luke's, burned three cds, and took the long way home (an extra 20 minutes) just so I could drive, windows open and radio blaring, through the countryside that makes my soul happy.
Second Interest-less Item:
I am now officially excited about school. Today, while waiting for a cd to burn, I started thinking about the first day of classes and how academic and educated I feel. I don't know why the first day makes me feel academic and educated. I guess syllabi and book buying have that effect on me. I also got quite excited about seeing all of you lovely people at Orientation. Even now, I am smiling with the thought.
Third Interest-less Item:
I have very little idea how to address female sexuality, or more specifically female sexual sin, on campus. I feel very inadequate and ill prepared. I feel like a hypocrite. I am not at all prepared for what this undertaking will bring with it. I do not want to be attacked spiritually. I do not want to face opposition. I do not want to be responsible for leading people in overcoming sin (I'm quite bad at it myself). I do not want to fail. I feel that all of these are inevitable.
I hear his grace is sufficient.
I have returned. Safe and sound. After 22 hours of travel. Here's a list for your reading enjoyment.
Things I've Learned this Summer:
1. I like apples. Who knew?
2. I snore when sleeping heavily.
3. embarrassment is an acceptable emotion.
4. I need girls around. Too many boys + no girls = crying, emotional turmoil, etc.
5. I am a woman. Women have curves.
6. I should never start drinking. Therefore, I should probably avoid people when they are doing it.
7. I no longer enjoy club style dancing.
8. Emotional intimacy with guys = expectation of a relationship
9. God wants me to address female sexuality on campus.
10. Friendships are not possessions.
11. I have a tone and look. Did you know this?
12. The possibility of failure is a poor reason not to do something.
13. I'm not nearly as afraid of vulnerability as I used to be.
14. Drunk men pee a lot.
15. I really enjoy card games.
16. Occasionally I need assistance.
17. Pre-Ireland, I was not very excited about this year.
18. I am now more excited than I was.
19. The Northern Ireland situation is very complicated.
20. Non-Christians are usually not up for compromise and loving their enemy.
21. Black and white film is incredibly difficult to develop in less than two weeks.
22. How to light an interview, film b-roll, and flush Irish toilets.
23. I want a boyfriend. I am irritated by this desire.
24. I need a chiropractor.
25. I do not enjoy "touristy" things.
26. I miss my friends.
More to come later, I'm sure.
So, here I sit in my new home in Derryvolgie Hall in Belfast. Our team just moved into the dorm where everyone else lives. I don't know that I'll like it quite as much as our Dundrum home on the bay....We leave on the 16th and I just feel like I finally saw Ireland last week. We were in charming Derry (I think my favorite city in the UK) and then on the north Antrim coast. We hiked 12 miles along the cliffs from Giant's Causeway to Carrick-a-rede rope bridge. I was quite proud of myself for this amazing physical feat. I feared I would pass out due to my lack of physical exercise, but I won. Oh yes, I won.
This trip has been another strange one. God has been reaffirming what he taught me last summer in preparation to minister on campus next year. I'm very excited and nervous about next year. It's going to be a doosie. How do you spell that word?
I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. Conversations with team members keep turning me back to conversations had with you all, and family stuff, and God. I'm reminded once again of God's perfect timing.
I had something else to say, but forgot...alas...
Hope your days have been sunny, but not sweaty.