Sounds of Antici......pation

The anticipation is absolutely killing me slowly.  I have much to look forward to about the next week or so.  I get to have visits with lots of people, old and recent, friends and mentors.  All combined with my second visit to the dentist within the past week.  I should not expect anything less with the way I have been taking care of my teeth.  But no worries, nothing serious, just a little fixing up and all will be well.

Then the fun will begin.  On Saturday, I get to visit with my friends from school and just celebrate the hard year that we have had together. The fact that we have made it out alive is something to celebrate.  Also, I will be saying goodbye to my friend Cindy as she heads out to her internships (note the plurality).  She is going to do so well and I wish her nothing but the best with what she will do this summer.  I know that Cindy is going to go far, and I cannot wait to see what all will happen.  Then I will get to call everyone and tell them about how I know this wonderfully talented individual.  Saturday will be a day of celebration and what all is to come within the next year.

What is really getting my attention and excitement is the trip to the best place that has ever been created.  My trip to Camp Lutheridge starts on Sunday and will last a whole week.  I will get to have the most amazing time with some of the best youth (so I hear) from the southern most state.  While there I will get to lead youth on the Group Interaction Course, lead Initiatives, share some of the best food prepared by the best chef ever, go on a creek walk, and have fun with them at Sliding Rock in Pisgah Forest.  This will most definitely be a highlight of the week for me.  The last time I remember going was when I was much younger and I had family living in Arden.  I remember having great fun, but the water was super cold.  I expect it to be cold this time around too, but in a more refreshing way.  Nothing can be more exciting than spending a week out in God's Creation with some of the best people in the world.  The best part about being with these youth is the chance to have an impact on their life and share God's Love with them.  I know that I love working with youth and kids whenever I get the chance and I just have a feeling that this week is going to be very special.

There is definitely pain in my heart that I cannot be on staff for the summer (do not get me wrong I am very excited about my internship with Heritage).  But when you spend two summers with some of the most amazing people and knowing that you cannot return for the whole summer, there is a little heartache.  Lutheridge changed my life and gave me friends to have for a lifetime.  Every time that I go back I get to put all the excitement I had from my first summer into (usually) a weekend retreat.  The fact that this retreat will last for a whole makes me feel really great.  I hope that I will be able to return next summer in some capacity, but we will just have to wait and see.  Also, summer staff will begin arriving at the same time, so I cannot wait to see some of my old friends again.

After that lots of preparation begins to get ready for my summer in Virginia and my 21st birthday as well.  Friends and family will be around for the celebration and I just know that it will be the best time.  I'm hoping that a little vacation will be in the works around the big day, but I will share about that when it comes to fruition.  Until then, I simply wait in anticipation of what is to come in the next few days, and take it all day by day.