*Big Exhale*
It has been a little bit of time since I have last written. I apologize for those of you who have been checking regularly and have yet to see a new post. So let's get catch up shall we?
In my last post I talked about some missions work. Well there have been a few developments on that front that I would love to share with you! There is a missions organization called TEAM, and I would encourage you to click on the link to learn more about them. I requested some more information from them about potential opportunities and was contacted shortly after. That began the exciting process of figuring out what my options looked like. As I had mentioned before I have never done missions work outside of the country and while working with my 'coach' we began looking at opportunities. I filled out an application and was encouraged by the feedback I received. My coach was impressed with my experience and communication skills. She began praying for direction as to where to send my application and landed on Rancho el Camino. My application was accepted once again with excitement and passed along to the directors who quickly reached out and asked to set up a Skype interview. About two weeks ago I had my Skype interview with one of the directors of Rancho El Camino. He was a really nice man and it was such a great interview. We talked over my experience in camping ministries, my experience in the equine field, my degree in English Education, and my experience with Wilderness Therapy. It became very clear that everything that I have been working towards was in some way applicable to this particular missions field, go figure! All in all everything went really well and I was offered a position for the summer as Lead Intern. The position, while still being developed, entails leading the other, younger, interns who will be joining the Ranch for the summer program. Working with them in their spiritual development as well as caring for their mental, physically, and emotional well being. He also informed me that since their recent equine overseer left and no one else has been able to fill the gap, they wanted me take that on if interested. Obviously I am interested! On top of that I would be working with program development and continuing to build a job description. It sounds like a big job, and I couldn't be more excited. When it boils down it leaves the things that I feel most drawn to: leading and guiding young people to learn more about God and themselves, working with horses, working outside, and being challenged to grow and develop myself. On top of all of that it also gives something that I desperately crave: being a part of a Christian community. I am grateful for this open door. With all that being said, I am still processing and praying about the decision. Next summer is a long way away and there is still a lot to do before then. The position as Lead Intern is just for the summer, however, I had mentioned that I might be interested in something longer than the summer. I was told that it is definitely a possibility and we are setting up a separate Skype interview with the other director, his wife, to discuss that further. For now I believe, as does he, that starting with the summer is a good way to go; we can see if it is a good fit on both ends and continue from there. But how exciting! I am looking forward to seeing what adventure God takes me on and I have no doubt it will be exciting and challenging!
This past week in wilderness therapy I did my pre-lead. Meaning that I was doing a trial run for being promoted to Lead staff. Lead staff basically means a lot more responsibility. I still am not sure if I will ever find a way to properly describe what I do for my job. And I highly doubt anyone who doesn't work in this field will ever be able to fully understand my work. There literally in no way to explain the amount of work that we do. In camping ministry lingo I believe the correct phrase would be that 'I wear a lot of hats.' In some ways this is an understatement. My hats vary from Defender of Rattlesnakes, Bedtime Story Teller, Don't Eat the Plant Proclaimer, Overseer of Boulder Climbing, Applier of Bandaids, Gauze, Med Tape, Splinter Remover, Queen and Distributer of the Bunk(cheese), Listener of Angry and Desperate Sobs, Pusher of Patterns, Calming Voice Upon Angry Ears, Teller of Bad Jokes and Good Riddles, Whisperer of Poems, Holder of Boundaries, Setter of High Standards, Motivator through Hard Hikes, Physical Presence between Battling Boys, Voice Raiser, Patience Giver, Grace Pouring, Night Checker, Meditation Guider, Fireside Conversationalist, Staff Supporter, Wisdom Imparter, Teacher of Hard Lessons, Finder of Small Joys, Schedule Maker, Scheduler Holder, Schedule Changer, Superstar of Flexibility and Adapting, Bedtime Enforcer, Alarm Clock, Snooze Button, Bear Hang Tree Finder, Checker of Campsites, bathrooms, cabins, Lookout for Bears, Bathroom Supervisor, Hygiene Monitor, Foot and Hand Checker, and Constant Learner. And in reality that is only naming a few. The list is exhaustive. I have learned so much since I started working this job only a few months ago. In some ways these months have flown by and in other ways I can't believe it has only been four months. I say all of this not so that I can gain anything but so that it might help some understand what it is that I do. And perhaps also so when I say that I am tired, it holds a little bit more meaning. Over those 8 days I am paid for 128 hours of work, meaning 16hr work days. It is rare that it is a 16hr work day, typically after finishing all of the paper work each night and doing night checks at 12a, 3a, and 6a it is at minimum a few hours over that. But that is the job. And in many ways I am grateful that I can call it a job. I have learned so much about myself, the world that surrounds me, and how I interact with the world in these last 4 months. So yes, I am tired but I am also energized. All of those hats that I wear and the ones I didn't even mention matter. I am reminded when I look at the kids that all of this matters! This week when I finally had everyone in bed, finished all my paperwork and found the time to take a minute and pee and then was walking back to get into my sleeping bag I stopped and looked up to the night sky. I looked up through a towering forest of pines that when the wind pushed them just right would creak like an old wooden door. And through their reaching branches the ink black night allowed the stars to shine - glow - sparkle brilliantly. Later I wrote, "The stars overhead quietly appeared, gaining attention they did not crave or seek but that which they deserved." I have felt so small so many times in the last 4 months. And I am so grateful to be reminded of that. One of the boys who was in my group graduated this past week and in his journal I wrote him a small little parting note and ended it by saying something along the lines of, "You are capable of doing great things, and don't forget that greatness can happen in small moments and small ways." Perhaps it is through the small acts, the small gestures, the small choices that really lead to greatness. I love feeling small in this big world and I love the small moments when I can look up at the stars and feel immeasurable peace and contentment.
*Big Exhale* Whew! Looking back I think I really should've split all that up into more paragraphs but I'm just going to leave it for now. Hopefully you didn't get lost in there!
Two more quick notes before I leave you until next time: 1. After talking with one of my neighbors I gained permission to hang out with her dog whenever! She is finishing med school and is gone for long periods of time. So the dog and I can keep each other company. 2. Blue Jays have been frequenting the tree in my front yard so I bought some bird seed and am excited to see who comes by for a snack. (Yes, I know Blue Jays are territorial and aggressive. They also happen to be beautiful and they are here anyway so I might as well enjoy looking at them.)
That's all for now! Thanks for hanging in there with me.
Until next time, don't pass up the small moments - there is always greatness or the potential for greatness in them.
