Where did it all go? I mean I thought that July had 31 days in it, not 31 minutes. Why does summer do that? Wow, to be quite honest--I don't even know where to begin. I spent my summer in Cooperstown North Dakota working at a Bible camp out there. Let me tell you this--a summer of ministry can ruin your life-in all the good and bad ways. I have learned much about myself. One major thing is that I tend towards self-sufficiency a bit too much. Not that I don't trust God with my life, but that I want to do it on my own. I also tend to not open up to people like I should. It is more likely that I will joke about surface issues than dig into the heart of the matter. I guess I don't want to burden anyone with my issues. I feel that everyone has enough garbage to deal with, let alone hear mine. Plus, I would rather not admit that I can't handle everything on my own.

I also feel like I need to make a little tribute to my friends of the summer:

Seth: My encounters with you leave me longing to know a fraction of the Scriptures that you know. You point those around you to God with your living faith. Your farmboy work ethic leaves everyone else in the dust. Don't forget to enjoy the moments, like sitting in the office with the sun streaming in the windows listening to good music and the conversation of friends. You thought I was crazy at that moment, didn't you? Well, maybe not just that moment.

Clare: Your gentle spirit was always a breath of fresh air to me. Whenever the water started to close in over my head, you were there with a hand and a smile. You never got tired of listening to me talk or at least you never let it show. We are friends and our paths will cross again and I look forward to it. I hope the lake was everything you needed. No initiation. NEVER.

John: How would any of us have made it through the summer without you? I mean if only for your miraculous healing of the program office air conditioner. :) You were always willing to entertain my silly questions about why things work the way they do. Thank you for being patient with me. I hope you find what you are looking for.

Nate: I can't believe that I am friends with the student body president of Trinity International University. Do you think I could get an autographed button or something? :) What would I have done without you this summer? Thanks for understanding the way my mind works. Put the big rocks in first, but make sure you pick the right big rocks.

Mindy: I love your emtional honesty. You never let that computer really get the best of you. I am thankful that we could share this summer together. Your compassion for others will enable you to become a wonderful nurse. Don't forget who we're trying to please.

There are lots of others I could write a tribute to, but these are the ones that I spent the most time with. So to the rest of y'all. Just ask and I'll write a tribute to you. :)

I am sure that over the next month I will realize more and more the things that I have learned this summer. So for now I will begin the process of getting ready to be a high school Algebra and Biology teacher. I start having meetings in a little less than a week. Wow!! I have a "real" job.

If you want to know where I spent my summer, click here