Well it has been a bit of a long time since I last updated you all. Sorry about that. I don't have a good excuse besides I've been tired and trying to ready myself for my next two weeks here. I will be going on a two night backpacking trip with 5 seventh graders this Thursday. I'm excited to be in the back-country with these kids and allow them to have an actual back-country feeling to it since there won't be a huge group of us out there like other trips. I was preparing for the trip today and went for a hike to see what the trails looked like and to attempt to find camping places. It's a beautiful area, a great place to grow closer to God.
The next two weeks are my last two here for the summer and also very busy. I have the backpack trip, a day off, then I start a 5 day trip as food and gear staff, and also have a rock climbing day in there, and while that group is on their back-country portion of the trip I start as food and gear for yet another trip and have another rock climbing day in there. So with that said, it will probably be a bit hectic. Please pray for things to go as planned, communication to be good, and for me to give it my all as I go into this last stretch.
It has been challenging this past week or so. I had about a week off when my brother Marcus came (I'll get to that in a little bit) and we had fun, but it also gave me time to realize how much I missed my family, Alana, the community at school... At one point I was very much checked out in my head. I was done with trips and just wanted to get home to hang out. This isn't to say that I have completely gotten rid of those thoughts, but I know that I am here for a reason and if my mind is other places and my body is here, I really am nowhere. Please pray that I would be all here, give it my all, and not worry too much about the future.
If you thought that schedule was busy, my time between getting home and going back to school is worse. I will be getting home late of the 20th of August, spending the 21st around home, spending the 22nd with Alana at her house, driving to school the 23rd, have the 24th to settle back in, and start class the 25th. I obviously did not think this through well before the summer began. So if you want to catch up with me I encourage you to call me. The 23rd will probably be a great day for that since I'll be in the car for around 8 hours.
My time with Marcus, was good. It was nice to see him since I hadn't since Christmas. We tromped around Leavenworth, went backpacking in one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, and just had some quality time together. It was good for both of us to not be away from work and be with people that just understood how we work and think. Our two night backpack was to The Enchantments in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area in Washington. We did some grueling hiking, but it was worth every bit when we reached the alpine lakes and could see the lakes flowing into each other. There was granite everywhere and the mountains were extremely rugged. The air was amazing and water was crystal clear. Words and pictures cannot do it justice. It's definitely a hike I would love to do again.
So like always I'm pretty sure my thoughts have been all over. Let me know if you have any questions or if you just want to chat sometime.
Prayers:
-My mind to be here and devoted to this ministry as my days dwindle.
-Alana's back, neck, shoulder area to be healed and not cause her any pain or limitations.
-The trips to be meaningful for the students on them and that students would come to better know God through nature, relationships, or whatever is needed.
-The little time I have with people when I get home to be used well and not feel too rushed.
-For God to come and reveal Himself to all of us, especially those who are not in a relationship with Him.
Thank you all for following along with my summer and supporting me.
Grace & Peace
Joe
