Time to Relax

Hey everyone, as I said earlier this week things have been busy.  However, since Thursday, it has been relatively slow at camp.  On Thursday I was off with Jonathan, one of the German staff members and there were no groups in so we were able to go down to the dock on Fish Lake (the lake on which the camps sits) and relax.  It was a beautiful day here, sunny and warm (about 75 degrees) but the water was cold.  It was nice though to relax and lay in the sun.  It reminded me a little of laying on the dock at South Holston save the jetskis and motorboats.  We did get to hear other sounds though.  There was quite an orchestra of trout jumping, loons calling, and the occasional splash of an osprey swooping down to catch its dinner.  The scenes were quite amazing to watch.

Friday was another slow day at camp.  A men’s retreat came for the weekend, but they don’t require too much attention and seem to be content on their own without staff around.  That makes it nice because even on work days we can come back to our rooms and relax, and not have to worry about spending time with students until 11 pm.  Not that I am complaining about that, it just gets wearisome sometimes.  But for Friday’s work I was able to relax as well and do something I love.  I actually was able to design the new camp sweatshirts.  It was good to get my creativity working again and maintain the computer skills for design.  So that was fun.

Next, today came.  In the morning I worked in the kitchen and this afternoon I went with the men’s group on a bike ride.  Let me tell you, these guys were fast.  I was the sweeper as usual and we were moving through the trails.  We did some cross country, but mainly just singletrack and downhill which has done a number on my legs.  I’m sure tomorrow will come and my quads will tell me not ever to do that again.  But all is well.

The summer is definitely coming fast.  Next week will be our last group for the spring and then next will be summer staff training.  Actually Monday will be the one month mark being up here.  Gosh, time has really flown.  However, it’s too bad because next week is a group from the states but I will be scouting new trails.  Actually it will be quite fun but I will miss out on the campers.  Alan, the backpacking guru of the camp and I will be scouting a trail that will be later be used for heli-hiking camps.  It is where a helicopter will drop a group off above tree line and they will then hike the ridge for three days and nights.  However, Alan and I do not have that luxury.  We start Monday morning  at the road, hike up to the helicopter landing site, and then procede to hike what the campers will do, ending on Thursday.  It will be tough, but I have seen pictures and if they are anything to go off of, it should be beautiful alpine scenery.

So, thanks for reading.  Please continue to pray for me.  Sometimes it’s tough to be here and away from home.  Pray that God will give me focus on the task at hand.  Also pray for me this week with the backpacking for safety and fun.  Lastly, continue to pray for Megan and all the family back home that miss me.  Pray that God will comfort them until I get back.  Thanks so much in advance.

To Christ within,

Craig