All through February, it seems that all I’ve worked on has been Beach Retreat. It’s our district’s annual youth retreat, and I’ve been going since 2001, first as a student, then as a volunteer, then as a youth director, and now as the District Youth Coordinator. Which is super weird. And a TON of work. It was a fantastic weekend, but when I got back to town on Sunday afternoon I slept. From 4:30pm until 8:30am Monday. And that does not remotely discourage me from doing this again next year.
My adventures tend to be that way. People say “how was your trip/visit/vacation/retreat?” and I have to quickly think of another adjective besides “exhausting.” And sometimes I have to stop and think which “trip” they’re even talking about. Partially because I’m always going somewhere. And partially because once it’s over, I’ve already moved on to the next thing. This afternoon I was working at First UMC and our music director walked in the building, and immediately asked my about my trip. That was all the context she gave me, and it seems reasonable to assume that since I haven’t seen her since before I went to the beach, I’d know that’s what she meant. But honestly, now that I’m unpacked, I’ve mentally moved right along to my next adventure, which is heading to Ecuador in March.
And that adventure is going to basically be a month long. I’ll have a week to get everyone prepared to do music, presenter software, Sunday School, UMYF, High School Bible Study, La Casa, and my job at the music store in my absence. And then I leave the country for what most people around me assume will be some kind of vacation. On paper, I guess that’s what I’m doing. I’m taking my vacation days. But I’m going to go work my butt off with a team. Don’t get me wrong, it’s gonna be great. I’m excited to see all of the people on the team who I know, the ones I’m going to meet, and the staff for the team which will be made up of lots and lots of people that I love. But then I get to tote blocks up five flights of stairs, and mix concrete, and translate directions and orientations and services and conversations, and keep track of money and food and schedules and safety and questions for/from 20 people. The restful vacation people assume I’m getting will happen when I get back to the rhythm of weekly youth activities in April.
At least my blog is working again so I can keep track of it all.