life happenings

This past weekend our youth staff team took 12 youngins (ages 12-17) to Winter Camp - a retreat/conference for urban youth to learn about God. I have attended/directed/staffed about 8 youth camping experiences in my life and I think I was the least tired at this one and had the most fun with these kids. I think I'm in love! I could write more about kids poorly dressed for the cold ("T, I can't tell you how happy it would make me to see you put some pants on" - he was wearing shorts!) or about getting gassed out by teenaged girls spraying perfume, body spray, and applying way too much smelly body lotion, but I can't right now. It was f*ing freezing but a joy.

And the circle turns,

I found out today that one of my clients passed away this weekend. He suffered a stroke around New Years. He is probably the client I was closest to. He called or saw me most days for an extended period of time, and I made follow-up calls on his case nearly every day for the last 4 months. Despite the stroke, his death still came as a shock to me. I am not depressed, but people always comment to me how working with older people must be depressing. But it isn't. The sorrow just reminds you that the work you do is worthwhile, and the relationships meaningful.

And the circle turns,

Friday I leave with my parents on my first trip to China. I am freaking excited to see my brother, excited to eat my way through several provinces, terrified of the cold, and anxious/eager to see if I "feel" anything like kinship with the people or the land.