Where Do I Live?!

Hey folks,

So, I've just returned from China a few days ago, something that would take up about all of the bandwidth on the internet where I to detail some of my adventures there. In essence, the experience was probably the most amazing of my life. Retrospectively, we all learned a lot. We all learned a lot about ourselves and how we can better respond to unfamiliar situations, or things that don't go our way. We learned a lot about each other, and the infinite value of good friends. We learned a lot about what it means to go to the extra mile for a companion, and the beauty of sharing your life with other human beings. We also learned a lot about "stuff," and why it doesn't really matter. The real value is in experiences and loving each other - aside from these things, you don't need much more than what you can carry on your back! (Which is not much ...)

It is good to be home. A little surreal, actually, to be sitting on my couch, to be enjoying the sounds and smells of summer in New Berlin. It doesn't seem like just a week ago I was bartering for a painting in Chinese and embarking on my last overnight train ... What change can come in just a week! What a different world.

And today, I shall be in yet another world: Camp. I can't believe it came. I can't believe I'm returning, aganist all odds, for a third summer. I don't think I'll believe it until I'm actually there. I'm a little sick just thinking about it, just thinking about how grossly unprepared I am for the next eight weeks of my life. I mean, as far as jobs go, it will be stellar. I get paid to hang out with little kids and eat lots of homemade food. Um, score. (Especially after some of the "delicacies" of China, some good American cookin' is just what I want!) That said, it's a completely different world than I just came from. Small town Wisconsin is so different from small town China ...

Or is it?

Maybe, the things I appreicated so much about China - friends, conversation, experiences, growth - are some of the very things I appreciate about Camp as well. These things pervade Christian circles everywhere, and I am thankful to know that wherever I go, these virtues and blessings will follow.

Hm. Maybe I can handle this. Maybe I just needed to talk it out.

Well, we'll see how it goes! I'm excited to keep you all posted! There's been a dry spell in the blog, but maybe it'll see some new life this summer.