This is the time of year when I say goodbye for now nearly every day.  My youth are heading to college. For those who are returning, our final times are filled with updates on summer and plans for the year.  A nice hug, a prayer and a reminder to stay in touch.

But it is the final lunch or breakfast with my youth that are leaving for the first time that gets me the most.  I’ve had breakfast and lunch nearly every day this week with these youth and so nearly every day this week has had some tears. I just can’t help it.  I make it through most of the meal and then as the inevitable is nearing and goodbyes are coming, the tears start. I’ve learned to embrace and accept them.  God uses it as a way to let the kids know how much I really love them and that they will be missed.  God also uses it to allow them to face some of the emotions they are feeling with the impending changes.  There is excitement and fear, hope and worry.  I don’t know how parents do it. After six years, my heart hurts to say goodbye and to know that I won’t see them at every event or each week. One of my guys has been at my house almost every Tuesday night for the last four years!!  That is a routine that I will greatly miss.

At the same time, I am so excited about seeing what God has in store for them.  Excited, scared, hopeful and worried – just like them.  You never know what a day will bring in life.  The very best that I could have given them is to guide them to a faith that is their own so that they know, without a shadow of a doubt, that God goes with them – just as my prayers and love do as well.

What a honor and joy to have shared this journey of their life.  I look forward to hearing and seeing the rest of the journey.

Last night I had our 2nd Annual College Campout.  With some of our hottest summer days ….  which is why I was thankful that they voted to stay inside!! We made s’mores in the oven and enjoyed the comfort of AC.  Very wise decision.  I went to bed around 3 this morning so I’m a little tired.

This afternoon was another Mission JC for my youth.  Each Wednesday this summer we have been serving in the community on Wednesday afternoons.  We’ve worked with local food banks and community ministries. Today we purchased $400 in groceries, assembled them in a bag and delivered them to local families that are in need.  It was about 100 degrees today and the kids worked really hard going door to door delivery food.  The whole point is to let our neighbors know of God’s love for them by meeting their basic needs.  Following the example of Christ.

Looking forward to a day off tomorrow to rest and see Blake and Morgan.  I have to work most of tomorrow evening with meetings and the such but the day is MINE!

Took the youth to Crossover Festival in Camdenton, MO, this weekend.  I’m really tired right now after a very short night last night so I won’t post much.  The bands were great and I was introduce to a couple of new ones I really liked.  The weather was perfect.  You couldn’t ask for any better weather.  The kids enjoyed it.  It was pretty much all good except the exit Saturday night.  I, along with one middle school boy who was riding with me, literally sat for 1 hour going nowhere trying to leave the parking lot.  11 pm – midnight we just sat barely moving.  It was so crazy and incredibly frustrating because we still had an hour drive home.  It was just poorly organized on exciting with tons and tons of cars going through one single-file exit.  With early church this morning it was a very short night. 

We are nearing the end of our senior trip here in Breckenridge and it has been a great trip.  Just six seniors went which is smaller than normal but a great group.  We have a great house here near downtown Breckenridge.  I’ll post pictures when I return home of the trip and the house.

We left late Saturday night and arrived late morning on Sunday.  We went to downtown Breckenridge on Monday and just relaxed to catch up on sleep and to get acclimated to the altitude here. Tuesday most of the group went white-water rafting on the Arkansas river. I stayed back with one youth who didn’t want to go which was completely fine with me.  I had a bad rafting trip several years ago where I almost drowned and I’m not particularly fond of water since then. Yesterday we all went horseback riding in the mountains which was beautiful because we had fresh snow.  It has snowed the last two days we’ve been here which is pretty but very WRONG for the end of May and senior trips.  All of the senior trips I’ve ever gone on have been to the beach which I love.  But the seniors get to choose and they selected Colorado.  So.. here I am riding a horse which makes me nervous in the middle of snow which makes me cold.  Man … I must really love these seniors. 

Today the boys got up early and headed out for a day hike.  The girls opted to stay behind, sleep in and then do to downtown Breckenridge for the afternoon. 

We will leave here tomorrow around lunch time and return to JC early on Saturday.

I’m looking forward to returning home to spend time with Blake and Morgan.

Melissa