Last night I got to hang out with a handful of really awesome freshmen and sophomores while making about 1000 pancakes. (Side note: These really incredible freshmen and sophomores decided that instead of going downtown to the bars on Friday night, they would make hundreds of pancakes and take them downtown around midnight and give them out to people for free, no strings attached. Pretty neat.) It was a blast, literally…and I never call anything a “blast.” And even though I had so much fun getting to hang out with these incredible people, the entire five hours that we were sitting there making pancakes I couldn’t help but think how sad it was that in a few short months I’ll no longer have a chance to invest in their lives. They are incredible people doing incredible things for the Kingdom of God and pretty soon, I’ll no longer be a part of it. While I do find this very sad, I am also eager to see what they do for the Kingdom over the next couple of years that they are in Auburn. I have a good feeling God is going to use them in really big ways.
Speaking of this weekend, in less than 36 hours I will be on my way to Training Camp for the entire week. It blows my mind that it’s already the middle of October. I really feel like it should be more like June. I suppose I’ve known this was coming the whole time its just that now that its getting so close, the idea of me leaving soon is starting to really take root. Changing seasons in your life is much easier said than done. I’ve always thought of it kind of like my life and everyone in it will still be there, now it will just exist without me. It’s a weird thing to come to terms with.
Even though I’m slightly apprehensive about training camp, I’m really excited too. I’m finally going to get to meet all of these people that I will be spending the next year of my life with, which is overwhelming, but good. I know it’s going to be a pretty challenging week but challenges typically bring forth growth and growth (in the right direction) is always good too. I’m excited to see what this week holds. In the mean time, I have to figure out how I’m going to get a tent, a sleeping bag/pad and a week’s worth of clothes into what seems like an ever-shrinking 65L backpack. Today should be fun.
Even in the midst of all of this emotional turmoil (excited, nervous, sad, happy, etc.), I’m still very confident that God is at the center of all of this. I’m excited to see the ways He will work in the coming months and in the coming year. His ways are so much higher than my ways and His plans always far outshine my own and even though I don't always realize this in the moment, it's always nice to look back and realize how in control He really is.
