Looking back, looking forward.

Not sure what all to say. Looking at the Twitter feed sums up what the week has meant to many of our students. It was a life changer for some, an encourager for others, and for all a chance to pull away and hear God speak in the midst of days of hard work, nights of beauty and relaxed activity, and time with other students in different places life wise all desiring the same thing. Tonight I write from my deck at home; I am the kind of tired I can only describe as bone-weary. It was all worth it. This was not an easy trip - the wind fought us both going and coming. The weather was beautiful but fairly hot based on what we have experienced during any prior year. That took a toll. This was an emotional trip, in which God pushed a lot of buttons and brought us all closer. We did the hard work of relationship, hopefully coming out with a clearer understanding of what it means to be 'my brother's keeper' - to speak well to, speak well of one another, and to speak well of ourselves. The kids rose to every challenge, and I really believe that we saw them grow as followers and servants of Christ before our eyes. It was a beautiful thing. There is not one highlight, but rather, threads that were woven together to make a tapestry that is part of our story together as a church, as a ministry within something greater. If I have to boil it down for me, one moment stands out...

We had been singing for some time. Longs Peak had disappeared into the growing dark. The kids were backlit by the porch light. After a moment of silence, one of our boys suggested we pray. So we did. In the midst of that prayer, as we asked the Holy Spirit to continue to move in our midst, the group fell silent. The wind immediately picked up, whispering through the surrounding pines. It began to blow with some purpose...and we laughed as it seemed as though the Spirit was moving among us like a mighty rushing wind. That was a hallmark of our week, frankly. This trip was one that we had a sense before it began that the Spirit would have a large part in all we did; that could not have been more true. From the first day, guiding us safely through Nebraska, the church message matching almost verbatim the words from the night before, the wind rushing through our midst as we asked the Spirit to come, cracking us open emotionally and relationally using the words of one of our students...so many moments looking back that will be foundational as we move forward into the future of what God has in store for our students and leaders. I am so thankful for the openness and attentiveness of each member of our SummitServe team to what the Spirit had to say. I can only begin to imagine what God will shake loose in our crew and the lives of those around them moving forward.

Thank you families. You gave your kids, your finances, your trust to us to take them far away and plunge them headlong into hard work, and harder spiritual work. I hope that you have seen them grow and that the difference they have made in the lives of others is apparent to you as well. I am grateful for Kate and Thomas, who are remarkably gifted student ministers who truly model what it is to desire Christ above all else. And I am thankful that God uses beautiful places to put us in a position to grow closer to Him. As we drove through the mountains one day to work, it occurred to me again - I am working today. Unbelievable. I am so blessed.

Today.

God undid us today. Nothing went as planned. A different worksite, different projects...the heat, elevation, and lack of quality rest did a few of us in physically. We were all a bit cooked mentally. I have to say, though, that the kids persevered and we accomplished much in the midst of what seemed to be constantly changing circumstances. A few highlights...

Devotions and worship at Coffee on the Rocks. We commandeered (with permission) their back room and had our First Word and songs this morning. We sang. Loudly. For all to hear. They did. Awesome.

Leaders emerged - from a few helping lead the songs, to others leading quietly by example...we had students stepping up and leading all week long. Amazing to see, grateful to have been witness.

Thomas and Kate - these two are PHENOMENAL student ministry leaders. Wow. 

Chelitos - the downtown rooftop Mexican restaurant - we ate there this eve, outside, and it was GOOD...a comfortable, quiet, relaxed spot with great street tacos. Our leaders, Spider (the Y volunteer coordinator) and a few students. A great way to end our day.

Lumpy Ridge - my new favorite hiking spot - 11 of us went for a long walk thru the mountains on our last night. They climbed rocks, we marveled at what we saw, and had a moment of golden light that convinces me heaven and earth were just a touch closer. 

Church tonight - great word from Kate, lots of emotion, a few tears, and a clear sense that God is using this place and experience to shape and mould the faith in the lives of those who attend. I am so thankful for that and excited to see where it goes...

No pictures tonight. You get the real things in person tomorrow. Pray us safe home, enjoy the tweets along the way. See you in a few hours.

Tuesday at Wind River Ranch

This was a hard day. Usually is. We worked in the sun, worked hard carrying logs, raking, shoveling, and soaking in the beauty under Long's Peak. I want to write more about the spirit of our group today. We stuck together, we held together. It was hot. We are tired. It was hard. There were no cross words, and truly we seemed to buoy each other up. Tonight we walked at Sprague Lake, near sunset. It is a setting like few I've ever seen. There was lots of laughter, picture taking, some lakeside sermonizing by our crew, and a lightness of spirit that can only come from being held together by love. These kids really seek to love one another, to do so in ways that are evident. They are truly amazing. It is an honor to be here and to see it all unfold. You may find pics of us working on the Twitter feed; below are the pics of them doing the hard work of relationship. Truly a lovely thing. Signing off for tonight - tomorrow is our last day, a return to the YMCA camp and a departure from the schedule. It will be alright for sure...

Monday Pics.

Monday. Fun to serve at the YMCA.

We stained railings and chairs. We sealed railings at an outdoor chapel with views you wouldn't believe. We moved rocks, pulled weeds, and replaced rocks for hours. All in a day's work for this crew. The real highlights...

- coffee this morning, and extended stay filled with quiet and peace. I wonder how many of our group has that kind of peaceful easy we enjoyed this morning. That is fertile ground for the Spirit to do It's moving. It did. 

- tonight. Spider (our volunteer coordinator) and her husband Jeff hosted our groups for dinner. Great eats, great scenery, and more time to play, laugh, and be. We did chapel on their front step, which turned into a time of worship. The wind blew and whispered along, the kids poured their hearts out in praise and we gave God the thing I think He wants - our adoration. It was powerful and beautiful and felt like church should. 

So much more could be said. Check the tweets for pics. Gotta get some rest! 

Day 2 - Rocky Ridge and places in between

We woke in stages, most of the group frozen as the air had kicked on during the night. Some of us got up and ran, greeted by a bluebird Colorado morning and some brisk mountain air. First Word and coffee at Kind in town, and then worship at 9. Romans 12.1-2 was the key text; it fit perfectly with the theme, 'From The Inside Out'. The pastor spoke about being living sacrifices, the kind of people that view all of life and all we do as sacred space upon which God can tell His and our stories. Right in line with the idea that what we believe must flow out into the way we speak to and about each other and ourselves. After church it was a picnic at the Long's Peak trailhead and a short hike up the approach to Long's; we never saw the mountain, but at 9400 ft, we felt it. The afternoon was spent at Rocky Ridge Music Center, painting a few cabins. 3 hrs of work, lots done, and good attitudes carried the day. Showers at the Y camp, then downtown for dinner. The sky looked a little ominous, but we ended up heading to Lumpy Ridge - a great spot to do some hiking and scrambling among the rocks. It is like a playground for the adventurous soul! Chapel there in a natural little amphitheater, and now we are back. Tired, a little wound up, and ready for more. 

- The tying together of our chapel and church experience was a Spirit moment for many of us; we should not be surprised to see God weaving cohesive threads through all we are studying. It is still amazing, though! 

- This group is ministering to one another; fun to see them building one another up, laughing, talking, and taking the idea of relationship in Christ seriously. We have a varying group age and interest wise, but all are loving on each other and getting to know one another. Beautiful, really.

- Home away from home - this is our 5th year at Shepherd of the Mountain. People recognize us and we were warmly greeted and received today. That is pretty great - to experience 'family' so far away from ours. 

Pictures...check out the Twitter feed for more photos from the day!

Day 1.

Long day on the road. No weather, thankfully. We laughed, kids slept and tried to sleep. Interesting turn today...we usually head south toward Denver on 76; instead, right at the junction after deciding to go the normal way, something told me that we ought to stay on 80 instead. Ok....thru Nebraska, thinking it might be faster anyway. Turns out that not long after we would have gone thru the 76 corridor, they had some heavy weather. We agree that to be our first Holy Spirit sighting of the trip. Fun times ahead for sure...keep praying for us, for our hearts (the leaders included!) to be open to the beck and call of Jesus, and that we might be ready to do what He asks when He asks it. Off to bed...your kids are good, and we have a great day in store tomorrow. Thanks for giving us the chance to be here and be with them!

B

The calm...

Here we are. Waiting. Tomorrow at this time we are somewhere nearing Omaha, at the beginning of a week full of promise and anticipating what could be. Prayers, friends, for that vey thing. Pray the Spirit will break loose, move mightily, and do the miraculous and beautiful in our midst. Pray that Jesus be more desirable than the mountain views. Pray that our hearts be fertile soil, moldable clay, and attentive to the voice of the One who made us. Pray we travel well, serve well, love well. More to come...