A Breather

It's hard to believe, but the summer is almost at its halfway point. I've been here in Kansas City since about May 10th. We are now on the cusp of July and about 7 weeks left of work for the summer. And then I get a blissful couple of weeks of a free calendar before school starts up again.

That being the case, I've been spending the past week reflecting on where the summer has taken me, what is left in store, and what I should do with all of it. So let's see where I'm at.

First comes the fun stuff. It has been great hanging out with people in town. There are people here that anyone would be gifted and blessed to know. I have had some great conversations, heard some great stories, and have laughed a lot. I'm excited to know that I'm only halfway through with hanging out with for the summer. On top of that I have really just been appreciating hanging out with people who know me, and who I know - but at the same time it has been a long time since I have really been in KC. Not only has been really great to reconnect with old friends, it has also been fantastic connecting with people that I didin't know that well, but have been able to hang out with this summer.

Then comes the job stuff. I have been surprisingly challenged with work this summer, and not in the way that I would have expected. Before doing Field Education this past year I have had limited experience working on a large staff, and usually that staf has been only temporary - summer staff or something similar. But, over in Allentown there is a large permanent staff composed of both paid staff and adult volunteers. Because of all that difference and crazy schedules, there is a real sense of being intentional when it comes to planning. Allen town also has the benefit of people who are unbelievably committed to the program. I often think the people there eat, sleep, and drink the ministry. It is incredible. My biggest challenge this summer has been adjusting to a staff that isn't in that same vein. Despite there being so many of us, no one really owns any single thing. As a result it is rare when something feels like it has continuity or some overarching design to it. It can be frustrating that way.

On the bright side, it is ministry. And I rarely complain when something has a ministry component to it.

In the end, I am hoping to look back on the summer so far and really scrutinize everything going on. I hope to get to a point where we can implement some changes and hopefully be more intentional with our direction as we close out the summer. But more importantly, focus the direction as this ministry heads into the fall and into another year.

In the meantime, I am staring down the barrel of a mission trip in the near future. Do I know what is going on with it? Nope. But we leave Saturday.