Aftershocks

     So...my life now. When I left at the end of June, I never imagined what my summer was going to be like. I was excited to leave home, but at the same time, so nervous. I had never been to this place before. The only reason I was going now was because the camp I had previously volunteered at turned me down because of my age. Whatever. 

So as I was searching for somewhere else to volunteer at, I came across the Teen Mania Ministries website. This wasn't the first time I had heard of Teen Mania. I had been to Acquire the Fire about 6 years prior, and one of my family friends was an intern at Honor Academy. 

So, I kind of knew what I was doing. But kind of not. Anyway, I had no idea what my summer was going to be like. Turns out, it was amazing. I made so many awesome friends, and I just had an all-around good time. So, naturally, I was dreading come home. I knew life back home would be difficult...but I wasn't prepared. 

When I returned home, the only place I wanted to be was Teen Mania. I didn't want to be home. I really didn't. I went to a good friend's house the day after I got back, and we all had a movie night. It wasn't so bad. They wanted to know about my summer, and I told them. 

I overloaded them with pictures (for my benefit more than theirs) and a few stories...but I knew they wouldn't really get it...only because they weren't there. They didn't know the people like I did. They only know them through pictures...and that doesn't even do a justice. 

The first few days, I would cry at the weirdest times. And then, right when I thought that I was moving on with my life, random memories would come to mind, and I would write them down. Actually, I think I wrote more in my journal at home than I ever did at Teen Mania. 

Funny how that works. One day as I was writing in my journal, my mom told me to start a blog. And I did...obviously. I keep in contact with the other volunteers through facebook and texting. Some I talk to more than others, but we are all still in some form of contact. 

I talk to Mariam the most. She knows what I am going through. Withdrawal, I mean. Sometimes I think my family gets tired of me telling different stories, so I text Mariam. She helps me get past it, she helps remind me that I had a wonderful summer, and she tells me that we will all be back next summer. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't. 

Mariam, Caleb, and Trey are coming to my house for Thanksgiving. I'm pretty excited. Actually, I'm really excited. I wish others were coming too, but unfortunately they won't be. For the past few weeks, I felt like I was in a fog. I wasn't really paying attention to the life surrounding me...

I was just letting it pass by, thinking that that would help August come sooner. But it doesn't. If anything, it is coming slower. But, I think my "fog" has finally lifted. I am finishing some things up, tying up some loose ends, and getting ready for Honor Academy. 

I have even decided that I should start buying some things here and there that I will need as an intern. Right now I am looking for a job. I need to start saving money for HA tuition. It's funny. Everything in my life revolves around HA. Not in a bad way...it isn't an idol...but I am planning ahead. I am saving up all of my spare change right now. 

I separated my quarters from my dimes, nickels, and pennies. Before I leave for HA, I am taking all of my dimes, nickels, and pennies to the bank, and try to trade them out for quarters. Quarters are a commodity at HA. Going to Teen Mania has definitely changed me. Inside and out. 

I am so excited for my future and what lays ahead...and I am so thankful that I was too old to go to the other summer camp... because then I would never have gone to Teen Mania, nor would I have ever met my wonderful friends, nor would I be planning to go to HA. God is so good. All the time.

Nickel