Colorado Take 2

A lot of people here were surprisingly very happy to see me again. I had to relearn many of their names. Few things embarrass me more than when somebody remembers my name, but I do not remember theirs. It happens quite often. One guy I met in the staff dining hall a few days ago called me “Brian,” but I was still impressed because I did not even remember his face. The name badges that the Y makes us wear are like a gift from God.
Driving the delivery van with half a million miles on it is surprisingly fun. I may never get to drive a VW Bus, but I guess this will be enough to tide me over for now. Multiple coffee, lemonade, ice cream, and barbeque sauce spills have stained the back and made it real sticky. The sweet smell is indescribable, and it has not changed a bit since I rode in the back last summer when I helped with cookouts. I feel like Santa Claus whenever I deliver ice cream or something that a group really wants. I spend the majority of my time in the kitchen, where I am usually pretty lost. In the dish room I knew what I was doing, but it’s a little more complicated in the kitchen because the staff is often working on ten different projects simultaneously.
Angie, Dirk, Rachel, Sarah, and I met for a hike up Mount Alice yesterday morning at 3:00. It was pretty uneventful until we reached the mountain itself. A marmot came up to us on the ridge hoping to score some free food. I have never seen a marmot that close. The little bugger was sitting right beside me sniffing my elbow before I knew. I may have never even noticed if one of my fellow hikers had not informed me. Dirk thought though the route up the mountain looked impossible, and even suggested that he would turn back. But he was the first one to reach the summit. That’s Dirk. We completed the hike (about seventeen miles) in about twelve hours. Some pictures are up on facebook. Our next target is Stones, one of the three failed attempts of Dirk, Amy, and I last summer.
Dirk created a small group for those not in Leadership Training this summer called Living Transparently. The second meeting is tonight. The plan is for everyone to share something that struck them as they were reading the Bible or in quiet time. Then we’ll break into our pseudo-life groups. I hope it goes well.
I miss you all and think of you every day. Drop me an email if you have anything exciting to share.