Here I am, in the interim of seasons, looking behind at the memories and relationships from one season, looking ahead to the many unknown experiences and relationships to come. Yet, here I stand, in the perfect “no man’s land” center of the two revolving seasons.
I recently finished my summer with AHRC in East Jewett, New York at Harriman Lodge. Our last day of camp was September 1, followed by massive cleaning efforts and a staff celebration banquet that night. As we all sat around tables in the dining hall, smiles, hugs, and laughter all around, I remember sitting back looking at all the familiar faces thinking “I have fallen so in love with this place and all of these people. It is going to be so hard to leave tomorrow.”
God is so amazing. You see the irony of my statement was that I was never suppose to be at Harriman Lodge this summer- I was supposed to be at Harriman’s sister camp, Camp Anne with my friend Sarah Couch. Ending up at Harriman was a “mistake”. Really, the only mistake was me ever doubting God’s plan for my summer.
After a wonderful night just hanging out and celebrating the summer, that next morning I felt my heart tearing as I had to say goodbye to so many people I had come to LOVE. As I had said to my friend, Martin that morning, the friendships you develop at Harriman Lodge are different than friendships you would develop at home. At Harriman, you spend 24/7 with these people for 3 months straight! If you counted up the hours spent with these people, I have a feeling it would surpass the number of hours most of us spend with our “good” friends in an entire year! While this type of “community living” builds those types of friendships, it also creates much tension and frustration. The good along with the ugly like the rest of life.
So after many tearful goodbyes and prolonged hugs, I said goodbye to Harriman Lodge, wondering if I would ever return. Sarah and I left from there to go to Albany where I caught a rental car and drove up to visit my friend Laura Coles, another friend from the Africa Mercy, through the Adirondacks to Potsdam, NY. BEAUTIFUL drive (see pics). We climbed Mt. Azure, enjoyed the sunset from the top (off of a firetower located on top), and spent the night at a Young Life camp in Saranac Lake area. I drove back to Albany from there and flew home September 4th.
I came home for a joyful reunion with my family, and am currently at home with my parents, waiting for a travel nursing assignment through my new employer, American Traveler. I could end up anywhere across the nation for a job, and continue putting my name in for positions, awaiting a call back for a phone interview with hospitals I apply for. Nothing yet, but learning to trust and have Faith in God through this period of waiting. Just like I said above, He knew what he was doing with Harriman Lodge- how much more so for a job for me this fall. Praise His holy name. He is and will be enough.
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