A Mountainous but not Rocky staff training

It's been a bit of time since my first blog.

I can't say I enjoy blogging, even though it's a neat concept, really.

I've forced myself to journal throughout staff training. We were busy up there, and it was hard to find much free time at all--much less spend that free time writing in a journal, separating oneself from others. Nonetheless, I'll be glad to condense a few of the activities and a few of my favorite moments since my arrival at SkyRanch on Monday, May 24.

The night before we went up the mountain to SkyRanch I played Apples to Apples with the Strattons, a family that reminds me much of my own. (I think that's a good thing, haha, it definitely is...I feel right at home when I am here and they're hilarious).

A tree blocked our trail up the windy dirty road, and despite Joe J and my efforts, we were unable to move this massive tree. It snowed. May 24 snow, yes. It was dry, though, and disappeared swiftly. I moved into the Anne Hutchinson cabin, quite spacious before 12 other guys moved in! Fortunately, people showered every few days. Haha.

I did the high ropes "Flying V" with Jessica during staff training. I climbed up a pole, then we pushed against one another's hands and kept walking along the wire until our stomachs were parallel with the ground and eventually we couldn't hold on any longer. Quite thrilling, I think.

It's mad difficult running up here. I ran a few miles--about 2 or 3 and I needed to walk. At 9,200 ft I can't complain too much as a farm boy running round in the Rockies. It's insane. The stars are spectacular here, and I was able to see Venus several nights as well as Mars and a ring of saturn. I know CPR and First Aid, now. Let's see--there's not much else I can really say. Everything is fun--worship, meals, and sleep. The staff is insane, but a friendly crazy, I think.

We had volunteers come up Memorial weekend to help work around Sky Ranch. I used a machine to split wood (pathetic, I know, but the axe broke) and we hauled branches and firewood all over.

I learned from some really great speakers and leaders, too. I feel more connected in my faith already, just after 2 weeks. Incredible.

Thursday I learned a few words from my friend from Madagascar, Jean.

Salama: Hello

Veloma: Goodbye

Tongasoa: Welcome

Afon-dasy: campfire

(The o's are pronounced similarly to u's).

Disfrute. (Enjoy).