JUBILANT July

I worked the 4th of July, the weekend. It was fun, actually. Several Sky Ranch alum came up, and it was great to both worship with them and learn from them. The week before I led day hikes, all were first-time destinations for me, but still exciting. I cooked soup over a fire at Cirque Meadow, hiked Fish Creek and Camanche Reservoir. Although it's tough never really knowing what you're going to be doing the next week, being a day hike guide was a pleasant surprise. I learned a great deal, and hope to peak a mountain some weekend.

This last week I was a counselor--and it was my last week counseling. Next week I'm not sure what I'll be doing, but the week after I'm at traveling day camp and the week after that is family camp. I'm stoked that life is great, but sad that it's more than half done.

I've missed out on a great deal for Sky Ranch, namely Alysha's Graduation from Gustavus and Aaron owning the comp at cow shows, but this week made it more justifiable.

I was able to tell a kid--a nine-year-old boy--about God for the first time.

He believed in God, just didn't know who he was, what he did, or anything about God.

He was homesick, so I was able to talk with him for a while. We started talking about what we believed, and he became so excited when I told him about God. I don't view myself as a preacher--maybe a teacher--so it was a new experience for me, also.

His family had gone through some tough times. I was able to talk with his mom for a good amount of time, and then the kid asked her what "baptized" means and if it could happen to him. Witnessing this made me ecstatic, yet I tried to remain calm. Turns out--even though the mother was struggling in her faith, she was so glad that I was able to tell her son about God at camp--because she wants him to have the opportunity for heaven. She walked away, nearly crying, after thanking me for everything I'd done all week. I denied it--I didn't do anything--I was just there as a friend for someone who needed one, and as a fellow child of God. It still hasn't sunk in. That was the most defining moment for this entire summer. We camped out, ate over the fire, and more. I might forget the time, the name, the exact words--but I'll never forget the experience.

This week of counseling was the best yet, and likely last. My kids were insane--so I could relate--and we had tons of fun. The girls woke us up one morning, so my 10 campers woke them up so early (7:30, haha..worship was at 8:00) with moose noises. They thought they were such troublemakers, haha.

I hope that you all are well. I'm missing my family more, and excited that my parents are in London for a few more days. I'm hoping Alysha and Aaron don't die from all of their hard work out in the humid heat.

Today I hiked Horsetooth--kind of a foothill sort of thing. Essentially, it looks like a tooth. Whether a horse's tooth or not, I didn't really care. It was awesome. We could see all of Fort Collins, and nearly Kansas.

Here's to a great week--for all of you--my closest family and friends. Thanks for following!

-Alan T.