I've started a blog. A couple years ago I never would have seen myself as a "blogger". I may have seen it as a self-centered activity. Why would people want to know about my life and what I'm thinking? After being away from my friends and family for a while now, I've realized a couple of things:
1. I want to stay connected with people.
2. I'm terrible at phone conversations.
3. People actually care about me (amazing!) and what I'm doing.
In light of those things, I'm starting this blog so that I can spare you from awkwardly listening to me be silent on the phone.
As my inceptive blog entry, I thought I should catch you up on some of the things I've been doing the past 2ish years since leaving Indiana. I've tried to include photos of each thing, but I don't have many to choose from since I'm relying on friends to take them for me and post them on facebook. Anyway, here you go...
I went on a really road trip with Dad, Gramps, Brandini, Tim, and my good friend Jonathan Hill. We drove to Wyoming and did many manly things. I learned more about my family on the way.
I attempted to climb the 3000 foot face of El Capitan with my friend Matt. We had a crazy encounter with a bear, slept on ledges of the cliff for a couple nights, and got shocked by lightning before we decided to come back down.
I worked for the summer (2009) at Summit Adventure. Summit Adventure is not a "camp". It's Christian Non-profit that takes people on trips into the wilderness encouraging them to step out their comfort zones and listen for God's voice. It was my second summer working there. I got to take a lot of people into the wilderness and allow God to minister to them there. I worked with many Father/Child pairs as well as with teens and mentally/physically handicapped men.
In my spare time got to climb some mountains like Mount Shasta. I also got to climb Mount Rainier via a difficult, icy route. I think I might have peed my pants at some point. It was a bit scary.
I got a job at Mission Springs, a Christian-run outdoor science school. My job was to teach 5th and 6th graders ecology, environmental stewardship, and ol' fashioned respect for each other. I got a different group of students every week (Mission Springs really is a "camp"). I pray for the students every week, that God might work in their hearts, and with Christian schools get to teach about God openly.
I got nearly two months off from work (mandatory) in December and January and had some adventures.
I rock-climbed in the Red River Gorge, worked on the farm, and skied in Lake Tahoe. I also spent 3 days climbing a giant, overhanging cliff called Leaning Tower...by myself! I'm very proud now, but mostly, it was lonely.
Then I worked at Mission Springs during the spring. During vacation I got to travel to Belize to work in an orphanage and see some touristy sites.
In June when I went back to work for Summit Adventure for my 3rd summer in a row, and one of the trips I led was with the Poe family. They may not be expert backpackers now, but they can definitely pooh in a hole really well...especially Jonathan.
Matt and I finally did climb El Capitan and our parents were there to see us. Can you find Matt and I in the photo?
It took about 3 days and was extremely exhausting.
I also got to climb Lost Arrow Spire and exit the pinnacle via a "tyrolean traverse".
This fall (2010), I worked for Mission Springs again. I have one week left. Soon, I'll be traveling to Ecuador to lead trips for Summit Adventure. I'll be taking groups up high altitude peaks and leading them in service projects with various ministries in Ecuador. I'd appreciate your prayers as I work in this ministry.
That's all I've got. I would love to hear from you. I'd even try not to be awkward on the phone if you call.
Ben
