How is it already August 9th??

The view at Logging Camp Ranch!

Howdy y'all!

       My last post was written three days before I left Ashland; this post is being written eight days before I return to Ashland. This summer adventure has been an amazing experience! When nineteen students and four staff (two with families) arrived at Logging Camp Ranch in Bowman, ND the start of Medora Summer Project 2012 began. At Logging Camp Ranch we spent a few days going through a variety of trainings and getting to know each other. Our project bonded in unique ways over this short period of time; I've never experienced such deep relationships when only know someone for a few days. It was an amazing experience and it was our first chance to explore the badlands. 

Worshiping in the badlands

       After an hour long drive on dirt roads we arrived in Medora! We first visited the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation main office. Cru has a unique partnership with the Foundation and each year jobs are secured with Cru before we arrive because the Foundation has come to see that the presence of Cru students makes a difference felt throughout the entire work staff. At the main office we learned more about our job placements and I found out that I would be working at the Family Fun Center. This is a new attraction in Medora and it offers a rock climbing wall, a bungee trampoline, and the world's largest inflatable slide (uses water). I work six days a week and my shifts are either 9am-6pm or 10am-6pm.

Kyle, Emily, and I in the TR National Park

From left to right: Renae, Adam, Mark, me, and Emily

       Through this job I was faced with new experiences and challenges. One of my favorite parts of this job was getting to try out all the fun activities. Having a fear of heights and working at the Family Fun Center helped me decide that by the end of the summer I would overcome some of these fears. Just last week I was at the highest point on the bungee trampoline and I did a back flip; I climbed to the top of the rock wall; and going down the slide is one of my favorite things to do in Medora! I've enjoyed getting to hang out with kids during my work day and encourage them when they are afraid. I work with one other girl who is on project, Renae plus five other people; Mark (our manager), Adam (our assistant manager), Kyle, Emily, and Madalynn. I've been able to build some wonderful relationships with my coworkers over the past two months. There have been countless nights where Emily, Renae, Kyle, and I could be found in the Pizza Parlor having dinner together and laughing about the day...eight hours together wasn't enough so we spent some time in the evenings together as well.

     Once we arrived and started working in Medora, I was so impressed with how many different states and countries were represented in the work staff. I've met students from the east coast, west coast, and places in between, plus many different countries such as Turkey, Bulgaria, South Africa, China, and more. It is awesome that our project has the opportunity to share the love of Christ with students who literally go home all over the world. It is a blessing that we are able to reach the world right here in Medora, ND.

      I have been challenged in many ways while on project and through those experiences I have felt personal growth. Not only was I trained in how to share my faith to others but also I had leadership training that took place over the course of the summer. Together we read through a book called The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership and considered what it means to be a leader and how to grow as a leader. This was a highlight of my summer because I've been challenged to grow as a leader and this experience will be very important as I step on campus in the fall and any leadership opportunity I have in the course of my life.

       I'll end this post with those thoughts as I'm sure I'll have more to mention in future posts. It's getting late here and I'll be working at the Family Fun Center tomorrow. I have four days left of work then a few days of debriefing as the Medora Summer Project 2012 comes to an end.

Grace & Peace

P.S.- A song that is great to listen to while being in the badlands...