Week in Review: 10-15-12

Monday, October 15, 2012

            This past week was perhaps the most stressing week to date. On top of being the most homesick that I have been since I have been here in Pagosa Springs, I got sick for the 2nd half of the week.

            Monday-

            We traveled to the Great Sand Dunes which was located in San Luis Valley, Colorado - about a two-and-a-half hour drive from Snow Wolf Lodge.  It was a rather enjoyable trip. We spent the day hiking the dunes, sand sledding, sand boarding, and playing beach speed volleyball. It reminded me a lot of home and the dunes by lake Michigan. After spending 4 or so hours at the dunes we made a stop at Wal-Mart on the way home for "junk food" and other necessities.

            Tuesday-

            We spent the morning studying before having the weekly family meeting. The family meeting is the time in the week where Dustin goes over the schedule and brings up any issues that need to be recognized and worked on. After a relativity uneventful family meeting we ate a quick lunch before hitting Work Crews. I was on the sanding detail. So, I spent the afternoon coating myself in sawdust- which while it wasn't enjoyable gave us a good sense that we were getting a lot done. We finished touching up the lower 10 feet of the siding so that it can be re-stained in the coming weeks before snow comes for good. Stephen Southerland led our crew and we quite pleased with all of our work- Brittany, Logan, Tia, Sydney, Lacey, and Myself. After work crews, we washed up had dinner. After dinner, all of the men went to the end of Blue Creek Road(about 4 miles of rocky dirt road) to the water front(Idk the name of the river) for a campfire and a joint small group time.  We talked about what it meant to be men- how to lead and be servants. Around 10 pm, the girls who are posing as men went back to the Lodge- luckily for them there were only a few of them. To some of the defense, a few of them were sick, but to the detriment of the others- there were a few who weren't sick. Regardless, after they had left we retired for the evening. Logan, Ryan, and I spent the night in 3 sleeping bags that we had connected. It was a good night, but I got a tad cold at points.

            Wednesday-

            We woke up in a freezing cold tent, rekindled the fire, shot Tony's pistol, the Judge. We spent our solitude time in the wilderness before packing camp and returning to Snow Wolf Lodge. We had Hebrews study with Dustin before lunch, exercise time, and study time. After dinner, Dr. Bauman arrived late due to another airplane delay. We watched "Leap of Faith" which is a movie about a fake traveling evangelist.  After a discussion, we were able to make it to bed by midnight. It was by far the most frustrating nights of class because I was spent from the camping trip and  run earlier and desperately needed sleep.  

            Thursday- Sunday

            We had normal days of 4.5 hours of class each day with Dr. Bauman, exercise time, study time, and three delicious Steven Calabrese meals. As a result of sleep deprivation, I woke up on Thursday with a cold. It was really frustrating in the fact that I have tried hard to eat healthy and not stay up too late at night socializing/studying. (The cold stuck around till the following Tuesday.)  The remainder of the weekend was a really awesome time. This past weekend we had Alumni weekend. During this event, 15 former Summit Semester students make the trek from various parts of the country to hang out with each other, us, and give us advice and encouragement on our current endeavor. It was a great blessing and encouragement to get to know a few of them and hear about their experience and "good times". ;) In addition, they diverted Dr. Bauman's attention in class a few times, which provided me with some time to think as the cold was affecting my focus and drive. By the time(Sunday) for them to leave rolled around, I was sad to see them leave. I was glad they were able to come and hang out with us.  Sunday afternoon I was able to Skype Dad and Mom for a sizable part of the afternoon which was uplifting and much needed. We were able to discuss the future and Summit Oxford. Sunday night we watched the Vice Presidential debate- I thought it was evenly done by both sides, although Ryan maintained his high standing in my mind.

            As a whole it was the most trying week that I have had out here. I missed home and friends back home the most, I was sick for the back half and academic part of the week(which was suuuper frustrating and humbling), and it was capped by late nights with little sleep due to the Alumni's visit. It, however, was a good week.