Published a while after writing...

I started writing this a while ago, in between classes/getting ready for thanksgiving.  This week is going to be really busy for me, so I wanted to just post what I have, so that I'll be a little less behind when I finally have some time to blog again.






sum·mit  (smt)

n.

1. The highest point or part; the top.

2. The highest level or degree that can be attained.

3.

a. The highest level, as of government officials.

b. A conference or meeting of high-level leaders, usually called to shape a program of action.

v. sum·mit·ed, sum·mit·ing, sum·mits

v.tr.

To climb to the summit of (a mountain).

v.intr.

To climb to the summit.

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[Middle English somet, from Old French sommette, diminutive of som, top, from Latin summum, from neuter of summus,highest; see uper in Indo-Eu

                                                                                                                                                        

As I take a break from turkey dinner preparations, conversations about thanksgiving plans, and thinking of the massive amount of work that I've piled up which i need to get through this weekend, I'm reflecting over my experience this past week.  And I've come to realize, that this is one of those rare occasions where I am so incredibly thankful for a few people who pestered me.  

No Tim, I'm not talking about you.

September was filled with transitions, getting back into the flow of school, and being told to go to Summit.  Over, and over, and over again.  I now understand the heartfelt intent behind the constant poking, teasing, and questions.  

Summit is an annual fall retreat that happens across the country.  At each "Summit," students from various Campus for Christ groups join together for a weekend of friendly rivalry, relationship building, and most importantly, growth in faith.   

Friday evening, I rushed home after my class ended at 4, and madly ran around the apartment trying to get everything packed, and leave the place in some sort of semi-organized chaos.  At least I succeeded at half of this plan.  Cassie met Amber and I at our place, and the three of us, along with all of our stuff, bussed back to campus for 5:30.    There, we were given some extremely lovely blue headbands - team unification, apparently, and waited for the school bus which was to take us on a 3 hour journey to Saint-Saveur, Quebec.   I love somehow, no matter what the purpose of the bus trip seems to be, or how old we are, school buses bring out the singers in all of us. I'm thankful for the patience of bus drivers... 

 Disney, Veggietales, Worship Songs, Middle School Songs, French Songs, English Songs.  Song competions.  What a way to travel!  I'm surprised I even had a voice left at all by the time we made it to Camp Kannawana, the YMCA camp which was hosting students from uOttawa, Carleton, Queens, McGill, and Concordia for the weekend.  


We set our stuff up in really nice cabins, played apples to apples, and then went to our first worship session.  The building that we were worshiping in was FREEZING, but that aside, the time that we spent there over the weekend was absolutely amazing.  Being in the middle of a large group of students, singing at the top of their lungs, praising with every bit of breath and meaning inside of them...aah! There are no words!! SO incredible.  


Beyond the sheer joy of  a weekend in the woods with my friends, Summit challenged me in my faith.  It was wonderful to be removed from the noise and busyness of the city, and to be surrounded by beautiful creation, spending time alone with God.  It help me to realize how silly some of my fears are - and to make a commitment to conquering them.  That began with evangelism on campus...terrifying, but worth the pounding heart.