Summit 2014

Where do I even begin?  First, let me say, I have been so absent from this blog.  I have wanted to write and every time I come to start penning down my thoughts life interrupts.

These past two weeks I have been down in Tennessee at a camp called Summit Ministries.  This is a intense-two week session that helps train college aged students about the importance of worldviews, ideas, and the hot topics of the age.  We learn the importance of knowing what we believe and why we believe it, learning to read the meta-narrative of Scripture, knowing and understanding different worldviews, and being educated on apologetic. To try to describe the past two weeks, full of 60 hours of lectures, endless fun with new friends, and lots of adventure will be difficult, but I will try.

I arrived at Summit not knowing what to expect, what to learn, who I would meet, or what I would do.  It turned out that I met amazing people, learned more than I thought my brain was capable of holding, and conquered lots of adventures like White Water Rafting.

I met my small group leader Megan the first night, along with my roommate Amy and the rest of the girls in my small group. (Fiona, Savannah, Cassie, Hope, Brittany, and Makala. The first night started a little awkward, but by the end of the two weeks, friendship grew to be relationships that will last a lifetime.  We laughed, we cried. We sharpened, challenged, inspired, and encouraged each other.

Summit mornings start early, but by choice I began early.  I woke up around five-thirty every morning and went for a run with friends.  I am so grateful for my friends who ran with me.  We ran, rain or shine.  The runs were short, but sweet with fellowship and deep conversation. I would not trade those runs for anything.

After running, showering, and eating copious amounts of peanut butter at breakfast, we all headed to lecture for three hours. These lectures had some of the greatest speakers around the country. We talked about the importance of the Gospel, the heated topics of the day, the beauty of the roles of men and women in society, and more. I have learned so much through this time at Summit. So much even for words.  I have learned how to defend the faith better, love my Savior deeply, encourage others in the faith, and discuss deep matters powerfully.

After three hours of lectures, we all headed to lunch.  Fiona, my small group buddy, and I always got monster salads and chatted away with whoever was at our table.

After lunch, we headed back to lecture for one more session until break. At two- thirty we had a break until dinner.  Our breaks usually included an organized game, tree climbing, chilling in ENOs, or sometimes even a nap. Either way they were always fun and always included lots of laughter.

After break and dinner, we went to the chapel for worship with Josh Bales.  So powerful and beautiful.  He really knows how to draw people into the presence of the Lord. Once we finished worship, we had another lecture followed by free time.

During free time, I either ran or hung out with friends.  Usually, I was with friends. #thebest

At nine thirty, small groups broke off and we went to our groups.  Small groups were such a blessing! Girls poured out their stories, we encouraged one another, wrote in our journals, sang, laughed, and cried.

And ate pizza, apples, peanut butter, watermelon, and fruit. (not at one time of course;)

After small group, we parted ways and crawled into bed. And began all over again.

I’ll write part two later. #graduation

Blessings,

Bethany