Debriefing...lol

Debriefing is close to one of the most frequently used words during Imprint. But overall a very good word that is useful in externally processing an experience that was difficult or during which we may have changed. I know that Imprint was both challenging and changing. However as I am a pretty slow processor I do know know completely the ways in which I changed, but I can feel a difference.
The Funky Flamingo team was amazing. I know for a fact that I would not have asked to trade any of them for another person. We were truly a group of very different people who found commonality in our relationship with God and through the climbs of the trip. We went through Sequoia national park starting at Mineral City on to Franklin Lake, over the past to Forester Lake and then returning.
We hiked through hail and rain and hot sun. We swam in lakes, built shelters, ate, talked, and were a community. It was neat to see how such a different group of people could come together so well.
Personally however, a few of the best highlights for me were getting to know Nancy well and sharing passions as far as counseling. She is definitely a good friend and I am honored to know her. I also had a good talk with Chris and I learned more about his family and his first year at Westmont. I also loved swimming in the cold ass lake with Beca. Cathy and I were great marmots in our skit, and Mike and I shared about our experiences this summer.
Three that really stood out for me though were when Vanassa asked me how I thought I was being challenged during the trip. It was heartwarming to know that she did care about me and that we were closer and will become even better friends as we work together in Clark. I also enjoyed trading packs with our guide Steve. I was able to pray for him and get to know him better during the trip. A really cool thing was how much he reminded me of my dad. He had similar humor, sayings, and quirks. It was almost as if me dad was there the whole time, and yet I gained a really good friend and role-model. I also felt honored to find out that when I ran back down the hill to help Steve get two packs on his back that that was a highlight of the trip for him. He is a man I want to be more like. He makes everyone feel treasured by his humble and cheerful spirit.
The last thing that was very difficult and changing for me was during our solo night. I was the last to be dropped off so Steve prayed for me and told me to go up and hopefully find a place. Little did he know he would have to go a ways up a 60 degree incline to check on me before sunset. I found a ledge that was flat but bumpy about 10 feet from the edge of about a 35 foot drop. The view was exhilirating. I could see the whole lake and down into the valley. I spent about 13 hours up there alone trying to get time in with the Lord. The thing that kept me from it was the fact that I decided to go without a sleeping bag for the night. This meant that I had only a sleeping pad tarp and layers to keep me warm in the 32 and below degree weather for the night. I was pretty scared before the night knowing it would be really cold and that there were in fact bears in the area. So About an hour before the sun set I wrote this poem.

The sun shines hard
A few hours left
I feel fine
times will change

As the orb is lowered
I fear the night
Must I go through this?
No, I get to

I feel a breeze
I hear a breeze
It is the sound of flowing water
It has no choice but to follow its path

Will I be cold?
The shadows creep up the ledges
I want ease
The sun shines hard and reminds me of the present

The cold will come
I do not feel prepared
I AM
anxious and anticipating

Trials may come
I am not alone
Things will be hard
I consider it joy

I get to persevere
The Lord is good
the sun lowers
I will rest in his bosom

That is a pretty good summation of how my life has gone these past couple months. Many of the things represent difficulties in our life which correspond to the difficult and freezing night that is on the horizon. I spent almost all night changing sleeping positions, checking the distance the moon moved, and standing up to stomp in place and try warm up my legs. Needless to say, I wished I was able to pray more or meditate more, but all I could think of were ways in which to warm myself. But in response I wrote this poem at about 4:30-5 am.

I see light blue
The color of hope
I forget the cold
for a moment

My breath goes invisile
The great night light is useless now
Thank God for change

"Oh my God, Oh my God
Praise Jesus"
my first words
Am I grateful for this trial?
I will be

The sun will also rise for another
One whose coldness is mere part of each day
He is cold and hungry
Help him to see the light blue

You are the sun
You are the changes
You are the cold
You are our hope

The shadows reced
I wish to feel warmth
I do not want to wait
But I do, I know what is awaiting