Why We Run

I actually went to bed last night excited about running Stumblers this morning. Never has this happened before- running has always been a chore, work. It was part of a training program forced on me by overweight high school coaches who yell to motivate. I was a team member of multiple sports for 6 years of my life; it seems like longer. Those years were formative and large in my memory, large enough to give me enough running for a lifetime— that is what I thought before this summer. Stumblers has changed that opinion, for Stumblers is fun.

The setting is stunning… last night I noticed a flock of white herons perched in the tops of the trees that border the track. White, exotic plumage, orange beaks, absurdly long legs: comfortably living in the tops of the tallest trees around the lake. They looked like living Christmas Tree Ornaments. From the camp road, they were small but so white and out of place, one could not help but notice. I was walking the road as the sun was setting, favorite time of day… this morning we run as the sun is rising (hopefully next to those amazing birds).

The talk time is unique… literally hundreds of conversations start at once. Stumblers is not so much about exercise as it is about a good long talk. Most girls, I have noticed, start talking as they are walking down the hill and don’t end till they are eating breakfast… not running makes this possible. Most don’t run, which makes it the opposite of my old football practice sessions. In the entire camp week, no other hour is so completely devoted to talking. This was a shocking discovery.

It is a finish line… marking the end of a great week. Our first week ended with Stumblers, and the girls felt a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment for making it through this new experience so well. For me, this feeling returns every Sunday- I look back at the week that passed; amazed and humbled by the many good things that have happened. God’s hand at work in little ways and in big ways too (sometimes). It inspires me and fills me with anticipation for what is to come. I don’t know if the girls feel this, but I bet some of them do.

It is a starting line… Sunday is actually the first day of the week. A day of rest and worship, perfect for looking ahead. I see the next week as clearly as the sun rising over Apple Hill, good things are coming and I can’t wait. Most of the girls are this way too- even if they don’t know the details yet, they know that every week so far has surprised and delighted… this week is probably going to be even better.

Our Sunday will end with another concert on the lawn, this time by “Sara Groves”:http://www.saragroves.com/, this is going to be really good. She is coming with her band and will play as the sun goes down in a blaze of color and beauty (Lord willing… there is a 50% chance of rain). It could well be the best moment of the summer so far. We have been playing Sara’s music in morning assembly, and many of the girls knew of her long before this summer. They will be Very Excited to learn of this treat.

Concerts are expensive, especially if you get artists like Sara Groves… but we don’t hold back. It is Main Camp! Over the top, that is the goal… and the mission is being accomplished one big day at a time.

So thank you. Thank you for the gift of this summer. Main Camp is such a delight. Few camps have 5 weeks to work with, it is a large challenge (much easier to make a 2 or 3 week program) but the rewards are unique.

Jimboy