Good morning, friend. It has been a hot minute since I have written to you, and I truly hope you are well and enjoying the last bits of Summer before the kiddos go back to school, soaking up every moment of sunshine and cherishing the laughter that fills the warm air. I was gone for 15 days; in fact, the last time I was away for that long I was in college. This time, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in a camp with the students I sponsor, called NYR, which stands for Nationwide Youth Roundup. The camp is held in the breathtaking mountains of Colorado, specifically in Sedalia, where the beauty of nature surrounds you at every turn, with towering trees that take your breath away. Only tent camping awaited us, accompanied by port-a-pots and cold showers for an entire week, which certainly tested our resilience and love for the great outdoors. The high altitude was quite challenging for me; I felt sick on the first day, battling headaches and fatigue, but after I acclimated and began to drink plenty of water, I started to feel much better and truly embraced the experience, enjoying activities such as worship under the wide, open sky. The temperature fluctuated dramatically, dipping to very cold at night while the days were sweltering hot, creating an interesting contrast that kept us on our toes, with no reprieve since we were in tents. Thankfully, our senior minister and his wife took the lead in cooking for us, ensuring that we ate well amid the outdoor adventure, serving up hearty meals that restored our energy after a long day of activities filled with laughter and bonding moments. It’s amazing to realize how much effort goes into organizing and executing a camp like this with all the students; it brings everyone together in a unique way, fostering connections that go beyond the usual school environment and building a sense of community. I was the newbie among the other sponsors, but I learned so much from them, picking up valuable tips about camping. It seemed that all the students had fun learning about God and worshiping Him. We had three students out of our group get baptized, a moment that was a source of praise and celebration for everyone involved, as we witnessed their commitment, with many tears of joy and shouts of encouragement echoing through the crisp mountain air. Oh, I forgot to tell you that there was a bear outside my tent one night! I slept through it, blissfully unaware, but it had my tent mate shaking in her pajamas, which made for a rather amusing morning once we shared our tales over breakfast. The blend of adventure, growth, and unforgettable experiences made this trip truly special.

Mr. Handsome picked me up at the bottom of the mountain. He flew in and rented a car, ready for our little adventure, and together we made our way back to his hotel room, where I couldn’t wait to take a warm shower after being dirty for a week. Refreshed and rejuvenated, we packed our belongings and drove about an hour away to our charming Airbnb, nestled in the heart of nature. We enjoyed the peacefulness of the horses outside our place, grazing contentedly and adding to the idyllic setting, while the lively prairie dogs scurried around, adding a touch of whimsy to our surroundings. During our time in Colorado, we made it a mission to explore every thrift and antique store we could find to hunt for unique items for my booth. We had such a fun time searching through shelves, uncovering cool treasures.

After leaving Colorado, we embarked on an exciting journey to New Mexico. Once there, we ate good food, and stayed in a charming hacienda. Our adventures included exploring the breathtaking Rio Grande Gorge, where the dramatic cliffs left Mr. handsome in awe and myself weak at the knees. In addition to these experiences, we spent hours thrifting at shops filled with treasures, uncovering unique items for my booth. The car rides were filled with fun, as we turned up the volume on our favorite eighties tunes, and relished every moment of each other’s company as we drove through the enchanting scenery.

We arrived home on Saturday to well-watered gardens that flourished under Max’s attentive care, dishes clean, and laundry done, which made our return all the more pleasant. Thanks to Max’s efforts, we were able to settle back in with ease. Today has been a productive day filled with catching up, putting things away, and revamping the booth.

I wish for you a happy evening,

Best,

Amy