So my first year of Project 1:17 has come to a close, and with it, the end of an era. It was decided that a name like Project was much too temporary sounding and so, it has been formally changed to Railton School of Youth Worker Training. For the first time in my life I have no opinion on the matter; (I have practised not having an opinion for the past 18 months, finally results!) Our new logo:

The final students are just leaving campus, it will be very quiet on the third floor with the cadets also out on Summer Assignment.
Life continued it's break neck speed since my last post. Sometimes I worry that I am a lazy person, the bags under my eyes are proving to be my source of comfort against those thoughts. After retreat it was off to Graduation in Hershey, followed by Congress and Commissioning. To say that I am proud of my students would be an understatement. All of them have progressed beyond their expectations and so I rejoice with them in that. Some I have no idea when I will see them again, others, I will see all too soon! (Only kidding!) They are braving the world of ministry; having learned a few lessons that this life has to teach, they have made themselves available to minister to the at risk youth of the USA. Good luck! You know where I am if you need me!
Congress, what to say about that event? I am an Army geek; I really do love the big events, I am not one who shys away from them or gets bored by the 9 Millionth band selection from the NYSB; nope, I am one who enjoys the whole Army cheesiness, I get upset at having to miss any part of it. I would have TiVo-ed the parts that I missed should I have been able to. ;) Friday evening with the kids, Saturday morning, the General and Carol Jaudes made an unbeatable team; we are so very lucky to have Carol, it is clearly more than a job for that lady.
I am tired and would like to write a more detailed account of the event, but I cannot, my body will not allow me. So let me leave with the main thing that I wanted to say, Sunday...
Sunday had me eat with some new friends; gotta say I love the new friends, especially in the army. I commented to one of my newest friends that we really have a strange networking cycle; these new friends are "friends," (in quotation marks not because they are shoddy friends to the old friend but actually the off-spring,) of an older and wiser friend. What amused me was that these new friends, (it would be much easier to give them names rather than constantly refer to them as "old" or "new.") treated me as though they were their parents. I wonder, is this purely an Army idiosyncrasy or, is it this family's gifting? I do wonder.
We left the Giant centre and as we walked to lunch picked people up, one commented, "it's like Jesus!" It was, and was alot of fun to think that the simple act of walking to lunch and inviting people to sit with you could imitate the Saviour, brought me joy. Even as we bare such a poor reflection. If only we could have that courage in real life - I wonder if anyone would say yes? I will try - I owe two meals, one for the lunch I blagged and one to see if anyone would eat with me. Next time I'm in Manhattan I will try to find out...
So we got into the queue for lunch, me without my ticket - I blagged my way in; this is one of the few times that the accent works for me, as long as it accompanies a smile! We lost half of our party, but found an empty row of seats where we sat ourselves down. Having history with only one of my lunch dates made for interesting conversation - the topic, after what church had made itself to be, was Officership. We all gave our opinions on Officership - it was really lovely, one gave their view and the others listened and when the person was done, all gave feed back. (I love people watching!) It was good church. It was lovely eating lunch with them, I took myself out for a moment and looked at the group - in years to come, they will be the people to watch, the whole day felt like God was getting His ducks in a row, and what lovely row of ducks they are.
Must close