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oh you ain't seen nuttin yet boi

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Nope, gone now.

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aw

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Anyway, how was the trip?

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It was awesome. The nature was wonderful; the studies were enlightening; the hikes were the worst things to ever happen to me ever; oh, did I say the nature was pretty?

To elaborate: we went on two hikes, one to Osstrander Lake and another up to Vernal and Nevada Falls. The first hike they said was level the entire way, so twelve miles round trip wouldn't be that bad. Then four miles of it was uphill and the last long stretch was in the sun often. At least I felt accomplished afterwards. Either way, we went to the Falls on Wednesday, and the stairs. Stairs here, stairs there, stairs, stairs everywhere. If not stairs, then the steepest uphill walk you've ever seen. And in all this (the second height) I pushed forward with the second group from the front, which was really surprising. I ran the last stretch of the way down, because I was with only one person and she wanted to run.

But at least I felt accomplished.

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You have my condolences. I would have died.

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I was only able to do it because I trusted in my body's natural ability to push forward--when presented with only one option, survival instincts take over and your body works itself to keep you going. I didn't go back--it wasn't an option--so I just went forward. I'm certain you're more fit than I am, so you probably would have done better.

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X manages most of my instincts. But to rephrase, while I'm sure I could, I would have been miserable, so I applaud you for powering through it.

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Thanks. In addition, I learned a few cool card games while I was there (I used to not like them). We played them lots during free time. Communist Mao and Egyptian War were the highlights.

One of the best parts was Tuesday night, when we went to Yosemite's chapel for that day's study and worship. The first worship service, a bunch of the kids had come together and planned it to be special and have a bunch of extra instruments, so it was really great. But then the worship leader brought us into another worship after the study, which was the highlight: we could really feel God's presence. We were on our knees, crying out praises to God; I know I and some others were straight up weeping. The two toughest guys of the youth group were up there near the front with us with no less enthusiasm. It was really amazing.

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Cool; it sounds like what people tell me youth camp is like.

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because it's truuuuuuue

A few nights out of the week, we went to meadows in the valley to just worship God and look at the stars--it was so beautiful, and the first night we did it, God put something heavy in my heart that I just needed to say. I wanted to say it the next time we went to the meadows, but the leader forgot, and yet more circumstances postponed my speaking, but finally, on the last day, I was able to say it, and it coincided perfectly with the study that day; none of us had known that would happen. It felt so wonderful and releasing to speak the words that God had given me.

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That's really neat. It sounds like a very refreshing experience.

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It really was--especially when I realised that God wouldn't have so powerfully put it in my heart to say if there wasn't someone who needed it. I rest joyfully in the knowledge that someone heard something they needed in my little message.

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He works in mysterious ways, eh?

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Definitely. So that's pretty much all the highlights of the trip.

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Cool, cool. I'm glad you had a good time.

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Thanks.

Where are you on Skype?

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Haven't been on all weekend, since I haven't had wifi. I took a trip to visit Rice.

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Ah. Rice, where?