I arrived at the airport today ready and excited about my trip to the PCCCA conference. Here I am ready to go and meet all kinds of ministers and camp directors who have the same interest as me. Yesterday I became a candidate for the ministry of the word and sacrament! And Now I am off to meet with folks who are doing that ministry that I love. So I stroll into the airport only to discover the ticket booths are closed, I have to check my bag full of heavy winter clothes and then security. Oh DWF… you would think this close to holiday travel season they would have this down already… Alas. After a fun and long conversation with my fellow trailers in the security line, I arrive at my gate to again discover, not one there. Really? I think? But that minor panic attack ended very quickly. (Its amazing how one missed flight, ages ago can still bring back fear)

            Off to the Rockies I flew, In that half asleep half awake space you only find on an airplane. After arriving in Denver, I ran the poor woman over to get off the plain, apparently I was worried I would be late. As I rushed past her and she commented on my not-so- nice-to- others-ness. I thought to myself, God I hope she is not going to this conference and make it awkward all week. I did some wondering around the airport until I found people who literally said

“you look campy, are you with us?”

“P-triple C-A?” I ask, in a desperate voice.

“yep! You found us”

I had been found and wondering  and worries melted away. We tracked out to the van and I clearly had the LARGEST bag. I got some serious looks from some of the others riding with me.  I told them my Texan senses were tingling, and I was afraid of the cold. Needless to say the Northerners laughed at me. The other person from the southwest had a big bag too; I told her I was very afraid of the cold. She was too. The drive up the mountain end the life of one deer and brought us to the retreat center. We stepped out of the van and ….

OHHHHH NOOOOO, I thought it was cold before. I found myself shivering inside only to Bump straight into some people from Mo Ranch. YEAH!! I was home. Dinner was full of wonderful conversations and lots of fun. After settling into the bunk, and unpacking I wound up in a wonderful conversation with David Florence, (Anna-carter Florence’s husband) about his ideas for his camp and the education of children on how to live on the land. Then it was off to bed.

It was a lovely and blessed day.