T-Time

Run.

This is a recent acquisition.  At work we had a cardio challenge where we had to run/walk a certain number of miles in five weeks (I think).    Twenty five miles seemed too small a goal, so I opted for 75 miles instead.  I wanted to finish in four weeks because I was working camp the last week.  I did some old-fashioned division to see how many miles a day that would be and 25 didn’t seem too small a goal.  I used to run a lot in high school when I played soccer, and then I graduated, and then I didn’t.  Nonetheless, I “finished the race,” had a good time, and hopefully did my body some good as well. 

Hamburgers.  Hotdogs.  Awkward Moments.

This is another one of the free shirt/camp shirt combo.  (There are so many, I know.)  The two summers that I worked Centri-Kid the traveling teams would gather at Campbellsville University to train before heading out all over the US.  The first night Campbellsville would host a cookout and give us free shirts.  This was the first meal with our new teams, meaning 25 or so strangers were meeting for the first time and trying to avoid the awkwardness that is inherent in that situation.  But alas, an awkward meal of hamburgers and hotdogs results in the beginning of life-long friendships.  And this shirt commemorates that occasion.  

Music.  Me.

My mom brought this shirt for me from a nursing trip she made to Phoenix.  (I’ve never been to Phoenix.)  It represented many things.  First, orange was my favorite color.  Second, loving and serving is what I wanted my life to be about.  Third, I loved music.  I have made noise ever since I can remember.  We had an old piano in our basement when I was a kid and I would sit and plunk at the keys for hours.  My grandparents had a guitar and I would “perform” for everyone and charge them admission.  I begged my parents for a guitar and they got me one when I was eight, and after enduring a year of my “improvisations,” they put me in lessons.  I still remember my favorite orange pick that came with the guitar.  I’m not sure why I love music so much except that God created me that way.  While I’m not much of a vocalist, I do have great joy from singing and playing the guitar.  I’m currently trying to figure out how music fits in my life since I don’t have the same opportunities that I previously did.  However, this I do know: “I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live” (Psalm 104:33).

Mountains.  Majesty.  Mystery.

I love the mountains, particularly the Great Smokey Mountains.  I grew up 45 minutes from these mountains, and while they are not the highest or most spectacular in the world, they are the most beautiful to me.  My family and I frequently camped in the mountains as I was growing up and still try to go when we can.  My dad is a big hiker and is currently working on completing the Appalachian Trail.  One of the things we did together when I was a kid was hike and backpack in the mountains.  The mountains also remind me of the majesty and mystery of God: “Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.  Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God” (Psalm 90:1-2).  I love to be still and quiet before the Lord as I gaze at the beautiful creation He has made and remember how much He has loved me and all that He has done.  

Excellence.  Tradition.  Maybe the Worst Three Years of My Life.

I had such high hopes for the Pride of the Southland marching band.  At the end of high school I was still loving music and really enjoying band, so I thought it might be a good idea to pursue those things in college.  I also thought it might be a good idea to audition at five schools in order to have a variety of choices.  I used to hope that I would overcome my indecisive nature, but I never have, so five schools to choose from became overwhelming.  Perhaps I’ll recount that story another time.  So I decided on the University of Tennessee and the pursuit of a degree in Music Education, which required me to participate in marching band.  The Pride of the Southland Marching Band.  While there were some highlights, the majority of my experience comprised of stress, fear, anxiety, consternation, and despondency.  It was everything I would never want my own band program to be.  I believe in inspiring people to be their best, not forcing them through fear of public humiliation.  I did however meet some very dear people through the experience and will return to fonder memories in future shirts.

Blue.  Black.  Now. 

Most of the shirts in my possession I did not purchase.  This is another one of those shirts.  It’s also one of those that I didn’t wear much when I first received it and now I wear it all the time.  I really like the color combination.  More significantly, I really like Disciple Now and it’s an event that I have participated in for 12 years.  D-Now (as it is commonly referred to) is a weekend event in which students meet in homes to study the Bible, go out into the city to serve, and gather together to worship through songs.  It sounds simple, but I love it.

Fuge?

I know.  It’s a weird word.  It was originally tied to the word “Centri-Fuge” which makes a little more sense.  Centri-Fuge is a Lifeway Christian Resources camp that began in the 70s and grew into a family of camps known as “Fuge.”  I went to my first Fuge camp, Crosspoint, as a kid.  In high school I went to Mission-Fuge.  Then in college I worked three summer of Fuge camps, one Centri-Kid, one Centri-Kid/Crosspoint Combo, and one M-Fuge/X-Fuge combo.  This past summer I was set to work Centri-Fuge which would have been cool because then I would have worked every camp in the Fuge family.  However, other things called so I had to suffice my camp habit with one week of M-Fuge in Nashville.  It was an amazing week and the shirt is from that week.  I have three more shirts from that week, so I’ll save some stories for another post. 

Love.

This is one of my favorite shirts.  The design is real hip and the people, places, and events associated with it are some of the dearest to me.  The Neighborhood is a place for middle and high school kids to gather at the church in which I grew up.  It was started by a man named Scott Hood (who really liked that “NeighborHOOD” ended with his name) when I was a sophomore in college.  I first met Scott as an 8th grader when he came to my church as a youth intern.  We played these really gross games like eating pigs feet and drinking concoctions of tabasco sauce, soda, and whatever else he could find.  However, Scott’s life was defined by the verse at the bottom of the shirt: “We love because God first loved us.”  Scott, who is a hero, mentor, and friend, allowed several punk college kids like myself to hang out at the Neighborhood and lead small groups of kids.  Our goal was to love the kids.  We wanted the kids to experience the love of God so that in turn they could love each other.  I continued to hang around the Neighborhood through the rest of college (which was a five year adventure for me, so that’s four years at the Neighborhood) and learn what it means to invest my life into the lives of others.  I love the precious girls that I was able to walk life with, learn from, and hopefully teach a thing or two.  I miss my time at the Neighborhood and the dear people that I lived life with during that season.  However, I can’t think of another way that I would have rather spent my college years.

London.  Tube.  Accents.

I love British accents.  When I first traveled to England and was surrounded by British English all I could do was stare at people with a smile on my face.  I’m sure people were concerned.  The purchase of this t-shirt was a last minute decision at the airport.  On the London tube as you are boarding, a voice (with a British accent no less) announces that you must “mind the gap,” that is, watch out for the space between the platform and the train.  I was amused and thought I would commemorate my amusement with a “Mind the Gap” London tube shirt.

Free.  Obviously.

This might be the ugliest t-shirt I posses.  Thankfully, I did not pay any money for it.  I obtained this beauty last summer from camp.  I realize that it may be difficult to decipher the meaning so I’ll go ahead and let you know that it says “Student Leader Apprentice.”  Unlike this shirt, Student Leader Apprentices are cool.  They are junior and seniors in high school that come to camp for two weeks.  The first week they are campers and the second week they shadow a staffer and have more leadership opportunities.  I loved hanging out with these kids last summer.  But more on that when I have a more presentable shirt…