These Are The Days
It’s late at night and hard to think of how to start this post, but somehow I know this will all work out… I have to count myself as a lucky person.
I’ve not publicly reported this yet, but I’ve moved to a new position at work. I’ve been given the task of helping MCC move forward in the instructional media production arena. As a result my new workspace is full of toys like I’ve never dreamed of: high-end computer workstations, wide screen monitors, audio and video recording equipment…I’ve got big shoes to fill as the person I’m stepping in for has had way more experience than me at doing this. In a previous blog, I once reported of my reflections in a summer-time job I’ve done off and on for the past 5 years or so, and that is of being a counselor for my church-sponsored summer program for youth aged 14-18. Especially For Youth, or EFY as it is more commonly called is a great place for a break from the world as it places teenagers in my church on their own away from parents and with peers they may or may not already know to live for a week at college campuses all over the country. Some may call the experience a very cheesy and superficial way to spend a week, but I have to tell you, I have had the best experiences hanging out with these guys…my fellow counselors and of course the participants; the whole reason I do it. I am absolutely amazed at the things these youth do and achieve at their age…especially in a world that is for the most part rather confused, and would otherwise confuse and influence these kids. I should probably emphasize that using the word ‘kids’ is not meant to be demeaning at all. There are grown ups I’ve known who aren’t as grown up as they profess to be, and when I’ve traveled to different parts of the world to be with these teenagers, I always come back refreshed and feeling like I want to be like them: full of life and trying their best to do what is right. I think I’ve finally run my course with the EFY program, though. Not only have I mastered my fake dance moves for lack of dancing ability, but I also slightly hurt my back playing outdoor games with them. I’ve officially declared this year to be my last, but it was a very memorable one. Anyway, now having to become a media specialist, I now tote my digital camera and camcorder to as many places as I can so I can hone my skills and gain experience. Vacations definitely aren’t to be excluded, so I practiced by taking lots of footage of my time at EFY in Oregon and Washington this summer. There are many people who just don’t understand what it’s like to be there and it’s one of those things that you just have to experience to appreciate; even though that on the outside it looks silly and sometimes dorky. But with all the things that kids of this age could be doing, it’s amazing to know that many of them save their own money so they can attend the conference each year. Can you imagine teenagers who spend money for this stuff? I’ve analyzed it and I think I’ve discovered that it’s mostly for the FEELING that they have when they are there. If there’s a force at work against people being truly happy in this world, I would imagine that they would try to start early and get us while we’re young and impressionable. It’s the same reason I’ve gone back each year to work for the program….the feeling that is there is unmatched by anything else I could do with my summer vacations. Although I could hardly call it work; I would do it for free if I could. But it’s hard to believe it’s over for now. I’ll probably have to wait until I have teenagers of my own to truly get a feel for what’s at stake here. Because I love God I also love these young people, and I would definitely trade away my job with all my ‘toys’ as mentioned above to be with them again! Anyway my self-made summer project for learning my new job was to make a documentary of my experience. And to boot, the following presentation is the montage/recap/icing on the cake for all it took to travel 1200 miles and relive what it’s like to be a teenager one last time:
These Are The Days from midiman on Vimeo.