June 27 through July 3 I was in Columbus, OH for Challenge, the EFCA national youth conference. We took 7 students and 6 adults (including myself.) We left New Orleans around 4:30 a.m. on the 27th and didn't arrive in Columbus until around 11 p.m. (Eastern time) It was a very long day, but around dinner time we were able to stop in Nashville and I got to spend an hour with some good friends, Brandon and Emily. It was so good to be able to see them and to see Emily especially before they welcome a baby in August. She's been down here a couple times and even evacuated with us for Hurricane Gustav.

That first night we got settled in our hotel and it was close to 1 a.m. before we finally went to bed. I knew at that point that I wouldn't be sleeping much during the week. Two of the women slept in the double beds and the other two of us slept on air mattresses on the floor. That first morning, Kiera and I both woke up on the floor as our mattresses had holes in them. We tried again the second night with different mattresses and Kiera's worked but mine did not. Need-less-to-say, I had a half inflated mattress for the whole week so it was good to be home in my own bed.

This year Challenge was different for our students because they helped get all of the ministry groups organized each day. That meant earlier mornings and fuller days for them with less downtime than other groups. They all handled it very well and even when they were tired they maintained a good attitude about things.

One of the ministries that we were a part of was running Challenge Circle with a local Boys and Girls Club. There were so many kids and they loved the games and the cheers. Our students, even the ones who had never been a part of Challenge Circle, did a great job keeping the kids excited and motivated. The weather couldn't have been better and was in the mid 70s all week. It was a great break from the summer New Orleans humidity.

The speakers this year were talking through the Beatitudes (Matthew 5) and took one verse for each session. Personally, it was so refreshing to be able to sit and listen and spend time in worship for several days in a row. In some ways it was like being back in high school but one evening after a particularly powerful message, I spent time with one of our students and it hit me that seemingly all of a sudden, I was an adult. Now, I've known for quite some time that I am, in fact, an adult. But it was in that moment of realizing that I was not just here with these students, but responsible for them and their spiritual, emotional and physical well-being that it truly hit me.

It was a great week. Each morning I walked a few blocks to Starbucks and that was a time to just get away and enjoy the beautiful weather and recharge for the events of the day. Then we had a session in the morning before I headed to our booth were we handed out beach balls with our logo and talked to kids and youth pastors about our missions opportunities. Afternoons were for additional breakout sessions or ministry opportunities and evenings were another large group session.

The final night our group was given the opportunity to make the announcement that Challenge 2012 will be held in New Orleans! We are so excited to be the host for this great event and to see what a difference 5,000 students can make in this city. It was also a treat to have 3D (in part) perform in front of the whole group. I am excited to see if there is a chance for them to have a greater role in Challenge 2012.

Our trip home was much quicker than our trip up and it was good to be home and sleep for a solid 8 hours in my own bed. I got to know several of the students better and I feel like it was just such a great week.

One thing that I had worried a little bit about was the fact the third anniversary of my grandma's death was June 30. For the past 3 years its always been a hard day and being around so many people (and not being a public "crier") I just didn't know how it would go. But God is good and there was a great time of worship what morning and I was able to spend some time by myself that afternoon remembering, journaling and talking to my mom. I still miss her terribly but I know that she'd be proud of me and supportive of what I'm doing. I wish more than anything that I could tell her stories of all I have gotten to do and experience these past almost three years in New Orleans, but I believe I'll see her again one day and we'll have an eternity to talk. I love you Grandma.