Let the freaking out begin - Julie Taylor

Sooo, I was supposed to post this on Friday afternoon, but with everything going on, I totally spaced putting it up. Sorry to Julie for dropping the ball! Here is her post from right before we left... - Tim

A few days ago Tim posted on facebook a count down of four days until the trip. I loved Lauren’s response of “Let the Freaking out begin!” as a comment on his post.  Then it hit me! OMG it is only 4 days and I am freaking out. Was she talking about me??

   In our group I suppose I am the old fogey.  I am the least tolerant of change and loss of sleep.  I am probably the whiniest and most tied to my cushy life.  I tend to have an argument about who sits where in the cars and whether or not electronics can be used.  And believe it or not, I am a proponent of electronics on the car ride.  Sara is probably used to me saying “why not,” when it come to music players.  I want to keep those kids busy while I am driving!

    I tend to have problems staying asleep and the proposition of me sleeping on the floor for a week with 40 other people in a room causes me to have anxiety and to whine uncontrollably!  Just the thought of that air mattress makes me squirm.  Oh, and did I mention 10 hours in a car with teenagers!!  Then it’s the proverbial thoughts of, "I have to get everything ready, pack everything, make sure we have meds, and first aid stuff, worry about all the kids and leaders being safe, and driving in a strange city." 

    Obviously I tend to be a whiner and a worry wart, and this trip gets me all in high gear on both accounts!!  I have to remind myself that worry is a sin and He says cast all your cares upon me.  But, did I mention I have problems letting things go?  I think the thing that surprises me most is how the kids are so calm about the trip.  They don’t really complain, except about the electronics, and they are excited to do new things.  It makes me sad to see how I have as a “Grown Up” lost some of that sense of adventure and lightheartedness that teens have.  We have a great group of service oriented kids here at Good Shepherd and I need to take lead from them.  I need to learn to go forth boldly and seek the positive in everything.

    I guess I will give this a try………well…….I’ll let you know how that went!!

Julie