Acadia Wrap-Up

My time in Acadia National Park has come to an end and my time in Death Valley National Park is just beginning. Before I get you up to date on how the last month has panned out, let me return east to Acadia.

My final day at work was a rainy, raw Monday. The info booth was awfully slow especially since I was working by myself. Both Edie and Jamie came in to say goodbye. The warmth of their friendship was nearly palpable in the air. Or it could have been the two electric heaters I placed on either side of me. I like the former reason better.

So, did I like my summer in Acadia?

Overall I'd say yes. There were a lot of good memories. I loved living in Acadia. I have a new found appreciation for the ocean and for New England. The summer did have its share of difficulties. Having five people share my dorm room most of the summer was not ideal. I had a hard time feeling socially relaxed at any point during the summer. I liked my job overall, but there were a lot of instances during the season when I longed to be anywhere than a crowded, loud booth constantly answering the phone or in a congested parking lot dealing with frustrated would-be guests.

The worship services through ACMNP were awesome. Those were consistently the highlight of my week. My team and I had a dose of drama, but I can't think of many other people I would've wanted to serve the Lord with in Acadia.

God and Fudge Club and my relational ministry efforts played out differently in real life than they did in my mind. I don't consider that a bad thing. Rather, it was a major way that God helped me understand my spiritual pride, immaturity, and naivete, and how those distract me from being an obedient servant of the Holy Spirit. It was a challenging summer, but one of spiritual growth. I have faith that growth also occurred among the spiritual seeds I planted or watered in others. My time in Acadia has helped me understand at a much deeper level the heart of 1 Corinthians 3:7: "So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."

Not that I needed permission to but I now leave Acadia in the Lord's hands.

Acadia, you are in good hands.