Greetings! It is I, once again, here with an announcement. On June 1 I am leaving for a month, and I wanted to take the time to explain where and why. So here goes!

I have been accepted to a camp called STEP – Skills Training for Emergency Preparedness. STEP is a four-week outdoor adventure program for young women ages 15 and older. This challenging program is designed to build confidence on individual and team levels, in preparation to respond to life’s emergencies, while learning to put their trust in the Lord. STEP is located on the International ALERT Academy campus just east of Big Sandy, Texas, for those who like to know that sort of stuff.

There will be scripture memory from Phillippians and devotions from the same, hiking and swimming, CPR and first aid training, all sorts of camping and survival stuff, canoeing, basic electrical and plumbing stuff, drywall repair, basic auto maintenance, etc. etc. etc. (said with an Indian accent, mind. *Wonders vaguely who all got the movie reference*) Sound fun? (And exhausting…)

The downside? I will not be online at all during that month. Period. No time, and no internet access. Are you crying yet? Don’t start yet, there’s more! You can still contact me, either by letter to:

IAA attn: STEP Calista Holmes
One Academy Blvd
Big Sandy, TX 75755

Or by e-mail at: step[at]alertacademy[dot]com
Note: As this is the ALERT e-mail, you have to put my name (Calista Holmes, not Calista Beth, mind) as the subject, and they will print it off to give to me. (And if you happen to include your mailing address, I might manage to drop you a line or two when I have time.)

Sound fair? Good. I’ll see you all in July! God bless! And as a last farewell, do allow me to share the lyrics to one of my favorite songs…

Think of Me by Mark Shultz

Packing my bags this morning
Was the hardest thing to do
But packing my bags was so easy
Compared to standing outside your door right now
To say goodbye to you

Think of me
I know you’ve never seen me cry
Think of me
But it’s so hard to say goodbye
Think of me
What can I say to show you
I’ll never give up on you
I will be waiting for you

I will be there when you call
I will be there through it all
And even in your darkest hour
I pray that the Lord we found
Will set you on solid ground

I know that it feels like leaving
Is a part of letting go
But I’m praying with hope and believing
That I’ll see you once again down this road
I hope it won’t be long

Think of me
I know God brought you as a friend
Think of me
I know He’ll bring you back again
Think of me
What can I say to show you
I’ll never give up on you
I will be waiting for you

I will be there when you call
I will be there through it all
And even in your darkest hour
I pray that the Lord we found
Will set you on solid ground

Think of me
I know you’ve never seen me cry
Think of me
But it’s so hard to say goodbye
Think of me
What can I say to show you
I’ll never give up on you
I will be waiting for you

I will be there when you call
I will be there through it all
And even in your darkest hour
I pray that the Lord we found
Will set you on solid ground

A whole month? We will be sad and miss you, so you'd better have a good time. Or else.

Aww! *Huggles* I'll miss you, Milly, but this sounds like it'll be a great experience for you. Have fun!!

We'll miss you, Calista. I hope you have a good time.

You will be missed, Calista! I hope you have a wonderful, and edifying time though.

Have fun Calista!

That sounds like it'll be awesome.

We'll miss you, though. Have a really, really good, edifying time.

(I like that song....)

I hope you enjoy, Calista dear! *hugs* We'll be missing you, though.