As their voices echoed off the surrounding mountains, I looked around at twenty-four smiling faces. They'd made it. After a whole year of eighth grade, of anticipating and planning and preparing and waiting, they'd made it to Lugano.
The week flew by in the blink of an eye. During those four days spent on the idyllic Lake Lugano bonds were strengthened, laughter was shared, and memories were made that will last these students a life time. It was a time to challenge the students physically, spiritually, socially, and academically, and everyone grew at least a little bit.
With this being my fourth year on the trip and the second year leading, it was easy to look past the joys of each new moment as the students experienced them. I found myself struggling to let go of the schedules, the headcounts, and the details and take in each day through the eyes of the students.
Through their eyes I saw magically epic castles in Bellinzona, took in breathtakingly beautiful scenery, felt my legs burn on the hike down Mount San Salvatore, let the wind whip through my hair as we rode the ferry across Lake Lugano, got a headache trying to draw the topographic map for Miss Bertschi's class, jumped into the freezing lake as often as possible, laughed until my stomach hurt, and was challenged to take my walk with the Lord to a deeper level.
Here are just a few highlights from the week. Thank you so much for the role YOU have played in allowing me to give this experience to the students here at BFA. I couldn't do this without you!
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