Late Night in the Office (#1)

We INNterns have been warned that we will be spending many a night "working" until midnight (if not later).  Tonight is the first of those many nights.  Sarah, Laura, Stead, and I returned to the office after our respective dinner locations to continue working on elements for programs over the course of the next week.  Stead has been solving technology dilemmas and we girls have been gettin' artsy-fartsy with paints creating posters for Red Square Fair, the first Tuesday night of the year, and Fountain Festival (our welcome back activity).  Laura made coffee, Sarah and I are taking turns playing DJ, and Stead keeps us going with his side jokes and chuckles.  

For the past couple days Lisa has been looking around the room saying, "this is such a weird place, we have weird jobs...."  And I couldn't agree with her more!  We have been making ridiculous phone calls asking for ridiculous donations of everything from live goldfish to cotton candy machines.  We have been making posters like mad and recording obnoxiously funny video scenes for our introduction video and brainstorming ideas for the future.  We have been meeting returning students for coffee and lunch dates to catch up with everyone and how their lives have changed over the summer.  And on top of it all we are beginning to discover what it means to work at this crazy place called the INN.

Last night we had a prayer gathering.  INN alumni (of students, INNterns, and Sr. Staff) and members of FPC came to pray for the INN, the students coming to WWU for the year, for the staff (we need all the prayer we can get!), and to pray thanksgiving over the way God has provided and cared for the INN in the past.  As we were praying I looked up and noticed who I was sitting with - Stacy, Carrie, TC, and Megan G.  Carrie, TC, and Megan were all INNterns in the last four years and they were also three of the girls who I liked a lot as a student.  I also had no idea how much they would impact me.  These were the girls I knew the least when they started their time as INNterns.  These were the girls who reached out to me when I didn't know I needed to be reached out too.  These are the girls who fill my mailbox with little notes of friendship and my afternoons with walks and coffee and stories.  These girls are just three of the reasons why I love the INN.  If I had time (and if you were interested) I would list all the people who have touched my life because they were INN staff or students.  I would tell you of all our adventures and memorable moments.  I would share pictures and jokes and stories.  But the reality is that not only is there not enough time, but not enough space on this blog page.  I cannot tell you of all the ways I have been changed by those who have taken the time to be mentors and friends here in Bellingham, all through the INN.

Last night I prayed that those who have any connection with the INN this year, whether it be on a tuesday night or being served by students on mission trips, will know the INN is not a building, an office, a program, or a time.  The INN is a community of hope, love, devotion, service, faith, challenge, and friendship.  

Well, poster breaks over - time to paint.