SSP

I just realized that it's 12:30 AM. I guess I'll be getting my recommended eight hours of sleep. Oh well...
I'm really excited. Why, you may ask? Well, I'll tell you why!
I'm going to SSP on Friday!!!
And not you may be thinking..."uhh...what is SSP?"

Sierra Service Project (SSP) is an organization (mainly in the Methodist faith, but everyone from different religions come) that help people in need around the Sierra Mountain area. There are 5 or 6 different sites, mainly rural Indian reservations and one urban LA site. Each site is run by a group of staff members who welcome campers with warmth and embrace. For six weeks, different church youth groups come and work, which includes fixing roofs, building wheelchair ramps, and even painting a house. Throughout the week, there are little devotionals and time to spend with your church as well as the friends you make along the way. It is a great experience that I am blessed to go on for the fifth year in a row.

The organization was originally for high schoolers, but the past couple of years they've been adding jr. high sites, which I wish they did when I was that age. I would have definitely gone.

I've attended this for the past five years, starting the summer before Freshmen year. And since it's high schoolers only, this year is my fifth and final year, which I'm kinda bummed about, because each experience has been so great.

This year, we are heading up to Loleta, California (North of San Francisco) to the Indian Reservation. I really don't know what to expect, because the only sites we've ever been to was the Navajo Nation in Northern Arizona and LA, so this is a new experience for all of us, and we're really excited.

As I mentioned before, it'll be my last year. Luckily, that means I can join staff!! So, a week after I come home, I will be heading back to SSP, only this time to Northern Arizona, where I'll be a staffer in training with the greatest site director, Nate. He's been my site director my two times in LA and I'm excited to have him again for the third time. And, since we already know each other, it's gonna be easier to open up, I think, since I'm generally a shy person.

There's gonna be so much to learn, like what I'm gonna do, which could be a cook, construction coordinator, or a spiritual leader coordinator. So many options, I just don't know what to do!! Luckily, that week will be how I figure that stuff out.

I'm really excited for the next couple of weeks, and I'll be sure to post anything and everything that happens!!
As for now, it's time for bed.
Good night all :)

Love,
Brittany Lauren