The Summer of New
Things
After finishing my first year of college I became very
relaxed, and almost too relaxed. It has been well over a month since I last
wrote and have a lot to catch you up on.
I knew that my summer would be cut short because of the
manager job that I had accepted. So my goal for the summer was to get as much
done in the little time that I had. And some of the events that I had planned I
had never done before. My summer was based around three main events. 1. Beach
trip with my cousin to Granny Kat’s house, which was a trip that I will forever
cherish. 2. Work the Roy Williams Basketball camp, an experience that is worthy
of a paragraph or two. 3. Go on a mission trip to New Jersey to restore houses
that were ruined during Super Storm Sandy. However, I hadn’t planned to meet a
girl, and they always seem to throw a curve in my life.
I already shared some things from the beach trip, but I
wanted to share a few more. Grannies are the best. I mean it’s simple as that. In
fact I could sit and talk to my grandmas for hours and learn so much about
life. I also got to spend the time with my cousin, which gave us some ultimate
bonding time. The beach trip to Granny’s house was something I will forever
remember because of the laughs we shared. There was rarely a dull moment with
the three of us. My cousin and I departed on mother’s day, and we decided to leave
Granny numerous funny cards throughout the house to express our love. The notes
were filled with humor and she is still finding some of them till this day.
The week I spent working for Roy Williams Basketball Camp
was an unforgettable experience. I had always heard of how great the Carolina
Basketball family is, but I had never actually experienced it. As an observer,
you can see that for some reason everything comes together in a beautiful way. When
people think Carolina Basketball a few words come to mind, classy and
tradition. For a very long time the cooperation of coaches, players, and
managers have created an atmosphere of compassion towards one another, which
has helped maintain the Carolina way. For the short time I was able to work the
UNC staff I felt at home. I made friendships that will never be forgotten, and
gained connections that will definitely benefit me in the near future.
If you have never been on a mission trip, I encourage you to
plan one right away. My church decided months ago that we would be teaming up
to help with Super Storm Sandy in New Jersey. When my father informed me of the
trip, I immediately told him I wanted to go! As I look back on the week that I spent
in NJ, the blessing I received from the trip is much different than I expected.
I expected to lead someone to Christ, or maybe tell my testimony to a crowd of
people. God had a different plan for Austin Helms in NJ. He taught me new
skills. I learned how to put up insulation, how to use a nail gun, and how to
lay sheetrock. I also bonded with people from my church that I had never spoken
with. No matter if you believe in Jesus or not, a mission trip is a way to help
people in need. The victims of Super Storm Sandy will continue to have issues
for at least a few more years. However, it’s not the number of people you help;
it’s the thought of helping at least one.
If you ask me how we met I can’t give you a long drawn out
story like most people can. I just have to say Facebook. It all started in 10th
grade when I asked for her number, and we began texting. After I was rejected
numerous times during my 10th grade year, I gave up.
Well that was of course until she agreed to meet me in
person this March. I can remember March 30th like it was yesterday.
My 1990 Mazda B2600i and I made our way to this long awaited date. If you are
unaware of what a B2600i is, I would encourage you to look it up. It is not by
any means a car that you want to impress a lady with. However, I warned her of
my truck and told her not to be shocked when I pulled up.
The ring of the doorbell seemed to last forever. Then she
came busting through the door, walked past me and almost jumped in my car. I
stood in complete shock. Shocked because I had never met her and shocked
because I had never seen anyone that excited to get in my truck. I meandered
back to my truck and said, “it’s nice to meet you, are you sure you’re ok to
ride in this truck?” She looked at me wide eyed, and with the biggest smile and
off we went.
The relationship that we have has taught me more things that
I could have ever imagined. She taught me how to horseback ride and how to slow
down in life. She was reading my goals one day and told me that I should live
day by day. As I thought about her advice it became clear. My goals are mostly
about who I want to be, not who I am. Even though they are very ambitious, I
want to enjoy every moment before I reach the goals. I will begin to live this
new philosophy, in hope that I will look back with no regrets.
Humans have a different time scale than God. We are made to
want things on our timing, and often become very impatient when things don’t appear
when we are ready. I have learned however that God is the time keeper. His timing
is always perfect whether you like it or not. Sometimes people and
opportunities show up when you’re ready, and sometimes they don’t, but when
they do you must cherish the moments.
I have a few tips for your first summer during college:
1.
Plan a few things, but leave room for the
unexpected
2.
Make new friendships, no matter what you drive
3.
You only regret the things you don’t do (if its
legal)
4.
Each day is a blessing, each person has a story,
and each life has a purpose.
