Hamilton ATF

I am currently lying on my bunk as the bus heads back to Texas. Not even fifteen minutes ago I was looking at a red vehicle driving off into the distance. My parents. I am reminded of something Donald Miller says in his Author’s Note in Through Painted Deserts. Something about having to leave home in order to appreciate it. When you live on campus with hundreds of people, four roommates, always being surrounded with people. You learn to appreciate home real fast. Especially if you had your own room before coming. You also appreciate your parents a lot more. I have been blessed with amazing parents and I don’t know what I would do without them. I have also been blessed with a great church. When I went this morning I realized how much of a family we all are. Everybody knows everybody. If you don’t know someone you just introduce yourself. You connect with each other. You laugh and learn with each other. It was good to see them again.

Now about ATF. One of the best experiences of my life. I was Doug’s assistant for the event. I tried to wear my All Access pass and radio with humbleness but I must admit pride still overcame me at times. Funny, how your “status” and accessories define you to so many people. I feel privileged and honored that Doug trusted me enough to be at his right side during this event. When I saw my name in the credits airing live on GodTV I was so proud of myself and my accomplishments. It was so much fun to see how the event I’ve been going to for several years looks like backstage. I felt so blessed to get the opportunity to go in the production truck as often as I wanted to and observe how a live tv broadcast works. To be able to walk to the side of the stage and watch the bands play and the speakers speak. One of my favourite moments was during the TFK set. I was taking photos and the crowd was going absolutely insane. So they had everybody on crew holding the crowd back and I was just having a ballin’ time. Another one of my favourite things about the trip was the bus moments. Not only because I got to catch up on much needed sleep, but it was so great to spend time with everyone in CCM. And watch some episodes of one of my favourite tv shows.

So I was blessed with the opportunity to spend Thursday night and last night (Saturday) at home. We had been sleeping on the bus, which was not that bad. I think I could live on a bus. But it was really nice to go home and see my parents, and my cat. It felt wonderful to sit in front of the fireplace with my parents, sipping tea, having soup and one of my favourite meals.

You probably realize that I have been writing this blog over the course of several days, considering I started this in Canada and am finishing this in a small, dark edit bay where no one knows of my existence. We had team meeting the other day, where we debriefed the trip. What went well, what could have been better. To be honest I don’t remember much but I remember Doug telling everybody a few things about me. That he puts me up with the other top PAs (assistants) he’s had. He said that not once he had to look for me and that I was always there at the right time without interfering. He says that takes real skill. I don’t remember what else he said but I remember how I couldn’t hide my smile when he said it. It’s okay to be proud of yourself. Since being here I at times haven’t felt like I was doing as good as some of the others. So to hear that Doug is proud of me makes me feel like I am adequate enough. That I do have some potential. So that’s a little bit about Hamilton. When I got back I got put to work immediately. Transcribing. Thirty minute piece. Six individuals. If I can tell you something. Transcribing is like slow suicide. It makes you go insane. BUT it teaches you perseverance. And that is a good thing. If you are faithful with the little things (it’s still important, you just don’t get as much recognition for what you do) then you will be trusted with the big things. People will notice. Anyways, I’m going to eat lunch now. Peace.