i'm moving to the woods!

Tonight, the UPS man came to visit.

Lydia: Hello!
UPS Man: Good evening! Are you Lydia?
Lydia: Yes! You brought my sleeping bag!
UPS Man: Are you going camping or something?
Lydia: Well, I'm actually moving to the woods.
UPS Man: Oh...huh. Well, maybe I'll see a movie about you someday.

3 weeks to go until I pack up everything I own into my car and drive to North Carolina. So far, I'm only lacking some sturdy hiking shoes, long unmentionables, and some good cargo pants. I'll be living in the woods of North Carolina working at an outdoor therapeutic program for at-risk youth.

For the past two years, I've been working at the North Texas Food Bank (the best food bank in the nation, I'd say) as their Volunteer Coordinator--managing, scheduling, and fielding the inquiries of over 17,000 volunteers. I've been called Mrs. Rudy, Rudy, Linda, Miss Lydia, and (the best) Ludia. For the next two years, I'll be called Chief Lydia. Maybe I can get the kids to call me Tex. We'll see about that one.

Lots of questions have surfaced, so for those of you who are curious:

What will you be doing?
I'll be facilitating the experience of 10-12 teenage boys as they take 7 months to 1 year to get their lives back on track. I'll be with them 5 days a week, 24 hours a day.

Where will you be living?
I've unsuccessfully described it as something between a tent and a cabin, so instead of describing it, I found a link to an example of it HERE. When I'm not working, I'll be living in an off-time house where all the Chiefs live on their off-time. I am 15 minutes from the nearest town, and an hour from the nearest city.

What kind of kids go there?
Teenage boys who have gotten into some sort of trouble with the law. They are sent there by the courts. During their time at the camp, they learn life skills, problem-solving skills, and basically are given the chance to get away from an unhealthy environment and make better decisions about who they want to be.

Isn't it cold in North Carolina? How will you survive?
I think on average it's about 10-15* cooler in NC than in TX. Right now, it's warmer in NC than it is tonight here in Dallas. I hope this trend continues. Otherwise, I have no idea. I am stocking up on winter clothes, and the UPS man just brought my newly purchased 0* sleeping bag.
(Thank you, http://www.steepandcheap.com/!)

What do you think will be the hardest part of the job?
I'm not too concerned about the kids. As long as I recognize that I could never relate to their situations and don't have the answers for them, I think we'll be okay. All I can do is love and respect them and not allow myself to build up walls between myself and them each time something gets tough.

I'm not too concerned about the staff. I get along with people pretty well, and my life here in Dallas is a testament to God's grace and provision in my life. In 2 years, he has provided me with a handful of friends that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Everywhere I go, he has given me people that love me and that I love. I know this is not the end of his grace.

It is a toss-up between the weather and being away from Texas that will be the hardest. I do not know how to dress for the weather and am most comfortable in shorts and tennis shoes. Layers? Parkas? Oh noes. I'm doomed, but I have a Canadian friend and some smart adventuring friends who are helping me prepare.

Texas. My home. My family, friends, life, and history are here. Everything I love is in Texas--even Tex-Mex. I will miss these things the most. Every 45 minutes or so, Texas punches me in the face, and says, "Don't leave me!" It comes in the form of quality time with my great friends, the knowledge that I am only a short 3-hour drive away from my family, or in a good margarita with some chips and queso. It hurts me deeply to leave my home, so I hope this blog is a way to keep you with me. I love you guys.