Ned Erickson: UPDATE - Week of May 28

So happy I got to lean on these folks this year

ENDING WELL

It was a sweet and special last week together as we closed out the second year of the Winston-Salem Fellows Program.

ROUND TABLE - for our last Round Table we celebrated two birthdays! Kate's and Sarah's - both born on the same day - not in the same place.

Kate Donahoo on her favorite instrument

Sarah Wilkins on her new favorite instrument

We ate leftovers from the graduation. Understandably, we were all a little bit mellow from such a big weekend. We also had our final "Advance" to anticipate - not to mention that Fellows have lots of other life items to sort out. Nevertheless, we had balloons and a cookie cake, and a sweet time of sharing.

END WELL ADVANCE

Day 1 - The goal of our final week together is to help all of us gain perspective on what the year has meant for us. It is also a time to end well with each other. This includes: time for reflection, time for having that conversation you need to have, time for memory-making, time for laughter, and time for tears - all this happened.

Salem was a hit...

Salem's first rainbow

I have an "exit interview" with each Fellow, so where as the Fellows get a lot of free time - I do not (although there is little I love more than to spend time one on one with these guys).

The view from where Sarah and I had our exit interview

Morgan and I swang during our exit interview

Tuesday night, we went to one of my favorite places in the world: the Alleghany Jubilee.

I think Ashley was out there the entire time

Agnes, the former owner, let me borrow her crockpot. I had forgotten to bring mine from home and I needed it for chicken taco night on Wednesday. THANK YOU AGNES!

Tate demonstrates the correct posture for banjo playing - according to the picture

Day 2 - The weather as you know was up and down all week. For the most part, we were super fortunate. On Day 2, we spent a lot of time on the water.

Getting lathered up

Then went tubing.

We were going to do the two hour ride, but the water was so fast that the two hour ride was actually less than an hour and the four hour ride was actually the two hour ride, so we did the four hour ride and it took took hours - even with us all tied together in one massive flotilla.

What a hoot!

Salem's first kayak ride

Day 3 - We finished up in the mountains and headed down south: first, for our final Leader Lunch. This one was hosted by Inmar.

What a great line up: David Mounts, Sharon Joyner-Payne, Rob Zomok, and Fred Jorgenson. We left inspired. As one of our Fellows put it: "This whole year we have been talking about what it looks like to really integrate our faith in our work - Inmar actually does it."

Thank you guys!

Afterward, we jumped in cars and headed to Lake Norman for our final twenty-four hours together.

Thank you Todd and Becca!

an amazing night of worship and lifting up the way we see Jesus in each other

One of the very best moments of the year

Day 4 - Was our final time together.

Starting with quiet times

We watched Natalie's Year In Review One Second Video - So fun

Then, it was good-byes...really just see ya laters.

several of the gals went to the beach

Grace, Sarah and Natalie hitting the town

I cruised back up to the mountains for a fun filled Memorial Day with our friends Cooper, Beth, Thomas, Wesley and Susannah

The Williams Family

OUR FIRST FELLOWS WEDDING!

Will and Mary Page tied the know Saturday evening

Rahel, Camille and Jessica road tripped

Sean, Campbell and Dakota (not pictured) were there too

We danced like crazy

Also in attendance were Charlie and Ann Barham (Charlie was Will's Fellows employer) and Rob and Becky Paynter (they were Will's host parents).

Rob even made me wear this ridiculous unicorn mask!

What a night!

I ended up camping out on the property before driving back to meet up with my family the next day.

We went hiking at Stone Mountain

The kids had no fun - ha!

We had a memorial service for Winnie

We celebrated my dad's birthday yesterday.

LOOKING FORWARD

This week...
- My neighbor and I are trapping the raccoons who are getting after our chickens!
- Tuesday. Getting my head on straight. I went to the doctor this morning because I've been having these weird nerve symptoms in my right arm - he called my nerves (a good thing) but some further testing will need to be done - to be continued.
- Wednesday. Meetings and NO LEADER LUNCH! Ha! BUT!!! A lunch with Jessica Kok who will be moving to Norwich England at the end of the summer and his leaving Winston Friday. (next to Lia - couldn't have a better lunch date)
- Thursday. Meetings all day with the National Center for Teacher Residencies...more on that later
- Friday. Hopefully sunshine and lots of friends...