First of all Wren wrote this to be read to the guys on Pizza night...
Dear Homies and 2Xtreme team,
Well, as you all know I am off to school for qutie a while and have no clue when I will see you guys again. I hope it is soon though! I just want to tell you guys that this trip changed my life and I'm glad that my life changed with you guys I wouldn't have wanted to do it with anybody else. Congratulations to everybody for conquering their mountain and achieving your own goal.
No more time, have to get on the plane - LOVE YOU ALL TONS!
John also asked that he write for the Blog final thoughts and he ran out of time, but left me with his words.
Wren, expressed more then once that it was an experience of a lifetime for him, he never would have dreamed this could happen for him! And how very grateful he was to the folks that scholarshiped him, to John and the Board for the opportunity and to me (his Mom) for saving and scraping together the mullah for the equipment he would need. His heart overflowed with gratitude.
He was so clear that it took every part of his being to climb that mountain - and to make it to the top was truly the hardest thing he has done - he shared that it was a lot of self talk, encouragement from his teammates, setting his mind to the next 5 steps, hearing our letters of encouragement and sheer will power - He was asked what he learned about himself by his sponsers and friends and his response was " that I have the strength and determination to overcome the hardest things in life and I now know that I can set out any goal for myself and I can achieve it...I didn't really know this before, and it seems like it improved my self esteem."
I asked when he called the day before the climb what has been your most memorable experience on the mountain so far? " My talk with John." this was followed by tears.
Wren's pictures were awesome and as he showed us the slide show he had wonderful pictures of the Russian family he shared meals with - he described the incrediable generosity and bountiful table that was set before them and expressed sadness that the tradition is for the Mother to prepare all day for the meal and then not to be allowed to share in the meal. He seemed to have great respect for the differances in cultures. He enjoyed connecting with the Russian people, the team, the volunteers for Athletes in Action and most of all the Orphans.
He felt the work with the Orphans was the most motivating and life changing part of the trip - his heart shined and his desire is to check out how to become involved in Athletes in Action and go back to Russia - He was very moved by the volunteers he met and loved being with the kids!
He enjoyed the food, the culture, the art and the architecture especially enjoyed the Russian flea market, Munich was green and clean... and the adventures and challenges given in Germany -
Needless to say this stirred Wren's desire's to travel, volunteer and have many more adventures and life experiences with John!
Thank you to John, the team, Valerie and all who made this possible for Wren!
Dear Homies and 2Xtreme team,
Well, as you all know I am off to school for qutie a while and have no clue when I will see you guys again. I hope it is soon though! I just want to tell you guys that this trip changed my life and I'm glad that my life changed with you guys I wouldn't have wanted to do it with anybody else. Congratulations to everybody for conquering their mountain and achieving your own goal.
No more time, have to get on the plane - LOVE YOU ALL TONS!
John also asked that he write for the Blog final thoughts and he ran out of time, but left me with his words.
Wren, expressed more then once that it was an experience of a lifetime for him, he never would have dreamed this could happen for him! And how very grateful he was to the folks that scholarshiped him, to John and the Board for the opportunity and to me (his Mom) for saving and scraping together the mullah for the equipment he would need. His heart overflowed with gratitude.
He was so clear that it took every part of his being to climb that mountain - and to make it to the top was truly the hardest thing he has done - he shared that it was a lot of self talk, encouragement from his teammates, setting his mind to the next 5 steps, hearing our letters of encouragement and sheer will power - He was asked what he learned about himself by his sponsers and friends and his response was " that I have the strength and determination to overcome the hardest things in life and I now know that I can set out any goal for myself and I can achieve it...I didn't really know this before, and it seems like it improved my self esteem."
I asked when he called the day before the climb what has been your most memorable experience on the mountain so far? " My talk with John." this was followed by tears.
Wren's pictures were awesome and as he showed us the slide show he had wonderful pictures of the Russian family he shared meals with - he described the incrediable generosity and bountiful table that was set before them and expressed sadness that the tradition is for the Mother to prepare all day for the meal and then not to be allowed to share in the meal. He seemed to have great respect for the differances in cultures. He enjoyed connecting with the Russian people, the team, the volunteers for Athletes in Action and most of all the Orphans.
He felt the work with the Orphans was the most motivating and life changing part of the trip - his heart shined and his desire is to check out how to become involved in Athletes in Action and go back to Russia - He was very moved by the volunteers he met and loved being with the kids!
He enjoyed the food, the culture, the art and the architecture especially enjoyed the Russian flea market, Munich was green and clean... and the adventures and challenges given in Germany -
Needless to say this stirred Wren's desire's to travel, volunteer and have many more adventures and life experiences with John!
Thank you to John, the team, Valerie and all who made this possible for Wren!