Week 1--Check

The past few days have definitely been a little bit crazy.  We have been doing lots of paperwork and nitty gritty things that are not as fun.  Here's my update from the past few days though:


Wednesday
When I came back to the retreat center after going out with the other volunteers and one of the alumni, I found out that one of my roommates had decided to drop the program that night.  She had driven from Washington state but her boyfriend lived in Tallahassee so that is where she is staying as far as I know.  It made my heart very sad when I read her letter.  Wednesday was a little somber because of that. Wednesday afternoon we went down to help at the Second Harvest Food Pantry for a few hours and boy was it hot there! We got a lot accomplished for them so that felt good.  We were all pretty tired after that so we laid low that night and went to bed early.  I got to make a few phone calls that night though and talk with my roommate that had been out of the country for a few weeks so that was neat! 


Thursday
Thursday morning we had budgeting in the morning and learning how to best manage our money.  It was definitely the session that everyone had been waiting for because we needed some proof that we really can live off our little stipend.  I definitely had a lot of questions and got all of them answered thank goodness.  It would be a little easier to make my budget though if I had a place to live.  But it's all in God's hands and He isn't going to leave the 3 of us without a place to stay.  We had Mass with the bishop later that morning and had our picture taken.  After lunch we got to go swim and lay out by some of their natural springs!!! The water was chilly but nothing I wasn't used to from camp.  One of the girls, Cristina, and I got in for a bit and then laid out and had a really good conversation.  She is placed in Tampa but she's from around Baltimore.  We started talking about how to go to the decision of coming to this program and kind of just how we got to our relationship with God.  It is just so neat to have that conversation with people because everyone is different and has their own beautiful story.  She and I are very similar (not in our stories but personalities) and I know that she will be someone that I talk to regularly from our program outside of my roommates.  After dinner and everything else last night, I got to talk on the phone with Julia Brugman and update her.  It is so nice to hear phone calls from home. (hint hint! ha ha!) I know what I'm doing is right but I miss Kansas and all of you in it just as much still.  Anyway, after that, about 8 of us went out with our alumni friend, Kieron, who is roommates with one of our current volunteers, Nick.  We went to one of the local college bars and just hung out and had fun. Lucky for us, the drinks were free! No worries everyone, we were safe.  Cristina and I had another good talk after we got back about letting God take care of things and just trusting Him no matter what.  


Friday
We had Mass this morning and then they had a ceremony to send us on our separate ways! It was definitely bittersweet this morning as we all went different directions.  I see our group of 12 being very close this next year and visiting each other a lot. (We found out we get reimbursed on gas for visiting each other as long as we do something that could involve CVIF!)  I drove back to Victor's and Laura's and will be here til tomorrow morning when I have to leave to make the drive down to Miami.  I will be staying with the Sisters of St. Joseph at their convent next to St. James, my school.  It's nice to be at their house right now though and just have some personal space.  The boys are a lot of fun; they kind of feel like my little brothers.  I got to call Camp Hyde and talk to all my wonderful Explorers and counselors on the phone this afternoon.  Hearing all those little screaming voices from the campers made my heart so happy! And talking to the counselors briefly made it so much better.  Thanks for letting me call! :) 


I will probably post again tonight because I'm a bit tired and in need of a nap.  I also have to do some laundry already!! No worries, I am spreading Kansas love to everyone down here! I miss you all so much and appreciate all the kind and supportive thoughts, prayers, texts, etc. through this first week.  They have definitely helped me keep my chin up when I've been down this week.  Oh and I also have some pictures to post! Can't wait for you all to see who I am serving with!