It has been an insanely packed 5 days. So much has happened that I feel like I have been here for two weeks already and it has only been almost 5 days. But, God is very good. The first night we got here, we did what you would usually expect to find your first day here. We ate dinner and did some get to know you things. Then, we did a scavenger hunt. My team was #THEteam1 and even though we did not end up winning, we all had a ton of fun walking down the board walk and doing the different things that were on the list. (FYI: Cops will not hand cuff you to them for a photo). 

This is where it got real good. We spent that night out on the beach doing praise and worship and just spending time in prayer. It was really cool for me because it was the first time that I had done something that public with my faith and did not care at all if people were walking by and watching.

Then Thursday was crazy. It was jammed with one activity after another. Most of them were get to know you/group bonding exercises. However, one of the big things we did was create a covenant. This covenant was made to hold the group accountable and to give us all one mindset/goal to strive for. That evening we had class. Now, class is exactly what it sounds like. We have speakers who are teaching us on different subjects. That night, Natalie Harvey S.O.I.A. S.O.I.A (survey, observation, interpretation, and application) is the way we approach leading a bible study. So, in both prep and leading the bible we are being trained to use these steps. The great thing about being trained doing this was that by the end I was not nearly as worried about the idea of leading a bible study as I was before. And one thing that was said that night that I loved: More Today than Yesterday. More Tomorrow than Today. That is something I am trying to keep in mind as a HUGE goal.
Friday was slower. But, there was still a lot going on that day. We split up into our discipleship groups which is a group of me, one other girl (Kayla), and a leader (Emalee). So, we spent a good amount of time talking and just getting to know each other. Then, the afternoon we had free. I took this time to go job hunting. I ended up finding a job and am currently waiting to hear back from another. Prayer for job situations to run smoothly around here would be much appreciated! Then we held bible study in the afternoon. My bible study group consists of me, Paige, Laura, Nate, and Andrew (one of the leaders). I really really enjoyed the bible study because I just enjoy smaller, more intimate groups. It was nice to get to study and learn with these people in a different way. Friday evening was spent support raising. Praise God, because our entire house is at 68% support. But, there is still a lot that needs to be raised, so please be in prayer for that as well. Saturday was our free day. We spent that morning looking for jobs since most of the house had not found a job yet. Then, I used the rest of my free day to run errands and go to the beach. It was a very nice and relaxing day.

This morning we went to church at 8:40 socialized with people, sang in the church choir, and got out of church around noon.
So yeah. That pretty much brings y'all up to date. I do find myself missing home sometimes. But, God has been so good. I have realized that being here and being far our of my comfort zone is something that He is going to be using a lot. God has blessed be so much by surrounding me with some incredible people. The fire and desire for God is so evident in all of my fellow students. I ask that you would continue to pray for God to grow and mold us. I am really looking forward to what the rest of this summer holds.