Friday, September 4, 2009

where to start??

Last Sunday was opening ceremony for New England Master's Commission (NEMC). i had moved into my home openers on saturday so sunday after church, i had somewhat of a free day; relaxing and hanging out with friends & family.

On monday we had to sign in by 845a. at 12ish, we were on the road for Keratunk, ME. Our first trip on the bus was to go white-water rafting. This trip was considered our "opening retreat" and it was so amazing. we stayed in little bunk cabins on monday night because we weren't due to go rafting until tuesday.

monday night we had a service in this attic of an arcade. except it didnt look like an attic, it was carpeted w. 2 window A/C units and bench seating. the service was amazing! it was a time for us to get together, pray, & worship God with our whole hearts. that, my friend, is definitely what happened. Our director, Pastor Chad (PC), told us that it was our time to make our hearts like a funnel and allow God to pour Himself out on us. when i tell you it was amazing, i mean it! sometime later, PC asked all of the 1st years to come up to the front and told us that it was our turn to receive.

a few minutes later, PC came up and placed his hands on my shoulders to pray for me. he started praying and i couldn't stand anymore. God's presence filled that place that night and as i lay on the floor, not able to move, i realized that i was in the right place. that this is where God wanted me. i also discovered some things that i needed to work on. OMGSH! God is sooo good! :)

tuesday we went rafting and it was soo fun! i have never been white-water rafting but i've always wanted to. there were some wicked rapids where we all got wet. then there were spots where we could get out of the raft and float/swim for a bit. we could only do that until our guide said "ok come back!" then they would pull us back into the boat by the shoulder straps of our vests. everytime i went to get pulled back into the boat, my vest would come up over my head! it was so annoying but one of the 2nd years thought it was funny; i'm glad i could make her laugh! :)

we arrived back to the camp @ about 230p and then had our covenant service @ about 4p. the covenant service was a time that we got together and the 3rd years shared with us what it meant to have this covenant and that no matter what happens, we are all gonna be family. in short, the covenant just stated that in these next 9-10 months we will not put anything higher than God and that we would not have an intimate relationship with anyone other than Him. that means no dating; which, i knew about & wasn't planning on doing anyway.

after our covenant service was over, we drove the 4 hours back to the church. on wednesday, we had to be in by 930a. that was awesome because i was tired! :) we started drama practice and i'm in a drama called "Hear Me" the song is by Kelly Clarkson. its fun but omgsh my thigh muscles are KILLING me!

yesterday, thursday, we studied a lot did drama and got introduced to some of the other things that we were going to be doing on a weekly basis. these things included sermon internalization and scripture memorization. we are going to be having a scripture test every week except for once a month and that's when we do our newsletters. sermon internalization is where we prepare a sermon based on one of our memorized scriptures and whichever group we're in. there are 5 different groups that determine the focus of your sermon.

as far as the memorization goes, im kind of doing okay...im a little nervous though. i haven't started my internalization yet though and that's due by thursday. i think i'll do okay on that too. today is friday...our day off!!! :) tomorrow we go apple picking, sunday is church, and monday morning @ 5a we leave for DC. we're going to be working a microsoft show. as for right now im so glad just to be able to relax.

i love you guys and i will try to keep you more updated so its not as much but ive been so busy and tired this past week.

~Kali~

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