Orientation week!

Hello friends!

I am writing this post as I sit in the lodge at YAV orientation in Stony Point, New York. Today was the second full day of orientation and it has gone pretty well so far overall. More about this later--- let’s rewind for a second.

I posted last week as I was getting ready to leave. After that happened, I drove back up to Manhattan on Friday for a bachelorette party (don’t worry, it was pretty tame) and seeing some friends for the last time. Friday night I went dancing which was so fun and a reminder of how much I’m going to miss two-steppin if I don’t find a nice country place in Chicago! Saturday I met up with several friends and just had a magnificent day. Late that night, I drove back to McPherson so I could be in my home church for commissioning Sunday morning.

Sunday morning, I also had the opportunity to play the keyboard for worship. I was just chording in the background with the organ and string quartet, but it was really fun! I’ve loved doing that throughout college and hope that I can find something this next year that will keep me active playing piano.

Sunday after church they had a little commissioning service for me during the fellowship time. I was showered with love and support, and came away feeling very encouraged. Several people whom I did not know very well since they joined after I had gone to school, came up to me and hugged me and congratulated me on what I was doing. Several people were very generous with financial support, prayers, and words of encouragement. I was surprised at how excited people were at the opportunity to support me and join my team. I couldn’t believe that so many people actually cared about what I was doing with the next year of my life. However, it was a very pleasant surprised and made me feel so abundantly blessed. So thank you, First Pres in McPherson for blessing me in so many ways!

After church, things got really real for me. I finally drug the suitcase out and began filling it with things that I thought I would need. It was a very long and stressful day doing last minute prep and wrapping up things that I had to take care of at home before flying the coop. It was also very emotionally draining, so I was ready for it to be over.

And then, it was August 19^th. I woke up at 3:45, my parents drove me to the airport and we said our goodbyes. It was also really awesome that Ms. Amanda Mount met us at the airport to send me off- thanks so much Amanda! All of my travels went well that day, and I actually met some fellow YAVs at baggage claim and we maneuvered Newark’s airport together.

Yesterday was “Critical Cultural Competency” training day, for 6 hours. Needless to say, it was a long, intense day. That evening when we were finally back in the lodge for the night, I was drained. There were groups sitting out in the lobby talking excitedly and I just felt so weak. I kept thinking “I’m too introverted for this!” Then I called Chelsea (my best friend) and went to bed.

I woke up this morning not super optimistic about the day or the rest of the week. Although today was better, it was still a bit long. Then again, that’s just the nature of talking about sexual abuse/harassment/violence for a few hours. But then, after supper, we played this weird culture simulation game. We were split up into two groups and starting acting out our respective “cultures” that we were instructed to do. Then, we could visit the other culture and vice versa. It was funny because neither group could really understand what the heck the other group was doing!  In short, it was really funny and broke the ice like none other. Not that there was “ice” before, but a lot of people really came out of their shells in the game (myself included) and the whole group bonded over how funny the game was.

Then, we had vespers. I can’t really even describe it, but it was just great. Everyone was fully present and engaged in worship, and you could just feel the Spirit in the room. Jeff ended and gave a benediction, but everyone stayed and sang another song. <Sigh>. It was just really great to actually feel like part this amazing community. Hearing everyone sing in unison- different voices, different people, different stories- coming together to create a beautiful harmony. I felt like I actually belonged. Me, an introvert, belonging in this group! I keep thinking of how differently I felt 24 hours ago, and am so grateful for how God can really turn things around.

Four more days in New York for orientation, and on Monday it’s off to Chicago! Thanks for reading!

Prayer Requests:

Continuing to bless my time here- relationships, getting the most out of training, spiritual growth

My team- there’s only 3 of us going to Chicago, and I know that God placed each of us there for a reason. I’m hopeful that we can come together and form a great community.

Preparation- I’m not sure what kind of people I will be working with or living near (in the neighborhood) and I just pray that I can handle whatever is thrown at me.

Blessings,
Clarissa