On Tuesday everyone on the cadre executive team was invited for breakfast at Jeanne’s. We talked about the upcoming year and how what we do really has a rippling effect across the nation in youth pastors lives, and their kids. It really is such an opportunity!
The next few days involved preparation for orientation weekend and ultimately preparing ourselves for them. We were all sweetly reminded of how we came in last year… far from perfect! In the day we would assemble binders, make welcome home baskets, and order any materials needed. On Thursday night we were divided up in our AC families and sent to different apartments for “scenario night”. At each apartment, there was staff members acting out different situations we will face this year. As a second year and a leader to first years, we had to confront the situation and lovingly help them change. The scenarios ranged from a girl with a messy bedroom to a guy caught smoking on the porch. It really was a great night, and taught me a lot on how to correct my brothers and sisters in the right way.
Saturday finally came; ORIENTATION DAY! It was such an incredible thing to see everyone’s families and the students all together for the first time. I got a little teary eyed remembering what this day meant to me last year. After spending the morning going over the year, we came back to the apartments and helped our girls unpack. Having three more people really did make our apartment feel like home!
On Sunday we went to church, had a breakfast for their families and students, and went to the main church service. Jeanne spoke and as usual, it was incredible. After church our girls went out and said goodbye to their families, while I prepared for roommate night.
For roommate night we drove to Perimeter and found a restaurant we could all enjoy: Chilis! After eating there together, we went to Walmart and bought anything else we needed for the apartment, as well as some foam core board and paint. What did we need that for? Later that night we made an apartment creed. We all brainstormed ideas that we wanted our apartment to be this year, and the atmosphere we wanted to create. It’s not completely painted yet, but here is what we decided:
“As the apartment of 910, we promise to first and foremost put God first above anything else. We vow to create a relaxing, peaceful environment where we are free to be ourselves. We will be an encouragement to each other, and adding to the positive atmosphere we want. Together, we will protect each other’s hearts and commit to looking out for each other wherever we may be. We will not be afraid to confront each other in the right and honest way, and receive any confrontation as a way to be better. Lastly, our apartment will be a FUN EXPLOSION!”
We all signed, and then I made bazookies for my girls; half-baked cookie dough and icecream!
When Monday came, we went to church for a continuation of orientation week. We went over what’s expected, gave the 1st years a tour of the Tabernacle, and talked to each other about our roommate nights. Later that day we embarked on a secret field trip: we went to Buffalo’s Southwest Grill in Athens and ate some amazing Mexican food as a family of 96. After dinner we went to the Georgia State Botanical Gardens for our opening chapel. I remembered this night for me a year ago, when God did so much in my life, and showed me a glimpse of what I was called to become this year. We had a time of worship, Jeanne spoke, and then we received tokens and prayed together. I got the chance to pray with a few of the first year girls, and it so blessed my heart to help them sort out what they want from this year too. It really is such an honor that I am able to help them in this stage of their lives. God also confirmed to me once again that this is where I am supposed to be. There are so many more challenges this year than last, and although I feel incapable, I know with God I am a victor. Pray for me that I rely solely on God, and not myself!
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