Nope, I haven't been hiding....

Intern training=most intense experience of my life. Our schedule is packed, with no hours for break time, and it's go-go-go 24-7. Although I knew there would be no breaks as an intern, actually experiencing it is another story. Since Tuesday morning at 9AM we've been non-stop with team training, learning about how ACF works, learning about our strengths, where we fit in on the team, and slowly meeting students. Our team of 6 is incredible. We have 3 girls: myself, Nicole and Laura and 3 guys: Seth, Spencer and Ben. We've bonded immediately and not only as fellow employees but as friends. On Wednesday night we went camping and Ben, Spencer and I stayed up all night talking. It's been such a blessing to meet awesome guys who love Jesus. God's really redeeming a lot of things in my life, including the idea of male friendships! Here's a shot of our team....starting from the man wearing glasses and going clockwise there is...Perry (campus minister...my boss), Laura, Nicole, Cher (assistant campus minister), MEEEE, Spencer, Ben, Kristi (assistant campus minister), and Seth. I firmly believe that God handpicked each one of us to be on this team and I am so blessed to be a part of it!

Interior design has definitely prepared me for interning because of the late nights and long hours. It hasn't been as much of an adjustment as I thought it would be, as far as sleep schedule goes. I really look forward to maintaining some of my relationships with the interior design program, especially girls who are still there. I understand where they are coming from and it will hopefully be a great place for me to build relationships!

Yesterday was all about freshman, moving them in, meeting them, and then going to dinner and a movie with them. It was a crazy long day! My temper definitely got the best of me at certain moments and my prayer was "God, I have no energy and no patience to deal with this or these people right now, please give me your Grace to get through this next hour." It was incredible how each hour I prayed that prayer, things seemed to get a little easier. Today, after church, we had 4 hours of relaxation time, and I spent mine in Target and at the pool. :) I'm learning to soak up every moment of down time and really use it to the fullest.

I don't think anything could prepare you for diving head first into being a ministry intern. No amount of prayer, meditation, or training could have made me "ready". And nothing can really prepare me for tomorrow because everything doesn't remain the same! When your job is focused on building relationships, emotions are at the core. Since emotions can be all over the place, it's so important to stay constantly in the Word and in a constant convo with Jesus, because the stuff we see and deal with is totally and completely "random". A verse that I adore is Matthew 7:34..."So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today."

I am so thankful for this job and the people I am around. This time last year, I would never have dreamed I would be here. It was never even a thought in the back of my head. I can't say with certainty that God has a plan for me (that idea was challenged during a meeting we all had with the Vice President of Atlanta Christian College, more to come on that topic when I understand it a little better!) However, I do know that everything in my life, works together for His good. "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28

Thank you so much for everyone who attended my graduation celebration weekend! You guys are so special to me and I am so thankful to have such an outstanding support system. This life gets rough some times, but knowing we have each other to lean on, and HIM as the rock we put our feet on, makes things a little easier!

xoxo, va