Walking New Roads

Lots of things happening at once in my life right now. I will begin with the sharing that I have chosen to accept a position working for the Notre Dame Volunteer AmeriCorps program. I will be working as a tutor and teaching assistant in a K-8 Catholic school in central Los Angeles. This program is 11 months long and begins September 1st. I am very excited for this opportunity to serve, and to walk this new road that God has placed in my life!

My staff and I have been busy preparing ourselves and everything else for our full summer ahead. We have been making lots of posters and signs, practicing music, skits, orientations, doing a lot of organizing, making pre-trip phone calls, some shopping for supplies, and the list keeps on going. The other part of our day/nights consist of keeping in touch with family/friends, going for walks, prayer/devotion time, exploring the city of Rutland, making "family" dinners to enjoy together, and hanging out with some awesome new friends and community members in Rutland! The hospitality here has been incredible. This past week we had 3 dinner invites, an invite to hike on a family's property and swim in their private pond, and a few invites for shower/laundry usage. We were even prayed for by about 18 middle/high schoolers at a youth group gathering last weekend, these kids amaze me, as they shine bright with an incredibly bright fire for Christ. It is really incredible how a community can show so much hospitality to 4 young adults who are here to work and serve the Lord for the summer.

I can't believe we only have 8 weeks left here - time is just crazy. it seems as though I get so caught up in planning and preparing, that I almost forget we have youth and adults coming in only 3 days! Then the real fun begins. Today is our big moving day. We are moving from the church we have been staying in for almost three weeks, to the Rutland Area Christian School, where we will stay until we leave in August. The nerves and excitement continue to build as we come closer to our move-in, and closer to people coming! We have about 55 people coming this next week, from 3 different churches. I can't wait to see what God has in store for all of them and all of us during this next week.