Orientation/First Days!

I leave the state of Texas for ONE week and experience an earthquake AND a hurricane!!

That is really a bit dramatic... we had lots of rain and wind and I didn't even feel the earth move, but those were the two main questions people have been asking so there ya go!!

Orientation in one word: INTENSE!

I was so nervous when I left for the airport and when I finally arrived I found that... drumroll please... everyone else was too! I can't tell you how amazing it was to all of the sudden be around a whole bunch of likeminded people. Here I was trying to explain to all of my friends and family why I was suddenly turning my life upside down to follow where I felt God was calling and it turns out everyone else was too. I found amazing support and people who I know will be life long friends in the very short week.

For those of you who weren't at orientation with me: we got up and had breakfast and then had different speakers/activities untill lunch and then we ate and went back into sessions and had a small break untill dinner and then we usually had a short session and some worship. The food at Stony Point was awesome! Very fresh because they have big gardens... at the end of the week everyone was kind of ready for a hamburger (which I just realized I'd really like one right about now).

The SA group was fortunate enough that our flights from NY to SA were not cancelled and prayers go out for those volunteers who still haven't left for their site!

Our house is the epitome of hodge podge!! I love it. Apparently the woman who owned it before was quite an interesting person... hence the old fashion pencil sharpener on the wall outside of our bathroom... (pic to come later I'm sure) I have the smallest room in the house and you know what? It is perfect! I'm pretty sure it used to be a closet, but that is okay because I am a big fan what my mom calls "nesting." My bed was orriginally a loft style, but I decided to put my matress on the floor because it is just too darn hot up near the celing!! I've decided this is my own version of a princess bed! I now need things to hang from the slats above me, like mobiles or chimes or pictures or cool things... HINT HINT...

Kelsey Penn
2305 W. Saunders,
Sant Antonio, TX 78207

Last night was the first time I'd had my guitar in a week so Kathryn picked out some worship songs and we sat in the kitchen and had what we will now refer to as "Kitchen Time with Kathryn and Kelsey"... our other housemates listened and commented graciously! :D

I went to the Inman Center today and got some paper work done. This is the site that is childcare... and everyone that is an adult there is so awesome! I haven't met the little people yet. We had lunch at a super cool coffee shop and then Kathryn and I walked home from there and got to explore a bit. The neighborhood is not scary just so everyone knows! We had the task of getting to the grocery store and buying food... the walk isn't too bad and we made a seriously planned out list of meals and such... we also did a bit of cuponing and we came in under our budget!! I got to practice my Spanish with this nice little lady who needed help with some produce bags.... I kept up untill she started speaking to fast and then I just smiled and nodded.  It was an experience to walk to and from the grocery store...

The grocery experience made me really think. What is it like to have to walk to the store all the time? And what if you are the only one in your house? How do you carry everything? We all know it is better to buy ahead rather than go to the store every day, but what if you literally have to? You end up spending more time and money! What if you are a single mom that has to work two jobs AND walk to the grocery store? Do you take the kids or leave them? Do you have time, do you have money, do you have ENERGY?? And to think that is just the tip of my thoughts... what an eye opener for me. That is just the grocery store! I feel like I have NO idea what it is like to struggle and there is some guilt in that. World, I'm sorry I haven't been as aware and even more sorry that I have taken for granted just how good I have it!

Rant over!

Then we went to "Teen Night" at Devine Redeemer (DR) because a lot of the community comes out... they eat and play basketball and just chill. We have a busy schedule tomorrow, just like every day I suppose! So another night passes!

I am so blessed to have AC and a comfy bed!

Peace

Fundraising!!

I wrote over 200 letters!!! Now I am in the process of sending thank you cards! I feel so blessed by all of the support I have received and not just gifts of money, but all of the prayers and emotional support as well!!

I leave Monday early morning for orientation!! Getting nervous/excited! Those two are hard to tell the difference between :)

More to come!

Peace
Kelsey