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| 2011 YAV Group |
I am sitting at Stony Point in New York right now writing this post. We have been at orientation since Monday, August 22, and it is almost over! I can't believe how fast this week has gone by and how much I have experienced in this past week.
Throughout this week, I have met an array of new friends and sat in on so many helpful sessions with these wonderful people. We have joined together to explore critical cultural competency, safety and gender issues, relationships, self-care, what makes me tick, communication and conflict, globalization, and culture shock. These orientation sessions have provided me with the opportunity to consciously think about my fears, worries, hopes and expectations for this year ahead.
Since arriving at Stony Point, I have gone through many emotional highs and lows. During our training, I realized that I haven't really thought about the emotional implications of this year until I got here. This really scared me. I was scared about my personal self and health, about Karl's and my relationship, about my relationships with the family and friends staying behind, and about feeling worth something in Belfast. These fears are definitely fears that I will be carrying with me throughout this next year and the rest of my life, but I have hope that the Lord will help me through. The Lord will provide me with strength and the people in my life to help me through all of my fears. This does not by any means mean he will make things easy for me, but it does mean that I can always be hopeful that I am not alone in my fears and struggles. With that said, I want to leave you with this Psalm which gives me hope:
7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
nor will you let your faithful one see decay.
11 You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Well, it is officially only two days until Karl and I leave for orientation in New York and nine days until we leave for Belfast! I can't believe that our year in Belfast is finally here.
As we are making our final preparations to leave, I can't help but feel a multitude of emotions....anxious, scared, sad, excited, blessed...to name a few. Karl and I have been spending the majority of our summer travelling around to various locations in Wyoming and Colorado to spend time with our family and friends whom we will miss so dearly during our year in Belfast. God has blessed us with wonderful families and friends, and we are truly thankful for the relationships that we have here. It is going to be extremely hard to get used to the idea of our family members not being a short drive or simple phone call away. But, as difficult as it is going to be to live so far away from our family and friends, I am looking forward to all of the new people I am going to meet and walk with in my journey of faith. God calls us to be in relationship with each other, and this year is going to provide me with countless opportunities to join in relationship with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I cannot wait to break bread and share conversation with my fellow YAV's, serve side by side with members of White House Presbyterian, and learn about myself and my faith with the people of Northern Ireland.
In two short days, Karl and I (along with about 60 other young adults) will be arriving in New York to join together in preparation for our year ahead. Please pray for our safety, for peace of mind, body and soul, for open and loving hearts, and for the will of God to be fulfilled through our time as YAV's.
