3.5

today was a hiking trip to Golden, CO which is about a half hour away from Denver...well....supposedly. We got a bit turned around so two hours later we finally got to our destination: a hiking trail to the Red Rocks Ampitheater...sweet! It was a 3.5 mile one-way easy/moderate hike...absolutely amazing scenery!

First massive red rock...2.5 miles into the hike
Finally there! The Red Rocks Ampitheater! Amazing...two of the girls with us ran the stairs...the Foo Fighters are playing there on my birthday...and everyone from the Beatles to Sting have played there!
um. yeah. i'm really short...haha
the view from the top...that's Denver!
okay. so not at the red rocks...at the 16th St. Mall...that's one of the bulls! From L-R Kristen (roommate), Missy, Devin, Patricia, Kaylie, Stephanie, Me, Jade, Amy

So...the rest of the day was spent touring the area of Golden...including the free tour at the Coors Brewery...no worries...I didn't drink...although it was pretty interesting to learn how beer was made...

20+6+4

in honor of beth...i changed the title...

So. Since my last post things have gotten a bit more interesting...or at the very least informative...

The birthday party was amazing. Met most of the kids who live at the Crossing...about 20 kids under the age of 12 and about 15 kids over the age of 12 came to the party. The birthday party happens once a month and the kids are given a present and there's pizza and games. The interns decorated...I made homemade wrapping paper. it was awesome.

There are actually 6 youth interns. sweet. Jade, Stephanie, Luke, Devin, Kaylie, and Me! For the month of June we will be joined by 4 more interns through Campus Crusade for Christ and we meet them this coming Sunday...should be fun!

Today we all met with our supervisor Jenna...amazing! Next week is going to be super crazy...there's tons of stuff planned as a more in depth orientation which is really exciting.

I'm not sure if I'm still not adjusted to the altitude or to the time change. I'm quite tired and my lips are super chapped. It's very dry here...but I'm not complaining...I don't miss the Georgian humdity...:)

Last night we had a meet and greet at the intern coordinator, Josh's house. Met his wife and dog and had super amazing desserts...I'm really excited about the community being formed among the interns...it's already better than the drama filled 'community' from last summer...

Well...we were given the afternoon off so I'm off to the park with a few other interns...

44 to 16

44th Street. That was the bus we took to Downtown to 16th St. Mall.

The "mall" is just a road with tons of shops, starbucks, and randomly painted bulls. think Athens bulldogs...

Before the mall was 'orientation'. I still don't feel quite oriented. It was more of a get to know you session. Finally met all of the interns and I lied. it's actually more like 25 interns for the summer. crazy. although not all of them are living at The Crossing (TC)

Anyway. it's a 1.75 oneway for the bus. not too bad considering the price of gas and parking. most of the interns went and walked around. sipped some starbucks and found an amazing bookstore/coffeeshop--Tattered Cover...amazing.

4 of us actually spent almost two hours in a deep theological conversation with Officer Mark. We were in the Christian books section and he overheard us talking and then it went on forever. My roommate Kristen is a very committed and knowledgable Catholic and so it was very enlightening. I was glad I just finished Church: It's Truth and Destiny with Dr. Shelton. My head hurts though...

Now...we're back at Panera...we drove this time...I did find out that I'll have access to the internet with the office computers where I'll be working. The rest of the week will be a random schedule...tomorrow there's a birthday bash that we'll help with. There are 5 interns working with the STAR youth...so it should be interesting...

Here's to hoping for sunshine tomorrow...I'm sick of the dreary cloudiness....

30

and...a 30 minute walk later I'm sitting in Panera in Denver, Colorado...

so...yesterday was a massively long day. I almost missed my connecting flight to Denver...but I didn't and then spent the next 3hrs with a kid next to me elbowing my side...ha. no.

As my plane started its descent I was surprised by the amount of brown square field things...which I learned later were freshly harvested wheat fields....and then the plane taxied to the gate and I was met with the jaw-dropping view of the Rocky Mountains. Snow and all. Amazing.

Once I arrived in Denver I met Josh (the intern coordinator) and my two roommates who are from Ohio and Wisconsin. They're pretty amazing girls...So far I've met 7 interns...all girls and all amazing! It's weird how new people always remind you of people you already know.

It feels like freshman year all over again. Having to meet new people and present the best possible side of your personality for at least the first 24hrs...is draining...

Last night was spent by taking a quick trip to Wal-Mart which is only a 5minute drive from the Crossing and a diversion to Sonic (amazing!). We then unpacked and crashed into bed. The 2 hour difference was definitely felt.

This morning...5 of us went to a Memorial Day festival in a neighboring town and then to Washington Park....Saw a little more of Denver...pretty cool

Tomorrow is our orientation. It's a bit hard not knowing anything that is going on but tomorrow is an all day event so to speak so more info will come! I assume it will be much like syllabus shock...

Oh yeah. There's only one computer for intern use in the lab at the Crossing hence the reasoning for taking a walk to Panera. No fear. All 8 of us came.

The Crossing is my home for the next 10 weeks. It's a hotel that's been remodeled and that's where the interns, transitional families, and men in the New Life program stay. Meals are served by volunteers lunchroom style. It's located in the midst of the industrial community. Lots of trucks and factories and such.

Okay. I'm done for now. Not sure when I'll be able to post again....hopefully soon!

50

50 pounds? that's it? seriously? darn.

I'm taking a break from packing...and trying to figure out if my new-super-on-sale-suitcase will be under the 50lb rule...not likely. sorry Dad...:) It's 25 bucks for the second bag...hmmm...

and 10lbs of the 50lbs is Grudem. because we (the CE dept intern kids) now have to complete our doctrinal position papers during our internship I must bring along good ol' Grudy...oy Theology...

I leave tomorrow morning at 0darkthirty. okay so it's not actually dark at 7:30am...but that will be the earliest I've been awake since...well...school got out for the summer...but I'm pretty sure I won't really notice...I'm pretty anxious.

my flight leaves ATL at 11:15am...and I have a layover in Charlotte, NC (my flight to Denver from Charlotte arrives 2:54pm/4:54EST) which I hear has free wireless internet...so that'll give me something to do besides people watching...although I'm quite intrigued by airport people....

the clickity clack of luggage on the tile floors=my favorite sound in the world...let's hope mine will even roll...

9

9 days.

In 9 days I will be embarking on my first solo adventure. Fo Real. I will be flying to Denver, CO for a 10 week internship at the Denver Rescue Mission. I will be interning with the STAR (Strategic Transistional Assistance and Response) Youth Program.

According to my job description...mmhmmm...I will be:

responsible for assisting with ongoing programs and special evens, including children and youth evening programing, tutoring and mentoring. I will assist Dave (not sure who that is) with the administrative aspects of the youth program. I will learn aspects of running a youth program including the areas of volunteer relations, mentor recruiting, community awareness and church relations. I will assist in formatting outreach to applicable families within the Denver metro area.

Needless to say...but I'll say it anyway...I'm super pumped. and quite, yes quite, excited.

So...if you care to lift me up in prayer this summer here are somethings worth mentioning:

• That the light of Christ will shine brightly through me and the DRM to a community that is in great need
• That I will not let fear stand in my way but rather claim the power of Christ
• A deep sense of community will be formed with the rest of the interns (there are about 17 of us)
• Safety through airports and in the city of Denver
• For wisdom and discretion
• For direction as this summer has the potential for great inward change and clarity concerning my future

Okay. Thanks.

So for the next 9 days I will be moving from school to home and then packing (again) to prepare for Denver...and then...finally..."attention ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking..."