New Staff Training, Portland, OR

I'm at New Staff Training for Young Life in Portland, OR. We're staying at Multnomah Bible College in the city. It's beautiful out here. When I was flying in, there were clear skies and you could see the huge (random, but huge) peaks of Mt St Helen's I think it is and some other stinkin huge mountain. They were so beautiful and just the mountainous area out here. Amazing. My mom said that I wouldn't want to move to Texas. But that plane ride in was just amazing.

So far, everything with training has been great. I'm meeting a lot of people who are just wonderful. I volunteered for the Chapel committee which has been fun to plan a worship time with other brothers and sisters.

Unfortunately, I was here not even two minutes stepping off the bus and I went to pick up my suitcase (right around 50 pounds). When I lifted it up, I stubbed my toe and ripped part of my toe nail off. Yeah. Total gross, it was bleeding everywhere. And now I've had a bandage on my toe (which just throbs most of the day) and so everyone asks me, "What did you do to your toe?" So, I'm the toe girl. And since there isn't some great story with that - it's not a good thing. Now, every time people see me, they are like, "How's the toe?" Sweet.

I am having a great time being around other Young Lifers. I'll definitely keep you all updated on my toe adventure. God is ministering my heart by these people and by our classes already. I feel at times as though I've gotten myself in over my head, considering I haven't led a club ever in my life and really haven't been around Young Life but the last five months. So, pray that God would provide protection over my heart and help me to guard my heart from those times when I know Satan is just trying to bring me down. It's been a struggle and a slight discouragement.

My roommate, Cayla, is great. She's also going to be doing wYLdlife accept with urban kids. She's a lot of fun and we already have a good time together. I'm excited to be in the same training class with her (only two girls) and to experience these next two years with her as we learn and are stretched by God in wYLdlife.

Well, it's late. And I need to get some sleep. Back to college dorm set up - community bathrooms, echoing hallways. It's a good time.

Sincerely,
The Toe Girl