Orientation Week

So from Thursday to today we have been at "The Summit" (not to be confused with "Summit" with Doc Noebel) for Orientation week. We went through team building drills for two days and I have to say, this group is becoming a tight knit family full of laughter, joy, prayer, and excitement. We have really just talked to each other, asking each other questions like our fears, dreams, favs, dislikes, our families, boyfriends/girlfriends/single, etc and through out just loving life and glorifying God.

There's a guy here named Sean. he has Cerebral Palsy (sp?) but is very functional with it. He is the first person that I know that I can say portrays King David in his hunt and love for God's very own heart. He is full of ideas to praise God all the time. Him and I have grown close after I helped him through the low ropes team building drill Thursday. To show how much of a servants heart this guy has, he, me, Kyle, and Meredith got bowls of water, rags, and towls one morning and washed everyone's feet, all the students and David and Mary Michael (Student Learning and Living team). Personally, that was an incredible experience because I found out how much being a servant is an incredible glory to God and how freeing it is to not try and show yourself but instead God through you.

I have been called a big brother by two of the girls here which is really cool and is helping me with no-family relapses. They [the girls] are really incredible here. They are all going for God's glory and have been giving me great advice and help with life and relationships already. And us guys are going to return the favor and show them what men (not young men) but men are supposed to act like. We're all feeding off each others strengths and helping each other with their weaknesses. The challenge for that soon will be the papers. Mr. Baise told me that very few have gotten a B on the first paper but that when they started to work together that the papers improved dramatically. I really want to help myself and others work through the academic side of this camp all that I can so that will be exciting to see if we can get that going sooner than possible.

I could go on but I have things to do. If you have a specific question, just add a comment and I'll try and answer. And if your name starts with a "D" and ends in "ad", and "M" and ends in "om", or an "H" and ends in "annah", or if your a sibling (I love you guys!!!) or "K" and ends in "yle", then call, skype or chat when we can.

Stay Strong.

Charles C.