A little late starting up, but I just wanted to start this blog to keep everyone posted about this amazing adventure I'll be on for the next six months! As many of you already know, mission work has always been in my heart. Too many times I researched and just turned it down thinking it was too crazy! I had school, a great job, and many loved ones I would be leaving behind. I couldn't possibly stop my life, pack up and leave for six months! Well, I did it. Yeah, life is a little crazy but sometimes you have to take risks and have faith everything will turn out for the best. That's exactly what has been happening. I am currently living in Honolulu, Hawaii attending a discipleship training school for three months. In this school I'll be trained to do mission work and just know God on a deeper level. After this, I'll be sent to Southeast Asia to do missionary work for another three months. I will find out the exact location this week which I am very excited about!
Well, lets begin with day one. It was a hectic morning. I, of course, left everything for last minute and after staying up the entire night packing I was still not all ready to go. My mom and cousin called me insane for packing so much, which I don't blame them, I am a little crazy. They had to unpack everything and help me repack. After leaving one entire bag at home, I was ready to go. That was not a fun morning.. but it was a funny one. Finally, we are on our way to the airport and we are all just laughing at what had just happened. We enjoyed our last moments just jamming out, dancing in the car. The hardest thing I ever had to do was leave my family behind. That may sound silly to some people but I am so incredibly blessed with such a wonderful family. They are my rock and I love them all more than anything in this entire world. I was doing alright in between flights until the time came to board my plane to Hawaii. I hadn't felt anxious until that moment.. I was really going through with this decision and there was no turning back. I did it and went on in and made it to Hawaii six hours later!
Obviously, after having my own room for almost 23 years now, I was a little worried about sharing one (with no AC) with six other girls for three months. Meeting all my roommates for the first time was so refreshing! After the first day we all had connected so much, it felt like we had known each other of years. On friday, all the DTS students were asked to give their testimony. I was freaking out! For all who know me, I don't do well with public speaking. I definitely have a severe case of stage fright. Another thing I wasn't too comfortable with was opening myself entirely and sharing my life story to a group of strangers. It was definitely challenging but as soon as I was chosen to speak all that anxiety and worry went away. It was truly incredible hearing each and every persons testimony. Looking from the outside in you never really know anyones struggles or hardships, until they completely open up to you in that way. It was truly touching. After that experience, we all connected on such a deeper level of understanding.
On our first weekend in Hawaii a few of us from the group decided to go on a hike called Dead Man's Cat Walk. It was around 4pm when the girls returned from running errands and one of the guys invited us to go on this hike to catch the sunset around 6:20 pm. We all rushed to change and went off on this adventure. The bus ride was an hour long and no one had a clue where we were headed! Lucky, a local guided us in the right direction. We finally arrived and were on our way. As we were heading up to the mountain one of the guys stopped to ask some local neighbors if we were headed in the right direction. We were on the right track but it was getting late. It was already 6pm and only had twenty minutes to hike up the mountain to catch the sunset. We would have never made it on time if these kind people wouldn't have offered us a ride, in the back of their truck, up the mountain! That was the most beautiful ride I've ever been on and one of the most spectacular views I've ever seen. It was truly an experience to remember (:
Today was our first Sunday on base and we were able to choose what church to attend. We were recommended three churches so today we visited the first called Streams of Life. As the group walked in, the entire church stood up and started applauding us! I have never felt so welcomed into a community, I couldn't stop smiling. They all introduced themselves and gave us huge hugs and a lei to wrap around our neck. We had a beautiful time of worship and first service together.
Classes begin tomorrow so stay tuned for more updates ! xoxo
