The First 24...

Here's a recap of the first 24 hours here at the ranch. And some travel stories.

I got up at 3 am Friday morning and left the house at 3:30. Carrie, Mom, Kaylie and I got to the airport at 4:30 and got my bags checked. Easy enough. Then we had a little time to kill before my flight at 6:30. We sat at a table for awhile and talked then the time came for me to go through security and be completely on my own. I said a very tearful goodbye and walked through security where 3 people asked if i was alright and one gave me a tissue. So there I am walking through the airport crying and people are staring but I didn't care. I had about an hour before my flight so i got a starbucks passion fruit shaken lemonade ice tea ( it makes me feel cool that I get a long-titled drink) then i went and waited for my flight. The Lord gave me a good gift when I found th at the two people that were supposed to sit next to me on the flight didn't show up! So i got to lay down and sort of sleep for the two hour flight to houston. I got off the plane in houston and waited for about an hour for my connection to Sacramento...that was not as great of a flight. It was 3 1/2 hours and I was just irritated and ready to stop traveling. I finally landed in california at 10:45 (their time is three hours behind the mid-west FYI) So by this time I had been up for almost 12 hours. Jessa who is in charge of the food here at the ranch, picked me up and we went around to different places that donate lots of food to the ranch. We finally made it back around 3:30 (6:30 your time) I met a whole lot of people in a very short amount of time! It was really overwhelming. I then got a chance to unpack my stuff in my room and kind of organize myself. That was really nice. Every friday the intern team goes out for a few hours to hang out so that's what i did last night. We went over to a former intern's relatives house for a really good meal. We got back at 10. I was EXHAUSTED! I had been up for almost 24 hours. I went straight to my room and talked to my sister, then fell asleep. They were very nice and let me sleep in so I chose to sleep til 10. Every saturday morning they have a thing called "girls time" where the girls hang out and do fun things together. This morning that time included watching a moving and doing make-up :) Then it was lunchtime. I got to sit and talk with some of the students. Then I had a meeting with JP one of the intern coordinator's. He gave me my key and handbook which is like the intern "bible" explaining all of the rules and the way things are run and work around the ranch. Now i'm in my office. Yea...I have an office...and my own desk. I feel so legit

It's been such a whirlwind!! I'm not completely sure what to expect or think or feel about all of it. I get the next couple of weeks to really get used to being here, then my "real" responsibilities will start. We have the student graduation on Saturday then the students will all go home for a week at which time the interns will have training and bonding time. We may get to go to Yosemite! YAY!

It's going to take awhile for me to not feel like the "oddball" I just need to give time to let relationships form and grow. I do think it's going to be a great experience.

It's funny how God completely answered all my prayers concerning this internship. I asked him to take me out of my element where I would have to rely totally him...and he certainly came through with that. I know i'm not going to make it through unless he's guiding me. I'm glad that I have this opportunity. I'm nervous and scared and excited and unsure...but God is here with me and he's gonna lead. So i'm ready for whatever he has to show me.

Love and miss you all VERY much!