The Journey Begins: Off to Florida for Training
The drive out to Florida from Arizona was long, but very fun! We took turns driving, and only stopped one night in Houston, Texas. I stayed with my Uncle Tim and Aunt Norma, and the guys stayed with a friend of theirs. After the one night stay we packed back up and drove to Ave Maria, Florida where we spent 5 weeks in training.
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| May 28, 2014: The adventure begins driving from Flagstaff, AZ to Ave Maria, FL. |
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| On the road with these two goofballs for 38 hours, driving a stick shift, still not sure how I survived! (We had a blast!) |
Week 1: Welcome to Ave Maria, FL
I immediately felt comfortable in Florida, with a welcoming carnival and plenty of friendly, outgoing people to become friends with. After the first week was over it was as if we had been friends our entire lives!
We had a very strict schedule, with class and prayer as the priority. I wouldn't have it any other way! As you will see I still found plenty of time to have fun and for the most part I enjoyed all of my classes (but classes just aren't the most interesting photos so you won't see any of those). We studied apologetics, the Bible and salvation history, mission partner development and fundraising. We also studied budgeting and finance, servant leadership, FOCUS history, small group formations and mentorship mentorship. Basically anything to help develop us as disciples of Christ.
Weekly Schedule:
8:00-9:00 Holy Hour A (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
9:30-12:30 Class
12:30-1:00 Rosary
1:00-3:00 Lunch Break
3:00-5:00 Class
5:15-6:00 Daily Mass
6:00-7:00 Holy Hour B (Tuesday, Thursday)
7:00-8:00 Dinner
8:00-10:00 Class or Activity
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| Rain or shine, we must get to class! Jackie Fischer and I sharing my umbrella. |
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| Ave Maria, Fl. The rain brings the most beautiful rainbows! |
At summer training we were put into small groups, called colleges. Each college was named after a different saint. Meet my college, St. Bernadette! These are some of the most amazing and inspiring women that I've ever met, and each of them has come so far in their journey with Christ. They will make amazing missionaries and will go far, wherever life takes them.
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| College of St. Bernadette in business casual for class... |
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| ...and at the beach to relax! |
Every Wednesday night was women's recreational night. We did a variety of things such as dancing, making crafts, singing, we evern went on a scavenger hunt, and the first week we played volleyball! We used this time to grow in virtue and character as women.
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| Women's recreational night: Volleyball! |
Week 2: Next Stop...
Reveal night is when I found out that I will be moving to Omaha Nebraska! Omaha is my new "Homaha."
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| Meet Team Omaha! (Adam, Brian, Taylor, and me) It is going to be a great year! |
Meet Al the gator! Actually there were a lot of gators that I called "Al" but don't worry I kept my distance. Florida had some of the most beautiful Sunsets. God is great, and this was just another reminder of His creation.
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| Beach day with Katie Bandy. |
Week 3: Meet my fellow missionaries
"Work hard, play harder, pray even harder!" A lot of time was spent in class learning. I went to the beach to have fun and play in the waves. I also spent time in church, in small groups, and alone praying. I was blessed to be surrounded by such strong people who are on fire for God. At the end of the 3rd week I went on a retreat, so no photos from the beach to post. Instead, I focused my time growing in my relationship with the Holy Spirit. Then on Monday we had the day off to explore Naples.
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| Feast day of Corpus Christi: Procession |
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| Meet the 2014 focus missionaries! Over 500 missionaries have committed themselves to the mission for the 2014-2015 academic year and we will be serving 100 campuses by the end of 2014. |
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| Monday after week 3: Naples Peace sign. Fun place to take a picture, after eating Chipotle! |
Week 4: My birthday
In week four I celebrated my 22nd Birthday! It couldn't have been a more special day. My friends took me out for pizza and wings. Then we all went to the "Mission's Fiesta," a party that the FOCUS missions group throw to celebrate and promote the mission trips that are taken every year. We played sand volleyball, danced to music, and just enjoyed hanging out with each other. To top it off they surprised me with a brownie cake and a cupcake! I could not have asked for a more special birthday.
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| Me fellow Arizona missionaries, helping me celebrate my 22nd birthday! |
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| My fellow Pi Beta Phi sisters. You meet a sister everywhere you go! |
Week 5: The 4th of July and goodbye.
As new staff training came to a close, we reflected on all that we had learned.
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| This is how our family and friends back home see us... |
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| ...and this is how we see ourselves! |
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| The NAU crew inside the Oratory after the commissioning mass. Last day in Ave Maria. |
Happy 4th of July!
I spent the 4th of July on the beach watching fireworks with Jenna and Jackie. It was so much fun, and the show at the pier was unlike anything I had ever seen before. This was my last night in Florida. It was great celebrating the Independence of America at the beach with friends!
The end: actually it's the beginning!
Although I am done with New Staff Training in Florida, this is just the beginning of this mission. In August I will be on campus in Omaha, NE. I've never been to Omaha before, but I am sure it is going to be great! Please keep me in your prayers as I begin this journey. Thank you to my mission partners who are making this possible! I am happy that I get to share in this expercience with you!
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| On the road back to Flagstaff, this time Jackie is driving with us! |
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| Stopped off in Austin to stay with my Uncle Chuck, and saw my cousins El, Val, and Eusébio. |
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| Finally we made it back to Flagstaff, Az. We ate lunch downtown and then I made my way back to Phoenix. I sure am going to miss these guys. |
