Orientation Week Begins

Today was the first full day of my orientation week for my DTS!! It was a loooong day! I was up early at 5:30 in the morning because (I found out this morning), when you live in a tiny room with 10 girls you wake up whenever the earliest girl wakes up...and I'm lucky enough to be in the room with the early birds........

After trying to go back to bed multiple times, (I knew I shouldn't have picked the bed in the absolute middle of the room), I decided to get up and skype my dad! Which was perfect because it was early afternoon for him! I love technology because I can see my dad even though he's half way around the world!

After Skype I headed up to breakfast, which I also discovered will be bran cereal, toast, and instant coffee for the next 6 months :) Breakfast was followed by a short devotional and a long quiet time out in the Australian sun!

Then came the whirlwind of info!! We learned the hierarchy of YWAM, the history of YWAM, the inner workings of our base, we checked our visas and passports, signed a bunch of paper, and we even had an afternoon tea. They feed us ALL the time!! Every time I turn around there's another bowl of lollies being thrown in my face! (Lollies are what they call all types of candies, and they love candy...and chocolate...and cookies...and chips....pretty much every type of junk food).

Lunch was much appreciated, not just because we were somehow hungry but because we needed a mental break. But, after the short break we were back in the classroom for more info! After the story of our specific base and our leaders we broke into small groups to tell our own stories!

There was a short break before dinner during which I took the time to dominate at mini pool and get to know one of the guys in my school. I love the break time the most because every single person in my school is SO different but we all genuinely like each other and enjoy hanging out and getting to know one another.

It's so weird going into a place where absolutely no one knows you; no one knows who your mom was; no one knows where your dad pastors; no one knows how beautiful your sister is; no one knows how charismatic your brother is; and no one knows how cute your dog is! All they know is the Clancy that I present to them. Which is kind of a different Clancy than I thought it would be! But, I like finding out who I naturally am without any outside influence going into it!

Anyways, after chatting and attempting to play ping-pong we celebrated Derek's birthday (another DTS student at my school) with a very loud song, coke, cake and a sweet prayer. Then it was back upstairs to learn the 16 values of YWAM. Our base leader Ettiene taught them to us; he is a fast-talking, passionate, and hilarious South African man! He started off our time together by telling us that he was thinking deeply about us while he was trying to get his poo out and into the toilet. Then he went on to tell a few stories about poo and how they related to our upcoming outreaches...? Later on while talking about the vision of YWAM he said "We fart vision out of our bums, that's how much vision we have here!" Basically, I really like him as a leader and a storyteller!

To finish up the night we had the first annual "Island Breeze Sydney's Got Talent" where we broke up into teams of 5 and presented three of the values in a creative way. I made up my teams skit which included a Samoan guy as a crocodile, a German girl making bratwurst, two valley girls, and me as a fast-talking cowboy. Ettiene said it was the best of the night and we made it to the top three! Also in the top three was a sportscaster team and, of course, an entire team devoted to pooping skits.

Now I am downstairs, with a second wind, hanging out with everyone in my school. It really has been a very tiring day, but completely worth it! And the DTS hasn't even "technically" started yet!!!

I still REALLY appreciate your prayers and would also ask for some prayers for a few of my friends who don't have the funds for the rest of their schooling yet! They're trusting for God to provide but extra prayers are definitely appreciated! :)

I love and miss you all!

G'Night!!