Famous Dave's

So we finally took some pics at dinner. Here is a pic of all the people I am with.

Here I am with Craig...Team Roma as we like to say

And here is one of three trashcan lids filled with yummy foods. Pulled Pork, Pork Ribs, Beef Ribs, Beef Brisket, Chicken, Corn on the Cob, Corn Muffins, Fries, Slaw and Beans.

Snow Day Two of REV

I awoke at 6:30 am MN Time which is 4:30 CA time to snow falling. Actually to be completely honest I did not look outside, I am assuming it was snowing then. I know for a fact that an hour later at breakfast it was falling.

It didn't amount to too much, but at least now it looks as cold as it is.

Today has been a good but tiresome day. I enjoyed my own sweet time with God this morning before breakfast, and then following our first meal we worshiped together corporately. At least I think that was today, it seems like a long long time ago.

After worship Gene shared some thoughts, then we had a break. Following break we met the psychologist who introduced us to the MMPI Assessment, made up of 567 questions to determine if we will be going crazy anytime soon. That assessment took about 2 hours to complete, and was lots of fun (NOT). We will each meet with the psychologist on Wed. A day chalk full of interviews with all sorts of people.

After our assessment I got to spend some time chatting with Craig then it was time for lunch where I enjoyed good conversation with a few members of the group. After the nice sandwiches we met with the Director of ReachGlobal Tim and he gave 3 presentations about ReachGlobal its beliefs purpose and theology. The Sandbox of ReachGlobal, check out his blog is you want to know what that is. I put a link on the sidebar.

I think overall it was an encouraging time, discovering just how in sync I am with the ReachGlobal Sandbox.

Now we are meeting in the lobby in a min to go to Famous Dave's for dinner.

Hope you all had a good day, I was and am praying for you this week too.

Day One of REV

Well, I made it safe and so-und (you can hold out the O if you want to sound like me in MN) to the cold but beautiful land of 10,000 lakes. Seriously I already am holding out all these O's that I am typing, even in my head. Hopefully it won't last when I get home for too long.

My first stop upon arrival was to visit with Jon and Tracie and new or not quite so new Grace Ditty! Jon was met me at the airport and took me to see their new home. Should have taken pictures, cause it's real cute. But I did snap a few of Grace, so here you go...

So as you can see she is super cute and in case you can't tell she is a sweetie too! They said she was cranky, but if that is cranky, then well they are blessed with a fantastic little girl.

But onto REV. I am staying in the Quality Inn, and I have a great room all to myself.

There are actually two beds, so I can have a sleepover or something:)

When I got to the EFCA headquarters I was met at the door and instructed to go to the elevator to the 3rd floor where I was met by Gloria and ushered into the Chapel transformed into a boardroom for this event. There I found my name sign at my seat around the table and my own new HP Laptop and the book Leading From the Sandbox. Which I am too read tonight if possible so this will not be too long. I have to say that thus far I am pretty impressed with the quality of the program. We will be using OneNote to learn together and keep notes as well as an online community for different Bible Studies and training activities. Pretty High Tech for the EFCA.

There are 10 of us participating in the REV Event. Myself and Craig the other one looking towards going to Rome are the youngest and the only newbies in the room. But, that doesn't seem to be a problem. Craig, another girl a little older than myself and I are the only singles.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the room we are meeting in is that they have poster size papers on the wall for each of us with our names and our strengths and our spiritual gifts on them. So you can pretty much size up everyone in the room. This is kinda fun, and kinda weird.

Well, I have homework and there is a hot tub kinda calling my name. I will post again tomorrow. But in case you were wondering this is all the snow I have seen and it is right outside of my hotel.

Live from REV

REV is what this week long event is called. I just thought I would post from my new HP laptop. We are set up in the Chapel, each with a new laptop and mug. There are 10 of us here. Craig and I are the youngest by far, but it is going great so far. We are using OneNote for most of our training, so that is fun.

More later.

video link

Hey Craig, who is also coming to MN to find out if he will be coming to Roma sent me this video on Facebook that is from a friend of his who is a missionary in Naples, I found it informative so I thought you might to, in case you were wondering why one should go to Italy to spread the Gospel. If any of you know a better way to show a Facebook video on Blogger, let me know. Till then I also added another video from youtube that shows the need at the bottom of all the posts, enjoy.

Success

I don't know how you qualify success but last night is what I would qualify as a successful shopping trip. I had just about two hours to find the much needed winter apparel for my trip to Minnesota. A true California girl I have no cold weather dress clothes needed for the week in the chilly Minneapolis.

I had not had the money nor the time to head out to the mall until last night following a Youth Trip to Sky High I grabbed my two faithful shopping buds; my sister Krista and friend Jenny (thanks girls!) and we high tailed it to the mall. With their help I was able to snag some fantastic new clothes and even better deals!

I went to New York and Company and took joy in the amazing by one get one 75% off sale they were having on pants and sweaters. Convenient that was. I found two great sweaters, two pairs of pants and a great shirt. At Macy's I also got my first pair of wedges, super cute and over 50% off! In all I saved more than I spent, and I had just received a Thanksgiving gift of money from my favorite Lady, Grandma Selma, so really it was almost nothing out of pocket!

Something to be truly thankful for!

Now I am set for the cold, and ready to print my boarding pass and get to getting!

A Bit Like Reality TV

I have discovered that the application process to be a missionary with Reach Global through the Evangelical Free Church is a bit like being a contestant on a reality television program. Especially the closer we get to the end. It has been about 6 months now of application process. I have filled out more forms and personality tests then I thought possible. It is sad but true that the folks at Reach Global know more about me than anyone in the world. What is strange about that is that aside from my handler and his wife I have not met any of them.

But all that is about to change, because the day after tomorrow. I will be getting on a plane and flying to the freezing cold of Minnesota. Where I will spend a week being interviewed, tested, and trained. And finally I will meet the people who know every last detail about what makes me me.

I would be lying if I said I was not nervous. So I won't. I think what is most disarming is we have no idea what to expect, and as a fellow "contestant" said to me on Saturday, "I don't think there is any question left" So that begs the question what are we going to be asked for a week?

On Thursday Dec 4th they will finally bring us into "Judges Table" or something and let us know if we have been chosen or not to be a missionary with Reach Global. However there is no guarantee that we will be offered a spot in the country we have been hoping for.

So keep checking back because I plan on using this to release all of my worries and hope and updates.