First Program

Friends and Followers just did their forst program. We took over the Sunday School for our home church this Sunday. It was a little hectic getting ready for the program. We learned a puppet script in two days. We're still just getting used to our puppets, too. The program went well, though. The kids enjoyed (so did we). It is very tiring to sing and jump around at the same time. It's not really good singing technique to be using your diaphram as a pivot point for swinging your upper body around. I'm starting to think that recreation time isn't actually there because we won't get enough exercise, but ot get us in shape for Children's Programs. It's a lot of fun.

Puppets are another thing. Our team has four puppeteers (I'm the puppet coordinator and a puppeteer) and only James has used puppets before. We have literally made up a personality for our puppets, including a life story, family, quirks, pet peeves, etc... Puppets are fun. There are rules about our puppets. They cannot accept Christ (they don't have a soul) and they can't get away with being bad (though they can be bad). Puppets are very realistic to kids, so we need to treat them as though they are real characters. No one puts on someone else's puppet. It's actually quite fun. The realistic part of it just adds to the puppet experience. It also set a standard of excellence for the puppeteers. Puppets are such an amazing teaching tool! They need to be used wisely.

Praying

I'm feeling excited and stressed all at the same time. Sunday night was a night of prayer and fasting. That means we skipped supper and prayed form 6-12. It was great. God spoke to us. Today is our day off, so I slept 'till 9 to make up for staying up so late.

The guys have made a pact to be in bed by 11 every night because we're all getting really tired. This should help us get our rest. We also read a chapter from a book called Siberian Shivers every night. It's a collection of funny missionary stories from Russia. We're enjoying a lot. It's good to laugh before going to bed.

I have a lot to do today. It doesn't feel that much like a day off because my to-do list is so long. I guess I'll just have to see how much I get done. I have to remind myself that it's not worth stressing over. That's my life for now.

Things are underway.

Training camp is about to get a little busier. We are now starting to get into the program planning part. We have to write our own dramas, puppet plays, and that sort of thing so it will be much work. It will also be fun. In 10 minutes, I'll be going to a preaching class with James. We are the two preachers on team. The rest will be creative teachers and chalk artists.

I feel like I'm constantly tired. I always wanted to nap after lunch and for the rest of the day. Mornings are great! I love walking outside and smelling the fresh, rainy, mountain air.

Training camp seems to be flying by. At the same time, time goes by very slowly too. It feels like I've been here forever and that it went by quickly. Time doesn't make much sense, really. These are the ponderings of my tired mind for the day.

Week One @ VTI

Life at VTI is great. So much is happening here I don't know what all to say. The schedule is hectic (I learned that word from Mom), but there's still time to chill out and get to know the team. I'm learing alot just watching these people. Their lives show me things I want to have. They are so passionate and committed. I want that. I feel like I'm growing so much here.

I must say that the idea of missions scares me, but I've got a great team here. I'm going to learn to be a little less indiviualistic and work with other people this year. I don't have to do everything myself just to prove I can. The fact is, I need help. I know I can count on my teammates the way I want them to count on me.

I still need lots of money for the year. Pray for that, please. Pray for Team unity, too.

Harvesting grain with my eyes...

I have a blog! Here you go Dielle! It's even your favorite colour.