Days 25-30: TL Training and Route! (9/8-9/13/20)

This is going to be a heavy week, with lots of information and how to fully minister to the youth this year, and it starts with today. Our first Team Leader training was all about how to be an effective leader, and the one later that evening was about how to work with your Co-leader most effectively. Both sessions gave Grace and I comfort and confidence going into the rest of training, but it was difficult not being around the team, who was doing other ministry training. The highlight of the day was definitely learning about my route officially! We are TRAVELING!! Starting in Iowa and Nebraska, we go down to Louisiana, over to North Carolina/Virginia/West Virginia, over to Missouri, then down to south Florida around thanksgiving time, then all the way up to South Dakota before heading back to Minnesota for December retreat and Christmas break!! THAT’S SO MUCH TRAVELING!! All in new places I’ve never been to before, except when I was in Virginia last year on NET. Although we must pack for all weather situations, which will be interesting for sure, but I’m so so PUMPED! Praise God, I also asked for the south/southeast part of the US, and I got it. He’s too good to me. . . The last couple days have been more team life work, such as scheduling my team’s bi-weekly schedule and planning daily team prayers. Yet, because of last year, I kind of already know what to do and how to do it. It takes alot of work, but it’s so worth it, and so fruitful. Plus, I’ve been able to work with Grace alot, and have gotten to know and grow with her. She is super efficient, but also loves to be silly/goofy at times, very similar to me. We’ve really just learned we are similar people, at some points too similar, which makes everything easier. Also we love jamming out. Moreover, I’ve gotten many chances to joke around with my brotherhood, the guys on my team, and it’s been so much fun! They’re all so funny but also incredibly convicted, and it makes me giddy just thinking about how awesome this year will be. And as much as I can I am slowly but surely growing with the girls on my team individually, getting to know them with intentional conversations and sitting with them during large group session and meals. . . Being a Team Leader thus far has been so much better than expected, but I’m definitely feeling the imbalance of it all. Like I’m using alot of mental and emotional power, but little physical power because of the circumstances. It’s definitely throwing me off, but I’m slowly beginning to adjust. I know it will be better when I’m moving around everyday on the road, but I need to figure out some sort of workout system for the last bit of training. . . Today is my no-obligation day, and I’m chilling in a hammock that someone laid out (I think it’s Samantha’s, my teammate). The past 2-3 days have been alot emotionally. Virtus (child abuse) training, active shooter training, and a talk on racism in our country have made up most of this weekend. They were all fantastic sessions, but were super hard to take in all at once. Today is our day to relax, and I’m making the most of it. We only have a few more days of training before officially hitting the road, and I can’t believe it. As ready as I am to get back, this year is going to look so different than last year in so many ways. Praying for a smooth last few days of training, and an incredible year. We’re almost there! Let’s power through.