Day 2...Learning to be Flexible

This morning we left Chambersburg, PA headed to New York City. What was supposed to be a 4-hour trip turned into a pretty intense six hour trip due to an exit being closed. The detour we were forced to take took us through a self-led "tour" of New York City and caused us to miss lunch due to the afternoon schedule. After a quick stop at the hotel, we headed to the train station to head to Penn Station. Once we arrived in Manhattan, we had a Double Decker bus waiting to give us a tour of the city. This was followed by a much anticipated dinner at Planet Hollywood. I think it's safe to say we were truly thankful for a good meal after missing lunch.

"I think getting to room with all freshman and getting to know them better has been a good part for me. I really see how each of them are such a good fit for our family. Coach told me from the beginning we had to be flexible, and that was really played out with the detour. It was one of the first times this year we had to work as a team, and I am sure it is just the beginning of that lesson. Coach made a comment to us about how many people around the world miss lunch everyday and that really hit home for me. We are truly blessed, and even in a huge city I'm sure that there are tons of people who don't know where their next meal will come from. "   *[In 2010, The Child Food insecurity rate in NYC was 21.3%, that is 902,070 food insecure children.]  

Morgan Parrish, Sophomore 

"Today's intense schedule was certainly much different from yesterday's relaxed travels. As we drove up yesterday in the three vans, we had a great opportunity to talk, laugh, sleep and just enjoy getting to know one another.  I was immediately drawn to this team and excited about the opportunity to spend the week with them.  At first glance I would say they were incredibly genuine and authentic with me, who is pretty much a stranger to each of them. But, yesterday was pretty easy, so I'd say good feedback was to be expected.

Today, however, could have been an opportunity to see a much different side of this team.  As before mentioned, four hours quickly turned into six. And a leisure lunch near the hotel, turned into no lunch and a frenzy to catch the next train into the city.  You can imagine moving a group of 24 through NYC on a tight schedule.  However, the girls were great sports and incredibly positive and supportive as we navigated the busy streets of NYC.  Once we hit the city, the tight schedule just turned into many, many, (did I say many?) people everywhere. These girls were still incredible.  At the end of day one, I would have said I was really impressed with them, but at the end of day 2, I am even more impressed.  These girls have hearts for one another and, honestly, just are a delight to be around.  In the midst of a pretty hectic day, I literally did not hear one complaint.  That is pretty amazing, if you ask me.  I guess these may seem like minor details, but I think often our true colors come out in the midst of stressful situations or situations that don't go as expected.  If that is the case for this group of girls today, I like their true colors!  

I'm certainly looking forward to the next week with them and incredibly excited to see what's ahead in the days to come.  I'm looking forward to seeing the face of God this week and watching to see Him made known to these girls and all that we come into contact with this week." 

Kayla Watkins, Speaker/Teacher