Wait, what?!?

So I woke up this morning and realized I'm leaving.... TODAY! My flight goes out of Newark at 6 am, so I have to leave Stony Point at 2:30 am! Obviously I have no intention of sleeping... so we're at less than 10 hours until departure now. I. Am. Freaking. Out.

This week has been the most incredible, whirlwind journey I've ever been on. All of the international and national YAVs are here preparing to go out to their sites and we have learned SO much. We've had workshops on Critical Cultural Competency (say that 10 times fast), violence prevention, self-care, economics, PCUSA's history, the UN, and so so much more. We have a bible study each morning (very open discussion... easily the most welcoming Christian community I've ever been a part of) and worship in the morning and afternoon. Worship is definitely not the stodgy hymn singing kind of worship you'd think of off the top of your head. We sing multi-cultural songs from all over the world! The Stony Point community (and PCUSA) is big on inter-faith and intercultural communication, and it has been such a gift.

The people, though... the people are unbelievable. Only in such an intense, emotional, closely shared experience could you fall in love with 69 people in a matter of a week. Tears are welling up as I think about saying my goodbyes to these wonderful people. Our youngest "babies" are 19 (one turned 20 yesterday!) and we have YAVs (Young Adult Volunteers) that are 28 and older. :) We are such a diverse group of people, and yet, we are all instant family. I've spent time with each person here (because of course I have) and haven't spoken to one single person who isn't brilliant, beautiful, loving, and so so selfless. We are all about to depart on different journeys, and yet we have this perfectly imperfect family in common. It breaks my heart that it will be a real struggle for me to keep in touch with all of these people for the next year, but I know they will be here for me when I get back.

Family. And yes, that's me & Johnny making ridiculous faces on the other side :)

One of the coolest parts of orientation is that they have YAVAs here as well. YAVA stands for YAV alum... we're big on acronyms here at PCUSA. (See what I did there?) They are here to help us in small groups and to be a light at the end of the tunnel for us as we go through our year. They have shared their stories- some funny ones and some hard ones, and they have shown us what an amazing community we've entered into. I am so thankful.

Meredith (left) is my small group leader! She served in Tuscon and is hilarious and adorable!

This is super YAVA Jim. He really needs no introduction. He's that awesome.

Meredith and I have a bit too much fun everywhere we go! This was bowling night :)

YAVAs Lauren and Josh serving us ice cream :) Josh is rockin' the hairnet.

The time is coming slowly... and I'm sad to leave here. My next blog post will be from the Philippines! Please keep me in prayer... I'm traveling alone all the way to Manila, and I really hate flying! I am missing you all so much and keeping you in my thoughts & prayers. 

This is where I'm leaving...

And this is where I'm headed.

See you later, friends... XOXO

Abigail