Day One in The Old Dominion State

My first day at FPO was a lot like my first day at the conference back in February. I woke up horrendously early after 2 hours of sleep that I snatched after frantically packing at the very last minute. I keep expecting lots of emotion and regret, but really I've been pretty good so far. I know this is a huge blessing that only comes from God's mercy on his fragile little servant. Really the hardest part of today was the delirium, and leaving Audra all alone this morning. I know it's going to be rough on her having an empty house all to herself. Life just doesn't see as full when the Blake sisters aren't together. Everyone should go hang out with her and keep her busy so she doesn't have time to get lonely.

Not a lot happened today. The highlights came when I was unpacking and I felt a brief flash of independence, and again when I ate my first real meal of the day. It was delicious; mixed vegetables, cheesy scalloped potatoes, and wonderful tilapia in bread crumbs and herbs. As for the rest of the day we all just checked in, did some paperwork, unpacked, and got reacquainted with our conference friends. We have SO much homework to do here. We were given the 'gift' of 3 books which turned out to be required reading; and there's essays, scavenger hunts, personal assessments, scripture memory, and so so soooooo much more. We're not going to be bored while we're here that's for sure.

For now, I'm just trying to focus on not letting myself feel overwhelmed. I'm going to take things one at a time, and just try to soak up as much as I can. We watched "Hotel Rwanda" tonight with everyone in my quad. Good movie, but it sure wasn't uplifting. Afterwards we all gave 2 minute introductions, and prayed together. I have great plans to be in bed by 11pm VA time which means I can get 10 hours of sleep if I skip breakfast and count the hour I gained by leaving OK. Woot woot! I'm sure do love sleeping, and I'm going to need all the energy I can get this week!

Pray that Sarah and I will be filled with energy, learn lots and lots, grow in Christ, NOT be overwhelmed, and begin to feel the spiritual rejuvenation that FPO is meant to bring.

with lots of love and a little bit of delirium, Emily