Two weekends ago I had the opportunity to travel with the interns to Big Bend! Its a state park in Texas, where we camped and hiked. This was the most unique trip we have ever taken though... We camped in the MIDDLE of the desert! It was quite the experiance... Although through a series of events, and a new aquaintance, my friend Amanda and I got to stay in a lodge about 45 minutes away from our campground instead of sleeping outside in the cold:D It was random, and last minute. But hey - a warm bed and a hot shower, who could turn that down? :D

It was a great trip over all. I got to spend time with my RD group on the bus ride back. There was only 17ish ppl on our bus, so we each got out own seat! Now that is comfort. [On the way there I was the busleader for a bus full of guys! It was rather fun, they were funny guys.]

Even though we camped in the middle of nowhere usa - the peak that we climbed was still beautiful.

View the pictures below for some visuals!

^My RD group seeting up tents^

^The campground we stayed at^

^Wonderful scenery^

^One of my cores. We played the "I like" game the entire way down the mountain!^

So we just got done with January orientation. We had a new class of roughly 100 interns join us, up every morning at 4:45 am for corporate exercise and evening sessions every night. This is the 7th Orientation (We call it "guantlet") that I have been through, and they are hard every time. I am coming to realize I can be rather irrational/emotional when I am really tired. And that usually happens during guantlet:D

School starts today - so over the weekend I went to HOT SPRINGS with some friends! We stayed in a cabin, visited the hot springs. It was real relaxing, and perfect timing. Right in between orientation and school!

Here are a few pictures...

Alright - this update is for you grandma!

I told you I would post again:D [It has been sooooo long!]

My fall semester as an RD has been going well. I have roughly 40 girls, and my RD group is THE GEMS [Pressure Produces Diamonds] The picture below is from football season. We have intramurals on campus, and made it to the second round in the playoffs! [The guys in the pic were our coaches :)]

Here are the four different cores I am in charge of!

Sarah's core - Betrothed

Becky's core - RIBS

Emily's core - Radiant Reflection

.Rachel's core - Steadfast

The pic above is of me and my CAs. This is a pic we used to advertise our Hall Harvest Party :D

I am so grateful for the opportunity to stay on staff here with TMM. Such great people, great opportunities to learn, grow and serve.

I had the opportunity to go to PA for thanksgiving with some friends! We took a road trip there, and meet up with a bunch of other ppl who used to be at the internship. The colors in PA were BEAUTIFUL when we were there!

We took a day trip into NYC - where we had the WHOLE group meet in Central Park!

Below is Drew in my office - he comes to visit me on a regular basis :D

This is my BFF - Emma Schnieder [On her birthday!]

Below are some of the GEMS when we decorated or hall for Christmas!

Below is a picture of Mary and I from this past Christmas When I was at home:D

In other random news: I just recently purchased a car, we have a new class of interns joining us this week and I start my spring semester of college on Monday! I am taking three courses and am looking forward to figuring out how to run school and work and everything else smoothly all at the same time.

I am currently helping out with the curriculum dept. as well as continuing my job as a Resident Director, which is cool because I get to learn about different parts of the ministry through that.

Alright well it is about time for me to sign off! I hope that you enjoyed this little mini slideshow update and that all is well in Minnesota!

[love]valerie

Life as an RD

So I randomly have all this time at 12:38 at night... so I figured i would update a bit.

Graduation happened... new life has finally hit full swing. I have my RD group, am awaiting school to start in mid September, and I decided today that I am going to be an ESOAL Lieutenant.

Being an RD is way cool. I love my job, I love my CAs, I am starting to get to know and love the interns in my RD group:D

My brother is an intern here now - hurray! I don't see him as much as I would like... hopefully that will change soon!

Here are some pics to update graduation/new life...

The Peach Orchard... a Monumental time during the summer...

Final SOAP club photo shoot!

Lovely women...

This woman is now in LUXEMBURG!!! Way cool...

SOAP at the Gala...

Lovely women...

Wonderful Men...

The last pic of us... all together!!!

NEW YEAR

My Cute little RD group...

My bro - here at the HA with me!! Yeah!!

Well - thats all for now!

I just finished my grad defense for this year. *whew* It feels good to have that finished!

It is all coming to an end

I love endings

and new beginnings

I think I thrive off of them sometimes

My girls are all out on trips - but will be returning within a few days.

Trying to plan fun ways to celebrate this year with them. I wanna make it spectacular!

I can't wait to have them all back. Maybe then I will feel like a core advisor again:D