Week 1ish

So today is the middle of week two. Wow, the first week was totally awesome. God already started doing so much. So many people commented and even said that there is something different about our school than the past schools. One guy prophesied that our school carried a unique fragrance of God's Holy Spirit and his power. A few of the staff were saying that they couldn't believe how fast our school has been bonding and how even after just a few days, everybody was like family. So our school is so unique and there is so much love between everybody. I love,absolutely love every aspect of this so far. So the first week we had mostly going over guidelines and stuff. We did have a few lectures and one really good speaker, Jon Slack (from the North Island). He spoke some really cool stuff,that really got to everyone's hearts. This week we have a speaker named Dalton Lifsey. He is sooooo good. He has been talking about the life of David and how he relates to us and how powerfully God moved in David's life and how in the midst of his huge failures he ran to face God.......and just so many revolutionary theories that all of us wouldn't have thought of before! One of the ones that I keep remembering is "God doesn't look at the exterior action, but the interior motive...". Ahhh, just so many mind blowing words.... I wish I could tell you how much I have learned so far. But theres just so much!

Also, we had a really good small group time yesterday. We all shared, testimonies, tears, laughs and popcorn....lol. I am so glad that Kari is my small group leader. She has been through many similar things that I have, and she can relate so well. I got to have some one on one time with her on monday (I will get to every monday) and that was really special being able to share with her and and just get to let her pour into my life. God is already using her as a big part of impacting me.....So thank-you God for Kari!

Some other cool stuff we've done:

In our free time we love to play ultimate frizbee at the park downtown :). I have learned how to walk a tight-rope...... I have learned to skateboard on a half-pipe, like I'm talking droppin in.... (that is after a lot of big wipeouts, a bruised wrist and thigh, bloody knee and ankle and a sore elbow, but it was amazing! lol, I felt like I was flying)....we walk to town a lot and go to the store or get icecream :)......There is this one place about 10 min away called the Blue House and its an icecream place. The lady makes all the icecream herself and there's about 20-25 different flavors and for $2 (NZ) you can get a cone with 4 giant scoops of icecream! Ahh, it's a lick of heaven.......

On saturday we had our activity and got to go to Castle Hill and cave stream. We went caving in cave stream, which is basically caving through a cave with an ice cold river flowing through it, with all these little tunnels everywhere and stuff. It's great. It is pitch black and the water is freezing cold, but its sooo cool (no pun intended...lol) After that and eating our packed lunches we went to Castle Hill. It is an awesome place right next to Flock Hill which is where some of Narnia and Lord of the Rings was filmed! (at least that's what they tell me) and so you can imagine the scenery. There are huge boulders everywhere and there is great rock climbing and just enjoying God's beautiful creation. I had such a great time climbing and scratching up my knees on the rocks....lol and just growing close to people. Then after that, a few of us drove to Ashley Gorge (which is just a neat river that we pass on the way home). It was really hot on the rocks so it felt great to jump in the river and swim a little bit. The water is sooo blue! I thought it was fake because it was so beautiful! But then it was cool cuz me and Trevor (staff who used to be a gymnast) swam across and cliff jumped into the river. It wasn't that high. Maybe only 15 or 20 feet, but it was still a lot of fun.He flipped off, sorry to say, I'm not always insane, so I just jumped normally :)

Anyways, this week has been insane. God has been speaking to me so much. Nearly everyday he speaks to me whether through words, verses or visions (which is sooo cool) and I wish I could share every moment with you but I simply don't have that much time :( I will keep you updated though on other things happening, please keep us in your prayers!

Love you all!

Jodi