Aahh, the music of Mr. Softee is floating through our window. Tennessee needs ice cream trucks.

I love you.

So before Sunday, I was living in a room 12' x 18' with two other girls and no windows. It is affectionately referred to as "the windowless room." But finally Sunday night, once the big team left, we were able to move back into the bigger room. Yeah! There is so much more space and it just feels nicer and cozier in here.
I also found out in these past few days that I have mandatory vacation time in August. Two weeks that I am not supposed to work, and most everyone else on the base will return home. So I guess I will be coming to TN? It will be good to get my winter clothes anyways. I don't know what I will do actually, but I am the obsessive organizer that wants to figure that out right now. Two weeks to do whatever I want. Well, not whatever, I do live on a missionary budget.

Today a youth group of 84 left the base. Just to give you an idea, we have a total of around 50 beds here at the base and already 14 staff living here. So there were people sleeping everywhere. Over a hundred people living in one little building can create a big mess and lots of noise. But the team had a great time doing ministry in the city, and I enjoyed just being around teenagers again. However, we all let out a sigh of relief when they left. Things will be normal again until the next team of 55 comes in a few weeks!

So when I decided to come back here to New York, I was acting mostly out of obedience. I knew my place in M'boro was closed and I knew God had opened a door for me in NY. But now that I have been here a few months, it has surpassed my expectations. I have been back for two months, but I feel like I've been here forever.
For anyone who doesn't know, the training school I was supposed to do was cancelled, so my plans majorly changed and I have joined the staff here. That is a two year commitment. I have been given the position of office manager, which I am very flattered to receive a higher position right from the beginning. Past that, I am on three different ministry teams: Smithtown (where we live), urban missions (NYC), and Go Teams (short term foreign trips). So I definitely stay busy.
My friendships here have gotten deeper and I love just hanging out here with everyone. It is different to have a whole new life out here that many of you don't know. I want to bring you all up here or bring them to TN to meet you guys. So if any of you want to make a trip to NY, give me a call and you can stay with me here at the base! (Becca and Rachael, you know I'm talking to you)