Off To Thailand

September is usually a quiet month for me, but this past one was incredibly fun and full of new experiences. I met so many new people and had the chance to do things I wouldn't normally do. Our time in Orlando was brief, but it was packed with crucial information that will help us be fully prepared for whatever comes our way.

Here is a Recap of our time in Orlando:

Some of the things we got trained on were:

• The Holy Spirit

• Sabbath Rest

• Identity and renewing your mind

• Spiritual battles

• Strengths Finder/Love Styles

• Culture training for Thailand and Croatia

  and many more...

Each day, a Cru staff member came in to teach us these topics. We learned so much that by the time we got home, we were totally wiped out—but also super thankful for everything we got to take in. All the staff were so welcoming and genuinely curious about each of us. They made a lasting impression on us, and we’ve all become friends with them. I already know I’m going to miss them a lot when I head to Thailand.

Growing up as a Cru kid, I spent a lot of time at the office, but I always saw it as my dad’s workplace. Now, I’ve had the chance to actually work there for a month, and being back at headquarters as an adult brought back so many fun memories from when I was a kid—like the Fall Festival, movie nights on the lawn, and my all-time favorite, the Christmas party with the best makeshift snow.

One of my favorite parts of our training was learning about love languages and love styles. I wasn’t super familiar with this before, but it’s been really helpful to understand how my roommates show love and how they like to receive it. We’ll be living together for the next nine months, and I feel like this lesson will help keep our group united. We’ve all become really good at picking up on the little details about each other—whether it’s sensing when someone’s tired and needs a break from socializing or offering comfort when the reality of being away from home for 9 months hits. Learning about each other’s love languages has helped us notice these small things and respond in the best, most loving way.

The one goal everyone had was to strengthen their relationship with God and to learn to serve His people with an open heart. I had longed for deep, Christ-centered relationships for so long, and God has finally fulfilled that desire and made this Gap Year happen. We’ve all settled into the rhythm of spending time with the Lord each morning before starting our workday. It’s been a great way to prepare our hearts and minds and remind us daily why we’re on this mission. Hearing how God has been speaking to my team during their alone time with Him has been really comforting—and it’s so fun when we all receive similar, encouraging words from God. I thank God every day for giving me this opportunity and making my heart curious. It’s only been a month, but I can already feel the Holy Spirit moving.

• Please pray that I would continue to have a curious heart, even when things aren't looking good.

• Pray for continued team unity as we face culture shock and homesickness.

• Please pray that God would open the hearts of those we share the gospel with.