Dearest Family and Friends,

Orientation is well under way! I thought I would give you the highlights so far. 

Saturday (flying day) went super well. I only had two layovers and they were both under an hour long of a wait. I had hardly any trouble getting to my gates. The only hang-up I had was one of the carry-ons I decided to bring. I chose to bring a back pack and a big duffle bag as my carry-ons. Though the back pack was heavy, it was not a problem. The duffle bag... was well, huge and HEAVY. Let's just say I must have been quite the spectacle walking through the airport. I mean, it took me a few tries every time I lifted it to just get it up on my shoulder (ask my mom and Alyssa Downs, they witnessed it after I went through Lexington customs).  Not the ideal way to walk around airports all day. I got it to my second flight through much effort (and thanks to moving sidewalks- they're the best), only to find that they could not check it under the plane and I would have to put it up in the stowaway compartments above the seats. 

Well, at this point I really didn't have a choice. Might I add that the best way I found to hold the bag was to hug it against my chest and share the weight with both arms. So I 'hugged' the bag all the way to the compartment above my seat which was, of course, full. As I moved further back in the plane to try to find an empty spot, I asked one of the attendants if she could help me lift it up so that I wouldn't drop it on the lovely passenger's head. Nothing. She just looked at me. I repeated the request because I knew there was no way I could get the bag up above my head myself. (Of course, in the back of my mind I was hoping that some strong male would hear my cry for help and come to my rescue, but alas, no one came). After the second stare, I decided all I could do was try my best. So, I hoisted the bag above my head and tried to stuff it in to the compartment. There was a long moment of struggling and even a moment where I felt like my arms were going to give out, all the while with sympathetic stares from the passengers all around me. I felt like I had been doing the arm weight lifting session of P90X and was on my last, unbearable set. Then guess what happened?!?! Yeah, it didn't fit. Someone suggested that I take it up to the front to get it checked for free. Although I had already tried this, I knew that there was no way it was fitting back here. I took it up to another attendant who proceeded to check my bag until my final destination! What a relief! Done with that bag until I arrived! Thank goodness for helpful attendants! 

Why did I tell you that story? I honestly have no idea. But I did, so I hope you enjoyed it! :)

That night I got to my apartment and met my roommate Melissa. I was surprised to see that she had a dog! This was a small thing that actually made me very excited because well, I love dogs! Another wonderful surprise was how nice and big the apartment is. It is beautiful. On top of everything the school had already provided in regards to furniture for us, they also provided me with some start-up groceries. The school has been so great in transitioning us into our new lives here, it has been a huge blessing.

The last few days have consisted of mornings at the school, learning about procedures, policies, and beliefs of the school and our duties there as teachers this year. Our evenings have been spent mostly getting familiar with the city. We have taken several shopping trips to get the few odds and ends we needed for our apartments and just hanging out, getting to know one another better. 

Cameron's parents and family have been so wonderful! They have the same kind of open door policy that my family has, and it has been so much fun to go over their house to just chill (much like Sundays at the Rehner home in good 'ol Wilmore). I am so grateful for the hospitality they have already shown us new teachers, especially Mrs. Boehning's willingness to drive us around everywhere to get more acquainted with the area. 

I am really looking forward to working with everyone here. They are so welcoming, encouraging, and it is clear that they have their hearts in the right place, and their eyes fixed on Jesus. I know that I will be inspired and challenged this year in a wonderful way. 

I was going to post a few pictures on here, but instead I will post them on facebook soon, so stay tuned! Thanks so much for reading!