Day 2 - Orientation Begins

Greeted by the morning sun, the staff awoke and started the day off with breakfast together at Cracker Barrel.  We were excited to be there but one of our waitresses, Fran, was even more excited.  She took a special liking to our team leader and we had to catch it on camera!

Fran and her favorite customer!

We returned to Shenandoah and Jenn helped us focus with a devotion based on Matthew 28:16-20 "The Great Commission".  The first thing we did was listen to Matthew West's song "My Own Little World".  Jenn encouraged us to remember our calling and how we should continue to focus on other people's needs throughout the trip in front of our own. She also reminded us that throughout the trip we should take to heart the comforting words of Christ, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age".  We are never alone!

After our devotion, it was time to put up our signs for all the incoming youth.  We had to get a little creative in the design and placement of the signs but we all seemed to enjoy the task before us.

All of the preparations were in place and the youth and their families began arriving.  The internal conflict of wanting to follow God's call and stay in our comfort zones started racing in our minds.  It even seems to reveal itself in this photo!

Eventually everyone found their way to the designated parking area, unloaded and were welcomed into Racey Hall.

While all the youth were checking in, new friendships were blossoming as they began to chat and find out new and interesting things about each other.

Once everyone was settled in their rooms, we headed over to Goodson chapel for a communion and commissioning service.  We were joined by the Vice President of Student Life, Dr. Rev. Rhonda VanDyke Colby, who helped to bless the elements and offer words of wisdom to the group.  She also happens the proud mother of this year's music director!

Chad shared a message with the group on the Great Commission before communion.  Then we had a prayer for the Voices of Youth members with family and friends laying their hands on each one as we prayed.  There were both spoken and unspoken prayers sent up on behalf of the team as they begin the 3 1/2 week journey together.

The service ended and then it was time to say goodbye to the family and friends that had brought the youth.  It was hard to say goodbye but the excitement of what was to come quickly took over and some skits led by the youth staff about basic rules and guidelines for our trip lightened the mood.

We gave everyone a quick stretch break after the rules skits and then it was time for the first rehearsal.  Drew and Jim worked hard and were pleasantly surprised at how quickly the group learned some of the notes and nuances within the music.  Everyone left the rehearsal feeling quite good about the next 3 1/2 weeks and gathered into their family groups to discuss "Why are we here?"

The groups enjoyed their first get-together and quickly came to Racey Hall to ensure that we weren't late for dinner.  We found out that the Shenandoah University dining hall is going through some renovations and had to adjust their food service a bit but all of the staff were quick to help with anything that we needed.  After dinner we headed back to the chapel to engage in a Post-It note activity where we looked at things that were holding us back and what the perfect Voices of Youth trip would be like. 

The pink post-it notes were those holding us back and consisted of things like fear of failure, not being good enough, nervous, judging, addiction, homesickness, and sin.  These post-its were placed on the door behind us.

The blue post-it notes were representative of the ideal trip and included such things as love, speaking openly, forgiveness, truth, being closer to God, faithful, and no more hiding.  These were placed on the wall in front of us so that we can look forward to where we want to be and leave the rest behind.

  

Another rehearsal took place after the post-it note activity with renewed energy and excitement to make this the best experience possible.  The choir is blessed to have a dynamic director and an accompanist that can play the tambourine with his left foot while playing piano.

We finished the evening by tie-dying our white t-shirts for this year.  Each family group was given their shirts and the tie-dying kits to see what they could create.  Not only did they have a blast, I'm anticipating some great looking shirts this year!

 

 

 

We then had a group meeting and discussed our highs and lows for the day.  Everyone seemed to be enthusiastic about the coming weeks and their time on Voices of Youth: Awakening the United Methodist Church to Mission!  We will learn a lot and build some great relationships along the way as we share Christ's light and love to the world.