Colorado Leadership Training!

Hello friends!!

I honestly thought that I would be blogging a lot and updating people more but I haven't really been using technology too often! It's about to be week 5 here in Colorado and I can't believe how time is flying. After this week is over, I'm halfway through my leadership training and time here. Crazy. But anyways, I love it here! Hiking is always fun and challenging at this high altitude. I can definitely say that walking around here and hiking is helping me to get into shape and that when I go back home, running will be a piece of cake.

Work in the food service is going well. I just got promoted yesterday to supervisor! Also, I've met a lot of people from all of the world. I have made friends with people from Macedonia, France, Jamaica, Philippines, Thailand, China, Taiwan, Germany, Czech Republic, Turkey, and then a bunch of places in the states! It's fun learning about all of the cultures and learning languages. I've learned a few words in Thai, some Turkish, and Czech. It's awesome!

I've also been meeting a lot of people through the leadership training program and I have become so close with a few girls from Bowling Green State University! I'm so blessed to work with these girls because they are definitely a light to me and help me get through each work shift!

I enjoy meeting new people and getting to know their life. I've shared my testimony with people now about ten times and I've heard probably about 15 to 20 testimonies. It's amazing to see how God is working in people's lives. God has brought up a lot for me since I've been here. I'm now working on my relationship with my dad, I am working on giving up idolizing money, I am most definitely not seeking attention as I used to, and I'm really working on community and just being there for other people and listening to what they have without saying anything until they're done talking. It has been an emotional roller coaster and I can say I've been frustrated, happy, annoyed, sad, crying, and smiling these past few weeks but that's okay because I can see that God is growing me in ways I would've never imagined!

I've gone into town in Estes which is really fun and the other day I went down the mountains into Loveland for a bit and got to visit this really awesome coffee shop called "Coffee Tree" and just hangout with my girl, Lacy who is one of the girls that goes to BGSU and who I've grown to love so much!

The scenery here is just breathtaking. Even though I'm surrounded by mountains 24/7 and see them all day, every day, I always am blown away by how beautiful God's creation is! The streams and rivers and so clear and really peaceful to sit by and just listen to. I hope to go white water rafting, horseback riding, and on as many hikes as possible before I leave! I've been playing a lot of mini-golf lately since they have a course right on the YMCA property and it's free. Ohio State is having a huge tournament and I made it to round two but today I unfortunately lost to a great friend. However, it was really fun and I set my personal best score so it was still a win for both of us in my book.

I am in love with this place, although I do miss my friends and family at home and I miss the Columbus city life. I am excited to see what God has in store for me the rest of the time that I'm here. I know I definitely have already been overwhelmed by what he's showing me and I can't imagine what else He could possibly grow me in but I know there's plenty more to come.

I'm about to go hike Bible Point mountain and spend some time with God when I get up there! Have a wonderful rest of you day everyone and thanks for reading!! :)

~Alissa