Graduation, etc.

Relaxing salt water pool

Eating watermelon at the pool

My graduation celebration!

This past week was the first official week of Gateway training, starting with orientation on Saturday and Sunday.  It's like being in school again, which is unfortunate because I thought I just finished school.  Class starts at 8am every morning and ends at 5pm for dinner, with an hour for lunch in between.  They feed us well and often here, although the food isn't great.  Just preparing me for college dining I suppose!  There's a lot of information crammed into each class session so I think my brain is sort of on overload at this point.  Days are long and exhausting and I'm finding it harder to wake up every morning!
On Wednesday evening some girls all got to spend sometime at a leader's house in her awesome salt water pool!  It was so relaxing a nice break.
Every Thursday is the weekly trip to Walmart, which I'm finding is very needed!  I never once in my life thought I would be remotely excited to go to such a place, but I have noticed that there's a lot of little things I need or miss having so it was nice to pick some stuff up this past Thursday.
Thursday, the 16th, was FHS graduation back home and I wasn't able to be there for that, so on Friday everyone surprised me with a celebration!  I walked into class and there were balloons pinned to the whiteboard and on the walls and pillars, a "congratulations" banner hanging from the whiteboard, and roses, a certificate, and chocolates placed at my seat!  I was then made to stand in front of the class while a sash was placed on me.  Afterward one of the speakers had me pull my chair up to the front of the classroom and everyone gathered around and prayed for me.  It was very sweet and touching and made my day!
Yesterday night we all piled in the vans to go to a cook out at another leaders house, and that was so much fun!  It was just nice to spend time with everyone, the Gateway crew, leaders, and more in a casual environment.  While we were there I had another certificate and gifts from the leaders.  So sweet.
This morning we spent four hours at Tyler State Park to have quiet time.  It was very peaceful and the nature was beautiful.  Plans for this evening include going out to dinner (it's been so long) and a music venue with some girls.  Can't wait!