Day Three at CLI

Sunday 5.28.09

Woke up late but early today, in enough time that I had a nice length shower. Morning prayer went alright, we definately could have done better. Breakfast was of the most bland scrambled eggs with just as bland home fries and not so bland saucages.
Warm up was to do the cha cha slide, fun stuff. Can you tell I'm rushing and exhausted?
First two workshops were of ... For one of them we did an activity where we had to stand on eiter side of the room or somewhere in between, one side representing strong agreement and the other representing strong disagreement. We were read statements ranging from "it's okay to drink" and "I believe in God" to "Jesus loves all gays". I was completely honest, even when I was not in the same place as my friends.
Lunch was chicken ceasar salad.
The break between lunch and afternoon workshop was great. A guy named Nick who is a piano GENIUS was playing some epic stuff on the big ol' piano at the villa. When he left I played a bit then joined my community buddies for the hoedown throwdown.
Afternoon workshop was about group dynamics and we got to do one of those sick puzzles where you have to figure out who is where and likes what etc. With just a few vague clues. We also watched a couple chunks of Oceans 11 and categorized which steps in group planning they where in.
For break I just read and thought and texted. I love Clary, just putting that out there.
Dinner was hamburgers and hot dogs with a western themed setup.
My group was paired with group 5 to plan out this evenings Social. Our theme was game night so we decided on a scavenger hunt which was fun but all too difficult to keep under control. In this group though I found my three best friends here at CLI; Audrey who is the stained teeth girl, she's so sweet and innocent, she shows me how to just forget the little stuff and feel good. Kevin is the man. He may look like a long haired creeper stoner bad ass on the outside, but he is really a big sweetheart with a good sense of humor who loves hugs. And probably most important, Zoë, who helped me feel comfortable in my own skin so I would no longer have to be the quiet kid in the corner. She doesn't even know she did it but she has had the biggest effect on me here, aside from all the workshops by the team. And lucky for me, she knows Megan Barry, who is gonna set up a sleepover between the three of us.
Tonight's literagy was less dragged out but just as fulfilling as last night's.
Lastly, night time prayer was amazing. We were handed candles and at the end of the prayers we were asked to write a reflection in our journals. I wrote about how this trip has affected me, how I have such a strong relationship with God, and belief in Him than I ever thought I would. I wrote of Arthur, my mom and chloe, my family as my friends both old and new such as Audrey, Kevin and especially Zoë and what they've done for me. I prayed for them all and silently thanked them through my scripted prayer.
I love this place.

I think I like today
I think it's good
It's something I can't get my head around

Me [left] and Kevin [right]

Me [left] and Zoë [right]

Zoë [left] and Kevin [right]