PSL is officially off the ground. On Thursday, Jen Den and I had a great overnight together in Chattanooga, TN before heading over to the AIM office in Gainesville, GA. Being back together with her felt like life on the race, except I’d look over at her sleeping in her huge, comfy, double bed in a nice hotel, with a suitcase and wardrobe laying out that I’d never seen before. Quite disorienting, but amazingly familiar and comfortable… got to Gainesville safely and it was a different, refreshing reunion with a dozen of my H Squad family. I remember in Oct 08, greeting the same dozen (and more) H Squaders in the same place, but feeling completely unsure, uncomfortable, unfamiliar, and like I was back in school, trying to make a good impression. Well, it’s such a freeing feeling knowing that these ppl know the real Chiu and there’s no need to pretend to be better, ha! The embraces were genuine and the excitement to be in each other’s company felt reaaaaal good.
So our first afternoon was spent just being covered in prayer by the leaders, being broken up into triads based on what type of ministry tugged at our hearts (I’m in a triad with Benny and Steph Tyrna relating to sex trafficking), and popping over to the OTHER AIM office we didn’t know existed, the place we’ll hold our daily classes, to set up some stuff… in the evening, we finally met the Hyltons – a generous and beautiful family of 5 whose hosting us these next two weeks in their mansion on a lake – fitting name, hehe. Seriously, we’re ridiculously blessed.. they have a cabin that sleeps 5 if you walk past the pool and hot tub. I knew I’d be there when I heard that an option was the cabin.. even before I’d seen it. It could’ve been an unfinished shack and i’d be there cuz I love cabins and space.. The other girls get a huge basement all to themselves, and Benny gets his own space (he’ll need it, as glad as he is to see us gals). Going thru the house is like stepping into a catalog – there’s a game room, a theater room upstairs (where I’m currently sprawled on the couch watching football on the huge screen), one of the kids has a tunnel leading into his room, and the entire back section of the house is floor to ceiling glass… it’s hard to describe but I’ll take some pictures soon. They even have 7 goats, an alpacea (?), and a horse – can’t wait to visit those furry friends. We had a great first night settling in with food and games and meeting some of the other coaches. The Hyltons have provided everything – fresh linens, new comforters and pillows, towels, shampoo, etc. THANK YOU ahead of time to a family who is blessing us with their blessings.
Today was our first day of class with Seth and a lot was said.. we learned more about the assimilation phase, and how the WR initiated us, where to go from here, and how to find our voice… more on these things another time. Schedule looks busy and packed but with enough time for community fun and fellowship, morning worship and devos, and practical stuff in b/w. We’re all assigned duties and I think it’s kinda funny that Benny and I are in charge of transportation (arranging rides so everyone gets to their destination) cuz we’re the late risers (I’ll speak for myself, maybe Benny is actually waking up for breakfast) and I’m the one running out trying to make sure I have a car to ride in, haha. As I grabbed my backpack and flew out the door at 7:30, I really thought I was tryin to catch the bus – nostalgic middle and high school memories… ahh. I still have my teammates handing me breakfast on the run. Some things don’t change. Altho PSL is serious – we have book reports, daily blogging (so stay tuned please) and more.
So I’ve mentioned Benny and Jen Den – that only leaves Mel to mention. She’s here too, making it almost a complete Luminous reunion. Hoogs, know that you’re sorely missed here, but you’ve got yourself a nice villa in Spain, so we’re even. It’s great to be with the team again, but a bit weird not having de-briefs and team meetings…. and those backpacks!
Today during worship, I had a thought… I looove fires.. I don’t start them or set them up (that’s Benny’s other unofficial job and what he did on the WR for us) but I could stand or sit in front of them all night until the last flame flickers out… and of course, the Hyltons have a fire pit, so I stood out there last night for quite a while.. I walked away with the heavy scent of smoke and ash all over me… I went to bed smelling like an ashtray and woke up catching the whiff of smoke that had infiltrated my hair and clothes… it wasn’t a bad smell cuz it reminded me of the fire, which makes me happy.. but it stays on ya.. it lingered throughout class and the rest of the day. My thought was – I want that to be the smell of the Spirit.. I want His scent on me – under my skin, through my pores, coming off my clothes.. that a whiff is all I’d need to recognize Him.
k, time to scratch Benny’s hair – I can’t believe I get to again!! He just cracked another original stupid funny joke/comment. I can’t believe I get to hear that again!! Life is good. Altho I’m pretty sure his hair feels different… not sure how, but it is..
