IWM Orientation in San Antonio, TX

Although it took a whole day to get me here because of flight delays and complications, I finally made it and have just finished my first week of orientation here in San Antonio, TX. It has been a great first week filled with lots of lectures, exploring, and bonding with the other missionaries. There are 9 of us total: 3 of us going to México, 3 going to Perú, 1 going to Guatemala, and 2 staying here in San Antonio. We're all from different parts of the U.S. and even Ireland! It's been great getting to know one another and learning about all of our differences that make us so unique. We are staying at the Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC). We've been waking up early each morning and beginning our days with a prayer that is led by a different missioner each day. Then we have our first lecture until lunch which is served at 12pm. We usually get a small break until our afternoon lecture that lasts until about 5pm when we start getting ready for dinner. After dinner, we have free time which we have been using to swim, go for walks, watch movies, and one night even went to see downtown San Antonio where we got to see the Alamo and eat dinner on the River Walk. We also got to go to a minor league baseball game over the weekend as well as see the movie, Mama Mia. It's been nice for us to get out and have some fun as our schedule has been packed with some pretty intense lectures.
It seems like I've been gone for much longer than a week and I just can't believe I'm only 2 weeks away from living in México! There isn't too much more to tell you right now, but I just wanted to get this blog started because many of the other missionaries have already started theirs and have convinced me to make one of my own as well. I do want to say, though, that I am so grateful for the amazing summer and even senior year that I had and for all of the wonderful memories that I am fortunate enough to have and to carry with me throughout this journey. Saying my goodbyes was definitely not easy but I truly feel blessed to have such incredible people in my life who love and support me in all that I do. I will never stop thanking you for that! I've taken you all with me in my heart and that's where you'll stay until the day I return. Much love always!! <3