Week 1 in Estes Park!

Well, I have been in Estes Park for a week now and it has been incredible! I’m not going to lie, there have been a few rough points along the way, but I feel like that is to be expected. All of the emotions hit me at once {of course, typical girl}as I was walking back to my room one afternoon. I began to think about all of the things I would miss; my friends bridal shower, Father’s day, Fourth of July, my sister’s birthday and about a million other things that came flooding to my mind. But at that exact instance, I looked up to the mountains and God gently reminded me, “You are here for a reason and you are exactly where you are supposed to be.” Wow. God sure knows how to comfort his children. My parents have also been an incredible support system for me this first week as I am getting adjusted to my job and continue to settle in Estes Park. Who knew I had such wise parents? {seriously they are the best!}

This week has been one learning experience after another. The first one being about my friends. I always knew I had incredible friends, but this week has made me even more aware of that fact. I’ve had friends wish me good luck on my first day, text me about what I’ve been up to, and even call just to chat about life {the service is terrible here so don’t take it personal if I never get your call or call back!}. It is incredible to know what supportive friends God has blessed me with. I don’t think they will ever fully understand how much their texts and calls have truly meant to me. Having friends that can rejoice with you is the best! Another learning experience that I’ve had is having to eating alone. When I typed that it makes it sound way worse and way more sad than it actually is. It is kind of nice to be at that point where I can sit alone and be content and secure. With that being said, I have met some incredible people here and don’t have to eat alone anymore, thank goodness! {although it is nice to know I can sit by myself and be fine, I would rather talk and eat with other people!} I’ve also learned not to underestimate myself. So many times I think, “There is no way I can do that,” or “I can’t accomplish that,” but God has reminded me that I can. I’m the worst when it comes to doubting myself, and God has already been working on my heart about not believing the lies.

While here at the Y, I’ve gotten to make quite a few friends from basically any state you could name. I have yet to meet a single person from Oklahoma! The people here are absolutely incredible and as sweet as can be. At night after we all get off work, we will play cards or watch a game or a movie that is on TV. My roommate Emily and I went hiking around Bear Lake and up to Alberta Falls last Thursday. It was an absolute blast. A majority of the trails were still covered in snow, so that made it interesting since I was wearing tennis shoes with no traction whatsoever. At one point my leg fell into about 3 feet of snow, but it was pretty comical. The view from the top was incredible and the hike up there wasn’t as difficult as I suspected it may be. However, the hike down was much more difficult. The hike down from the falls was more uphill then downhill {which I’m not sure how that worked}, and the altitude made my breathing sound like I had just ran a marathon or something. But we made it to the bottom and were laughing and talking the whole time! If this week is any indication of what the summer holds, I know it will be a summer I will never forget.