If there is one thing I learned on my first day of internship training, it's that walking into a room with over 100 people, late, is rather intimidating. Although, the fun filled day of introductions, games, as well as learning the mission and vision of Project Transformation, well made up for that. With college students from all over the country, there was a strong presence from Oklahoma, Kansas, California and the surrounding Dallas area. After hearing everyone's name, hometown, college of choice, and favorite book, I noticed that each team had around 19 interns on it, as well as a "site coordinator," who is there to guide and instruct interns throughout the summer. However, my team, the mountain biking team, consists of two people (including me!). I am certainly in for a different experience than the other interns this summer! As cautious as this made me, I have grown to accept the fact that I have a limited community to be involved in. This will, first, challenge me to step outside my comfort zone and get to know new people, without being on the same team as them. Also, seeing as there will only be two of us in charge of the 6-9th grade youth, the opportunity to step up and show off the true leader inside of me, will emerge.
During this first meeting of all of us, we learned about the official theme we will be based around, learning from, and teaching about this summer. The idea is called B.U.I.L.T., which stands for Built Up In Love Together. This idea was inspired by the game Jenga, which is composed of many blocks that, when organized together, create a tower. In honor of this theme, each of us was given a block from a life-sized Jenga game. We each wrote our name on this block, as well as the person we wanted to be throughout the course of the summer to ourselves, the other interns, and the children we will be serving. I wrote that I wanted to be the Dreamer. I have always believed in setting your dreams high and having a set of goals to work towards.
I have a lot of goals for myself this summer. Most important to me, I'm praying that all of my actions and work is used for the glory of God. I would also love to be able to climb out of this slump that I have felt myself in for the past month. My spirits haven't been where I'd like them to be, and I don't feel myself shining the way I usually do. I plan on spending a lot of time this summer on my personal devotional to God, so I can continue to grow in my faith and grow closer to who I'm meant to be. Third, I am hoping to find some time to continue my training for a half-marathon in the fall. I plan to make every minute of this summer count, live out my purpose for being in Dallas, serve the hand of my creator, and finally get my stride back.
For the next two months, I'll be living in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house on SMU's campus. The fraternity house is absolutely beautiful on the outside! And sooooo nice on the inside. It's in a fenced in little community with a basketball court out back, lawn chairs, a gazebo and the most decked out grill I've ever seen, I feel so privileged to have the opportunity to live in Greek Life housing, at least for a little while. And I'm hoping that since I won't have the opportunity to live in the Gamma Phi Beta house and Grand Valley, this will fulfill my desire to experience the big house living!
And for the many of you who have been asking me, here is my address until AUGUST 5th!! Please feel free to send me letters, pictures, little notes, bracelets, inspirational quotes, or anything really! Getting something in the mail would absolutely make my week! I love you all, and thanks so much for following me on this journey!
Kristen Singletary
c/o Project Transformation
547 E. Jefferson Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75023
