Hello Hello Hello....

So I have now been in the Show Me State for 28 days, but whose counting?! When I first arrived I was shocked out of my mind and actually texted my mom, "Can I quit?!" This place wasn't what I pictured but after being here for 28 almost 29 days I'm really starting to like it here and the more I think.... I think I may be able to call this home for a year!

About three weeks ago I moved into the main house with the girls to be on 24 hour coverage. It's awesome to be able to be around the girls because it is easier to form relationships with them, however, you barely get time away and that can get draining. There are times when you want to cry because you hurt for the girls, there are times of great laughter and bonding with the girls, there are times where you have to be a stand-in parent and consequence the girls (I actually made up a rap for that and you can check it out at the end of the email), and there are times when you hurt and cry for yourself because you are tired and because you miss the ones you love at home. Love you guys!!!!

I have an awesome room of three girls, they are all so much fun and so different. I cannot use their names because of confidentiality. They are all on different levels - I have a level 5, 3 and 1 (I will explain this in a sec). We have had a lot of fun together. For our first room night we ordered a pizza and went to Point Lookout (which has a beautiful view of Branson) and talked for a few hours and left to get ice cream. It was really great. I also have a co-Big named Emily she is awesome and is getting married in 4 days. I love my room and my co-Big and I can't wait to get to know them more.

So far getting the know the Little's and getting to know the Bigs has been really smooth and exciting! However, I know that this is going to be a tough year sooooooo please please pray for me!!!

here is a little bit of our lingo:

Big - Fellow Leadtimer has the same position as me

Little - all the teens

Level 1 - This means they just got to the program and are 5ft restricted at ALL TIMES, cannot listen or sing any music, they cannot have conversations without a Big in them, they have to ask to go inside every building, they cannot contact home, etc.... etc....

Level 2 - 15ft restricted at ALL TIMES! Can listen approved music and contact home... everything else is the same as level 1

Level 3 - not foot restricted, can listen to approved music and doesn't need to have a Big in all conversations.... Everything else is the same as Level 2

Level 4 - not foot restricted can listen to approved music, can contact home through phone and email, everything else the same as Level 3.

Level 5 - Same as 4 but they are soon going to be graduating and heading home for good!

That's the levels in a nutshell, there really is a lot more to it

Before I go here is the rap: (it's to the Biggy Smalls Song Biggy Biggy Biggy, if you don't know it that's ok) I hope you get it!

Biggy Biggy Biggy can't you see?!

I'm just a Little don't consequence me...

Well let's chill out so before we loose our cool,

Pack your bags and head to school...

That's all for now... talk to you soon!

You all RULE!

For Pictures:
http://www.google.com/search?q=pictures+of+shelterwood+branson&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a