Major Update

I sincerely apologize for my lack of blogging. Wow, I do not even know where to start. I have been here for a few weeks but it feels like so much longer. I wrote a blog on the 16th and never posted it so I will post it now.

August 16, 2009
Hello all,
Wow, what can I say. These past few days have stretched me in ways I wasn’t sure were possible. I have been waking up at 5:30am each morning because we work out for an hour. My body hurts. I don’t remember the last time I ran so much. 1.2 miles today. That’s like 2km. I do not like running so this has proven to be very stretching. I am taking it a day at a time. And when I work out, a minute at a time. It is hot here. I am pretty excited about winter. I don’t know about you but I don’t particularly enjoy having a red sweaty face and getting drenched in sweat everyday when I go outside and walk to another building for the majority of the year.
I have been meeting so many new people and I love it. I especially love connecting with all the CCMers. I just know that we are going to have such a great time. We have been eating meals together (first and second years). My roomies are pretty cool too. There’s Shannon from Minnesota, Anna from California, and Danielle from Florida. We also have small groups (known as CORE here). There are girls from New Mexico, Alaska, Ohio, Washington, and Florida. It’s been so much fun connecting with them. Everyone in my core but two are in CCM and the others are in the Honor Academy (different program).
I was talking with a roommate about the churches in the area and she mentioned that Eisley leads worship at a church nearby so me and another roommate are going. Two of my roommates have cars. Answered prayers. Now I’m working on the whole Skillet thing. I’m also getting my roommates addicted to twitter. I’m such a great influence : ). I was told by a girl in my core that some people (inc. CCMers) have been going to Cleetus Adrian’s church lately. If you know me you will know that I LOVE hearing Cleetus speak and everything he’s about.
Not much else to tell. Keep me in your prayers. Waking up at 5:30am for the next six weeks won’t be the easiest thing I have ever done. Nor did I expect it to be. I usually like to sleep more than six hours a night but I guess this is called discipline. It’s funny how God answers prayers. I could complain but I asked for it in a way.
Peace.
Joelle

Just to talk about that a little. I have gone to Eisley's church twice now and I like it a lot. I had the opportunity to go to Cleetus Adrian's church today but I had to work. But I'll hopefully be able to go within the next few weeks. I also have another roommate Kristen who is from Virginia I believe. She's awesome.
Next blog is from August 27.
I write this from the studio. We are about to start shooting a few scenes for the play for Aquire the Fire. ATF is a huge event that travels to cities throughout North America each weekend from October through May. There are bands and speakers and thousands of teens that go. Ron Luce is the primary speaker at these events. He is also the founder of ATF which actually comes from Teen Mania Ministries which has the Honor Academy, School of Worship, and the Center for Creative Media (which I am a part of). They usually have around 400 interns throughout the year. Anyways, wow where do I begin. I have been here for two weeks. But if you have been to Teen Mania you will know that each day feels like one week, especially at the beginning. Anyways, as far as what I have been doing. At the morning everyone on campus all 400 or so wake up at 4:30am and work out from 5-6am. I have been running 1-2 miles each day. Making my body my slave. It has been wonderful. Okay maybe I’m being a little sarcastic but I think discipline is essential and I did not have much of that before coming here. Good night.
I would love to receive letters from you.
My address is
Joelle Kool
Teen Mania
CPO# 682
PO Box 2010
Garden Valley, Texas 75771

And the blog for today is as follows:
August 30, 09
Last night we were told of a beach shoot, which ended up getting us (the new CCMers) being bombarded by water balloons. 2nd years and staff then lead us blindfolded across campus and to the back of the caf by the pool where we would be having a barbecue (I had been waiting so long for one!) and a pool party (the slides got turned on!). It was so much fun. You really do realize how much of a family you become. I’ve only been here a few weeks but I feel close to so many people. One thing I really don’t understand is why I always end up getting cake all over my face at these events. It’s like my face is a magnet for it. In other news, yesterday I was a Production Assistant for a shoot. Yesterday I also became an Assistant Producer for one of the staff here. I guess it’s a pretty big deal. I’ve gotten some congratulations by 2nd year interns and been told this rarely happens to new interns. So I am feeling pretty blessed right now. Great opportunity. I am exhausted right now. I have worked a seven day week. About 70 hours for sure. I am doing laundry and all of the driers are full. So much for getting to bed soon…

EDIT: Some of the driers were open the whole time but I didn't know because the light was one. I just wasted precious sleeping minutes.