Promotion?!

I have officilaly finished my first week of work here. On my official first day of work (meaning when I was finally working independently without shadowing someone), my Team Leader (aka TL or supervisor) for the day approached me and told me that my rooms were perfect and that I had to go talk to the manager after work because I "needed" to apply forone of the3 open TL positions. I thought to myself, "excuse me, are you aware that this is my first day of work?" TL interviews had been going on for the past 2 weeks before I arrived (and there are plenty of other good, hardworking housekeepers that have been here since the beginning of the season in May), and he was telling me to go apply for this position? I was flattered and quite surprised, but I decided to apply. The interview went well enough.

On my second day of work I learned that I got the job as "Relief TL", meaning I am a substitute TL for resident TLs on their days off. This means that I will get a raise, more responsibility, and management experience for resume. This is a blessing. I am excited, but I hope that I will be able to do the job effectively, because it will be a bit more demanding than cleaning toilets and making beds.

On my third day of work (today) I was assigned a trainee (remember this is within the same week that I finished my own training), thus receiving a higher hourly pay for the day. Apparently I am good at cleaning up other people's hair, poop, pee, garbage, and trash. But I feel it is necessary to mention that all this week the verse that has been in my head (especially before I got the promotion) is Colossians: 3:23 - Whatever you do do heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. SO put that in your cake and eat it.

Although my work life has been rather eventful, thankfully my life here consists are far more adventure and excitement such as meeting new people on a daily basis, going on fishing trips (which is bittersweet because I dont have my fishing pole with me), hiking, and just hanging out. Earlier this week I went on a sunset hike to Storm Point, by the North of Lake Yellowstone. The view from the rocks overlooking the lake was real purdy. I would put pictures up, but the internet connection here is slow as molasses, so maybe I will give it a whirl someday when I am feeling patient and bored.

Tomorrow is Sunday which means I will be going up to North Lake again for their ACMNP church services, because we cannot start our services here at Grant until the end of this month, due to Grizzlies that are feeding on berries in the campgrounds here. Speaking of grizzlies, I saw my first one the other day. It was running across the road. It was quite chubby and jiggly. That same night I got caught in a traffic jam caused by bison, which is a common occurrence in these parts.

I will try to keep this updated more often, but until then, toodles.
Katie

romping time

Hi Friends!

So as many of you know, i am spending my summer volunteering with A Christian Ministry in the National Parks (ACMNP)in Yellowstone National Park. I have a day job as a room attendant in a lodge (housekeeping), and on the weekends we host several church services for visitors in the park. Throughout the week we get to hang out with other workers in the park (hiking, playing games, eating meals together) to get to know them and try to be a light.

I arrived June 3rd, and I have about finished my training for my job. It's hard work, but good paying. I'm also meeting a lot of awesome, beautiful people, which is awesome because I love people.

I am working and living in south Yellowstone at Grant Village. Because there are grizzly bears that are feeding in the campgrounds at this location, we cannot start our church services here until after June 21, so today we went up to another location in the park for their services, and I got to meet and hang out with a lovely group of ACMNP volunteers. After church some of the guys went fishing, and me and some of the girls made a video in the woods and then I climbed a bunch of trees, threw things, and played in a creek. It was... good.

It has pretty much been raining nonstop (not even exaggerating) since I arrived here, but even so everything is so beautiful. The snow-capped mountains, the creeks, the lakes, and the animals (so far I have seen a lot of Elk and Bison, and some sheep, and especially the trees. I can hardly wait to see everything when the sky is blue and the sun is shining because it will be all the more beautiful.

Tomorrow I am going on my first hike here to Beaver Pond in the north of the park and to Bunsen Peak. I am hoping to see some more animals (grizzlies, birds, and maybe a moose?!). it'll be adventurous :)