The time has come! I’ve officially started my year as a Young Adult Volunteer in Denver, and I’m already 2 weeks in. These past few weeks have been wild, so let me fill you in.
On August 20, I flew to NYC for a week of orientation with everyone in the YAV Program at Stony Point Center in Stony Point, NY. I was with people from all over the country who had committed to volunteering for the next year in all their different locations. We had engaging bible studies, intentional anti-racism training, small groups where we could process everything we were hearing with new friends, learned more about the program and our year ahead, worship with music from across the world, and made new friendships that I will value for a very long time. I even met another girl named Sarah Grace!
I was terrified stepping off that plane in NY, but the Lord immediately put me at ease with easy friends in the airport (even when my bag broke), and with moving worship every day. It was a week of dis-orientation, seeing God’s hand already guiding my heart and mind, and making friends I’ve already loved keeping in touch with.
Then on August 27, the day that I had been waiting on for months finally arrived…
I MOVED TO DENVER!!
Our site coordinator Heather picked us up from the airport, took us to our cute little duplex (pictured above), went grocery shopping with our first monthly food stipend, and ate dinner at our new home with the board members here in Denver.
This first week we have explored our neighborhood (Lincoln Park/La Alma neighborhood), learned about Colorado and Chicano history, toured our job placements, went on a gentrification walking tour, and took public transit everywhere. This weekend though, we were invited to go on Central Presbyterian Church’s all-church retreat in the mountains. It was so relaxing after a week of walking everywhere and having a packed schedule. They embraced my roommates and I, even though we had never even attended their church before! It was a beautiful sign of God’s love, and how communal the Presbyterian Church is too.
These past 2 weeks have been crazy, and tomorrow marks my first week of living in Denver. I can’t believe I’m finally here, and it doesn’t feel real that I’m here and start work on Tuesday. This blog post was more informational since I just started this journey, but I am excited to keep everyone updated on stories and people I encounter through the year.
Thank you for your support and prayers this year, they are welcome and so so appreciated! Let me know if you ever have any questions about my year or the YAV program, want my mailing address (I love mail!!), or just want to catch up.
Until next time,
Love, Sarah 🙂
Rev. Sarah Dixon 