Week Two!!!

 Hello, Everyone! Hope your week has been wonderful! Mine sure has! Here is my week in pictures! 

<- Here is the view I have of Lake Minnetonka which is just a 10 minute walk from my host home. It's a lovely view to spend my quiet time (devotions). 
Classes this week have been amazing! I've been taking a bunch of notes and learning so much. This next week we will be learning a lot about the OT.
This week I learned a lot about myself. I took a Personality profile which helped me identify things about myself and learn a lot about my fellow classmates. Taking this "test" will allow our class to understand each other in deeper ways and work better together. I also found out my love languages which was primarily gifts and I think quality time. Been interesting!

My class is already proving to be amazing. They are so supportive and encouraging. 
Last weekend was a really fun weekend! On Saturday I got to go to a University of Minnesota Gopher's game with my host family! We had a lot of fun! It was my first professional football game outside of high school football! haha! I got some pretty great pictures! I loved though being able to see Minneapolis!
Then on Sunday after church we went to my host mom's family's farm with horses and I enjoyed watching my host sister's ride! Haha I had no desire to ride! I always forget how large horses are until I am standing beside them! hahaha

So this weekend was fun. Saturday was a relaxing day. I slept in, made two batches of banana bread, memorized Philippians 2:3-11 and then later made a yummy dinner for my host family. I also got to go to my host sister, Gabrielle's marching band concert. It was so cool! I have never been to one before. They played some awesome songs and it looked like so much fun! haha
We ended the night by hanging out around the campfire.
Today was my first internship at church. I was a greeter today. Held the front door open and shook lots of hands. Funny moment! I went to shake an older gentleman's hand and he came up to me and patted me on the head. I don't remember if he said anything but once he walked away I laughed so hard! I was greeting with fun older fellow named Jim. He has such a contagious smile and laugh. We laughed so hard for like 10 minutes, stifling it only to greet. It was a good time. 


After church, I had an intern meeting. Got home a little after 2 and pretty much went straight outside and sat on the back porch and read 4 chapters of our current book project, "Celebration of
Discipline." Learning so much about the various spiritual disciplines (praying, reading the word, fasting, solitude, and many more!)

(Can you find me? :) haha)

This last Friday ( I know, I'm skipping around dates, sorry!) my Kairos class completed our first 5K of the year. We will do a second in the Spring and hopefully each of us will have marked improvement. I am loving each one of these amazing people and am so thankful that God has put me here to do life with all of them! The staff is incredible as well! 

As always, continue to keep me in your prayers! I am down to only $1,430 left to raise! Praise Jesus!!!

If you'd like to donate anything, here is a link :
https://www.egsnetwork.com/gift2/?giftid=3C14F4E1-28B3-4FC4-8A37-F3611508F638

I am also needing help towards gas money for my carpool every month . If this is something you feel as if you could help with, anything is greatly appreciated! Though it is looking like $20 every 10 days. So around three times a month (unless there are vacations such as will be in Nov, Dec, and Jan.)

My address is :
Beka Kopenski
c/o Melissa Tripps
425 Walker Ave. N,
Wayzata, MN 55391



 Thank you all for your prayers and support! I would not be here today without you and Jesus :) 
It's only been two weeks and I've already been blessed beyond measure by my class and host home. 
This is going to be a truly amazing year!

<3 , 
Beka
बेका 

Week One!

 Week One is DONE! 
It has been an intense week here in Minnesota. SO much has happened, it is hard to actually figure out where to start. But I guess I will start with where I left off last week.
We left 3 pm on Friday and did not reach Minneapolis until around 11 pm Saturday night. We did stop over night in KY and stopped for every meal to give the car a rest.
It was not a bad drive at all. We were very blessed! Our worst trouble was Sat. night, reaching the nice hotel and finding out that our reservation did not make it from hotels.com to the actual hotel. Weird. So we had to stay at, in all honesty, a sketchy Super 8. Let's just say, it gave me some anxiety before bed time. But I can be overly paranoid too.
SUNDAY: The day I have been waiting for for over 10 months! Finally meeting my team and host family! It was a great day. I am so very very blessed beyond measure where God has put me. I love my neighborhood. Ya'll, it is truly beautiful. Tomorrow I plan on adventuring out to the lake that is only a couple blocks a way. Great way to get some exercise in and also get to know the area and spend some quiet time with God near His creation. And my host family, wonderful! A little about them : The Tripps. Three daughters, one dog and one cat. The girls are 17, 15, and 11. I am enjoying my time with them so much already!
MONDAY: Monday was a very early morning. I had to be to the office/school by like 7 am. I did not get any chances to unpack. We all met at the school (my class) and loaded up into two vans and drove around two hours to Camp Shamineau. It is a awesome camp. Located right on a lake. And actually really yummy food! We began our orientation for Kairos there. Began to get to know everyone by fun games and began learning how to work together as a team by some team building exercises. They were difficult but fun. The weather was absolutely amazing! We also did a high ropes course. This is where I will start getting 'deep' with you. So if you know me at all, you know I HATE heights. More like I am scared out of my mind when I am up super high. I get dizzy around 20 ft up (ya know, without harnesses or railings) So in the back of my mind I kept telling myself, "No, I am not doing any of these high ropes courses. They are too high up." Well, I had to get a harness and helmet, even if I wasn't going to do anything. So I took them, still thinking I wouldn't try. Well, long story short, I ended up zip lining for the first time ever. I screamed a little and closed my eyes for most of it. Pretty scary at first. But at the end, WOW was it fun! So I did it a second time. And didn't scream or shut my eyes.
After that, I was feeling pretty confident. And suddenly, the large tower for repelling didn't seem too bad. So, I climbed up to the top. And that's when I started realizing how huge of a mistake I was making. What was I thinking??? In all honesty, it probably took me 10 minutes to actually make it over the ledge. Yes, I was strapped in, no I was not going to fall. But wow was it terrifying. I finally made it over the ledge and began my descent, inch by inch. The ground never felt soo good! But I look back on it now and am so happy I did it. I stepped outside of my comfort zone (40 ft above it actually) I did something that scared me. I lived life. I didn't hide. I won't have regrets. (NO, I will not regret missing out on the other high ropes courses. My heart would have stopped. Just saying...)
Tuesday was more classes for orientation which we did a lot outside. It just felt blissful in that weather. To me, anyway.
WEDNESDAY: Was a short day. They let us sleep in and leave school later. I was finally able to unpack my room and get some laundry done. Or maybe just unpack. Days begin to blur together.

THURSDAY: We all went up to Taylor Falls, MN, right on the border of Wisconsin. Actually, we all went to a DQ in Wisconsin! One more state checked off my list ;) haha) We spent the day hiking to one area, having a teaching on a spiritual discipline and repeated the process. We hiked over four miles that day. A lot of it was uphill stairs. NO. FUN. My legs felt like they would give way until I stopped for five seconds and tried again. So we totally earned those DQ's!!



 But wow, can I just take a minute to stop and show you all the beauty of MN? The fall leaves were beautiful! The weather was fantastic! I have never been so surrounded by yellow leaves in my life!

The fall in MN is absolutely beautiful.

FRIDAY: We learned more on spiritual disciplines and practiced what we learned. Also had my first memorization test which I aced and will say again below!

2 Timothy 2:1-2
"You then my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others."

So Yah! It's been a long week. But it's been good! I'm working hard trying to pick up the accent haha
Next week begins the first week of the real stuff. It will have more of a routine which I am looking forward to.
So, some things that I have ahead of me.
-daily scripture reading and quiet time
-mandatory 3 sessions of cardio work outs and one strength training per week.
- two 5K's at the beginning then one at the end of Kairos. (Fitness is an important part of Kairos)
-small group meetings
-lots of memorization
-reading books and writing reports.
-classes
-bible studies

So yah! Keep me in your prayers!
-unspoken
- A dear supporter is currently very ill in the hospital and it is looking grim. Please keep her in your prayers.
- My small group, that we may bond in incredible ways this year. Chelsea, Casey, Breanna and myself.
-Down to $1,510 left to raise!
-Other finances such as gas and trip supplies

If you'd ever like to send me anything :

245 Walker Avenue, N.
Wayzata, MN 55391

Love you all! Thank you so much!

Beka
बेका

Packing,purple hair, see-you-later's, and lots of travel!

Hey, everyone! 

Tomorrow I set out on my next adventure! 

I've been packing and re-packing all week. 

We packed up the car tonight. 

                                                            

So, at the beginning of September, I promised that if I could raise $1,000 in one month, I would dye my hair a crazy color! I also added, if I could raise the last of my funds, my entire family would dye their hair.

Well, unfortunately, I did not finish but God was soo good! I raised a total of $2,534 in just one month and some odd days! WOW! 

So, I dyed my hair PURPLE! 



I really enjoyed the color change. I've never been one to do anything other than lightening my blonde hair. I could totally see myself doing this again in the future. haha!



And I DID go out in public. Dad and I had a nice date at Chili's. 

So I am now down to only $1,580 left to raise! 

PRAISE GOD!

These last two months have been incredible. God has been blowing my mind. The odds seemed impossible. The mountain was huge in January. 

It is just a small hill, now in October. 

My God is a MOUNTAIN MOVER!

PRAYER REQUESTS:

- Friday and Saturday will be long days full of see you later's and lots of travel. Pray for safety, and sounds minds as we make the 19 hr + drive to Minnesota.

- My family as the transition of me not being home hits them.

- For me as I transition to this new season of my life.

- For me and my host home, whom I am starting to know and cannot wait to meet on Sunday!

- That all financial needs will be met (the last $1580 and personal financial needs.)

- My grandparent as they continue on a long road trip to multiple states, back to GA and then home to NY, all after they take me to MN!

- All of the Kairos students as they continue to make their way to Minneapolis this weekend.

- Orientation will start on Monday. It will be a camping trip. Pray that my team will bond in incredible ways! Let our year start off amazing!!!

NEEDS:

I will be needing $10 a week for gas. I will be carpooling with another team member and will have to pay them for gas. If this is something you can help out with, once, twice or for the whole month (or any amount to go towards gas) let me know and I will make sure you know how you can get it to me : kandykat.410@gmail.com 

MAKE SURE that you have also "Joined this site" so I know you are there! Thank you all for your support and encouragement. I am so excited for you to be apart of this! 

Just a reminder!

Hey! Hope you all are doing well!

If you a receiving these email updates, thank you for joining my blog! I just wanted to remind you to not only "Follow by Email." But to also "Join this site" or let me know you are there! It just helps me know who I'm writing to when I post!
Joining the site is more just for my purposes of seeing who all is connected to my blog. Not much different than following by email. You won't get double the emails ;)

If you are one of these people, you have already joined this site! But if you are not on the list, then double check you did it right and join the site! And thanks!!!
Mickey C.
Kelly E.
Nikki. K
Liz F.
Lisa C
Chele R
Melissa M
Chelsea M
Chris M.
Jean K.
Deborah J.
Michelle C.


~Beka
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