Maybe I should introduce myself? Since I’m new to this? I’m going to. Hi I’m Hailey Cook! I’m a Raleigh Fellow (crowd applauds) and I’m from the Texas area of the great state of Texas. Do with that what you will; use your imagination. (Austin and Houston. Your imagination is spot on.)
First month of Fellows down and the only way I can describe how I’m feeling is that I feel GOOD to be here and slightly homesick. I’ll always be homesick, I love and miss my family, but nonetheless, I’m rocking and rolling and there’s a lot of joy in all that I’m feeling. Leading up to this, the Lord gave me so much confirmation and comfort that Raleigh was it for me and I’m in adoration of what God can do with a human yes. My yes! It’s really sweet to see how He’s cared for me way before I knew Fellows was even on the table. Anyways, let’s get into how the first month has been.
I’m an introvert. And this whole program is about LIVING among community. When they say living, they’re like genuinely not joking. There’s seriously not one day of my week that I don’t see at least one fellow. And what a gift that is! But this past week I did hit my limit. It’s so lit that I know my limits, when to draw back, and not to push them because right now I’d probably be dragging along. And thank the Lord FOMO isn’t something I ever deal with. With that being said I literally only missed one hangout with the group, so I’m being dramatic but not being at that one hangout and washing laundry and cleaning my room changed my life.
Okay a few favorite things so far!
Birthday’s! Spending my birthday with the fellows, and my friend Madison who came to visit, was the best ever. And celebrating 3 other fellows’ birthdays was so sweet. People who have only known each other for under a month knowing how to celebrate each other is a super cool thing.
N2N. I love mentoring at Neighbor to Neighbor on Mondays! My kid I mentor, Aubrey, wants to be my best friend and obviously the feeling is mutual because she’s so fun. But we learn how to read and spell better on Mondays and it’s cherished time.
My job! I work in the Advancements office at St. David’s School, and it has been so fun and so fruitful. I get to work alongside 4 women who are so fun, and the work is all things I enjoy doing which is huge. And I work with a fellow! Bevi and I have gotten to carpool, eat lunch and catch up midday together which has been such a cool thing!
Host family. Getting to know, be with, and just the simplicity of eating meals together has been a huge win. The Miedema’s are truly the best. I feel an abundance of gratefulness for them opening their home for me to stay with them. Can’t really put it into words how awesome they’ve been.
Hot tubs. Only on three occasions this month have I been in a hot tub but all three were epic because hot tubs are epic.
Now a few favorite songs of the month! (very girly month for music. I love being a girl.)
Worth It. -RAYE (duh)
The Hardest Part- Olivia Dean (yes.)
Nobody’s Son- Sabrina Carpenter (like everyone else)
Don’t Balme Me- Taylor Swift (this always)
Angels Like You- Miley Cyrus (obviously)
Okay I think that’s it for now. Until next month!