God is in the rain...

I just ran around outside in the rain for almost an hour.
I'm completely dripping wet.
And my entire body is numb.

And this time I was alone.
Not a single kiss was stolen in the moonlight.

It was wonderful.

And who would've thought I'd be so impacted by
a quote from V for Vendetta (which I haven't even seen):
"God is in the rain..."

God is in the rain...

The rain is needed for things to bloom and grow.
To add color and beauty to an otherwise lifeless landscape.
To bring life to seeds that must die first in order to
become something unpredictable.

It cleanses. When water rushes against rocks it's purified.

I accept the rain.
The truth will set me free...

God's strength is tailor-made for weakness...

...We are never stronger than when we admit we are weak.

Sown in dishonor,
raised in glory;
sown in weakness,
raised in power.
1 Corinthians 15:43

I woke up this morning to the sunlight spilling through the window...
I forgot who I was for a little while. I'm not sure how or when it happened.
But God rescued me from darkness. He gave me intuition when I was being naive...
there were so many things I didn't see, but I'm glad I see them now rather than later.
I can handle emotional harm.

I think the sunlight was a promise.
It's still there even when it's cloudy and the rain is falling for weeks on end.
It shines just as radiant as always, even behind the clouds.

Love still exists no matter how much it's misused.
No matter how much it hides from me.

God's still there working out the details.
No matter how deafening His silence may be.
No matter how little of His work I see now.

And I can be as cautious as I'm humanly capable of being,
but I'm entering a season of re-discovering myself;
re-discovering God,
and who I am in Him alone.

I'm re-entering a season of freedom.


"When I feel afraid,
And think I've lost my way,
Still, you're there right beside me.
Nothing will I fear
As long as you are near;
Please be near me to the end..."

Super Quick Update!

Mexico was absolutely amazing! I didn't even want to come back. I think I may study Spanish with some friends of mine...it's always good to know more than one language. I'd be like..tri-lingual!

In other news...6 weeks of school left.
Then 3 weeks of tour.
Then second session Summer classes.
Also, I'm taking a semester or two off of school to work.
It's way too expensive...and I could use the space to breath.
Ellie and I are looking at apartments...
The more I think about it, the more excited I get!

God can still use me even if I'm not following society's formula.
It doesn't mean I failed.
It simply means that my path is the road less traveled.

And I'm hoping to get a job at hobby lobby..the hours are absolutely perfect. And they're looking for people to teach classes!

Buenos Dias!

Mid-terms are FINALLY over with, and I'm leaving for Guadalajara, Mexico tomorrow! So excited!!

Quick update!

So I've had the flu for a week and a half. I'm finally getting over it but now my poor roomie has it! Although she's moving through it a lot quicker than i did.

Also, I got a call back for the second round of interviews for RA. I'm so glad...I was sick during my first interview so I didn't really function as I would've liked. But hey, I get a second chance! :)

Mexico is in two weeks! I'm almost there, just about $180 more dollars to raise!

Aaand that's about it. :)

Ice Day!

Classes are canceled!!! Praise God!!!!

Florida

The Leadership Conference in Tallahassee, Florida was quite an experience. It was such an honor and privilege to be chosen to go on this trip. There were 15 students at the conference total, most of which were graduates. The rest of the attendees were doctors, directors, etc. In a setting with those statistics it would be very easy to feel out of place, but honestly, I felt like we really had a voice there. Some of them were actually amazed that there were students attending the conference simply for the experience!

The theme was learning how to address Hot Topics on College campuses. It was so interesting looking at it from a Christian perspective. I gained so much appreciation for Evangel, the fact that we have so much freedom in a shared belief that sets a unity between those on our campus. I explained this to some directors at other, secular colleges and they actually considered it a healthy environment.

But something they really emphasized in some of the sessions I attended was the importance of listening. Something I've really began feeling passionate about this year is making sure that everyone's voice is heard and considered. I've been in several group settings where ideas are shoved off, or even people are left out all together and I know that it isn't necessary for that to take place. I was glad that this was brought to attention at this conference.

Overall it was an enjoyable trip. The last day we just enjoyed ourselves (and each other!) until we had to go to the airport. I honestly think I'm going to take these things I've gathered and apply them to the leadership roles I find myself in. Whether it's a title I have, or if it's simply asking myself, "What can I do to help this situation?"