I haven't taken any pictures (yet)

People keep telling me they want pictures of college life, and I PROMISE you will see some. At some point. Here's the thing you need to know about me, though. It's really weird, I don't know why I'm like this or how to overcome it, but I don't really put myself out there in social situations or make instant friends very easily. So yeah, I've met some awesome people and I'm excited to live with them in community for 4 years, but it's gonna take me a few weeks to get to know them and see them as a family. So until then I am just gonna chill and let things take their natural course.

College is weird...it hasn't hit me yet that I'm really here for good. I haven't even unpacked or organized stuff, but they've had us running around campus for the past two days so we have no time to do anything personal. I'm dead tired, too, and skipping some meals to sleep. Not that the cafeteria food is something we go flocking to with anticipation.

Trying to remember that God is faithful.

a new chapter

yeah

So here's the thing.

I know myself well enough (in some respects) to know that if I start typing in this blank box anytime within the time frame of August 30 and September 6, I will probably say something I would terribly regret. So...I'm just not going to put myself in that situation.

But here's the thing.

They say there are 3 major life changes (at least, for Westerners, and not all of them at that, but most). 1. Going to college. 2. Getting married. 3. Having children.

Number 1 is right around the corner for me. Literally. Number 2 I don't dream about and therefore have no plans for it anytime in the near future, and number 3...anyways. Point being, I am about to embark on one of my life's most major changes so far (if not ever?).

Packing up my room, the one I've had for 19 years, and probably never seeing some of this stuff again. Leaving the church I grew up in. Saying goodbye to friends that have changed my life in some way, shape, or form. Leaving when it's good.

But then they say that it's better to have it end when it's good and not when it's bad.

Also, it's easy to change from bad to good, but it is hard to change from good to better.

It's hard for a pessimist with a loathing for change who does not have the gift of faith to really take anything beneficial from that last statement, but I'll try.

Did anyone see Toy Story 3? The ending part, with Andy? Do you know what I'm getting at?

Ug. There is light at the end of the tunnel, right?

Yes, I know there is. This...this is yet another chance to put my trust in Him. He is Steadfast. He is my Rock. From Him I draw my strength.

Last night I went to a Bible study and they had us write out 3 or more goals, put them in addressed envelopes, and we can be expecting to see those again in about 3 months. Yet another reminder that I have things I've told myself I want to accomplish but am failing at. I told my friend, "I don't like making goals because I never keep them..."

Tonight I am going to get ready and curl up in bed with my book...I can't remember the last time I did that.

We had rain today!

Also, two pairs of jeans for $20 and 3 pairs of shorts for $10. I love sales. I love Goodwill.

My sister and my dad left a few days ago for Sarajevo...they will be gone for one month, doing some ministry stuff with missionaries there. I am pretty excited for them to be having this experience, even though I miss them! (especially my younger/bigger sis...)



Actually, I have only one more week of loneliness/rest. Then we get our two Chinese girls for the exchange program and I am assistant teaching with that program for it's 2-week duration! So every week day from 8-5 I am running around (actually, chasing around) a bunch of Chinese high school students! I am pretty excited, I think we will see God work in big ways in these kids' lives. Then they leave and the other half of my family returns...oh, and then mid-August Shannon (my sister-intern from Gabon!) is coming to visit for a few days. I am so excited to spend time with her. With someone who misses it like I do.

So like they say in Sarajevo, ciao!

Hope

-noun
:the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best
:a particular instance of this feeling: the hope of [returning to Africa]

-verb
:to cherish a desire with anticipation
:to expect with confidence

-God
Psalm 33:18--But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose
hope is in his unfailing love...

Psalm 39:7--But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in You.

Lamentations 3:21-26--
21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”

25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.



Hope is something I haven't really thought about. Or something I really understand. What do I put my hope in? Do I have hope? Do you?

I am not a prayer warrior.

But I want to be.

The only thing stopping me is laziness. Probably some other little things, but mostly laziness. Oh, and lack of faith.

I think I am just lazy with my thinking in general. Sometimes I have some really profound, awesome thoughts. But, at least for me, directing my mind to come up with such thoughts (or even just think through stuff in an orderly fashion) takes some work.

Is that what it's like for you?

Haha, just some random thoughts from ME. :)

New habits

They say it takes 30 days (give or take a few) to start a new habit. Summer has begun, and that entails chores, seeing friends, and sometimes nothing to do. In my 3 months here in Colorado I have decided to try and establish some habits into my daily routine.

Everyone has habits--I have many. Brushing my teeth, eating breakfast, checking my email...things I do every day, and if I don't do them, I notice the absence of these routines. So here are a few of the new habits I would like to introduce into my daily schedule:

-Walk before breakfast
-Bible study in the morning
-Journaling
-Tidying up my room

So if I do these four simple things everyday until the end of June then they should become habitual, right? Let's see if I can stick with it!