I've been reflecting and processing a lot today. Before the end of the week, our school leaders will be meeting with each of us students to process some and discuss what we'll be doing next etc. I met with Leah (obviously, one of the school leaders) today and had a chance to think back a bit about the things I've learned and why God brought me here on this journey. At first, it was a bit hard to know where to begin, but then I just started babbling and often times I didn't even know if I answered her specific questions, but it was just so great to process some things.
It's really interesting to see how God puts different people in your life at different moments, but for really specific things. I actually didn't have a whole lot of time during this DTS to really get to know Leah, but I told her today that she just had this presence that brought peace to me... or a sense of stability of some kind. For some reason, she also reminded me of my sister... but I can't exactly say how... it was just that comfortable feeling like you're in the presence of someone you can trust.
One thing that I really gleaned from lectures tonight is that it is wise to be discerning of who and when to tell things to.... that verse about not casting your pearls to swine was mentioned. I tend to want to share everything with everyone, but then in the midst of all that I realize that not everything is meant to be shared with just anyone.
The last thing I want to share with you is the verse that I have on my header bar... Psalm 37:4.... the first line I got was actually verse 3 which says "Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture." and then the verses later go on to say things about how when you commit yourself to the Lord and trust in Him, he will make your righteousness shine like the dawn... etc.
I just thought it would be interesting to read the rest of the verse to see how it might apply to me coming back home. It was interesting that the beginning of the verse that I didn't originally write spoke about dwelling in the land and enjoying safe pasture. That really did happen here, there is a certain safety here away from the reality of home and real life responsibility and issues. I wouldn't want it forever, but it is a time of intensity where you need the shelter. I've realized today that there are things that I haven't had to deal with at home, that I'm not really looking at with enthusiasm. I don't want to get into the details, but I just know that this whole passage of Psalm 37 really applies well to the things I have encountered, and the things I am about to go into coming back.
4.22.2008
4.20.2008
Oh, Minneapolis... here I soon come....
Where to begin... or end for that matter.
I have just one more week of this Aussie-land/YWAM adventure that God has taken me on. The feelings are very mixed at the moment as I'm sure you could imagine. I miss many things about home, the conveniences, my own room and queen bed, less expensive food, food whenever I want it instead of scheduled meal times, Chipotle, Guacamole and Tostitos, Pita Chips and Hummus, Campbell's Thick and Chunky Soups, Oreos that don't cost an arm and a leg, Cookie Nook Cookies ;), a shower that a few ppl use instead of 20 girls, ranch dressing, not paying extra for more sauce at restaurants, Caribou Caramel Coolers, Dunn Bros., Sebastian Joes, and so much more. AND of course, I miss all of my lovely friends and family.
My parents came into town last tuesday and will be here until I leave. It has been good to see them and travel a little bit the last few days. I have to admit though, it's strange to have them here in my life as I've known it for six months, a life that they have never experienced with me. It's really surreal because I flip back and forth between thinking so much of home while I'm with them, and then coming back to base remembering that I'm still here and want to spend as much time as I can with these friends I may never see again. Mom and Dad are really good about it, and they are actually on their way to Sydney as we speak... in a rental car, driving on the "wrong" side of the road.
We went to Byron Bay yesterday in the rental car, and boy was that an experience! Dad did really well, but I guess the roads here are a bit more narrow than at home AND the car needed an alignment job. Mom kept having to tell him he was too far to the left.
The time in Byron was nice, except it was rainy all day and we had to alter our plans a little bit to accommodate for the weather. In hindsight, it probably would have been better to stay overnight there, but there was one last performance of the musicians back at the base in the evening that I wanted to see.
No use worrying about it now.. while in Byron, we decided to first eat lunch and following that we shopped a bit, and grabbed some ice cream. Eventually the rain stopped enough for me to show them where I was baptized. We then went up to the lighthouse and looked around for a short bit until we could see a huge wall of rain coming toward us.
I will be writing more later... atleast that is the plan. But, it's very possible that it doesn't happen, unless I have any sleepless nights. We shall see...
I have just one more week of this Aussie-land/YWAM adventure that God has taken me on. The feelings are very mixed at the moment as I'm sure you could imagine. I miss many things about home, the conveniences, my own room and queen bed, less expensive food, food whenever I want it instead of scheduled meal times, Chipotle, Guacamole and Tostitos, Pita Chips and Hummus, Campbell's Thick and Chunky Soups, Oreos that don't cost an arm and a leg, Cookie Nook Cookies ;), a shower that a few ppl use instead of 20 girls, ranch dressing, not paying extra for more sauce at restaurants, Caribou Caramel Coolers, Dunn Bros., Sebastian Joes, and so much more. AND of course, I miss all of my lovely friends and family.
My parents came into town last tuesday and will be here until I leave. It has been good to see them and travel a little bit the last few days. I have to admit though, it's strange to have them here in my life as I've known it for six months, a life that they have never experienced with me. It's really surreal because I flip back and forth between thinking so much of home while I'm with them, and then coming back to base remembering that I'm still here and want to spend as much time as I can with these friends I may never see again. Mom and Dad are really good about it, and they are actually on their way to Sydney as we speak... in a rental car, driving on the "wrong" side of the road.
We went to Byron Bay yesterday in the rental car, and boy was that an experience! Dad did really well, but I guess the roads here are a bit more narrow than at home AND the car needed an alignment job. Mom kept having to tell him he was too far to the left.
The time in Byron was nice, except it was rainy all day and we had to alter our plans a little bit to accommodate for the weather. In hindsight, it probably would have been better to stay overnight there, but there was one last performance of the musicians back at the base in the evening that I wanted to see.
No use worrying about it now.. while in Byron, we decided to first eat lunch and following that we shopped a bit, and grabbed some ice cream. Eventually the rain stopped enough for me to show them where I was baptized. We then went up to the lighthouse and looked around for a short bit until we could see a huge wall of rain coming toward us.
I will be writing more later... atleast that is the plan. But, it's very possible that it doesn't happen, unless I have any sleepless nights. We shall see...
4.16.2008
Without further Adieu
Hello my faithful blog readers. I apologize for the long delay in updates, the last couple weeks and a half have been filled with many things, not to mention the internet in Hervey Bay was WAY expensive. I couldn't be bothered by writing much while I was there, it took enough time just catching up with emails the two times I checked (over a two week period).
We got back this past sunday, but I haven't updated because it seems like a daunting task... until today... when I looked at my fellow DTSers blog, Laura, who wrote up a WONDERFUL overview of what we did the last two weeks. So, if you happen to read this before I tell you, thanks Laura... you are a great writer and I also couldn't be bothered by writing all that you did so well!
Here's what she wrote... and then maybe I'll elaborate on some things in further posts!
Okay, so for some reason, Safari won't cut and paste text in this box for some dumb reason. Here is a link to the blog instead:
Cheers!
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