Big week!

It's Saturday night and I'm sitting in my room alone, enjoying the calm. There are fireworks going off outside my window and I can see them light up the sky but can't hear them, thankfully. I'm just in the quiet. The only sounds I can hear are the air conditioner next to my bed, the crunching of my chex mix, and the keys as I type this sentence..and the rest of this blog. It's nice and relaxing. I am thankful for these moments.

There are several other moments I am thankful for this past week. As I share with you these moments, picture them as if you were there. Some might make you laugh, others might be hard for you to read..but feel them with me.

In my last blog I shared about Jordan and Krystal's wedding and the weekend that I had in North Carolina for that. Sunday was a day filled with mixed emotions. I left Garrett, which was hard, but as I returned to, what is now family, I felt a sense of belonging. Everyone was waiting to take the project picture, and as I walked up, I just felt like I was home with my family. Over the course of the last 6 weeks, I've really learned to love the people here on project. There are my wonderful roommates, Sharon, Christy, and Emily who make me laugh all the time and bring so much joy to my life. Then there's my family group; Lauren, Kristin, Lexie, Anthony, and both Colins. We've had our rough times but God is teaching us to love through everything. Next is community team (some people overlap so I'll just name the ones I haven't named yet); Tessa, Travis, Jeremy, Shae, Rachel, Boston, Kyle, Samantha and Lindsey. We plan socials and fun activities. There's all the staff; Earle and Cara, Rich and Becky (who sadly had to go home early), Jan and John, Lindsey and Jeff, Samantha and Josh, Kyle, Stephanie, Audrey, Grayson, Katie, and Christi. That's not even everyone on project..but these people have become family. I love seeing their faces, and when staff leaves..I'm going to miss them, but I'm excited to start the journey on my own. Coming back from NC into this group of people was so refreshing and encouraging. As I gave hugs and did some catching up, I just felt like this is my home. The El Caribe may just be another hotel to you, but to me..it's home.

Monday was great. I got to sleep in and recover from the long weekend. I ran errands and hung out with Jeremy for a lot of the day. I think he's leaving project..which makes me extremely sad because he's probably my best friend here. It was good getting to talk with him though. He is a great encouragement here and I'm going to miss him.
That night we had project dinner and every project dinner we have a handful of Russians come and eat with us. Sometimes it's a little awkward because they really only just come for the free food (that we paid for)..but it's a great ministry opportunity. We have them in our territory. After dinner on Monday's we always have Family Night which is just like a large group meeting..and they usually leave before that. Well..not tonight. Monday night, the Russian students stayed for the meeting! They heard the gospel presented. (I think Earle catered a little bit more of his message to them than to us..which was great, but funny. "And after Jesus died, He rose again! That's how we know He's different from all other religions"...yes, Earle..we know that.) I got to stick around and talk to a few of them. They taught me a few words in Russian, and I just couldn't help but think..they think they've got it all. I wondered if they even realized they were in need of something more. I wonder if anyone without Jesus really understands that they're missing something. It really makes you live differently when you have that eternal focus. People aren't just people. Every person we come into contact with is a special creation of our Lord and Savior, and if we really love Jesus like we say we do, we'll love them just the same and our hearts will break over their "lostness." Think about it.

My next "moment" occurred on Wednesday and continued into Thursday. If you haven't already heard, Garrett got the job working at CNU..meaning he'll be in Newport News when I go back to school in the fall. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lord. My story starts on Wednesday night. I think I was more nervous than he was. I spent the whole night before just praying for Garrett to get the job, but also that the Lord's will would be enough for me..even if I didn't get what I wanted. We skyped that night and I prayed for him..and Garrett said that whether he got the job or not, he wanted God to still be worshiped above all else. That was hard for me because that was opening my hand and surrendering it to the Lord, knowing there was absolutely nothing I could do. I had trouble sleeping that night because I just had so much on my mind, but I knew it would all be ok because God was in control. Well, it came. I woke up that morning and just prayed that there would be no question in President Trible's mind whether or not to choose Garrett. As I prayed for the Lord's will, I just felt this overwhelming feeling of peace. I read scripture that, in any normal situation would have nothing to do with it, but I know God allowed me to read it on purpose. I got to work and still was thinking about it, but in a different way now. I knew God would take care of Garrett and do what's best. 9oclock rolled around, and I was praying like a mad woman. About an hour and a half later, I get a text message from Garrett telling me to call him when I get the chance..he was out of the interview. Let me tell you, I must have had blood going 1000 miles a minute because my heart was just pounding. I had an excuse to step out for a few minutes and when I called Garrett..he told me the news, and immediately, as if they were just waiting to be let out..the tears came. You know that feeling..when your face gets hot, your eyes get teary, and you just want to hug someone?? I can't express how I felt. I was in shock, but I knew God was leading him there so in a sense..I was like..well duh. We talked for a few more minutes, I got off the phone..and I saw two of the project guys who work with me. They must have thought I was crazy because I couldn't stop grinning from ear to ear. As I walked away, I thanked the Lord for His provision for Garrett. He will be starting July 26th. When I move back to Newport News in August, he'll be there to greet me. Thank you all for your prayers. I am so thankful. Our God is good.

I also would like to share something from that night that happened here on project. I won't go into much detail because it is a bit of a private matter..but I think it's something extremely interesting. Thursday nights here on project we always split up and have men's and women's time. This particular women's time we had two guest speakers come and share with us about their lives. They told us about their pasts and the mistakes they had made...two random women, laying bare in front of us in order to show us that we've all made mistakes and God will reward those who bring it to light. It was incredible. The night continued, and as we sat in the large circle listening to these women, they opened up the floor for us to share our "skeletons." One by one, the students in the room made themselves vulnerable and shared their deepest secrets..some for the first time ever. It was a healing night as well as a night meant for honesty. It feels good to be honest. It feels good to share your mistakes and have people come hug you afterward. That's how Thursday night was. Lots of hugging, lots of crying, and lots of loving. We are who we are. We've all messed up. We all look back on our pasts and put our heads down in shame. But God wants to use us BECAUSE of our failures. We were not created as perfect people. Once we accept the fact that we're all the same..we gain a better understanding of how to love.

I know this is long..but read these lyrics. Try listening as you read

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88xHIwd4CWM

Healing Begins by Tenth Avenue North

So you thought you had to keep this up
All the work that you do
So we think that you're good
And you can't believe it's not enough
All the walls you built up
Are just glass on the outside

So let 'em fall down
There's freedom waiting in the sound
When you let your walls fall to the ground
We're here now

This is where the healing begins, oh
This is where the healing starts
When you come to where you're broken within
The light meets the dark
The light meets the dark

Afraid to let your secrets out
Everything that you hide
Can come crashing through the door now
But too scared to face all your fear
So you hide but you find
That the shame won't disappear

So let it fall down
There's freedom waiting in the sound
When you let your walls fall to the ground
We're here now
We're here now, oh

This is where the healing begins, oh
This is where the healing starts
When you come to where you're broken within
The light meets the dark
The light meets the dark

Sparks will fly as grace collides
With the dark inside of us
So please don't fight
This coming light
Let this blood come cover us
His blood can cover us

This is where the healing begins, oh
This is where the healing starts
When you come to where you're broken within
The light meets the dark
The light meets the dark


What a picture of grace and forgiveness. Come to terms with your past. God has forgiven you..sometimes the hardest part is forgiving yourself.


Friday was a long day..but very good. I went to work and was going to visit Nana in Orlando right after I got off. I was still excited from all that had happened the day before, but I was tired. When I got to work, the Maintenance manager, Jimmy Thorpe, walked in as well. I talked to him for a little bit and asked him how he was doing. He's had kidney problems for a while and is getting a new kidney on Wednesday. Interested in knowing who's kidney he's receiving? His name is Doug. Doug Thorpe. He's Jimmy's son. What a picture of love and sacrifice. He is literally giving Jimmy a piece of himself. As Jimmy was telling me about the 6 hour procedure, I just prayed for him and his son. It just brought so much joy to my heart to hear about the love a son has for his father. Pray for them both with me as they undergo this procedure. Also, pray for boldness on my end that I would be able to tell Jimmy that I'm praying for him. I wanted to and I was so close to it, but the words seemed to just be stuck in my mouth! Ah!! Boldness!! The Spirit is within me!

After work I came back to my room, grabbed my stuff, and left for Orlando. Nana and I went to dinner and then watched a movie together. It was nice. We got to have girl talk and she told me about her childhood and about her parents. It was nice to hear her talk about those things. I've never really heard them before but I enjoyed listening to her just talk. I went to bed at a reasonable hour..thankfully..and got to sleep in! Woohoo!! We sat in her sunroom and talked until it was time for me to go. I was sad to leave already, but I'm thankful she lives so close that I can do that every so often. I'm really enjoying being close to her because I've never really had the chance to talk with her about anything real. I love her. Pray for her friend's son, though. He has some type of disease that put him in a coma, and although he's doing better..he's not in the clear yet. Thanks!

Well..I believe that is all. I got to catch up with Jenna this week which was nice. I miss my best friend..I can't wait to get back to school and have pillow talk!! :] Her sweet boyfriend wrote me a letter this week..what a good guy, it made my day. Also her momma's birthday was yesterday!! Happy birthday to you, Momma Wall! Nicoley and family are in PA right now with all their family for 4th of July. They're gonna have fun!! HER mom sent me delicious homemade treats!! Thanks Momma G..they're sooo good! :] Krystal and Jordan, I hope ya'll had an amazing time on your honeymoon! I'll be praying for the start of your new life together!! Mom and Pops..I love you both very much and I can't wait to give ya'll biiiiig hugs when I get home. You are such amazing parents and I am so thankful for you. Tell Colin I love him and am praying for him. And Gareypoo..I'm so happy you and can't wait to live like 10 minutes away from you! Yayy!

The end. Thanks for reading.