His Strength

Liberty is a busy place. No doubt. God is at work and that is awesome! But sometimes all you need is a good breakdown in the middle of the Rot and some amazing beyond amazing friends to be the support in the times of stress and challenges. Lots of people who read this blog, already know about my crazy day, but for those back at home I'll explain a little. Upon arriving at LU I haven't had barely any free time. As an SLD I had to take on a lot of responsibility because the RA's are on lock down. So I have been the social networker for freshmen activities including moving 40 on the hall along with moving Prayer Leaders and a few others. I've been working out a lot (thankful that Dorm 3 is close to many things and many hands make light work). I spent maybe 5 mins in my room yest from training to hall activities etc and it's been a busy time. A double shot of caffeine from Starbucks was my rock yest to get me through the crazy life that I live (and love living). I went to bed around 1:30 as soon as I could after a leadership meeting and was looking forward to sleeping in til about 8:15 giving me enough time to get to more training by 9. Last year I had an amazing hall and network and support from my hall. I made friends that will last a lifetime, because our bond is stronger than any I've had before in Christ. However, while some of the people are the same, the leadership has changed greatly and it isn't always as comfortable as a groove I have gotten into...plus I have a lot more responsibility now. Some of the people that are my instinct to lean back on aren't here now and that's okay, because they are either still on campus or a short phone call away. God has been teaching me to rely on Him. During training yesterday I wrote "His Strength" on my arm as a reminder that I can't do any of this on my own. It's impossible. But with Him I can. His strength, his sufficiency is enough for me to handle anything.

6 something AM hits and my RA walks in my room and asks my roommate and I "which one of you is going to go to the hospital?" Running off little sleep, I was confused and didn't know what she was talking about. I also forgot that it is the SLD responsibility to go to the hospital. She explained one of the girls fell off her bed while sleeping and cut open her head badly and the ambulance was waiting. I thought through it with my roommate and we decided that I would go to the hospital and she would pick us up when she was ready since I don't have car...plus I know I can handle blood. And yes, there was a lot of blood. All over the room, her hair, shirt, spewing everywhere. Still barely awake I got in the front seat of the ambulance with a driver who told me she was directionally challenged. Always a comfort since I don't know my whereabouts in the burg. But I looked at my arm, and it was fading, but I read "His Strength." The focus left me and was put on Christ. His strength. We arrived to the hospital and she received great care. Her head wound was pretty deep and wide. 11 staples later, she didn't show any signs of concussion or head injury beyond the wound. I received careful instructions on what to watch for etc. It hit me a few times in the hospital--I'm an adult now, I need to be aware and responsible. So weird to grow up. We were picked up, hit up Chickfila for breakfast and back to campus. I proceeded to wash her hair in the sink to ensure the wound was not touched by soap and all the blood was gone. When I finished I was instructed I still needed to attend training. All I wanted to do was go to bed. His Strength. I stopped and got some coffee on the way from a dear friend and went to training. I met up with some friends from my Dorm last year and I was thinking I was okay and trying to keep it together...made it to the Rot and saw one of my friends and literally melted in her arms and couldn't stop crying. Literally in the middle of the Rot. Who feels like a bigger idiot in the middle of 100's beyond 100's students who I know many of them....Proceeded to the bathroom and cried and vented. I was beyond thankful for such a great friend who was there to listen and for the support that was at the table. It could have been anyone at the table I was at and I realized how blessed I am to have that support behind me. Just knowing that it is through His strength and the encouragement behind me of brothers and sisters in Christ. After lunch, I had a great talk and encouraging texts from multiple people.... It's hard for an independent person, but God is teaching me that's what He is for and "that's what friends are for" :).

I am so thankful for today and everything that happened despite an unusual wake up call. Thank you Jesus and thank you friends. I love you so much.

Refreshed!

The past 3 months have been hands down amazing. Summer, where have you gone? Well, I'm not giving up on you yet. Believe me, there are still a handful of days before classes start. However, I head off to Liberty in about a day. Wow. It feels surreal! Upon returning home to Charlotte I was a little out of sorts with adjusting to home life. Everything reminded me of the burg-- mainly, the people, the jokes, the weird habits etc. I had to readjust to living in Charlotte and reconnect with people that have known me for quite some time, but not so much the current me, for lack of better terms. It was a little awkward at first (I know I'm awkward, but not like that haha) because I was coming into a familiar place where I know everyone, but it was almost as if I had forgotten and it had been slightly blurred over by this past year. Maybe it was that, or maybe I had changed a lot as a person. None of these were bad necessarily, being away had changed me to an extent, but I wouldn't say for the worse in anyway, it's just mainly different. The good thing though, I wasn't the only one who had gone off to college and returned to Charlotte.
First off, I go to the best church ever. Seriously. I have been ministered to, challenged, done ministry, met the most amazing people etc. I am beyond blessed to go to Calvary and to have the involvement in the youth group I had (and still do occasionally) and now the College group. My fondest memories from this summer revolved around time spent with people from church. I have been able to rekindle friendships and made new ones and I am forever grateful for that. I'm gonna miss our Saturday night frisbee and stonecrest hang out, Sunday night volleyball, Tuesday night bible study, and every other random night we've had...I love the spontaneity of everything as well. For instance last night we had Bible Study, then went bowling with about 20 people that was not very planned, and then continued to Cookout after...I had the awesome opportunity to hike the Appalachian trail with 12 friends, see wild ponies, experience God's beauty...go to Hillsong. etc. The list could go on and on...


Since it could, I decided to make a top list of summer things(I like that making a statement as writing this inspired the list...haha):
-I walked 10 miles to Freedom Park one day from Chickfila. People don't do this, it was basically just walking on a road to a park.
-I drove a car for a few weeks that did not have windshield wipers. Let's just say I would lean forward a lot to see out if it was raining, and when it got bad, I was stuck at work for 2 hours
-Top movies of the summer: Date Night (shirt it up!), Killers, The Book of Eli possibly kinda sorta Twilight, and Freshman Father ( a hallmark movie)
-I didn't eat meat for a full month. Who does random things like that? Apparently me.
-Got chased by a bee for a half hour while taking orders outside at Chickfila. I was mid-order and had to run away from the customer flailing and try to finish up.
-Lorraine Irene Pico, my 1990 Buick LaSaber, is in a better place now..so they tell me
-The Book of Joshua
-Glozell
-Salsa Dancing
-My tan
-Random and awesome phone calls and skype dates...it's funny how being a part from some people at school, I actually became closer with them as friends :)
-Amazed by the Lord's provisions one word: Corn Hole
-THE BEACH
-and of course, YOFORIA...I'm really upset about going back to school for this reason :( :( :(

So many random thoughts coming through my mind. But that's a little recap of the past 3 months...and now I can say I am refreshed and almost kinda sorta maybe readyish to go back to school.