In which I sail along

Current tunes: Company of Thieves

Current plans: eat a late lunch/dinner, maybe go to church, read Narnia!

Current excitement: one more week, then spring break, yo.

Hola amigos.

Where to start?

It's been well over a month, and much has changed. Very much.

Let's start with school: I've learned so much in such a short time! In my keysETT I class, I've learned many chords, and am re-learning music theory stuff like reading music and intervals. I can play several worship songs already, too, which is so freeeeeeeing! I've even written a song myself, and today got so into it that I wrote down the staff music for it. It's nothing mind-blowing, but it's a START. I know God has many songs planned for me in the coming years.

I love my worship team- we do four sets a week in three different locations, and along with our partner team, we're starting to be a FAMILY. I love singing with them soooo much. We get better and better and more cohesive each day, and we still manage to praise God & have buckets of laughs.

My Excellencies of Christ class with Allen Hood has been really eye-opening. I never really thought of Jesus anywhere outside of the Gospels, and now I realize how many times He shows up in the OT! He is EVERLASTING to EVERLASTING, ALPHA OMEGA, the Word made flesh, etc. He was not just a man, not just a prophet or a legend. He was a MAN and GOD. Think about that for a month and you'll understand how I feel. Mind.blowing.

Okay, so I like school a lot right now. It's constricting and freeing, time-consuming but not stressful, educational and entertaining, and it's ALL for God's glory, which is what I like.

A highlight of the last month was my parent's visit two weeks ago. It was very short, but sublime. They arrived Saturday night, and after some struggle, we had a nice dinner at... you guess it- IHOPancakes. The next day I gave them a brief tour of my little world and then we went and did historical/nerd stuff in Independence, MO, which is where Harry S Truman lived. So we learned a lot about that guy. I had such a blast, and got amazing photos, which have yet to be edited so forgive me. We ate dinner at Jack Stacks. The next day before they set out on their journey back to MN, I got to show them my school. Then after giving me some tissues, paper towels, and water, they went away and I stayed put. I miss them, buuuut sprngbrk is around the corner so it won't be long!

Another good day was yesterday- in the morning I was going home from the PR and it was hailing, so this guy offers me a ride home. And lo and behold, my Good Samaritan is none other than Mike Bickle, the papa of IHOP. I was too overwhelmed to say anything of value, and it wasn't a long ride. I was in my pjs with no make-up on and unwashed hair, so that was nice. I didn't even have contacts or eyewear. But it was an awesome two minutes that I'll always remember. I just think it goes to show how awesome Mike Bickle really is- that he schedules his days out by 15 minute increments, he's been all over the world, he's well-known (and loved and hated in equal parts, I'm sure), but he still goes out of his way to give a random first year student a ride home. What a guy. Then in the evening, through a blizzard, I had my first outing to Chick-fil-a! It was really fun because lots of IHOP-ers were there, including one of my worship leaders who did his part to embarrass me in front of the whole restaurant. I just love IHOP students, endofstory.
In summation, I'm learning so much about Jesus' mercy, love, forgiveness, meekness, humility, and divinity. I wish everyone I knew could know the beauty of this Man, who died for those who still remain ignorant and hateful towards Him. Bah. Jesus, open up their eyes to see You!

The only reason I've had a chance to give this update is because the roads were too icy to go to work and I didn't feel well to begin with so I opted to stay in bed, which I have done. Haven't done this pretty much since I came back in January, so I don't feel guilty ONE BIT. I've been super, unbelievably busy. More busy than I ever have been in my life. Every little thing is scheduled out. But I am swell.

That's all I care to say right now, though there's much more to be said, I'm sure. I'm sorry, on a day like today, I can't manage to have intelligent thoughts. ;D
Peace, <3, and :D