Home

This is Home by Switchfoot.  Great song.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cKNleDdUFY  check it out.  I was obviously drawn to pick this song because I am home for the week, but its not talking about my earthly home.  Just a really good song that was picked as the song of this post because it sparked a desire to be home and feel loved.  .....Yeah. 

But yeah!  I can't believe DTS is already over.  In some ways the 3 months feel like I have been gone a really long time, but in other ways it feels like I shouldn't be leaving the RIC yet.  Just as my perception of time is all over the place, so are my emotions.  At this point, I don't even know what to think.  A BIG part of me is so so SO glad to be home.  Another part of me is sad to have left all my other friends that I have lived with for 3 months, especially knowing that I won't see most of them for very much longer in my life at all.  Terrible thought.  Another part of me is so super pumped for Chile and the adventure that awaits me.  And still another part is pretty nervous about being shipped off to Chile without my family and only knowing 4 other people.  My emotions are going crazy, and I'm really trying to not let that get me stressed out.  I want to enjoy my time at home. 

I love my family SO much.  And in just 2 days, I have felt SOOOOO loved and blessed beyond belief.  My family and friends are the greatest.  Quick shoutout to my sisters.  Kloe, you are my precious baby sister.  Yes, I made you sound like a newborn just now, but my time away from you has shown me how much you mean to me.  You are a mini me.  You make me so proud, Scamp.  I want you to know that.  And you are more aggressive on the bball court than me and Kaly combined.  Seriously, I can't wait to watch you on TV someday :]  I love you so much, Bud.  Always.  Keep working hard at everything you do and love Jesus and others always.  I miss you already, and I still have a week before I leave.  Kaley, you are my best friend.  No question.  You are one of the few people who can make me laugh no matter the situation.  You know me....really know me.  And you care about others more than yourself.  You are sweet, kind, beautiful, hilarious, clever, and just down right fun to be around.  Don't know what I would do without you, KK.  You inspire me.  Keep allowing God to mold you, and He's gonna take you on an adventure bigger than you ever dreamed of.  Love you always. 

Anyways.  DTS flew by.  The last week kinda feels like a dream actually.  Friday was especially crazy.  I had to pack all of my life up from the last 3 months.  And man, that was a job.  I have accumulated a lot of stuff since I arrived at the RIC.  It was crazy.  I was flying around, shoving things in my suitcases, until I got to the point of not being able to shove anymore in.  At this point, I resorted to grabbing trashbags and flinging random things into them.  Needless to say, I had to take multiple trips up the stairs with all of my junk.  And since I had so much stuff, I couldn't pack it all fast enough and had to do some major cleaning in the middle of it all.  Basically, I was flying around the entire morning, trying to get everything done as fast as possible.  CRAZINESS.  Then amidst a few random other events that took place in the afternoon, I found myself heading to the Commissioning service that evening.  SOOOO GOOD!  Worship was incredible and the message that followed aligned perfectly with it.  I just felt at peace during the whole thing.  And then we were all prayed over by the people that love us, and it was just so incredible.  I just felt like God was right there, holding my hand through the whole thing.  Goodbyes are a hard thing, and I'm really not looking forward to saying them anymore, but through it all, I know I have Jesus to cling to.  I never have to say goodbye to Him.  HALLELUJAH. 

Saturday=PHENOMENAL.  Basically, the whole day was a hugungous birthday present to me from my incredible sister.  Buckeye game with really good seats and a bunch of energy.  So fun.  Would have been a bit better if we had won, but, whatever.  Still had a blast.  Then right after, we walked to the Newport and witnessed a fanfreakingtastic concert by none other than TWENTYONE PILOTS.  Sold out show.  We were there.  WOOT.  Crazy, original, creative, spectacular.  Doesn't get much better than that.  Thanks so much, Mcblobbers.  For real.  You are the best.  :] Then some late night PB time with Miss Ash.  Pretty fabulous day if you ask me. 

Sunday.  A week before the sobbing fest.  One week.  Wow.  Its hard to get my mind around that.  Its like my head knows it, but my heart doesnt realize it yet.  Seems to be the case in a lot of areas of my life.  But I'm working on the heart part.  All I really know is that attending my own church felt SO good.  I really do miss Sunday mornings there.    The sermon was about being thankful, and it was really great.  I picked up so many good points from it that I think I will share some :]
- Love never fails.  God is love.  My God never fails. 
- I WILL cast my worries on Him because he CARES for ME.
- There are no big things for my ENORMOUS God.  A lot of times people wonder if God really cares about the "small" things in life.  Well, what do we think God considers "BIG"?  Nothing can stump or trip up my God.  He's GINORMOUS.  He cares about us.  That's all we need to know. 
- Philippians 4:6-7- do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 
           *This really stuck out to me because I am finding myself being very anxious about things lately
- Rejoice in all circumstances.  God is good ALL the time.  Suffering is the megaphone to the world for what is really inside of me. 
- What am I broadcasting?  Thankfulness?
-God is love.  I believe that the Holy Spirit is joy then.  This is just a thought, and I may not technically be right, but in my mind at this point, I believe it to be true.  If we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us, I believe we should be filled with joy.  If we are truly living out life in tune with the Holy Spirit, we should be filled with joy, no matter what.  Joy is not the same as happiness.  Its not based on the circumstance, but on Who I am living for.  I dont know.  Just some of my thoughts. 
- Often times, we put a lot of emphasis on and take a lot of pride in our family name.  We want our name to be honored and respected.  People say, "That's the (insert last name here) in you!" when you do something.  Well, we should be living in such a way that people say, "That's the JESUS in you!"  Great point, Rick. 

Just so many good things.  Felt so refreshing to be in a familiar place again.  A place called HOME.  A place filled with family and friends who love me and care about me.  GENUINELY care.  And it is so good for me to feel that and to know that although life is moving right along without me in it, I am still cared for. 

I got to see my sister ball it up all day too.  She is a BEAST.  The kid is so aggressive and quick.  She makes me so proud.  I'm so happy she has the opportunity to play the sport she loves at a young age to get GOOD.  I'm just sad that I won't be able to see her play for most of the season.  She's a baller. 

Now comes the time for shopping and packing for random necessities.  And the time to hang out with the people who have influenced me and made me the person I am today.  Family, friends, friends who are like family.  Everyone.  Time to laugh and not get stressed over the little things.  Time to drink in the fact that I am here now.  Time to prepare of the incredible adventure awaiting me.  Time to grab ahold of every opportunity.  Time to rejoice and be thankful.  And time to LOVE no matter what.  Prayers would be appreciated, not only for me, but also for my family.  Prayers for peace and courage and just a big trust in God for protection and comfort.  Love you all.  Thanks for everything.