It’s crazy how right when you feel like life will slow down for a second, it doesn’t. As difficult of a truth that is to overcome, I am beginning to learn to welcome it with open arms. Sometimes when I think of responsibility I relate it to time, like finishing projects in a time line, or setting a time limit to finish something. When I succeed I feel great, I feel “responsible”. But what about when I don’t succeed? When I don’t succeed I get overwhelmed by quite a number things. I begin to believe things about myself, that honestly just aren’t true. Today I was thinking about how the destination isn’t the point of the journey, the journey is the point of the journey. The destination is a gift to give your entire being to, to enjoy upon arrival. Imagine if you took a road trip and the whole time you complained about how high gas prices are, the radio being too loud, the inside of your car being too cold and then too hot and then too cold again, or the drink you spilled on your lap during lunch. By the time you reach your destination you’ve got a piss poor attitude, because your still too caught up in all the things that happened to you on the way. The things that you couldn’t have done anything about anyways. But... What would happen if you embraced those things as they were? Found beauty in the tension of being too cold then too hot? Or being thankful that there is even gas to get you where you want to go? Or thinking, "man that was a dang good lunch, to bad that soda spilled in my lap." The journey is the point of the journey. The things you face on the road of life shape you into who you are upon arrival. Whether good or bad. Hopefully character is developed, not cynicism. At least that’s what I think. And I think it’s true. It’s what I am learning in my life right now.
Life doesn't really slow down. At least not since the time I last posted a blog. Which was too long ago. A lot has happened since then. How do I begin to fill you all in?
The school...
is what took up most of my time since the last time you have heard from me. It sure was incredible. We had thirty students from all over the world come and live and learn and do community with us. The Lord definitely blew my expectations away for the students and in my own life. This was the best school I have been apart of by far. It is so great to be put in situations that will either cause you to grow or fail miserably. It causes you to see where you still need to grow and also see places that you have grown, where you would have failed terribly a year or two earlier. I experienced both of those situations this past summer. I saw places that I have grown, I faced fears in areas I didn't believe I had what it took, and I also fell short in areas, but the Lord had plenty of grace to cover my back. I really do love this family I get to be apart of. We really are changing the world.
Other than the school we have been traveling quite a bit. I have been playing a lot of music this past month and I love it! It has been so refreshing. I love everything about the beautiful gift of playing music. This fall is going to stay pretty busy for all of us traveling. There are some incredible places we are going to have the honor of traveling to, like Kona, Hawaii, Boulder, Colorado, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. So awesome! I will do my best to post a blog about each trip. I am learning that when you don't have time to do things you just make time. Its not as hard and overwhelming as it seems.
Last but not least.
I really would love to just thank all of you for all of your support. It really has meant the world to me and has proved the Lord's faithfulness. There have been times when I have had just enough money and then there has been times where I have more than enough and I was able to give money away and just bless my friends. So thank you all for giving and sacrificing. I have really learned a lot about the Lord in this process and I believe that that gift in and of itself is just as great as receiving a check in the mail. May the Lord bless you all abundantly in every area of your life. May he give back to you a thousand fold of what you have given to me through finances and prayer and support. I am praying for you all.
a sneak peak of my summer:
