Back in Town

It's been about a week and a half since I've been home. I've had time to reflect on everything that has happened and been able to wind down. I am on the road to complete relaxation!



Before I completely close the door on my summer, here are a few things I've learned over the course of the eleven weeks I spent in Jeff City, Tenn. :



--Wal-Mart is the mother of the game Marco Polo

--I have established an obsession with country music

--T-shirts and jeans worn three days in a row is not a crime

--If you think working with 20+ rowdy kids is work, try looking like a girl after you've spent the entirety of your week in t-shirts

--Knoxville was our Canaan: the land of shopping and Starbucks

--Hiking is empowering

--Live life simply: Jesus in your heart and Chacos on your feet (or Toms or heck, just go barefoot!)

--Cover alls are as common as sweet tea and pick-up trucks

--The Bass Pro Shop isn't just for the stealth hunter or avid fisherman. Oh, no. It's a Starbucks oasis as well

--Orientation gets old...fast!

--The guys will shoot anything: birds, squirrels, rabbits, deer. Basically, if it moves, it's fair game

--Riding in the bed of a pick-up on a warm summer night is freedom

--Clearing out three cartons of icecream a week is an accomplishment. One we are very proud of

--Cracker Barrel is also known as Country Crock, according to Will

--The lake isn't better than the beach but it's pretty darn close

--Tubing brings out the best and sometimes worst in us

--Caffeine doesn't help when you've been working for 14+ hours straight

--Fried chicken, gravy and biscuits were staples

--You begin picking up on northern accents rather than southern ones

--Expect a picture in the sky every night, painted by the best Artist in the universe

I learned a lot of spiritual things as well. Trusting God has come into play, especially when I talk about wanting a boyfriend and such. I know He has a purpose for me and He wants me to fulfill that purpose. I also know He has an amazing guy waiting for me. Sometimes, well most of the time, I get frustrated and impatient that I don't have him yet. In God's time, that man will come. I have to continually remind myself of this or I lose sight of who's really in charge--Jesus.

Loss of control is something I've learned as well. A lot of times we as humans think we need to have everything under control. Don't we realize that when we have stuff "under control" we're really messing up? Because then God can't truly work. I learned to let go of things and have God handle them and work them out. 10 times out of 10 I was blown away by what God did and He proved to me once again why He needs to have control. I screw things up way too much when I make things go my way. The lesson? Give God everything! It's hard I know but day by day He shows me why He's superior adn that it's okay to trust Him. He's got it.

Those were the two big lessons I learned. I learned something new every day adn I still learn something new every day. Little by little the Lord shows me things and it's just awesome to step back and see His work.

In a week I return to Belmont. What awaits me there, I have no idea. I'm just so excited to get my second year on the road and see exactly what God has in store for me.