Fall Retreat

Jaimie, Tamara, and Amberkay 

Beautiful Lake Bronson

Jaimie

Apparently walking flat trails is considered hiking, and the trail that goes around the lake is enough to form a hiking club. YES. 

This weekend I was able to go on a fall retreat with the college/young adult crowd from my church. It was fantastic. Canoeing, star tipping, ultimate frisbee, and fellowship with other believers made for an incredible weekend. I really enjoyed getting to know everyone, and the Lord has definitely changed my attitude and helped me be able to step out of my comfort zone and initiate meetings and greetings with others.  We went to bed at 3 each night and this morning (Sunday) left at 7am to get to church so we could do "Don't just go to church, BE the church" and participate in outreach and ministry. We all had bright orange shirts on with our slogan on the backs and joined various groups who were doing various tasks. Some of these included free car repairs, oil changes, lawn mowing, bathroom cleaning, landscaping, and anything that we saw the community needed. I participated in the parsonage cleaning and really enjoyed getting to work with everyone.  Afterwards was delicious barbecued food :) The body of Christ is amazing. Acts 2:44 basically says that we have everything in common with believers. It doesn't what our personalities are, or our personal tastes, because that shouldn't be what we base relationships on, for when we have Christ is common, we have everything in common. I won't lie, this was no spiritual revival or life-changing event for me, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable and meaningful. I really have been blessed to meet other Christians here who are sincere and genuine in their faith. It's encouraging and inspiring.  God bless.

FORGET HOMEWORK.

I have so much homework to do that I'd rather not do it. Therefore, my roomie and I went to the store to buy a canvas or two for some splatter paint for the apartment. However, I didn't know how well acrylic would work for splatter paint, so I thought ancient Greek names would be cool. Didn't turn out that great but it was fun and possibly the most addicting thing ever. With practice, I just might improve. College life update: Ummmmm, I've been picking up rock climbing, slowly callousing my hands (I made the mistake of peeling off the first blisters... Worst... Idea... EVER), I decided that biking in the rain with 30mph winds is not ideal so I'm looking for a car... let's see... what else... I have a fantastic church with a fantastic young adult crowd and have been so blessed to be a part of that! Also.... I'm awesome. And I'm loving my classes. And the Lord my God has been revealing himself to me in unimaginable ways; I'm so blessed :)

Da, deh, da da da DEHHHHH DAH (Star Wars theme song)

This is a friend I made at a lake get together in Minnesota. I totally thought she was a snob at first because she just stared at me but I approached her about it and we worked past our differences. I discovered she was actually a genuinely nice person.

FLOWAH POWAH.

I stared at these moose for hours. I felt so at home. Besides the fact that there were two moose fighting each other. I actually have never seen that before.

I've been so lazy. I haven't taken any pictures. I've made little progress on homework. I've had little sleep. I have still yet to find a piano to play. I've slacked working out. I eat all day and night. I'm just a cotton-headed ninny-muggins(*GASP)... I realllly want to pick up rock climbing. I just watched a documentary called "To the limit" and now feel like I'm not a human being without rock climbing. I just need to find ONE climbing partner! Just one! I talked to a local climbing gym (I literally stood there for an hour talking to the gym. I was like "Hey gym!" and gym was like "Heyyyy! You climbing?" and I was like "Well, if you want me to!" and gym said... *to be continued*)and the guy said to come in on a Thursday night because there's usually a bunch of people who I can get hooked up with for climbing and they'd show me how to do it... but I'm still hesitant. If he worded it like: "Donica, come in on Thursday because I have someone for you to climb with, and I will help you step by step the whole way", then I would be like "Hecka YES I'll come in!", but alas, he did not word it that way. Instead he said, "Come in on a Thursday night. Lots of people come then. I'm sure you'll find someone. We can help you get set up." Helpful, but not enough edge for a shy girl such as myself. I was gonna go today at the Wellness Center (I found someone who'd go today!), but I forgot it was September 11th and the climbing wall was closed... Bummer. Bummer that September 11t happened, and bummer that the wall was closed. Speaking of September 11th... I remember the day that happened. It was crazy. My mom was getting clean clothes out of the dryer for me for school, and I was standing there watching the TV... and BAM. It's a sad day when your world of comfort and security gets such a rude awakening. Okay, I need to get back to my essay writing.

Oh, P.S., I actually watched "To the Limit" again and bought a pull-up bar for my apartment because I felt so useless. And I also can't do a pullup and feel like that is something any average person should be able to do.

Adios, and goodnight.