Overwhelmed.

The last two days have been pretty overwhelming...the church picnic was yesterday, & it was pretty exhausting to meet so many people & answer the same questions (Who are you? Where are you from? What do you play? How did you hear about the school?), but everyone was really welcoming. I talked a bit with Lori Peters about doing my lessons this year...dunno if she will have time or not, & I'm pretty sure that she thinks I'm a freak, but I trust God will give me a perfectly capable instructor regardless...even though I really would love to work with her.

We had a joint meeting of all three churches today & it was awesome. God definitely showed me some amazing things in the worship time & in the meeting time. This year has definitely started off packing the punches. During worship we focused on not worrying about meaningless things in life (something I'm an expert at), & allowing God to take control & fill you with His peace. WOW, I needed to hear that, & I'm sure I will need to hear it a few hundred times more before it sinks in, but we're on the right track. Haha. Then during the meeting we studied 1 John 2:28-3:10, about how when we are born again God instantly transforms us...so many people view it like we have to change everything when we are saved, when actually God starts to change us when we are saved...it's a seemingly subtle difference, but a big one at the same time. And it came up again that we need to trust God & surrender our lives to Him completely...gee, it seems like He's trying to tell me something. After service ended Kelly (the only other drummer on the school this year) came up to me & said, "I don't know what is going on in your life right now, or where you're at, but I wanted to tell you I was praying for you in the meeting today & that you are here for a purpose. You might not know what you have to offer, & you might be nervous, but God has placed you here because you have a purpose only you can fulfill. It wouldn't be the same without you, & the school would suffer without you. Just thought you should know that that was put on my heart today." I can't believe what God is telling me already. I can't wait to see what this year has in store.

A bunch of us on the school have been hanging out all day today...we went to lunch at Panera & had ice cream at Cold Stone, & then went to Best Buy to get cell phones for the Brits, & then to Target to get random odds & ends. Haha. I think tonight we are all going to hang out at me & Kate's & watch movies & enjoy our last couple of days of freedom by relaxing. :o)

Thanks to all that have been praying...as you can see God is already moving.

Awesomeness.

This blog is called awesomeness because my roommate said it should be. Haha. Tonight we had our student/staff picnic at Kate's (& my) house. Awesomeness is actually pretty much the only word for it...everyone is so amazing. It was incredible to finally meet everyone & hear a bit about them.

All the students & staff got together in a circle & we all went round & introduced ourselves, then Teresa & Kal (our directors) went through our scheduling for the first couple of weeks & gave us a brief overview of what to expect. This year is going to be amazing, I can feel it. I can't wait to see how God works through everyone's lives on the school this year. The first two weeks is basically going to be testimonies of everyone on staff at the school & church, & all of the students. Then from there we pretty much get into all the hardcore reading & music. It's going to be awesome. I can already see God showing me things...I can't really explain it but I know I am where I'm supposed to be. It's going to be hard & scary, but totally worth it.

Tomorrow is the all-church picnic at the lake. As if tonight wasn't intense enough meeting like 50 new people, tomorrow is going to be even CRAZIER. I can't wait. It's going to be an awesome year.

O'Hare.

Today the 3 Amigos (me, Kate, & Stef) went with Kal (director of our school) to pick up 3 of the Englanders from O'Hare in Chicago. What an adventure, let me tell ya.

We left round noon-thirty & arrived in Chicago 'bout 1:30. We waited about an hour for John (first student to arrive) to get through customs...it was funny because we all started off really excited but after about 30 minutes it got boring waiting. So Kal began going, "JOHN! JOOOOHN! Okay girls, start shouting, first guy that looks we take, whether it's him or not..." Bahaha. Finally we found him, & went to the OTHER international exit to wait for Lydia & Becky, who shared a flight. They didn't arrive until 4:00, they had a loooong line in customs. Then it took us FOREVER to get through Chicago at rush hour. It was a long day for us, & a longer day for them, but it was so great to meet them finally after all the facebook stalking we've all been doing. Haha.

After dropping the three Brits off at their respective homes Kate, Stef & I went to Panera for dinner. Good times were had by all. I know the three of us will be close.

Tomorrow is our student/staff picnic, I'm super excited. There are rumored to be about 55 people coming, it will be so great to meet everyone. I can't believe all this is finally happening...

I found out today from Kal that I am the only drummer, aside from another girl, Kelly, who knows a bit of drums...I don't think she is majoring in that though. So that's a bit nerve-wracking. And Kal said he was going to talk to Lori this week about doing my lessons, so that is exciting news!

I feel like I'm not being very informative but by the time I actually have time to write I am so tired that I feel like I'm not making any sense! I love my roommate & my host family, dunno if I've said that yet or not...they are seriously so perfect for me, I knew God would place me in the best place for me.

Definitely past my bedtime...I get my morning wake up 6am. Oy. Can't wait for the picnic, will post more tomorrow!

Hello, Kenosha!

I'm heeeeeeerrrrrrrrreeeeeeee!!!!!

Wow I can't believe this day has arrived...we got here round 5:30 & Katelyn (my roomie) & I went to pick up Stephanie (the only other American girl on the school this year) & her mom. We all came back to Katelyn's (my) house for dinner & bonding time haha. Us three girls get along fantastically & have already nicknamed ourselves the 3 Amigos. Bahaha.

Tomorrow we three girls are going to Chicago with Kal to pick up John, Lydia, & Becky from England. I feel like there are a thousand more things that I have to say, but my brain is working overtime at the mo & I need sleep. I'm sure my updates will become more frequent now...least till school starts. Haha.

Goodnight all, thanks for your prayers!!!

Last Night At Home.

Tomorrow is moving day! I feel SO unprepared, but so ready to go at the same time. I need to finish packing, haha. I'll be leaving tomorrow to drive to St. Louis, & then actually arriving in Kenosha wednesday. First day of school is September 8th!

I feel like I've driven all across Oklahoma this week saying goodbye to friends & family...which is probably a big reason I'm not all the way packed yet. But if I forget something, I can always have it mailed to me...I can't get time with important people back. I'll be up all night finishing my packing, but I would say it's worth it. And thanks to Aryale for giving me an amazing book to occupy my time on my drive. :o)

Alright, time to go pack some more...I can't believe moving day is here! Your prayers are always appreciated, & I'll post again from the Tundra!

New Roomie!

I found out today I will be living with Katelyn & her family! I'm SO excited about this, & was secretly praying for it. Katelyn is also a student at the school this year, & I have talked to her the most out of all of them. We have SO much in common I think we will get along great! She was telling me today that we will have our two beds in the basement & that we also have our own kitchen & bathroom down there...as well as a big screen tv for movie-watching! I can't wait to see it!

I'm feeling much more excited now that I actually feel like I have someplace that I will be able to call home while I'm there. I can't believe I'm leaving one week from today! Prayers for safe travel would be appreciated! And also pray that I get packed in time! Haha!

Four Weeks From Today.

Four weeks from today I am leaving for Wisconsin! Scary! Exciting! Haha! There hasn't been much else to update...I should be finding out any day now where I will be living. I'm ready to know that. It will ease my mind a bit, I think. I hope.

I did find out there are two more Americans coming to school! So that's cool news! I think that totals us at 18 students now. It's so crazy how none of us have ever met & this time next year we are all going to be so close.

I wish I had more to update...hopefully soon.