This has been some journey. I didn't realize what I was getting myself into when I titled this blog. As much as I would love to go into detail about the road-trip, I think it can be summed up in a few words and phrases.
ROAD TRIP: Long. Inconvenient construction. Gorgeous. Man time. Time with Jesus. Lord's faithfulness. Little sleep. Not according to plan. Still fun! Bison. Bear. Moose. Elk. Road kill! KMH read MPH. WA border in less than 48 hours total driving time. Space needle. Pike's Place Market! Peaches, Mangoes, Korean food. Portland. James Hayes! Cafe D'arte and Gelato! Erin Barkus! Salt Lake City. Colorado reminiscence. Free Hyatt hotels. Relationship building. Erik driving :)....silence... KANSAS!!! >.< Hinkle's house. The end.
ROAD TRIP: Long. Inconvenient construction. Gorgeous. Man time. Time with Jesus. Lord's faithfulness. Little sleep. Not according to plan. Still fun! Bison. Bear. Moose. Elk. Road kill! KMH read MPH. WA border in less than 48 hours total driving time. Space needle. Pike's Place Market! Peaches, Mangoes, Korean food. Portland. James Hayes! Cafe D'arte and Gelato! Erin Barkus! Salt Lake City. Colorado reminiscence. Free Hyatt hotels. Relationship building. Erik driving :)....silence... KANSAS!!! >.< Hinkle's house. The end.
Now, I'm in KC metro area. I'm actually living in Independence, MO down the street from former President Harry S. Truman's house. It's like a 20 min drive from here to the Prayer Room. It actually doesn't feel that bad. No stop lights really. Just a highway. Much better than driving to AKHOP from my house (not complaining, just fact.)
Being back has been interesting. I've never felt homesickness. I feel it now. The Lord has been so faithful with His promises of putting meaningful relationships in my life. This past year has been a time of God really bringing those certain people into my life. I feel closer with that group of friends, especially over this summer, than the "friends" I've known for a major portion of my life in Alaska. I love those people (you oughta know who you are.)
The past week has had it's ups and downs. It started off with going to the Prayer Room and seeing some friends. I have this thing in me that says, "I'm living here now. I DON'T have to rush to see everyone and catch up. I have time." So, I think I saw only like 3-5 friends on Tuesday and met some new ones. Went to an IHOPU class with my favorite teacher, Stuart Greaves. (I think I'll be going again later today.) The next two days were slightly uneventful. Some drama... that will soon be resolved I hope. Sunday we had an internship reunion. There were a good amount of quality people there. It was fun! Met some Alaskans. The past two days I was helping some friends work on an IHOP leaders home. Quite awk! Lemme tell you. Actually, I won't. :P Today was also a good day! Had lunch with my away-from-home-family: The Beels! Such a good time. And then hung out with Kyle and his friends and youth group at Crown Pointe Church, in Lee's Summit. Pretty cool group of people. Grateful for this time. :)
The past week has had it's ups and downs. It started off with going to the Prayer Room and seeing some friends. I have this thing in me that says, "I'm living here now. I DON'T have to rush to see everyone and catch up. I have time." So, I think I saw only like 3-5 friends on Tuesday and met some new ones. Went to an IHOPU class with my favorite teacher, Stuart Greaves. (I think I'll be going again later today.) The next two days were slightly uneventful. Some drama... that will soon be resolved I hope. Sunday we had an internship reunion. There were a good amount of quality people there. It was fun! Met some Alaskans. The past two days I was helping some friends work on an IHOP leaders home. Quite awk! Lemme tell you. Actually, I won't. :P Today was also a good day! Had lunch with my away-from-home-family: The Beels! Such a good time. And then hung out with Kyle and his friends and youth group at Crown Pointe Church, in Lee's Summit. Pretty cool group of people. Grateful for this time. :)
The Prayer Room and I have had an interesting relationship this week. I've been really distracted and WANTING distraction from actually having to spend time there. I keep looking for people I know; not engaging in worship or prayer or reading the Word. I've been going to the afternoon section, 12p - 6p, which is a section of the prayer room that I'm kinda familiar with but, not exactly my favorite. During the drive down the Lord really showed me how He was producing steadfastness in me by allowing my faith to be tested. *James 1* Steadfastness is perseverance, espesh in the day-to-day monotony of life. I can see that with this past week and being challenged to press in and press on though I feel so unguided and unmotivated. So, I feel like the challenge in this next season of life is to allow steadfastness to have its full effect. I don't know how to allow it, exactly. But, I'm asking the Lord to teach me and I know He is faithful to do just that. There eventually has been breakthrough in the prayer room this week.
One of the first times was toward the end of a set on Friday. The focus of intercession was "American Natives." Which my heart and spirit translated to "Alaskan Natives." The Lord just reminded me of the season that Alaskans are heading into and I believe He wants me to keep AK natives on my prayer list and not to forget them. Another time of breakthrough at least in the area of engaging with the Lord was yesterday afternoon during Ryan Kondo's set. I hadn't been there for the whole set but when I got there it was just sooo good and the Lord was speaking powerfully about forgiveness and love for us. It was just powerful and then worship exploded! I also wrote in my journal some thoughts/questions about how we worship and why. The Lord def met me in the confusion and I think there's still more He wants me to mine there, so we'll see how that carries on. I've also been reading a book on my phone's Kindle app: The Pursuit of God by Aiden Wilson Tozer. It has really sparked dialogue between the Lord and myself. I may blog about that later.
WELL! I'm adjusting to life here. I'm still very excited for what the Lord has for me here. I'm excited to be a disciple on this journey of faith, trust and man-hood. It's going to be challenging, I know. But, the Lord's proven He's faithful. Until I am made perfect, complete and lacking nothing, I walk on. Nay, I run.
WELL! I'm adjusting to life here. I'm still very excited for what the Lord has for me here. I'm excited to be a disciple on this journey of faith, trust and man-hood. It's going to be challenging, I know. But, the Lord's proven He's faithful. Until I am made perfect, complete and lacking nothing, I walk on. Nay, I run.
