Really? It's almost July?

Here recently I've been thinking about the time that I've been up here in Virginia and all that I've been taught and shown. The things about me that has changed and the things that I've learned about myself. It's hard to believe I've been up here for over 6 months, it just doesn't feel like it's been that long.

It's been a whirlwind and I am positive I'm learning something every day, whether I realize it or not, and one day - all these little things will somehow make sense (hopefully!) and of course the big things already are.

I'm highly enjoying seeing the Lord use me and change me into who He's called me to be. I'm loving seeing the fruit of being up here, even amidst the sadness and trials.

In April, I attended Muster in DC and, the Lord brought someone into my life that night that I could not have been or could not be more thankful for. In His perfect timing He brought a sweet friendship together that has become one of my favorite parts of being up here. Lauren and I pretty much hang out all the time and I'm so thankful for that and for her.

One of the most challenging things about being up here is not being able to meet people easily and there is certainly (at least not that I've found) not a community of believers that I was used to at Living Hope. I've talked with many people about the difficulties in meeting people here outside of the bar scene and it's pretty much impossible. And that's just really not a scene I care to be a part of.

I've been attending Kairos which is through The Falls Church here in Falls Church and is a 20s and 30s group that meets on Sunday nights for a worship service at 5:30. I've met a few people but I'm still finding it difficult to break through the barrier of just knowing someone (being acquainted) vs. actually hanging out with them. This Friday, the 3rd, Lauren and I are going kayaking down a 15mile stretch in the Shenandoah Valley, which should be absolutely amazing and beautiful, with Kairos. We both enjoy reaching out and going to random events and meeting people, so that's nice.

On visitor news...
My mom, sister, Will, Linda, Hayley & Kaylynn are coming to visit me July 9-14. It's crazy that at the time of moving up here, I was 'never going home to visit, except for Labor Day'... well that has turned into already being home 3 times, July will be my 4th, August I'm going for 10 days (so 5th) and I'm supposed to go back in Sept., wow.

One thing being up here has show me: You don't know what you've got til it's gone. That to say, I took for granted most of the things I had while I was in Texas... i.e. my church, my family, my friends. Everything was so convienent. It's only when those things were no longer easily accessible that I realized how much I took it for granted. I can't just 'go home' when I want. I can't just drive over to the Duty's to say hi, or to have dinner. And it's hard to sit down and skype with busy schedules.

I'm thankful for being here, thankful for what I'm learning and thankful for having something worth missing.