Goodness... Long Time No Post!

Okay, to save time... I'm going to copy and paste some sections of my journal from the past few weeks. Forge=busy. SO GREAT.....but busy :) Hope you enjoy!

How relationships changed with a lot of the other Forgies: I am so thankful for 11 hour van rides. The huge amount of opportunity we all had to get to know each other was freaking phenomenal. Gosh, I love these people. I’m starting to think that my love language is developing into quality time—on the receiving end of it.  I think I have been either disappointed in relationships or resentful towards the fact that some relationships didn’t even exist, but now I am so hopeful for the development in all 23 relationships that I know are going to come! 

Earlier this week....

After playing chess, I got to spend time with Tiffany for a good 30 minutes. I asked her questions about her ministry, how to set and keep good boundaries, about her burn-out period…all that good stuff. We had a good conversation about counseling, which included her telling me that just by knowing me for less than 24 hours, she thought that my personality fits better under the “shepherding” category than counseling. Which I totally agree with. Telling people about my plan to get a Masters in counseling from seminary has gotten more and more difficult to believe as the year’s gone by. Hearing her say that was freeing. The idea of shepherding/discipling  other people just seems to fit better with me. She explained it well—that I would have a hard time saying goodbye to a client after a timed session… and that I would probably enjoy the long-term aspects of developing and seeing change in others. Hearing her talk about it made everything in me say “yes!” It was crazy how accurate her assumptions and “probablies” were concerning me. Gosh, I wish I could have picked her brain longer—there is so much wisdom in her to glean. I don’t know if we necessarily “clicked”… I know I enjoyed her company and the opportunity to learn from her. 

...apparently in a different font

The next day...

Once we all signed it (the covenant) we circled up and prayed together—I was getting emotional just looking around at everyone’s faces. I am so incredibly proud of us, where we’ve been to where we are now. How much we’ve already grown up. It’s hard to believe that this will come to an end and part ways, but gosh, it’s so sweet to be a part of those other 23 lives. 

So now it's the weekend and I've been in task mode for the most part--which is pretty draining for me, i've noticed. I think it's because it's been a while since i've been around a lot of people. Extrovert, maybe? Um, yes.

I love the Forge :)

---You could definitely be praying that I would be willing to be refined..that I wouldn't settle for what's comfortable. And that areas in my life that need refining would be brought to my attention........And that my memorization skills would be enhanced magically :)

PICTURE POST!! PICTURE POST!!

So we play a lot of nertz.......... a whole lot The tribes of Gad and Zebulun (me, Kimbo, Amanda, and Mel) Some of the gals getting rope trained

All the girls!

Forge-tastic!

Even when the rain falls

Even when the flood starts rising

Even when the storm comes

I am washed by the water

--Gosh, where to start? This is the third week of the being a part of the Forge. 23 other phenomenal human beings and I have already been through the ringer and back, but more importantly together. Kimberly, Melanie, Amanda, Grant, Jason, Grace, Brooks, Clay, Jessica, Bryce, Casey, Christina, PaToya, Michael, Ashton, Jim, Jon, Tamara, Lindsey, Jake, Matt, Mitch, and Blake. Already, I have a sense of longing at the thought of the 24 of us having to separate at some point. But, that's a good 7 months away... praise the LAWD!

I live with 3 other fascinating and freaking hilarious gals. We make up the tribes of Gad and Zebulun [there are 12 bedrooms.... and 12 tribes of Israel! Get it?!?!]. We drink a lot of coffee, enjoy talking late into the night, make up songs about t-shirts and chacos, and laugh. I'd say we laugh about 60 percent of the day. And not just slight chuckles-- I mean, gut wrenching, completely silent laughs. I'm blessed beyond belief living with them. PTL.

Class started this week and already I'm seeing how managing the work load is going to be muey importante. I mean, of course it's going to be work that actually applies to my life. 100 percent direct, in fact. My time management skills are going to be stretched and my task orientedness will most definitely be developed. If it doesn't, I'll just be wasting time and a whole lot of money. Luckily, I have 23 other students with the exact same schedule as I do. We have the same assignments and expectations. Oh how sweet it is to do life together. 

Speaking of life together--- Dietrich Bonhoeffer. We're reading Life Together now. SUCH a challenging and inspiring book. It provides specific applications for a community of believers to attempt and to be held accountable. 

Covenanting is still going on. Slowly but surely. The past 2 days we've been in as much prayer as possible for wisdom, clarity, and more importantly being one with the Spirit. I could write an entire post dedicated to the covenant--but that'll have to come later.  Needless to say, I'm learning so much about how to listen to and take into account other peoples' opinions and values when they don't necessarily line up 100% with mine. There have been many humbling moments, many vulnerable moments, and many sharpening moments. All in all, it's going to be good--but getting there is the hardest part. In the words of someone great before me, "It ain't about how fast I get there. It ain't about what on the other side. It's the climb!" Thanks, Miley.

I worked my first conference at the Towers last weekend. I had the most amazing opportunity to lead worship for some pretty phenomenal mom's and their sons. I got to play with my bro in law, Matt Murphy, which was by far, such a cool memory to make with him! I haven't lead worship in a while, but it felt great getting to do it! I'm just so thankful to be in an environment where the people above me want to help me strengthen my strengths. PTL!

Let's see, what else. The weather the past 2 days has been absolutely incredible. Praise the Lord for fall. 

Ultimately, right now, there are many, many things to PTL about. The fact that actual class started this week will hopefully result in a more established routine. And with a routine will come consistent blog posts. It's a joy to get to share this life-changing season with whoever is keeping up! 

Here are some pics for funzies: