shocked...

I've been home from Turkey for almost 2 months now. It's been quite an adventure...

I'm shocked...

that so many of my friends have been in intense reverse culture shock themselves.

enjoying Turkish cotton candy back in the states

I'm shocked...

that I've actually readjusted pretty well!

me and my friends at my 21st birthday dinner

I'm shocked...

At how much I love my friends. Why? For example, the first thing Liz said (after initial "long time no see!"-ish stuff was "Do you want to walk the Great Wall of China with us?!" ...Oh but seriously, I have felt so loved by so many people. I've been surrounded by amazing friends, in Tucson, Gilbert, and so many other places. I love them all. :)

I'm shocked...

Living in Gila dorm is a lot of fun.

I'm shocked...

Erin Riley is a spectacular roommate!

Kelsea and I at a weddng last year.

I'm shocked...

I miss my friend Kelsea. She got into a car accident while visiting her family in Idaho. She's suffered serious injuries and may never walk again. She'll be in Idaho for a long time so I won't see her for a while. I love her and miss her and hate that all this happened.

I'm shocked...

at God's goodness in all of this and other trials.

I'm shocked...

at how much I love my church family at the Village.

I'm shocked...

at how I missed all the love and support I get from ISF

A weekend CESL activity to the Pima Air and Space Museum

I'm shocked...

at how enjoyable my job at CESL has been so far this year!

I'm shocked...

at how I can't handle Facebook. Ok, so here's some more info on that. Having Facebook for a month was okay for a time, and I enjoyed getting back into contact with many people. But I found myself, more than before, starting to constantly care about what was happening with others, why I wasn't included in things, and judging people from their pictures, etc. So let's call that what it is: insecurity and sin. So I had to get rid of that trash in my life. I know most other people can have a Facebook and not let it ruin their lives, and I really respect and admire those people. I've just been humbled and have realized that I'm not one of those people :( I still hope to keep in contact with people though! I didn't have Facebook for two years, so I know it's possible!

My mom and I at a Narnia movie exhibit in Phoenix

I'm shocked...

at how God fixes and redeems problems in my family. I had a wonderful time with my parents before coming to Tucson.

I'm shocked...

Christ is always victorious

The Grand Canyon!!!

I'm shocked...

That I just went on a crazy trip to the Grand Canyon with some awesome Indonesian CESL students!

Sunrise at the Canyon

I'm shocked...

At how much I've been learning about Ramadan this year. It's an important month...

I'm shocked...

at how much I've been cooking in my dorm. It's been fun and I've met a lot of people!

I'm shocked...

at how freezing it is in every building on campus!!

I'm shocked...

shocked to find that there is gambling going on here!

I'm shocked...

I'm such a nerd :P

I'm shocked...

I'm finally realizing people have their own lives and problems and I shouldn't force people to be concerned with what I'm concerned about or expect them to be. I can raise awareness to things that break God's heart, and that's good, but even after that I got to remember that it's okay if other's don't respond...because God's still sees, and He will redeem the world.

I'm shocked...

Pray for things you think are impossible. Jesus talked about it all the time.

I'm shocked...

I have no reason to be ashamed of the cross! I have no excuse to hold back! Do I not believe Christ is in control?

I'm shocked...

that I'm seriously thinking about working in Turkey after graduation now!

I'm shocked...

That I'm not thinking about being in Japan after graduation. Seems like I always have. But I want to love God more than Japan, and be obedient. He knows the thoughts He has for me.

I'm shocked...

Japanese Language 421 is haaard...yet I still enjoy it!

I'm shocked...

at how much my Turkish 101 teachers don't care if I know Turkish :/

So this is just the beginning of the school year. Thinking even bigger, as my roommate's refrigerator magnet so poetically reads, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life!"...

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.

No matter how shocking, exciting, painful, or whatever my life may be, I know Who holds it. I am always in His care, and I love it. Even in the hardest times, it seriously rocks. This is my God, who died to save the world, and rose again to conquer death: Jesus Christ