Silence

We had a silent retreat yesterday....silence meaning we couldn't talk for about 4 hours. I've heard of silent retreats that last for a few days and I've learned, through these few hours, how much you can hear when you are simply silent. All of the sudden birds actually sing, and trees actually whisper and children actually laugh...its beautiful.

It's amazing how long it takes to become 'silent'. The thought of 'I need to be silent' even becomes a distracting noise. Pushing past that all though, it is in silence that God speaks. Sitting in a shady, grassy area in a gorgeous State Park in Texas, I read the words, "What a lovely, pleasant sight you are, my love, as we lie here on the grass, shaded by cedar trees and spreading firs" (Song of Solomon 1:16-17) It was in this moment that I remembered that my identity is found in God...the One who tells me I am lovely...that I am beautiful because He fashioned me. The one who whispers to me in the trees, and sings to me in the birds, and laughs with me through children. It was in this moment that I remembered to whom I belong.

Living by design

Today was not our official first day of the Gateway course but it was really the first day of content. Today we focused on the question "Who am I?" We discussed the intrinsic value we have been given by being made in the image of God. This value is unchanging and no matter what circumstances or challenges we have faced in the past, our worth is defined in God alone. We were all asked to take the DISC personality test online before coming and today was the day we were able to look at them indepth and apply parts of them to both "who I am" and also "what I think others expect me to be". It was great to have the opportunity and tools to self-reflect and to learn what areas I need to be broken and rebuilt. I really feel that the next month will be a major time of growth and change in me...a much needed change. My goal is to become someone who lives according to how I was designed to live...using the full potential God has given me, knowing that it would be a diservice to Him to ignore the potential He has placed within me.

"Unmeasurable are my limits for I call you Father
Unimaginable my potential, for you have called me daughter"

Down in the South

Wow....day one of the adventure is now complete!
I boarded the plane in Buffalo this morning, said a tearful good bye to my dalhouse girls and set off to Dallas. I had only one moment of hesitation the entire time...I spilled coffee all over my lap on the plane. Its crazy how I almost said "God is this a sign?"....a little spilled coffee...I got over that quick.

Christina, another teacher who will be coming to the ship with me, picked me up from the airport...instant bond! It was beautiful! We had a big welcome dinner with all of the participants from the training and then had a chance to get settled into our rooms and bond with the other girls here :D! Kinda feels like Uni all over again...only a bit older, knowing a bit more, and you can tell by the sound of the accents that I'm one of the only northerners haha!! But all is great...I'm a little eerie about the bugs and poisonous things but I'm sure with time, I will conquer yet one more of my fears :D! Thanks for all your prayers for safe travelling...God is so faithful.