"Because with fear comes hope the same."

Currently Listening on repeat: Songs that Duke Wrote by Ben Rector

I have been home for less than a week and so far it has been incredible. This past weekend I had the great opportunity to visit Norman and all the incredible people there. I stayed the night with two Fold friends Liz and Amanda. I got to watch OU get beat by BYU in the midst of OU fans and it was so hilarious. I couldn't believe it was happening. Haha I was the only OSU grad in a 50 mile radius. I'm pretty certain that if anyone actually reads this knows about the Univ. of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State rivalry, if not, it is big in football. The best parts of the weekend, other than seeing so many people I love, was going to Celebration at Norman Community Church and having dinner with a very dear friend Kristin. It truly is amazing how NormCom's Community works. Worshiping, praying, and encouraging one another is something I have missed and seemed to only have found at Shepherd's Fold. I loved it and wish I could get involved there, maybe someday...

Everyone I talked to was so pumped to hear about New Zealand, but let's be honest...I don't know how you couldn't be. This might be one of the coolest things I have ever done. I am stoked and cannot believe I am doing this. Sometimes I get scared, but knowing the Lord will be holding my hand, never leaving my side, gives me boldness and Faith. Bring it.

"And you find you're holding on to everything you know, but the strength to move beyond is found in letting go." Ben Rector

This is where I am. I have to leave the memories of college and California for the past. I cannot hold on to things that are no more. My best friends have/are moving on to different things and trying to hold on to them will get me nowhere. There is no doubt we will always be friends, but will never be the same. We can't stay in the same place forever, and things change. That's life. We can't hang on to the good or the bad, we just move on.

My big goal for going on this Discipleship Training School (DTS) is to come home not looking like me. Having given my life to Christ, I submit to Him making me more like Him. Loving like Him. Seeing, feeling, playing, talking, encouraging like Him. I want to change lives and allow myself to be changed.

To end I will leave you with quite possibly one of the greatest songs of the 90s.

MMMBOP