My last post was kind of depressing, I know. So, I intend to cheer the blog up a little bit and praise God a lot by relating some of the wonderful things that have happened since my return to Chicago.
The first weekend back was weird. I got here on Saturday and tried to settle into the new room, on the new floor in Houghton. Most of my stuff was coming in boxes in the mail, so unpacking was not really going to happen until monday. My room mate was already here and I got to meet her. First answer to prayer: Joy is an amazing woman--very kind, understanding, and dedicated to Christ. I can trust her and we have already built a foundation for our friendship on prayer and encouraging one another. I couldn't have asked for a better person to room with this semester!
After acclimating to classes and spending the first few days of classes trying to remember the names of my new brother floor and sister floor, I finally started to release the built-up anxiety I'd had since my arrival. It felt so good to have friends and studies to occupy myself with--and I was excited about seeking out my Savior this semester. Coming into the semester I felt like the Lord was wanting to use this semester to teach me about humility. This is something I've been praying for a long time.
By now, the second month of school, I have made some very close friends with the girls on the floor--especially one girl named Madie. And several of the brothers are becoming good friends as well. I really enjoy studying with them and we often play ping-pong, foosball, go ice skating, and play racquetball. I am so blessed to know them! Not only are they a source of entertainment, the Lord has been using them very often to teach me things and help me in so many ways.
Unlike previous semesters I've been very blessed to be in close contact with my mother and some of the brothers at home. They recently each sent me a precious letter: Judah asked me what my hobbies are, Jon asked if I had a boyfriend, and Seth said he was going to come up and visit during one of my breaks! Israel sent me a picture of an Indian rowing a canoe that he'd drawn. He's getting better at his art! Its so neat to hear how they are growing and even becoming more passionate for Jesus in my absence. I miss them a lot.
This week was Founder's Week and I have been very busy. The first two days I worked catering and my Jimmy John's job all day and then went to the evening sessions afterwards. The speakers have been great! I especially enjoyed Chip Ingram's influential, timely message yesterday night. My family has been tuning in on the internet broadcast as well, adding to the experience--I love knowing that they're seeing the same thing as me and then being able to talk to them about it later on!
The blizzard has definitely been the highlight of this past month! I LOVE snow. And there is a lot of snow out there right now. After the evening session night before last--when it first came down really heavy--a group of us moody students decided to brave the winds and walk home in the blustery whiteness. It was soooo much fun! (except for the 2 minutes of agony when my fingers weren't numb yet) The very next day I visited Houghton roof just to see the wonderful drifts up there and look out over the city. Snow is the perfect softening, light-giving decoration for a dirty, rough-edged city like Chicago. It reminds me of the purity of Christ and how He transforms our lives in a similarly striking, pleasant manner.
I am greatly enjoying my studies so far. Though it is a struggle to keep up with everything. I have classes from morning to early afternoon, a few hours to practice piano and study, and then I either have work or PCM each night until 9pm or so. After this more study if I'm not too tired, and then rest. The weekends are filled with more studying and as much fun as I can fit in without compromising my priorities. Its hard to say no to friends sometimes. But I really want to do well this semester in every area.
I'm going to a great church with one of the sisters on my floor. Its a small community church in the southwest corner of the city--not sure of the exact location--and its a very good church. They have a lot of diversity, excellent worship led by a moody alumnus, and biblical preaching. The also have a college group that is trying to reach out to college-age unbelievers; I'd like to get involved with that group if I can make the meetings. I'll probably end up working those nights every week though.
Ultimately, every prayer or concern that I had coming back to moody has been answered. I have a job, my relationships are positive and uplifiting, I have a great room mate, I have a good church to go to, I'm keeping up with homework, and I've been able to keep in touch with my family. Not only that, the Lord is making my grow and stretch in my spiritual walk. I am hungry for His word--though finding a time to study it is difficult--and He is speaking to my heart daily. I just want to thank Jesus for being faithful, full of grace, rich in mercy, and very loving to me. There is none like Him.
