As the third week of my time in Colorado for training comes to an end, it's hard to believe that I only have one more week left. The time has flown by and I've loved it! I've learned some very good lessons, learned all kinds of helpful language learning activities, made lots of new friends, had lots of great conversations, and had a wonderful coach for my weekly coaching sessions. I've been amazed at some of the insights that have come from the lessons learned. This week we focused on conflict management styles, reactions under stress, spiritual vitality, and Sabbath rest. I've had some deep conversations and some shallow conversations. I've taken many walks and I've had time to draw closer to God. Being single kind of sets you apart from all of the families, but knowing that I can handle doing things alone or on my own is super encouraging considering I'll eventually be moving to a foreign country on my own. I do miss my friends from home some times, but I've made some friends here that I enjoy talking to. My perspective has been broadened even more and I've gained so many new insights on how to do life well with a team and just others in general. I love the staff here at MTI and wish that I had more opportunities to talk with them one on one to get to know them even better. They have so much life experience and wisdom to share! I've continued to hang out with my fellow Texas peeps and the future Thailand peeps, but have also branched out to have meals with lots of others, too. There is just so much to learn from so many people, four weeks just doesn't seem like enough. I love living in community. I have my own room, but knowing the whole group is in this one building and our paths cross frequently leading to more conversations is such a huge blessing!
Tomorrow is Saturday and I have not made any plans. I will definitely go for a day hike somewhere, but I just don't know where yet. I hiked four miles up and down Mount Herman last Saturday. I also came across a Farmer's Market where I bought some fresh peaches, a sno cone, and a huge bag of delicious kettle corn! I went to a tiny church on Sunday and enjoyed meeting people there. I haven't decided if I'll go back there this Sunday or try a different one. That one is nice because it's less than five minutes away.
Anyway, I'll close with a short story for you, a God moment I experienced today. Today we discussed Sabbath rest and leaving margin in your life. We were "forced" to take reflection time. I was laying on my stomach outside in the grass with my head in my arms. I was pouring out all of the junk within me in order to be silent and transformed by God. I was unaware of my surroundings as I poured out my soul. I could hear a roaring sound in my ears but was detached from it as I talked to God. I finished and moved into silence at the same time as the roaring stopped and I was surrounded by silence. The roaring sound in my ears had been coming from a train that was passing by and it just so happened to finish at the same time as I did which led to the silence. And that was my God moment. Sometimes I'm so full of the chaos of life that the roaring in my ears makes it impossible to hear God. But when I pour out my heart to Him, the silence comes, thus transforming me.
Two other things I've taken note of this week are: I am a teddy bear and no matter how deep the pit you're in, God is deeper still.
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