I think back to my other college Fall Breaks so far:
Freshman year -- road trip to Maryland and Washington D.C. with some great friends. The destination seemed pretty glamorous, not to mention several morning hikes, rainy afternoons and relaxed evenings.
Sophomore year -- if I remember right, I went down to the International House of Prayer with a few others packed in a car.
Hmm... oh reminiscing. Anywho, back to the present. This semester has been crazy in several areas, all pointing to God's redemptive purposes, and how He pushes those He loves to develop noble character and integrity. It's been so stretching, and more than once have I been forced way out of my comfort zone. Oh how He loves us; Oh, how You love me. All that to say, this break has been a long time in coming, and yet its timing couldn't have been more perfect.
Karleen and I made a deal this past summer that we'd make it a weekend trip to come back down to Grabill early in the Fall semester -- so here we are. What an incredible friend I have. My last class was early afternoon on Wednesday, and then I stayed that night at my house to catch a breath and try and organize my life a step ahead of where it was at. Thursday was super relaxed, refreshing and productive. Dinner time came around and I headed out to Epic's praise practice. Though not playing this week (as I'm in Grabill) I still brought my guitar, and played along unplugged. It was such an easy-going, genuine and sincere, time of reflection and praise unto Christ. Following practice, I had an incredible conversation with Ann and Karleen. Gosh I love those ladies so much.
Friday morning Karleen and I just turned on some instrumental tunage (Jon Schmidt is the best!) and just spent some intentional hours in her apartment. Then... road trip!!! We made sure to stop at 7/11 and grab some Arnold Palmer's in honor of summer times, and some chocolate for the road. You could say we were set. A short two hours later... after seeing an Amish woman struggle with a chainsaw on the side of the road, only in Indiana... we made it the best host-family's home in the entire world. And guess what was ready for dinner?! Chili. The best on a chilly fall day. We spent the rest of the evening catching up on much, with plenty of laughter and even holding back a few tears.
Saturday. Today didn't really start for me until 11am. Gotta take advantage of sleep when it's available :) Anywho, Karleen and I headed out around noon for a lunch on the Smitley's via Groupon. During my last few weeks here in Grabill, a brand spankin' new coffee cabin opened up which I pretty much fell in love with, and Patricia had bought this groupon for a lunch date for two. So sweet of her to give it to us to use! That was super fun, and then we were able to meet up with Kelley-guy and Kellly-girl at Dairy Sweet, and then with Sarah Lawrence afterwards. Talk about just good times of catching up, and some incredible conversations as well. I just keep finding myself reminded and reminded of God's redemptive purposes. Amazes me. After spending some time with some fantastic people, Courtney, Karleen and I were feeling some "fiesta" in our spirits and headed out to good 'ole Bandito's. On our way out we decided that we never want to smell like we bathed in a pool of outdated perfume, like the old ladies who were on the path as we made our exit.
Last but not least, those who could make it came over to the Smit's for some catch-up time and a movie. Andrea, Liv, Hannah, Brok and August. We hung out, watched YouTube clips, hunted around for some new tunes, made brownies. took pictures, cleaned up after Missy peeing on the couch, and then watched She's The Man. I must say the boys were troopers for watching that one with us gals, even though Brok had more of it memorized than me. It was such a great time of just seeing everyone and spending time with them, just like old summer times. The Lord has blessed me so much with a home here in Grabill and friendships that will last. I don't deserve it at all, and I am humbled and blessed.
My mind's a bit just off right now, which is why this is kinda cut and dry -- my creativity for the day left an hour or so ago :) haha. Anywho, time for bed, and looking forward to church in a couple hours. Once I get them, I'll post a pic or two from tonight -- stay tuned!
Left to right: August, Andrea, Liv, Hannah, Brok and then me and Courtney in front :)
