Believing That God is Good

I am beginning to feel more comfortable here. I know my way around the U-District pretty well and am figuring out how the city and metro area are laid out. I like hanging out around campus. There's a cool view of the city, with the mountains in the distant horizon. 

My roommates are nice people but I don't think we'll really be friends, which is ok. 

For the first time in my life, I am not on a sports team and there aren't a hundred clubs for me to join and I am not in class and I don't live in a hall full of different people. This got me wondering how I'm supposed to meet people and meet friends. I will be joining a church. Once I know my wok schedule, I want to look into volunteering. And maybe I will be friends with people I work with. Maybe. It is very different from my past experiences, when everyone is looking for someone. Here, I'm stepping onto a scene that already exists, and I'm trying to find my place. 

I was reading James just now, and the second half of 5:11 caught my eye: you have seen the purpose of The Lord, how The Lord is compassionate and merciful. 

The history of the faith, the church, is given to us in the Bible, as rocks on which to build our faith. God shows us His faithfulness and endurance throughout history to give us solid ground on which to stand, in all circumstances.  When Paul writes in Romans that God is making all things work to our good, it's not something he's just saying to make us feel better, it is built on countless proofs and providence. It has been tested and demonstrated time and time again. 

And that is the source of our delight and comfort. When we're told in Psalm 37:4 to delight ourselves in The Lord, He will give us the desires of our heart. A lot of people take that to mean that if they can just prove to God how much they love Him, then He will give them what they want. But I have reason to believe it is not so. 

I think that when we are truly delighted in The Lord, He overwhelms our desires. We want more of Him and His will. We began to want more of what He wants for us and suddenly the desires of our hearts are no longer distinct from His. We begin to radiate an incorrigible joy, echoing John the Baptist in saying, this joy of mine is now complete. 

University!

After recovering from the hike, I checked out some local things. I went to a coffee shop and drank milk tea! And I visited a used book store where I restrained myself and only bought two books. I sat on the university grass under a tree and read. I listened to everyone discuss the heat (it's 80) and had a good laugh. I have been here 3 days now and there has been no sight or sound of rain. I am mildly disappointed as a rain enthusiast but I am sure there will be plenty more to come. 

Although I just checked the weather and there is no rain predicted for the next week. I feel deceived. How am I supposed to put Barry's gift to good use? 

Soaking up the sun in Seattle. 

Hit By A Bird

This morning I woke up and somewhat impulsively decided I wanted to go hiking today. Yesterday was spent exploring a lot of the city and metro area so I thought I'd take a nice little drive today. 

I drove about an hour to arrive at River Meadows Park. It was beautiful. I am glad I took today to do something like this. I now know a good way to spend days off. 

The trails were not well marked, but it was easy enough to navigate. I had packed lunch and a blanket and a book so I was very happy for several hours.  

And yes, a small bird flew right into me. I'm not sure who was more frightened. 

Here are some pictures.  

I don't think you can tell from the picture, but I am actually in a tree here. I hung out there for awhile. 

I had a great time and was planning on exploring my neck of the urban jungle a little more but I am suddenly very sleepy. 

Psalm 23 3 Ways

I think everyone who needs a little soul rest and comfort needs to turn here, and soak.  

ESV

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of The Lord forever. 

Amplified

The Lord is my shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me]; I shall not lack. He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him - not for my learning it, but] for His name's sake. Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cups runs over. Surely goodness, mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of The Lord [and His presence] shall be y dwelling place. 

Oh how I love His presence! I love this amplification. At the hipster church the pastor taught on prayer. He said, "prayer is not so we can have what we want, but so we can have God". There it is, it's about presence. 

Jesus Storybook Bible

God is my Shepherd

And I am his little lamb. 

He feeds me 

He guides me

He looks after me. 

I have everything I need. 

Inside, my heart is very quiet. 

As quiet as lying still in soft green grass

In a meadow

By a little stream. 

Even when I walk through 

The dark lonely scary places

I won't be afraid 

Because my Shepherd knows where I am

He is here with me 

He keeps me safe

He rescues me 

He makes me strong

And brave. 

Resting here in the evergreen state. 

Forward

So this morning I woke up in Seattle. I think I've finally begun to understand this moving thing. There are a lot of things that are hard. In an answer to a prayer I hadn't thought to pray, my friend Kelsey checked in with me today. 

Kelsey was traveling the world, but had home bases in smaller spaces when she married a California surfer dude. She moved to San Diego, and I'd known it was a pretty big transition for her. 

She shared some of her experiences with me: 

Yes, it takes time. Moving is always hard and the west coast is very different. Try not to let discouragement take root as you settle, it just takes time. I used to get very discouraged about living in san Diego. But as I adjusted more and more it became easier. 

And:

Its hard to prepare yourself for such a big change. I think I underestimated how hard it would be. My regret is that I assumed because it was hard, that I was doing something wrong. And now I  feel like that is the case. I think some things are just truly, genuinely hard. 

This was very helpful and encouraging to hear. I also feel somewhat similar to some of the things I went through last year in Dakar. I had to learn to make a few mistakes and be wrong and ask questions but it was all more than worth it in the end. 

I'm looking forward to this feeling like home. I'm already very familiar with I-5 aka how to get anywhere without going nuts. 

Long long long long long long day

This morning, still in Boise, I went to the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial. It was awe striking. Not only did it honor Anne, her family and friends, and those who hid them, but it also served as a place to remember other human rights violations throughout the world and history, and to inspire us to make change where it is needed. I was blown away. I was also mildly upset by those who casually jogged or rode their bikes through the park. Maybe I'm being overly sensitive, but this is an important place, with an important message and I think it deserves some respect. 

There were quotes from so many human rights leaders and victims. 

Then I went to a very hipster church plant in downtown Boise. The service was better than I expected after the Mumford and sons start. Everyone was very friendly and the gospel was preached. 

Then I had a hard drive the first 6 hours were just real long. Then the traffic was crazy. I finally found a place to park in the city and then I had to call Betsy because I was stressed and overwhelmed. I ended up getting back on the freeway to go to a nearby mall so I could have a place to relax because I can't meet my roommates for another 45 minutes now. 

I am really glad Liztowne and I aren't living in the city. I  should be able to handle 3 months once I get used to it, but indefinitely? No. 

Ok I am in my summer home now. My roommates seem like we will get along just fine. My room will also be good. I can basically live anywhere though so I wasn't concerned about that. 

I have kind of a lot to do and figure out but that will happen ndank ndank (step by step). 

I still can't really grasp what I just did. I know I said I'm looking forward to being in  one place but now that I'm here I'm less sure. But once I start the job and find a nice church I'm sure I could feel differently. I think I have chronic postgrad/moving syndrome. I will recover. 

Mormons and Mountains

Today was again beautiful. I sound like a broken record, but I believe this just confirms that I am a west coast girl at heart. I spent the morning feeding my Mormon obsession in Salt Lake. I took an embarrassing number of pictures. There was a young adults conference also visiting temple square and I think people just thought I was Mormon, too. The salt lake folks were super friendly and nice. I justified my extensive amount of time there with my religious studies degree. 

I won't bore everyone too long, but here's a glimpse. 

This is the salt lake temple. There were people around and based on my knowledge of Mormon sacraments, it was a wedding! I obviously couldn't crash because you need a temple recommend, but it was still pretty cool. 

These are 130 year old blessing gowns from a smith child and a young child, respectively. I went to the museum of church history and art. Mormonism is the only religion that was started in the US. 

Anyway. 

I finally got going and eventually landed in Boise. It was your standard 5 hour drive through the rolling hills, ya know. 

Sometimes I forget how far I am from where I was. Then someone checks by ID and is like, whoa, what are you doing out here?! Part of me is sad that the road trip is almost over but the other part is pumped to be in Seattle and settle in to a new home. 

I think it would have been more hindrance than help to have a co-pilot. I only have to worry about myself and my gas tank. I don't have to worry about someone else complaining about the number of John Piper sermons I listen to or consecutive belt outs of All Too Well. I also think most people have to go to the bathroom more than once every 5 hours. I am glad I got to see some friends along the way, though. If I had to go 4 days without seeing a single familiar face, I think it could have gotten lonely. Even introverts need friends sometimes. 

Tip of the day: even if your hotel has a restaurant, find someplace else within walking distance. It's a nice way to stretch your legs after driving all day. Unless the weather is really bad I guess. I've enjoyed it, though. I also don't really stop during the day so I am more excited about the prospect of being outside somewhere other than a gas station. 

Also, make sure your swimsuit is accessible! Even if you just sit in the hot tub, it's nice.