From Bellingham, a quick report

It’s only day three on campus but the things God has revealed to me are stunning! A wise woman told me before coming here that I am not the same person that went to Centralia College and let her mouth run away with her, or the same person that went to Australia and couldn’t stop crying for the entire five months. But until I was actually on campus being tested on my homesick and maturity levels I didn’t actually see how true that statement was.
My walk with God is at such a different level now than when I had those other experiences and that is what is making this transition so incredibly different. The trust and hope that I have in God has saved me from the tears of missing my family, because I know that He is the core of my family and will meet all my needs not them. The trust and hope I have in him also gives me the peace to recognize I don’t need to be showing off, flirting, or any other nonsensical thing to gain attention. He will provide me with friends in his time and while these three days hasn’t found anyone pounding on my door to be my best friend I’m not worried or questioning my own desirableness. (Is that a word I wonder?)
I love the fact that I can see, at least in a little part, why he has had me go through trials and painful experiences; I can actually see the fruit of those labors. That fact makes me even more excited to see what this situation will produce. What new lessons will he teach me in these coming months and years? Who will I meet, what will I see, and what will I have opportunity to partner with Him in? I’m more that excited, I’m joyfully expectant.
Okay for those of you who want to know more about campus and where I’m living, here is a quick description. I’m in Eden’s Hall which is on the north end of campus overlooking the bay. My room doesn’t have that as a view but the dining hall I’ll be eating in everyday does and I’m oober excited about that! Eden’s Hall attracts mostly upper classmen because of their strict quiet hours (9pm-9am most days) and the fact that most of the dorm is alcohol free. Freshmen feel this cramps their style, I guess. I am in a suite set up, there are two of us in my room with a bathroom we share with our two suitemates located in a room on the other side of the bathroom. The blessing a private bathroom is incredible especially since this dorm is co-ed. There appears to be more girls than boys on this floor but still, me walking down the hall first thing in the morning is not something my family handles well let alone a floor of strangers.
Tuesday is orientation day for Elementary Education students and then Wednesday I begin my new classes. I cannot wait to start learning! I know in my last blog I mentioned having to wait that year and a half before this next step and that was a difficult process. But today, walking to breakfast, I realized that had I jumped right back into college, I would not have enjoyed my time now nearly as much. I would have been constantly comparing it to my community in Australia, and it would have fallen short because it is such a different environment. I also wouldn’t have had to work as hard to get here and you know that when you work hard for something, you invariably enjoy it so much more. I am, yet again, seeing the fruits of the trails and processes God has been putting me through. It’s simply wonderful! Be encouraged, my readers, God has so much good for you because of all the hard things you have or are going through!
Lots of love!