Random Monday Musings

* I've come to really enjoy the fact that the men and women are separated during our village exposure time. While the guys are off learning how to make weapons out of grass and leaves, the ladies sit around and work our bilums, sing together, tell stories and just talk. It's nice to have the freedom to build those relationships, just be girls, and not worry about the guys seeing us or hearing us.

* I haven't heard a cell phone ring in 3 weeks. Sometimes I still go into my purse (bilum) thinking I need to turn down my ringer, or wanting to check to see if anyone called me during class.

* On Saturday night I was able to bust out my EMT skills. During an exciting game of night-time ultimate frisbee (with hardly any lights on at all) 2 of the guys had a bit of a collision. At first I just laughed... then I realized they were both not getting up. One of the guys' teeth connected with the other guy's eyebrow. He had to have stitches and has the best black eye I've ever seen! They both were a little bit googily after that, but I really enjoyed taking care of them until the doctor could see them.

* I've lost 10 pounds so far. That's the good news. The bad news is that I feel like after some of those hikes I should have lost more like 30lbs. Also, you can't see any difference since I have to look frumpy every day anyway.

* I love waking up every morning and having our prayer group outside, looking at the mountains. It is often foggy/misty in the mornings and sometimes you just see certain peaks with the fog hovering around them. Looking at that, and seeing waterfalls, the bougainvillea growing wild, and the brightness of the stars, feeling the cool of the evening... all I can think about is How Great is Our God!?! And wonder how I could be important to Him at all, and yet I am. ("Because we mattered most to the One who matters most").

* I am constantly dirty and smelly. There is no way to stay clean and smelling good. We all try, and we shower every day, but we still stink. I really miss fabric softener.

* I also really miss cheese. And steak. Let's not talk about it.

* I've been learning a lot of things from God these past few weeks, but it's not what I expected to learn. I wanted to grow in my knowledge of the Bible, and I suppose that has happened as well, but really I'm learning so much more about what it means to be gracious, especially when you just feel like being selfish. And about what it means to truly give something to God. I've realized that while I SAY that I'm giving it to Him, my heart really isn't in it. I SAY that I want clarity, but I'm too afraid the answer will be NO. I'm learning a lot about surrender and sacrifice.

The true follower of Christ will not ask, "If I embrace this truth, what will it cost me?" Rather he will say, "This is truth. God help me to walk in it, let come what may!" ~ AW Tozer