Retreat

   Well, I missed updating you last week, when I was on break for Thanksgiving... obviously, I was sleeping and sleeping some more. So now you know how my Thanksgiving went. haha
   Last Sunday, we began our "outreach retreats". My team (Nepal/India) decided we should go shopping on Sunday. I still want to know who thought going shopping with 12 people was a good idea. We had a good time, but by 2 pm I was done... we started at 1 pm. Although, I did buy a new sleeping bag at REI. I slept in it the whole week and was nice and warm. So I know I will be warm in Nepal and the rest of the winter here in Wisconsin. Sunday night, after supper, we began discussion time with a predetermined question: who are you? One of the staff team began with the answer (thankfully, it was not me). The answer could not be a simple, "My name is__ and I am __ years old.". We decided before we even began the retreat that those answers were, more or less, invalid. I was amazed at how well I could answer this question. Last year at this time, I definitely had to answer this question with, "I have no idea. God and I are in this stripping and peeling away process." One of the students answered the question that way and I was so proud of the fact that she did. It was a beautiful moment for me- and I know that if she allows the process to continue than she will eventually be in the place of "my God says this about me". 
   Sorry, went on a rabbit trail there. So we are answering this question and I am so impressed with the fact that I can say, "this is me" and it was true. The way that God has worked in my life in the last year is breath-taking, and frankly, beautiful. Sure, I have days when I choose not to listen to what God is saying about me, but then I have days when all I want to do is slow dance with my Saviour King because that is who He has created me to be. He says and I am. It is as simply as that. And it is really cool to see that in my own life I have said "God, who do you say I am?" and He has answered only with the truth of who I am. 
   Our nighttime discussions revolved around this question. Our days were filled with teachings on the art of storytelling and logistics and drama practice. Tuesday, before everyone went home, we sat in the living room of the house we were staying/meeting in and "Love Bombed" one another. (To be honest, I have no idea where that name came from, but the concept is like an encouragement circle.) Being with strictly the team made me so excited for outreach. All the students have money for a plane ticket and they are going with the one staff member who has money. haha
   I know my God will provide for Nepal and India. After all, He is a good Father. 
   So excited to be His hands and feet.