October

It's really hard to believe that it's October already. Well, in fact November will be here in just two days. Outside it's 41 degrees (fahrenheit for all you internationals) but I think the internet must be lying because it must be colder than that. It's the first cold weather I've experienced in 5 years and it's quite a change. I must admit I'm starting to enjoy it though. It's this feeling of warmth inside because everyone is decorating for the holidays and you get all warm and cozy in your jacket. In the morning I wake up and the heat is on and the windows are icy and I just want to stay under the warm covers all day long.

School has been going by quickly and I've been able to stay caught up with my work and still manage to have fun with my friends. Weekends are usually spent doing homework, sleeping, and normally a trip to Wal-Mart (it's always great just to get off campus!) I enjoy my classes for the most part and am having fun with dorm life.

This past weekend I was able to go to a David Crowder Band concert, which I really enjoyed. I love the band and it was amazing to see them in concert. It was such an awesome time of praise and worship to God, not to mention very loud full of energy. Also this weekend I was able to talk with two good friends on the phone (Phillip and Yuhei). It was wonderful to be able to talk with them since I haven’t heard from them in a while. It has been great having a cell phone and being able to stay in contact with so many friends from around the country and even other countries.

At CIU, each girl hall has a guy brother hall and each weekend there are open dorms. This past Saturday night, each brother and sister hall got together to decorate the guys halls with the “World of Nations” theme. Our theme was Italy at night and it turned out very nicely with a powerpoint presentation of pictures, personally made “Italian” artwork, black garbage backs taped to the wall with views painted on them, and a band to play music for the background. I’d have to say that ours was the most realistic. Other halls had Neverland, Pirate World, Nintendo World, Egypt, and a Persian Market. It was a fun night to see everyone dressed up and acting the parts of yelling pirates, the lost boys, Luigi and Mario, and many more.

Next weekend (Nov 4-7) I’m going up to Lancaster, Pennsylvania to see a very good friend, Nate, who I haven’t seen in almost 2 years. I am so excited to go up and see him and his family!! I’m riding up there with two friends from CIU, Darcy and Amy. Darcy has so kindly volunteered to drive us up there and I’m looking forward to the road trip up and for Darcy to be able to meet Nate.

The weekend after (Nov 12-14) I’m going up to Charlotte, North Carolina with my roommate, Beth, to see Katie and Stephen (two good friends from Indonesia). That should be a good weekend of bonding between Beth and I, as well as having fun with Katie and Stephen.

As for things to pray for…I continue to search for God’s purpose in having me here at CIU. Like I’ve said I am enjoying so much, yet something remains missing. I have been seeking after God and waiting. I’m still trusting that He will provide what I need while I’m here, mainly in regards to good Spiritual fellowship and encouraging friendships.

I have been missing my family and friends in Bandung a ton so I’ve created a countdown calendar until the day when I get to go back in December…48 days until I leave!!

Me and Darcy after I sliced my thumb with scissors. She quickly came to my rescue with peroxide, neosporin, and bandages. Thanks Nurse Darcy!

The band playing for a night in Italy.

Christina, me, and Jodi on our Italy hall.

Kristen and I after being painted in Neverland by the Lost Boys.

A pirate in Neverland pouring shot glasses for anyone who wandered in to drink.

Mario getting painted by the Lost Boys as a reminder to stay a kid forever and never grow up.

Luigi (Joe), Kristen, me, and Mario (Daniel). Obviously on Nintendo World. It was a very creative and amazing floor.

This was on Monday when I probably should have been studying but instead Beth and I got the brilliant idea to rearrange our room (at least my side for complicated reasons). So, this is all my stuff after we moved it from the left side and piled it up on the right. I'm gonna have to put a lot of this in storage because it doesn't really fit in our room. I don't have a picture of how our room looks now but I'll get that up soon!

This is my friend Darcy from Indiana who lives across the hall from me. We were sitting on my bed about to read Judges. In November Darcy and I are driving (well she's driving since I don't have a license) up to Pennsylvania to see my good friend Nate for the weekend. I am SO excited!!

Me and Darcy again. We were laying on my bed reading Judges for Old Testament class. What an exciting book! Haha...well the class is fun especially since Professor Crutchfield is such an odd man who makes funny comments that are rather unexpected.