everybody everybody

God is teaching me a lot about community this year.

I have two sisters, 5 stepsibs (+2 ex steps), 3 sets of grandparents, 20 aunts and uncles, ~12 great-aunts and uncles... and i don't know... 25 cousins? Maybe more counting Second cousins and my cousins children...

So I have a lot of family. I think the thing about family is... we see each other, love each other, care for each other out of a necessity- even though I love all of them, and some I am quite close to, the idea of being together begins with that animal survival instinct- kinship and all that...

Then there is life group. Ministry team.. missions team... the senior class...

Cohesion and love for each other is not organic. It's awkward...

But in times of crisis and struggle, the church community is strong only because the love they have for each other is built on that greater love God has for us.
In times of joy and celebration, who else do we turn to but those people who have seen us grow and mature on a level beyond blood ties and legal/official relationships?

I think I am learning more and more the joy of being in community with my sisters and brothers in Christ. It seems so trite...

but I guess it's something I am only learning to value as it is coming to an end (in some ways). And I think I've abandoned community sometimes in exchange for self-control and isolation...

It's funny how witnessing the power of those relationships is really what I need to bring me out of that alienation.

anyway.... supposed to be studying...

checking in

I feel like I haven't written in a long time... but it's alright. I'm learning to think [patiently] before writing, and I've found I have less to say when I let things simmer for a bit.

but yeah- March 1st. freakin weird.

I was really glad to have spring break to just chill and actually travel for once. Beyond that, though I think I was a bit of a slacker in keeping up with everything I said I would, I feel like a lot was revealed to me about myself. In terms of where I'm going with my life... still kind of wandering aimlessly, but I'm learning to enjoy the trip :)

anyway.. cheesy little entry, then back to attempting the reading assignments for classes. I sort of forgot (-_-*)I was still in school over break somehow... so I've got a bit of catch up to do before we dive into these last two months.