Reunited and it feels so good

Hello again!! So, here's the newest thing in my life: Tyler is back in the country! FOR GOOD! :) And the craziest part is that having him with me totally feels new. Being able to call him whenever I want, not having to figure out what time it is for him, going to his house and he's actually there, being able to make eye contact while we have conversations....its amazing what you take for granted. But I appreciate all those things so much more now that he's home. And we've just had a blast. It's so neat to see how different our relationship is after all that God has taught us this year. 

Plus, it's hilarious all the things that he is adjusting to. Just a few examples: 

• We went to Albertsons last night to rent a movie and buy snacks, and he could not believe how "short and fat" the soda bottles were. He swears they didn't look like that a year ago. (They did.) 
• Being able to eat hot sauce with meals. He puts it on EVERYTHING. 
• There is no tax in England, so whenever he buys something, he gets really confused and then really frustrated that he has to pay tax.
• Driving on the right side of the road. There have been many, many times in the past few days that he's started driving on the wrong side and I panic and yell "wrong side! wrong side!" That's definitely been an adventure.

Overall though, it has just been amazing. As expected, there's been some hardship. I mean, being apart for a year and then suddenly living in the same town...it almost feels weird at some points. Today, we got coffee and as I walked up to the shop and saw him sitting outside, for a split second, I tried to convince myself it wasn't him because I'm so used to it not being him. To not seeing him around town. And then there's the reality that our lives have been separate for a year. Him in England, me in Azusa, with different friends, stories, experiences, living situations, lifestyles, cultures....all of it was different. But I think it's led to a lot of growing and understanding each other better. Understanding how we react to certain things and learning to be patient with one another. It's amazing to see what 

situations God leads us to in order to make us grow. And I do feel like we definitely grew this year. 

Tyler and I were talking about it last night and he was just saying what an incredible journey we're on. To have this opportunity to test our love. To stick it out when it's not easy and outlast those hardships. And as hard as this last year was, I really believe God uses waiting time as growing time. As preparation time. He was preparing both of our hearts for something--I believe, something big--and Tyler & I needed to be separated by an ocean in order to be open to that growth. Of course, this is easy to say now that this year is over and we made it :) , but I'm glad we had to endure this trial. I have learned the value in trusting the Lord, how faithful He is when you run to Him, and that He is mighty to save no matter what. God is bigger than the Atlantic Ocean. He's bigger than doubts and fears and pain. It doesn't matter how bleak or impossible your situation may seem; God is mighty to save. 

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." -Zephaniah 3:17

I can't talk about this last year without talking about the Lord. His goodness and faithfulness. With everything...school, friendships, family, Tyler, figuring out my future. Everything. God is mighty to save. 

P.S. Just to completely change modes: Eric & Sarah got married! It was the most beautiful wedding in the entire world and the Lord was just completely glorified through it all. That's how I want my wedding to be...just lifting Him up. I don't think I've ever seen two people more in love and I'm so excited for them! Congrats, Mr. & Mrs. Holmstrom! :)

Crazy Life

I just checked my APU email again. I had 3 emails about South Africa (yay!!!) and all of the logistics of it (boo). All of the sudden, I got really stressed out. Haha. Talking about getting my academic advisor to sign off these forms, getting vaccines from my doctor, validating my passport, putting down the deposit to hold my spot...wow. So much to do, so little time. 

In other news, I went on a cleaning rampage the other day. Cleaned out every drawer of my desk, my bookcase, parts of my closet...it was great. I don't do it very often but whenever I really clean, I love it. Feels so good. 

And the best part of my life lately is that the Broggi's are here! This family from Switzerland (with some of my favorite kids in the world!) that I met at Refresh are finally visiting America and are in Ventura for the week. We had a bonfire at the beach the other night and it was a blast!! It really made me miss that camp and that ministry. Hopefully it will work out for me to go next year. We'll see though. Since I'll be in South Africa, it would be extremely difficult to raise support and coordinate everything. But the Lord has a plan. If I'm supposed to go, I'll be there no matter what. But anyways, it's nice having Florian (in the hat) and Sebastian (glasses) out here. Spices things up a little bit :) 

Wrapping this random blog up, if you get a chance, please pray for all this South Africa stuff. The business side of it does add a little stress, especially since it's summer which makes it much more difficult to communicate with people at APU. But nevertheless, I'm still THRILLED that I'm going. :) 

3 days to Tyler!!! 

Pool Party 09 :)

I decided today that this is officially the best summer ever. Here are my reasons: 

1. I got to go to England/Paris to visit Tyler

2. Family Road trip to Colorado was awesome

3. I have a job

4. Taylor Swift surprise birthday concert...again

5. Weekend in San Clemente with the fam

6. Dodgers games

7. Circus 

8. Palm Springs girls weekend!  

9. Fun dinners/lunches/coffee dates/beach days with friends

And I still have a month of summer. So good. 

I also decided today that I'm really lucky to have the friends that I do. We all went to Katie Hill's for a pool party. Haha. Complete with cannonballs, water slides, pool toys, and pool games. It was so much fun and just totally felt like a summer day. And the best part is that, even after a year (for some of those there, two years) of being away in college, no one felt awkward. It wasn't this big "we all went away and changed completely and it's weird now when we hang out." It was just as much fun. Praise the Lord for good friendships. I love it. 

Upcoming exciting things: Tyler comes home in 9 days, potential camping trip with all of our friends one night, Eric & Sarah's wedding, more Dodger games, and Axtell family vacation. Yes please. 

But if it is from God...

I was reading my Bible the other night and stumbled across this story in Acts. It starts in Chapter 5, verse 17 but my favorite part begins at verse 38. 

"Therefore, in the present case, I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." 

Wow. I love that part... if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. That's something I really want to remember in my life. So often, I hear God calling me to do certain things but I resist because of my own doubts or insecurities. My humanity. But it says it so clearly right there: if it is from God, I will not be stopped. 

I want to live in a culture with that attitude. To be part of a generation that cannot be stopped because the Lord is leading us. Whether that's into our schools in California, or into foreign countries across the world. I mean, He is, after all, GOD. He is in full control and is mighty to save. If He wants something done, He will be sure it happens. And anyone opposing His plan will fail. You can't go to battle against the Lord and expect to win. 

I agree with Sam Parker: "Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise. Who can compare to His greatness?" Nothing of this world can compare to the Lord. He is great and mighty and all powerful. He leads his people with strength and love. And If God is for us, who can be against us? 

Pass the sunscreen, please

Wow, it's been awhile since I've posted on here! I didn't have much Internet while I was in Colorado, which is mainly why, but now I'm home and it's back! :) 

And my welcome home present was the worst sunburn ever. Haha. Well, that's not entirely true. I got back during the afternoon on the 4th and that night, went to the college with all of Ventura and had a blast! It was sooo fun. Ventura College on 4th of July is an extrovert's dream. :) Everyone you've ever known in your entire life is there. Hahaha. So that was really fun. But then the next day, I went to the beach and completely forgot about sunscreen. I don't know how or why but I did. And now, every step is sooo painful. 

I will never forget sunscreen again. 

Other than that, not much to update. I'm going to Palm Springs this weekend with the girls (yay!) and then Tyler comes home in 18 days!!! Crazy. This year has gone by so fast.