I was reading an article in a grad school magazine about keeping yourself healthy--especially mentally-- while focusing on school. It was pretty interesting; also pretty relevant to the kind of work I'll need to do this year as a Senior, particularly with the intense focus on student teaching next spring. I guess what surprised me most was not the suggestions for ways to stay organized but the emphasis on taking breaks: to have a rhythmn.

I definitely do not have a rhythmn to my life at this point. Whirlwind is more like it: I've hit the ground running when I landed back in Grand Rapids and it's been a lot of stress trying to figure out finances for this first tuition payment, putting in a lot of long hours at the Prince Conference Center, and getting things ready for school.

On the other hand, I feel like I've been doing nothing at all. There's a kind of stagnance to the lulls, and I don't know what to do with myself. Emotionally, I'm still struggling with the same lack of confidence in myself, and the way that plays out in my relationships with others--but that has gotten a lot better since last year. Spiritually, however, I feel like so much of what happened in California was just a dream. I want to get back into things, especially back into 2nd Corinthians (Heidi, what was the name of that commentary again?) but it's like I've just resorted back to the self I was before I left. I have to remember the things God has been speaking to me about and recommit myself to those things here, too. Grand Rapids needs Deep Justice as well, and part of the challenge is to recognize where.

I'm looking forward to church on Sunday. Monroe Community is going to be a significant gift and blessing in my life; I can see it already. It reminds me of the way I jumped into the community at Glasgow West End Vineyard... what an amazing thing to arrive in a foriegn city and find welcome at that church--and to remain going to that church there all 13ish weeks that I lived in Glasgow. That's kind of what I'd like to do with MCC-- stick with it and get involved and let the Holy Spirit teach me through their community life as the HS did with me in Glasgow.

Oh! Virginia, our third person, has moved into the apartment-- Kim, my roommate, is moving in on Friday. It'll be interesting to have all of us here and to find my way through the dynamics. I've never lived with any of these girls before, so it might be a bit of a challenge! But one of my goals this semester is to expand my social horizons and meet some new people and invest in community life.

It was good to talk to Heidi today, over a late breakfast at Real Food Cafe, and express some of the joys that have been happening in my--our!--life lately. I'm excited for her and the road that she'll be taking in the coming months, and it's always so good to share with her. She's an amazing mentor and friend. :)

I'm tired. Luckily I get to sleep in without an alarm tomorrow--for the only time all week... I probably won't have that option again for a while! :) I love taking naps though, that always helps. I almost said "I'm such a two-year-old" with the way I love naps, but then I remembered that my niece, Maryn, has not been taking her naps lately! hehe. :)

Betsy