I Have the Most Wonderful Friends!

I really do have the most wonderful friends. I'm sitting in the staff room crying right now because I can't believe how blessed I am. For those of you who don't know, I decided not to go to Susan's wedding this past weekend. To make a long story short, I never felt at peace about leaving the ranch for the weekend. I really felt that God had a special reason for me to be here and that I needed to obey Him. So, I wrote two of the hardest emails I've ever written, and that's why you didn't see me last weekend. After avoiding my inbox for several days...I decided I needed to read my emails. Sus and Meg...your emails were so precious and so wonderful!!! You bless me more than you will ever know...I love you!

The great news is that God did have a special reason for me to stay. One of the girls on my team shared her testemony (we all do, but I would have missed hers) and although I can't share the details, I know that I needed to be there. It was the first glimpse of true community I've experienced here. Also, I had a long talk with a guest and I think God was able to use me to encourage her. Her husband left her for a "younger blonder wife" in her words, three years ago and it was good just to tell her that she would be in my prayers. Brooke and Tony also asked me to lead one of the girls Bible Studies which I am SO excited about! I'm also going to help Haley, my crew leader, come up with a devo plan for the waitrii crew which I'm also so excited about. All of this happened this weekend and wouldn't have happened had I done what I really wanted to do and flown out to be with you all. It's just one of those times where I wished we were in heaven. You know, so everyone could just be with me all the time on the same block of mansions. Some day, we're going to have the COOLEST block parties!

God has been teaching me so much about how he is glorified through broken people. His power is perfected in my weaknesses and when I choose to make myself vulnerable in front of these girls. Another girl shared her testemony today, a story so broken and so full of hurts and scars that I can't even think about it without crying. But she chose (...a little against her will...) to allow us into her story. She said that before us, only about five people knew about the things she shared. What an honor to be part of such an open community. Thanks guys for teaching me the value of vulnerability so that I can carry that with me into this new community. I'm really getting excited about working here!

Ha. Work. Today was not a red letter day for Heidi. We have this "high maintenance" family here for a reunion. In the space of a breakfast, I filled up the matriarch's mug which previously had tea in it...with coffee...TWICE. Oh Heidi. Then to make matters worse, I had the same family for lunch. Talk about awkward. Thankfully lunch went much better.

So in recap. I'm having a blast here and working my butt off. But, days off are so fun. This week, I went in to town, aka Colorado Springs. The road back to civilization winds through Deckers (which only has a tackle shop and a mini mart) and Woodland Park, home of the famous Hungary Bear restaurant and WalMart ( I don't think I've ever been so happy to see a WalMart before in my life). In the Springs, we went to a movie and out to eat at Carrabas...so fun! I spent time with some really fun girls and got to drive the whole way there with Pike's Peak right in front of me. Amazing.

Everyone should come out and visit!