Spring thinking

Hi folks! It's been a few days since I last touched base here on my blog. I don't even know where to start or how to start. I just spent the past week visiting Andrea at her school, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, in Daytona Beach. I can't believe my little baby is a senior!

Since I can't possibly write about everything. I'll list some "highlights" and "lowlights" of the trip:

Being with Andrea: We are definitely close sisters and friends. Sometimes I feel like we're the same person. We've spent so much time apart from each other over the past several years, but we somehow still have the same voices and even say most of the same things. Her friends kind of freaked out when they met me, because they thought we were so similar. But we're also different in just about as many ways. I'm always encouraged and amazed by her patience, humor, love for others, spunk, energy, brains, and athletic skills.

Andrea's track meet: Baby sister Andrea has honestly been having a rough track season, especially since her hip surgery last year. She has set school records at her university for triple jump and high jump, but has struggled this season to do what she really loves to do. I was blessed to see her compete in triple jump on Saturday, where she did her season's best. I just think of how God created such an energetic person, and how He must delight in watching her run and jump with such a joyful heart and huge smile.

Friends: I got to meet so many of her friends this past week; many of whom are international students and have recently become believers. Several of the new believers are from China, and I just about want to weep for joy when I hear their stories of coming to believe in the truth. They are always pretty enjoyable to hang out with!

Conversations: I enjoyed talking to a variety of people, and also loved talking to Andrea. It was good to step away from my grad school environment and refocus and recharge, spiritually, mentally, and physically. Now I feel a little bit more prepared to finish this semester, although I won't be able to without the Father's strength.

Beach time: What else is there to say? I enjoyed being warm and reading, walking, and splashing around at the beach.

Leaving: It was pretty difficult leaving Andrea, although I'll see her again soon for her graduation. I always feel like a part of me is missing when I leave her. She's always great at speaking truth into my life and helping me come face to face with my sin and then God's grace that covers my sin. It was also challenging waking up this morning at 4:30 a.m., driving 80 miles to Orlando, flying to Indianapolis, taking the long shuttle to Bloomington, and going to class until 7 p.m. I may collapse soon.

Prayer requests:

-I still feel a bit discouraged and disheartened by graduate school right now and feeling like it is all for naught.

-Andrea is going on staff with the campus ministry, Campus Outreach, at her campus next year. I witnessed amazing ministry opportunities there, especially with females at a predominately male school and with international students. Please lift up her support raising, and that other people will continue to grasp the vision God's placed on her heart and the heart of other Campus Outreach staff.

Thank you, Daytona folks, I felt very welcome.

Eating lunch with my sister and her friends on campus. Notice all the guys in the background. The school is 85% male.

Andrea's jumping skills in action.

A polaroid picture with Andrea and Foong Yi.

We had a picnic with some of Andrea's friends. This is a new Chinese brother and he was probably one of the funniest, most innocent Chinese boys I've met (and I've met a lot!) He couldn't walk--he only skipped or leaped everywhere, and would randomly do yoga poses during a normal conversation.

Watching the moon rise over the Halifax River.

I snapped this picture of Andrea on the beach. I think she'd make a pretty good model!