MOMENTS IN GAINESVILLE

COMMUNITY I have found so much life and beauty here in Gainesville. It hasn't always been easy and yet, every day that passes I fall more and more in love with the people I'm surrounded with and the life I get to live here. I'm making memories right now that will last a lifetime, both in my mind and through my photographs. 

COMMITMENT In September we had the opportunity to sign the World Race commitment and say "yes" to each other for the next 9 months. I cried the whole time. There was something so beautiful about looking each person on the squad in the eyes and telling them I would say yes to living in community with them this year through thick and thin. We also shared communion and placed our signed WR commitments under the chair. What an incredible image of surrender and celebration.

CUISINE Mon-Fri we get hot meals 3 times a day on campus. Some of my favorites have been tacos (EVERY TUESDAY!!), Greek food, and salad at dinner. I have definitely learned surrender in having to eat whatever is given to me since I eat very differently at home but I see it as another area of growth. I am so grateful for the incredible kitchen staff and their creativity in providing a ton of variety when it comes to feeding 150 people every day.

CLEAN CLOTHES We wash all our clothes by-hand around here so most days you can find clothes draped across every available surface. Here's the washing process: Grab two 5 gallon buckets and head to the nearest hose. Fill 'em up and squirt at least 5 pumps of laundry soap (7-8 if you are feeling generous and no one is looking). Begin scrubbing the heck out of your clothes in the soapy water bucket (being systematic about it so as to not end up with nasty water before you are finished washing). Dump them into the rinse bucket and attempt to get the soap out (trust me, crunchy clothes are just a new norm around here). Next, ring them out as much as humanly possible (even to the point of risking nerve damage) in order that they *might* dry in a day. Head to the nearest line and hope to find a spot. Come back in aprox. 24-48 hours and remove any spiders.

We leave for Louisiana in 7 days to do hurricane relief with Samaritan's Purse. To say I am grateful for the last month spent here at Adventures in Missions would be a major understatement. Thanks Jesus.