So last weekend was the Carleton Christian Community retreat. It began on Friday with a combined worship with St Olaf and the Northfield community. Owing to bad weather, "Worship in the Park" became "Worship in Olaf". But it was cool. Later, we all returned to FISH House to hang out and play games. It was a crazy time. I was wired, or so my housemates claim. They have decided that it is their God-given responsibility to keep me away from all things sugary or caffeine-y. This is a picture of (L-R): Jason, Steph, Jori, Ben -faroeb-, me and Mary at FISH house. I think this happened while we were playing a raucous rendition of Mafia.
The retreat was held at an awesome place called "Lonnie Land" (because the owner's name is Lonnie, duh) just 10 minutes away from Carleton. It's a huge place - and Lonnie, who is a GREAT guy, made the lake on his own! Yeah. Seems he does excavation or something as his work... and there I was having a mental picture of him digging up the ground with a shovel. Haha. Go Josh. So anyway, Lonnie Land is super! There was a mega trampoline...
... a super cool slide...
... a beautiful lake on which to go paddle boating (that's me with Amenah. She didn't know how to steer... and there was this fountain in the middle of the lake... so I was steering her into it... she started pedaling furiously in reverse - it was hilarious!) ...
... paddle boating again...
... fun games - there was a beach volleyball court, a basketball hoop, ping pong table... a cabin to hang out in... and here we are trying to untangle ourselves... I stepped out to take this photo...
... and of course, great fellowship! The theme of the retreat was "It's All About Grace" and this theme extended to the Mustard Seed Chapel Service ("Amazing Grace") on Sunday. It went really well, thanks to those who prayed for it. I even had the opportunity to share a song I wrote during the worship. Guess what it's called? Guess quick! Yeah, Amazing Grace. I will try and record it and post it some time. When I'm not as busy... that would probably be... Christmas time. Ha! :) Let's see what else has been happening...
I've been cooking a lot! :) Eating at home is so much nicer than eating in the dining hall. BUT, it's so much more time consuming. Especially since I have been so used to GOOD food (Thanks to my MOMMY and MAMA and yeah my DADDY... and even my BROTHER can cook! yup. He cooked for me before I left for the US the last time around! Except Karsimah lah. She doesn't cook that well. :D) So yeah this was a couple of days ago. I took this photo because I was excited to make my favorite soup... recognize that Mom? It was almost like my mom's except I forgot the carrots. Oh well. And that chicken... well, I take after my dad in that we like to just throw things together... I don't even know what to call it... oh wait I do.... DELICIOUS. Haha.
One of my housemates, Pam, also celebrated her 21st birthday yesterday! Now she can drink! haha. :) Her room mate Emily baked her zucchini bread (her favorite it seems) and we all gave her a surprise party. Except she came home while we were putting up decorations... so ... surprise.
So yeah, that's what's been going on recently. God's grace is the only thing that has been keeping me going. What with all my work, Mustard Seed, Sola, Exit, working on the website, preparation for NATS (a national singing competition type thing... please pray... I have to sing in English, Italian AND German... I hate German! Auch!), coughing (still coughing a bit... but much better), and seeking His kingdom... and trying to live a life that would count for something... man, it's TIRING. BUT, the verse for the day... or this season is... "His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses." Isn't that awesome?
Some things that I am looking forward to:
- Concert with Joshua Bell - he's coming to Carleton... if you don't know who he is... he's the guy who played the violin in "The Red Violin"... he's AWESOME. Just bought his latest CD.
- Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet by the BOLSHOI BALLET COMPANY!!! YAH!!!!!
- How God is going to show Himself real next... He IS the God of the miraculous! and of course...
- going home! :)
To the people at home, I miss you all heaps... and thanks for praying for me! :) Please send e-mails... and tag me! :) To the people at Carleton: what are you doing reading this? You should be talking to ME in person! :) Kidding. I love you all too!! To the people I don't know... yeah. :) Ok. Write me. Gotta go. French test tomorrow. Pray! BYE! Oh yeah... this pic is what I get to look at just outside my window :) 
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