well hello dear friends.

It has been too long time hasn't it? I’m sorry I haven’t kept in better contact. When I think about it I see myself being a really great blogger, but apparently I’m not. I do read this blog constantly and love hearing updates about you all; God is doing some pretty miraculous things in your lives, big and small.

Let me fill you in. This fall has been interesting to say the least. About a week before school started I decided to live in res with Jay as my roommate. It was a decision that I am really glad I made, having the ability to meet new people quickly and also be there with Jay as she dealt with her moms sickness. It was precious times to be able to be together and feel like we were all each other had. I also had a lot of doctors appointments trying to pinpoint a lot of pain and tiredness I had been dealing with. I found out a couple weeks later that I had anemia. It isn’t like life threatening or anything just means that because of extremely low levels of iron in the blood I am constantly tired and at times have poor concentration. I’ve been on medications for the last couple of months, but it is a slow process to get normal levels of iron again.

Classes were okay, there were some I loved, some I dreaded and one that I have been so challenged by. One of my profs, Charles the Great (as I like to call him sometimes) was incredible in not only teaching, but stirring a passion in me to know and understand the roots of Christianity. The class was tough, like brutally. Classes were packed with information and readings of many great church fathers and outside of class I spent the majority of my time working on this class. Its literally been a mind blowing experience to know how ignorant I was before this class about Christianity. Many, many times throughout the class I felt like instead of feeling more aware, I was really just recognizing my lack of awareness in so many other areas. I was happy to have the semester over and done with feeling burnt out and exhausted yet so appreciative of my profs.

Its been hard, to be oh so honest, to stay in the Word. I have been humbled many a time this semester realizing again and again my inability to have the ability to be righteous without Christ. It is a good reminder to be sure, but slightly exhausting. Its frustrating, as you all probably know, to go from a place of such recognition of the Holy Spirit working in your life, to one where you don’t recognize it anymore.

I feel anxious. Not like in a nervous way, but in the way where I feel like I need to be moving on again. I haven’t really lived in the same place for a long period of time, other than kaleo, for the past 2 years. There are so many opportunities that are given to me, so many places to see, so many needs...I just want to go. God has clearly placed me here for now, this semester at least, but other than that I’m just not sure how long I’ll be here. I am anxious to go, which may very well mean I am meant to stay.

I love you all and think of you often. May the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life be rediscovered.

Al

“I shall be satisfied with your likeness” Psalm 17:15