Sharing More than a House

I haven't wrote a summary of my summer experience because quiet frankly I'm in denial it's over.

I have learned so much, it's truly overwhelming to even try and put it into words. How do you pick and choose moments when they are all so precious. Every time I relive one memory that I think could MAYBE capture a fragment of what this summer was like, I remember another.

But more dear to me than the lesson I learned were the amazing people I got to live life with. 

It wasn't always easy, but the difficult times seem so microscopic now. Towards the end, as separation became inevitable, I would look at each of my room mates and be overwhelmed with love, concern, and compassion as I pictured them heading back into their daily routines of life. I could not find one flaw, one blemish. I only saw the love of Christ I watched them live out day after day. 

In Alysa, I saw the way Christ purses us. In Tyler, I saw the strength and calmness of our Father. I am truly thankful they were our leaders. Kyle was never afraid to be himself, dancing fool and all. He was a gentle leader, always stepping in with our father/and mother abandon us ;). Doug was always positive, always willing, and always encouraging. I truly admired his ability to logically and rationally think through what speakers said. Judah always lived out the simplicity of Christ in his wardrobe, in the trash bag he used to carry around his wardrobe, and the way he preferred to worship. Jon wasn't scared to be vulnerable and he always trying to reach out to others. Casey was confident, and had an ear to ear smile when he knew the quiet group was looking to him to be the spokesman. Josh was quiet, but the excitement on his face couldn't be concealed when given a project that involved his hands. I could see his earnest desire to learn about another cultures, and watched him live it out. Kayla has this wild and crazy outgoing side that made people either uncomfortable, or laugh. But she also has this very gentle side that humbly sought the Lord, and cared for the people around her. Hannah has a very tender motherly side, but also an adventurous spirit that could get down with the boys. Morgan has the biggest heart I have ever encountered. She was never scared to dream big, think differently, or love passionately. Oh and had the best laugh ever, second to Sara, whose laugh was equally as loud. Sara really strove to love the girls within the group encouraging them, and making them feel at home in a foreign place. Madeline had the best sense of humor, and like Kayla, an ability to make the girls feel uncomfortable, for the sake of entertainment. More than that, she was always willing to work, and had a presence that just made people feel comfortable around her. Lauren was always sweet and strove to push herself spiritually in a way that challenged me. Oh and she loves America.

Each one was hand picked, way before the summer even started. God knew we needed each other, even before we did.

See we shared more than a house. We shared our stories. We shared our fears. We shared in our successes. We shared in our failures. We shared moments, the good and bad. But most importantly we shared in our love for the one and only God. 

I can truly say I have learned so much from each one. Lessons I didn't necessarily want to learn. Ironically living with 14 other people has taught me a lot more about my self than anyone else. I am so thankful I got to live life with each of these amazing people.