College life is busy. I always have 10,000 things to read. That's why the blogging has slowed down.

I miss everyone but I'm also really enjoying life at Wheaton. I wish I could be home to experience football games, sit on my couch with my sibs, go to RVCC, or see Silas with his cast but I can't be. I know I'm where God wants me and I'm certainly enjoying it. There are times I want to jump on a plane and visit home tho!

Today I realized that I don't know anyone in Wheaton, IL that isn't a Christian. The 'bubble' of christian college... I have found some interesting ministry options that I will hopefully be able to start soon. Probably more to come on that...

I've realized how dependent on God I am during the last few weeks. I always knew it but it's different now. I used to think I knew what I would do with my life. Now I'm not so sure. I used to be secure in the people around me, my friends and family, now I must be secure in God or I feel obscure. I'm already being stretched, challenged, and changed. I love it. 

as for church shopping (coughJENNcough)

week 2 (last week)

Mason and I went to Antioch Community Church. Everyone there was really friendly and kind. The church rents an old theater every weekend - during the week it's used for renovation fundraisers. I liked the feeling I got from the community there. I felt welcome. The sermon was about healing. Interesting topic... Antioch is charismatic. It was a very 'tame' (for lack of a better word) sermon about healing for the type of church it is. I agreed with some points the pastor made, but not all of them. I want to go somewhere I don't agree with EVERYTHING because I want to think about things and be challenged to evaluate why I believe what I believe and maybe even change some of my views but I just don't think Antioch is the place for me. It's my favorite of the churches we've visited so far, but still not for me.

week 3 (today)

Today we visited Wheaton Bible Church. It's a small mega-church. That's a strange sentence... Anyway, I found out it's not really for me either. They just built a huge new 'campus.' Everything is brand new and beautiful. The problem, for me, is that it felt commercialized. I was distracted from Jesus by lights, decorations, and fancy stuff that I couldn't figure out a purpose for... (decorative lamps randomly scattered across the stage) I believe the people who go there are spiritual people and I'm not trying to judge their motives or their hearts but I just can't wrap my mind around spending so much extra money on such frivolous things when there are so many people in the world a few million dollars could help. I know they need room for ministry and to hold their congregation but why does a church need so much in the way of material things? As soon as I walked in, I lost focus of Jesus and put my focus on what they had. My personal worship wasn't authentic there. My heart wasn't in a place that I could worship and grow. It just wasn't for me...

Dear Marty Ford (and band)

You have spoiled me in an insane way.

THANKS. =)