Speaking....from God....

When I came to South Dakota I did not know any of the people I was going to be living and working with. When I stepped off the plane that night I realized that this summer was going to be full of adventure, finding myself, and learning how to deal with things. However little did I know that I was going to be laughing, crying, and fellowshipping with some of the coolest people. There are 10 SummerShiners here in South Dakota, 7 of of them come from North Carolina, one comes from Texas, another from South Carolina, one from Georgia, and then there is me from Illinois. These other 9 people I am working with have somehow showed this girl from Illinois that is it okay to let lose and be free, laugh at the dumb things, and most of all just live.

I made a commitment to myself at the beginning of the summer that I was going to have fun, and enjoy each and everything that I would encounter. To this day as I write this it is all falling into place. I have learned to not sweat the small stuff. Like wearing the same shirt a week and a half before it gets washed again. Walking every where we go has become a daily exercise, andlaughing has become the best medicine.

As I write this I am in some pain due to a Chrones flare up, but I have been able to sit with my friends, and laugh about the oddest things. Half of which has come out of my mouth. I have learned to laugh at myself, because even I cannot control what comes out. I have found that I am pretty fuuny, and I have been blessed with a sense of humor that MANY people understand. I never knew I had it in me.

As I sit here half falling asleep I have learned to listen to God, and I think the way I have learned to listen is by laughing. I have never laughed so much in my life, it is when you get some of us together that we sit and laugh. Then when you get the whole group together....well its just insane.

When God formed this South Dakota group he had a plan, and whatever that plan is I know we will fullfill. When Pastor Chris Thore put all 10 of us together I am sure he had no idea maybe he did....who knows....that this group would come together through the hard times, fun times, and times when we cannot figure out. We would JUST laugh our way through. As the summer goes on I can see Christ in each of these people, and I thank God everyday for speaking, and by speaking he has taught to to laugh.