We are Free to Struggle

I'm back at BU! I really didn't think I would blog about my time here, but yesterday was totally "Is this real life?" day.  It has definitely been great being back at Butler, I have loved seeing my friends and just being with them.  My suite mates are so awesome.  Erika, Emma, and Kara never cease to make me laugh and are just beautiful people.

 I have only been here four days and it already feels like home again.  Classes have started up and I'm sure they will be crazy, but for now they're manageable.  Home is more missed than I thought it would be. Sometimes I wish everything was just like last year, but I know this year will bring more challenges, adventures and fun.  Reuniting with my friends is the best though.  I missed them all a lot more than I knew.

I love the warm embraces, the new traditions, and how I never have to try around these friends, it just comes so natural.  I also made it up to Carmel yesterday for some huddles with some awesome girls.  I can't wait to see how God moves there this year. 

Last night was SO crazy though.  Two days ago I randomly saw on facebook that Tenth Avenue North was playing a free concert in Indy.  So I thought, "Hey! Let's go!", so we got a group together and decided to head off.  Not really knowing any details, I was kind of nervous it was going to be a bust.  As we proceeded to leave 40 minutes late and get stuck in traffic for a half hour, I thought for sure this was not going to work out.  Well, God proved me wrong once again.  We walked into the bookstore about 5 minutes before the band started to play, and after the first song everyone sat down so we had a great view. I've always loved  Tenth Avenue North and I knew it would be great, but I think the impromptuness and simplicity of this concert made me love it even more.  

Afterwards I think we were all pleased with our adventure.  Libby and I decided to buy their new CD, and we got tickets to meet the band.  Our ticket stub said number 287 though, and it was already  7:00 and we hadn't eaten.  We almost left numerous times because we were STARVING.  The consesus it would be worth it to stay, so we did.  We found entertainment in the bookstore, and even pondered the idea of waiting to be the last in line so we could get a picture.

                            

So, we weren't last, we didn't get a picture, but it was truly an awesome night.  As most of us started walking to the car, Libby runs out screaming that they were going to come to dinner with us.  I could tell she wasn't kidding.  So...we waited for them to finish.  The band continued to talk with us, and Christ was literally just spilling out with their every word.  When we thought it was finally time for dinner, we all came to find out someone broke into their van, stealing laptops and ipads. We felt awful, but there was really nothing we could do.  We said goodbye, so thankful for our awesome night and FINALLY got some food.  Ten minutes later Mike walked in.  We pulled up a table and he sat with us along with Jason, and many others from their management team.  As I listened to them talk, I could not help but smile.  I learned so much last night, and was in such awe of their wisdom and extravagant love, that I was in tears.  

What an amazing night.  God is good. God has a plan.  It is hard to sum up what I learned last night, but I do know that God was present and has His hand over my life and I need to let go of the parts I still try to control.  Because it's okay to struggle, in fact struggling shapes us for the better and teaches us to rely on God and fellowship rather than our narcissistic selves.  I can't wait for September 29th when they come back to Indy.