So much greater

So, it's been a while since I've blogged. So long in fact that I completely forgot my username and password and I've spent the past 30 minutes trying to figure it out.  Yes, I know a very productive use of my time, but that's life.  Here's a picture recap of my life the past few weeks:) I love the crazy, unexpected adventures that happen here in Indy.

My first time at Bub's; I love these girls and their big stomachs!

First Brics trip of the year! In the pouring rain.. after the Smash Mouth Concert

Black light Bingo!

Butler football games!

Sunday night dinner's with new friends

Roomie bonding :)

Super special visit from Can and Al!

Great visit with Heather, Danny, and Caleb!

Besides the fun adventures....these past few weeks have been pretty crazy. Lots of exam studying, working, and so on.  That's real life though, right? We work hard to play hard. I really hate it though when my life turns into a checklist. My agenda is full with my 16 hour day planned out to the minute. Yesterday started off as one of those days but turned into something so much greater.  God does that you know? He takes the plans we make for ourselves and turns them into something beyond our imagination.  The day started with physics, work and ochem lab.  And ended with..................a paint war and surprise birthday party.

As soon as I got to club I knew God had much bigger plans for my day then I had anticipated.  We got to hang out, dance it out, sing songs, play games, and best of all throw paint in each others faces.  Tom even taught us all about Gideon and how God exceeded (exceed is an understatement) his expectations in the midst of war.  I love being in Carmel and getting to know new friends better everyday.  My team is awesome, and I am so thankful for every single one of them.  They are constantly teaching and encouraging me. I'm still finding paint in awkward crevasses, so I definitely think it was a successful night.

After getting back I expected a relatively peaceful night after I showered.  Lucky for me though, my friend Elliott, stopped by to tell me about his trip to Africa that he just came back from.  I love hearing about missions and how God is moving in the world.  It is so cool.  I also love being friends with John and Elliott they make friendship bracelets with us, and teach us how to drum, and use all of Erika's icy hot. Little did Elliott know, we were the distraction so that John could sneak all of his friends up to his room and surprise him for his birthday at midnight. Did I mention I love birthdays? Because I do.  

Yesterday was definitely real life. I can hardly fathom how much greater God's plan is everyday than the one I have for myself.  God is >. 

Do NOT pick up my tissue

I love Butler friends.  I think there is something about living together that creates a deeper bond.  You see each other when you're gross, when you're tired and grumpy, when you feel overwhelmed, and when you just don't want to talk to anyone.  We eat together, we solve problems together, we go on adventures together, no matter what our moods.  I love how we just need to walk a little ways to be together.  

An incomplete list of places I've seen love this week:

1. Erika, Molly, Emma #2 and Kaylen went to Yatz.  One of my favorite restaurants in Indy.  I never really know what I'm eating, but it's SO good.  Especially compared to school food, Erika and I have been having trouble finding food that satisfies us.

2.  Whoops... we toilet papered Erika's stuff.  One of those times when she wished she could escape from us, but really all out of love.

3. Lester friends! I definitely miss unit 1E from last year, but am so thankful for the wonderful friends I made.  They never cease to make me laugh.  Between hearing the latest about the band friends, or getting attacked by nerf guns, I love being with them.

4. First birthday of the year! I love birthday's at Butler.  It always gives us an excuse to do something special.  Laura turned 19! I'm so thankful she is in my life.  I love how honest she is and how she can always make me laugh.  We went to the Monon Food Co., one of all of our favorites.  We might have almost ran out of gas, and got stuck in traffic, but we had such a great time.

5. Friday night we attempted to watch the Sound of Music on the IMA lawn, but it was sold out. We were not about to give up on our dream.  We tried to get a projector and The Sound of Music, and failed miserably. We did end up on the floor in Jordan Hall watching the Ugly Truth.  We got some ice cream from the vending machine and were set.  Such fun adventures.

6. I love being back at Young Life too.  I've missed Carmel girls and all my co-leaders a ton! I can't wait to see what this year has in store for all of this year.  They are such beautiful people!

7.  Kaleidoscope Youth Center is always an adventure.  I love those kids so much.  They are constantly teaching me more about life and myself.  I can't wait to tell you the crazy stories we'll have together this year.  

8. Two days after getting to Butler, I was a snot face.  My nose was stuffy, runny, and just annoying.  That's just life in a dorm, but I still felt bad for anyone around me (especially Erika). I was thinking this morning that I can pinpoint  multiple times this week that I have dropped my USED tissues on the ground.  I missed the trash can or accidentally dropped one and friends picked them up for me.  You might be thinking, "Well, your friends are just unsanitary", but they aren't.  They just love me through my grossness.  And isn't that what fellowship really is?  Loving each other despite our sin, despite our imperfection, despite our moods.  We love because we all have flaws and because we are vulnerable with each other.  The more real we are, the we can better pick each other up and hold each other accountable.  

Let's try to live like that.  Let's try to live with deep fellowship.  Fellowship that pushes us more toward God.  Fellowship that makes us more comfortable with how God made us.  Because frankly, we're all a little gross sometimes and we just need someone to pick up our used tissues.