Colorful Colorado

The first time my brain fully registered how excited I was to go back to Colorado was about five minutes before my plane landed. There was some turbulence, and I thought, "Ah, good ol' Denver! I can always depend on the bumps!"

We flew lower, and I saw Denver International Airport out my window. THEN it hit. A flood of emotion and anticipation washed through my mind and I couldn't stop from saying, "Oh! I'm so excited!" The guy next to me looked at me a bit funny, so I contained myself until the plane landed. Then I skipped through the airport, and nearly burst with joy when I saw the Snyder family. The girls ran to hug me, and I could not stop glowing. 

I gave Erik and Sarah a quick update as we drove out, and my own eyes and ears updated me on their life happenings. Jack (their youngest) is walking. Camille (middle child) is talking a lot. Catherine (oldest) is beginning to hold short conversations. And at Chic-fil-A, Erik and Sarah told me about how they won the Ravencrest talent show with their "knitting" project. Actually, they have no clue how to knit, as the students soon discovered. 

"This is more God's  it's actually God's talent than ours," one commented.

Then Erik read - "For You formed my inward parts; You knit me in my mother's womb." (Psalm 139:13)

YES. They are pregnant again!!! I thought that they were about due for another child. :) We had a wonderful time driving back and catching up that evening. It felt so very normal and natural to be sitting in their living room again that night. I just glowed.

When Erik and Sarah went to bed, I headed over to the Chalet to see if I could find anyone. When I walked  into the Commons I think I surprised a lot of people. But each person I saw was genuinely excited to see me. :) My heart fairly burst with love, gratitude and joy at seeing these dear students once again. Have I mentioned how much I love them? No wonder it was so hard to leave them all in September! They welcomed me into their hearts and lives, and I didn't even do anything to earn it. I really felt a bit overwhelmed being back again - like my heart was too full to hold all my emotions.

Honestly, it was such a gift that God allowed me to even know this group of students. I haven't done a thing to deserve their love, and yet I have it! Perhaps knowing that I was leaving caused me to enter in more than I would have if I was still on staff. I would like to think that nothing would have been different - but you never know. Regardless, I am thankful that I know this group of students. And to think that I almost left Ravencrest before the school year began!

So the mornings were spent with Erik and Sarah (and several evenings, too), and my afternoons and nights were spent with the students. There were late nights in Rooms 7 and 9; talks in the student center; an epic picture rendition of Beauty and the Beast (pics are on Facebook); wonderful talks with Emily, Liesa, Paula, Roberta, Aaron, Drew, Sjeord and Kate... and many others; dance not-parties; Silverado movie night ("and then there were four..."); dinners with the Snyders and dinners out. On my very last day I had lunch with Bonnie Thomas, then went down and had tea with Mrs. T.

Sweet fellowship - that's what it was.

Frank (Bible School Principal) booked the Europe team's tickets for one day before mine, so they left on Wednesday and I had one extra day to pack up and say good-bye to the rest. On Thursday I made a couple final phone calls, then cherished my ride to the airport with Emily, Josiah and Aaron.

I know this post is long and not as interesting as you all perhaps deserve. So as a prize, here is a poem I wrote this week. :) It is not a very happy poem, but I like the way it flows. Let me know what you think.

What goes around

Comes back around

And you sent that

Some time ago.

Now you should know

To brace yourself;

Accept the blow

You brought yourself.

If you'd displayed

Some decency;

If honesty

Had then been paid

It might have made

A difference.

You flaunted insecurity,

You walked right past integrity,

And traded in sincerity

For disobedience.

Now you face the consequence

And consequently

Different

Pains than you anticipate

Will grow until it is too late

For reconciliation.

What goes around

Comes back around;

It just came back around.

- Christy Smith (03-24-11)

Up next, my first taste of Italy. :)

Highlights in California

Yep, that's right. I highlighted my hair.

Just kidding. I did no such thing. But this here is an attempt to fill in the huge blank spot that is the previous month of non-posts. My plan is to name a place and put down the most memorable, important, important, interesting or weird things that occurred while I was there.

California:
1. I mourned that Claire was not there with me.
2. I spent some wonderful hours with Amy and Ann and their families. There were a few great conversations and I left feeling even closer to my sisters than before.
3. I saw Candi and helped her take some pretend wedding shots for her portfolio.
4. I did my taxes.
5. I did some work and earned some money for my Europe trip. There were some donations as well, for which I am most thankful.
6. I wrote a letter that I have been intending to write for years. This is the interesting thing - that we can intend to do things, but that it really makes no difference until we do. I wish I hadn't waited so long for this particular letter. I wish I had written it several years ago when I first thought to. This letter-recipient is someone who has had tremendous impact on my life - starting about ten years ago. So, as you see, the letter was due.
7. While reading in Mark, I was reading the part about Jesus coming to the disciples across the water, and how at first they thought He was a ghost. One line caught my heart in Mark 6:50 (Amp) - "Take heart! I AM!" I love that He is our consistent constant in whatever we need. He Himself is exactly what we need in the face of every circumstance.