Come away with me.

So, it's been some time since I've blogged last and I figured I should. Here is goes:

Spring break is the week after next. Where the heck has this year gone?! I'm in the 9th week of school and there are 6 weeks left (not counting finals week or Spring break). This semester is seriously flying by!

So, I reread my last blog and as sad as I am to admit, it has been partly true. My first 7 or so weeks at this school were awful! I actually did cry at least twice a week, I hated waking up every day to the same routine. Don't get me wrong, I love my classes! My professors are fascinating and my classes are, for the most part, really interesting. It was the social part that I had an issue with. I was missing my friends and church more than I ever thought I could miss them! I wasn't making friends as easily or fast as I thought I was going to. It was just not what I was expecting at all! I wasn't happy. I wasn't myself. As I was telling people, I was about 10% of who I really am. I was quiet, hardly laughed, smiled but it didn't mean much, and just wasn't being "Andrea." I was on the verge of changing schools. I just couldn't see myself graduating from this school. Of course, I didn't tell anyone this... I was planning on making an escape (haha). It was such an internal struggle for me since I really felt like God let me here. He cleared the path of all obstacles. But I wasn't happy. Doesn't God want me to happy? Why would He put me in this place where I felt so miserable?

A few weeks ago, Cassie and Marty came to visit me and we spent the day shopping at Ikea and Arden Fair Mall. It was a really fun day and it felt good to have familiar faces around me. Just before they left to go back to Redding, we all prayed for one another. It is so incredible how God moves when 2 or more women (and men, also) gather together and pray. Words of truth and encouragement were spoken. Toward the end of the prayer, Marty looked at me and said, "God wants you to tell you not to quit. Don't leave the path that He has you on." I just broke down crying... He heard my cries and saved my tears in a bottle. God is so good!

This past weekend I had to go home. I lost my retainer and since I'm so prideful of my teeth, I don't want them to shift at all. I got to see some of my friends and got to go to The Stirring which I'm always stoked about! Aaron Hayes spoke about how God prepares us and leads us to valleys. I don't remember many of the other details but the part I do remember is the last song that was played. I'd never heard this song before but it spoke to me on two different things. It was called Dance With Me (Lover of My Soul). "The winter is past and the spring time has come." I heard God say, "the hard part is over." I began to weep. The hard part was over... joy will flow back into me. I feel like I've waited such a long time for this moment and it was finally here!

The other thing God spoke to me about was just as important, I think. "Dance with me, oh lover of my soul to the song of all songs. Romance me, Lord, lover of my soul to the song of all songs." I began to realize that I wasn't allowing Jesus to romance me. I wasn't allowing Him to be the one I fall in love with. I was waiting for someone else... someone tangible. It broke my heart. I was rejecting Jesus. Again, I began to cry and ask for forgiveness. I proclaimed my need to for Him... out loud on my knees... which I have never done before. It was so powerful. It's amazing how God answers our prayers when we are least expecting it. He is such a good Father!