Blessings Pour Like Rain

I just finished my first month at APU, and I'm just amazed at how much God has blessed me here this year. Yes, this year has already had its rough spots and illness and stress and loneliness, but it's also had some of the most fun times with amazing people and lessons learned from God every single day! I'm amazed how even disappointments seem to work out and turn into blessings. This weekend is a perfect example.

I was supposed to go to Yosemite with APU to spend three days in the mountains and hike Half Dome. I've been looking forward to this for the last six weeks. However, I am severely allergic to Southern California and have been sick the entire time I've been here. This week, my cold progressed to a deep chest cold with shallow breathing and coughing. I had to cancel my trip to Yosemite. This actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I now have a whole weekend free to relax, catch up on homework, organize my apartment, go to the gym, and spend time with God. God knows that sometimes we just need down time to relax and be rejuvinated.

I came back to APU so excited to see my best friend, Jenna, and pick up our friendship where we left off in May. Unfortunately, Jenna was busy with Alpha leader training and bonding with the other Alpha leaders and spending time with her team from Thailand. At first, it was really hard for me to deal with the change in our friendship. Since I wasn't spending time with Jenna, I was able to spend a lot more time with some of my other friends from last year who are all rooming together. I became so much closer with them and now have four more amazingly great friends! While I still don't see Jenna as much as I did last year, we're back to being good friends again now too. If Jenna and I had remained close from the start of the semester, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to become such good friends with with Jenn, Stacey, Laura, and Ashley!!I love these little blessings in disguise that keep pouring out.

So this blog is a new way for me to keep contact with everyone from home. I'm going to update this with little stories and random thoughts from this semester. I love how the Internet helps people stay connected! ;o)

Here are some pictures from this year so far:

My amazing Strengths Group during Training in August

On the way to Redondo Beach for Lauren's birthday two days before school started

Standing IN a fountain at Downtown Disney with Jenn for my birthday

At Two a Tea in Glendora with (a different) Jenn and (a different) Jenna for my birthday

An African tree at the LA Arboretum on my birthday weekend

My favorite tree at the LA Arboretum

The LA Arboretum waterfall...so beautiful!