Starting School

About leaving home

I don’t feel like I was ready to leave home yet because I had gotten so connected with so many of the students at Paramount, and learning from them has made for one of the greatest summers yet. I’ve been able to help some to get closer to goals they thought were impossible. I’ve been able to see some of them boldly share their faith, and one even accept Christ! I’ve seen some of them be broken and healed and inspired. Some of them have inspired me, encouraged me, and challenged me. I fought alongside with a few of them, and I challenged a couple to get to the next level in leadership. I still feel like God handed me a triple-layer chocolate cake every day of my ministry there, and who wouldn’t miss daily cake? But as a good friend told me, “All good things must come to an end so the next good thing can come.”

About moving in

I am officially moved in at GIAL. Stephanie, one of my best friends from A&M, came in and helped me get everything set up Saturday evening, and we had dinner, which was absolutely lovely.

My roommate is not here yet, but I am excited to meet her. Her name is Raquel, and I think she speaks Spanish, which is really great for me since I have felt lately like my skills are dwindling a little. She left me a little note on my desk with a picture of herself, and from what I can tell we are going to get along very well.

A few things have been a little difficult so far, but nothing has been killer. Doors have been an issue for me. I couldn’t figure out how to get the key to work, and I had to ask the lady at the front desk 3 times to get it open for me. Then I thought I broke it, and I was terrified to shut the door because I thought I might never be able to get back in! But I eventually got it sorted out, and I can successfully use the key now.

I haven’t had a chance to meet very many people yet. It seems like there aren’t really many people here, to be honest. Maybe because it is a weekend, but it has been very relaxed.

My closet smells like coffee.

My plants sort of consume the room, and I’m hoping that doesn’t bother Raquel. We have a little balcony, but I can’t figure out how to get to it to move my plants there. There is a door with a lock to which I have no key. If you have never been to my dorm or my apartment, I will just tell you I love plants. I have six. They all have names. Three of them are small; two are medium sized, and one is a very long vine. She reaches higher than I do, and I haven’t yet found a very good place to put her.

The view from the room is beautiful! I look out into a forest, from a hilltop. When I peer through the trees, I can almost see the Dallas skyline.

About what I’ve been up to

I visited John Simmons’s church this morning – we worked together at Paramount a couple of years ago. He got to preach since the regular pastor was out of town, so it was nice to get a little piece of home here in Dallas.

I met a couple of girls who are here for TOTAL It Up – a week-long event hosted by Wycliffe Bible Translators, which can best be described as Bible translation camp. I went a year and a half ago, and it was probably the best week of my life. I’m hoping I can walk them around the campus later. It will give me a good chance to get reacquainted with the buildings so I will know where to go tomorrow.

Orientation is tomorrow morning at 8:00. I have no idea what they’re going to tell me, but I hope they tell me when classes start…haha. Right now, I don’t have a clue what I’m doing.

I will probably visit my Grandmother this afternoon. Lucky for me, she lives pretty close to the center!

Until next time, pray that I would get the hang of things here, and that I would seek Him above all else.

God bless!

Diane