After several months of hesitation, I finally buckled down and completed possibly the most important piece of work I've done all [school] year. I have connected my computer to the printer in Mellby!
I am also eagerly awaiting this Saturday's men's retreat at Lani Land. I went last week with the co-ed group, which was loads of fun, but I feel like I need another chance to reconnect with God, after housing a dormant soul for 6-plus months. My friend Nick and I have been talking about a fasting/devotional session, but right now it's all air. Ultimately, my plan is to become the devoted servant, if you will, which duties I enjoyed fulfilling about this time last year.
So, after careful deliberation I will soldier on into second semester after the last 10 days of Interim, followed by a week of being home. For personal reasons, I had been considering taking a break from school, but I will have help in overcoming the mood swings and distractions that often take over my life. But perhaps with this help I will have side effects in the form of some interesting technological (and not-so technological) gadgets, as well as the ever-continuous love from my family.
So anyway, last Saturday at Lani Land (and Sunday evening at Selah) was easily the most uplifting day of the year so far. I started really remembering what it was like to hang out and pray with several of my spiritual friends again, and at times I was able to feel God's presence again. I just wish I could recognize these as more important personal events than, say, a day at an amusement park. In one sense, that would be a really awesome day, because I get to go on roller coasters (something I really like), but the I only experience the joy on a physical or material level. Seeing God in a vision, or just feeling so uplifted by a glorification song, or praying with some of my best friends gives me joy on so many more levels: spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, etc.
Knowing that for the past few years I've enjoyed highs in January and suffered through lows starting in February, I realize I must prepare for the road that lies just barely ahead of me. Not only will I return to a 4-credit courseload, I must really crunch myself to polishing up my composition portfolio so to have it ready for when I apply as a Bachelor of Music in Theory and Composition. And maybe I'll have some good luck when it comes to keeping tabs on my friends even despite their busy schedules.