ba-ba-batumi

So, I've been in Batumi now for a week, and will be staying until Friday.

We've been doing a lot of different things: visiting university students, playing with kids at the Salvation Army here, visiting with different pastors, we held a conference teaching about missions (what it is and what it's for)... it's been a really great time.

I've had some revelations during this past week.

For one, I realized that I'm not as good of leader as I thought that I was (that was a humbling realization). Just, I still don't quite have this group mentality, thinking about other people and thinking how I can involve them. I want to change this. Or rather, let God change it in me--but work towards it too.

Also, I realized that I'm so eager to serve new people. I can be super helpful in new situations and everything-- but just in my "normal" life, I'm actually quite lazy. And I want this to change to. I sometimes feel like I'm like 2 people, but I want to feel like one whole person all the time, not changing.

Lots of things to think about.

Also, I think that this week was the first time that I ever said to God that if He would have me remain single for the rest of my life, I'd do it for Him. (of course I still want to be married, but before I was 100% opposed to the idea of being single forever...and now I'm just really trying to trust that God knows what is best and I want to do what He asks of me, even if it's something that I'd rather not do. If He asks me, I want to do it).

Lots of things to learn and APPLY in my life. I'm hoping for good changes. Lord, please.

I have a lot of pictures from my time here, but am currently in an internet cafe and not able to upload, so I'll do that when I get home.

Sending my love.

back

Hey you guys!

I'm back in Georgia now. Things were great traveling. I had like no problems at all, which was awesome! And I'm really glad to be back!

sweetness

My blog posts come like the waves of an ocean.

That was the first thing to come to my mind when I started to post just now.

Well, I'm down to 2 days until I return to Georgia! I'm getting excited (in the midst of the heart-hurtingness). Tonight I had a "Georgia" party with my friends who went on that first trip to Georgia with me and with some that went on the second trip, and their families. It was small and intimate, but being with those people just really reminds me of the miracles God has performed in my life to bring me where I am now. The things He overcame in me and helped me overcome. Being with them reminds me of that first-love feeling I had when I went to Georgia for the first time. I loved the little shops on the sidewalks. I loved (well, it was a love-hate relationship) the bumpy roads and the crazy driving. I loved the people and the hospitality. I loved the culture and the age and depth of tradition. I was totally love-struck. And it feels really good to remember all that.

To remember my little room that I shared with Hannah in a house full of Georgian women. Where I took my first "shower" without a bathtub or a shower, and where we flushed the toliet with a bucket of water. Where they cooked over a burner that was attached to the top of a small propane bottle. Where I used to sit and sing songs and try to learn Georgian and communicate with Bela and her sisters.

It was such a sweet time. I feel that I was so small and totally oblivious to many things. But it was so sweet.