redding was amazing.
if i had to describe my experience there in one word it would be overwhelming. i was overwhelmed in so many ways... by the beauty of creation, by God, and in ways i can't even describe... redding is in a valley surrounded by mountains. driving there was incredible. i spent most of the day driving from nevada to california in tears, overwhelmed both by the presence of God with us in the car and the majesty of His creation.
and then there was bethel. i have never been at a church like it. nor heard teaching that left me so utterly speechless. bill johnson and kris vallotton = whoa. it's so good though. bill says that if we don't leave an encounter with God with more questions than we came with, then we haven't really encountered God. and i think it's so true. God is so beyond our comprehension or imagination. and that he wants us to know him... that he chooses to reveal himself to us... astounds me. it was amazing to experience that culture for a week. i can't even tell you what happened... it's too much...
so while i was there, e and i stayed with three guys. e knew caleb from college, but i didn't, and i have to admit i thought it would be a little bit weird, 2 girls staying in a house with 3 guys. but it was so much better than i could have imagined! caleb was really nice, and let us stay in his room while he slept on the sofa bed. cole is a guitarist/singer/songwriter who just got some nice recording equipment. david was an actor who just moved to redding and is going to seminary (and taking greek!). i felt like i had known them for so long after just a couple days. it was really great for me to be around guys who love God and love things that i love, like theatre and music! it's that creative thing in people that draw me to them. but one thing i realized on this trip was that i can be attracted to something about a person and not have to have a crush on them. i obviously wasn't aware of that before... like when i went to oklahoma a few weeks ago... it would have been helpful information. :)
anyway... it was a great trip... and i'm home now... and ready to go back... or to go somewhere. it's time. deciding is difficult, but california left a mark on my heart. the end. or maybe, the beginning.
1 comments:
Nice to know that I'm not the only one with the crazy urge to drive long distances for the sheer enjoyment of it. I usually go alone, picking the destination at random and ending up in truly awesome places. Sleeping in the car really is a bad idea, especially if the car is a small sports compact from the early 90's. The extra 2" to 4" really makes a difference between a good night sleep and looking like an overcooked shrimp the next morning.
One of the trip found me on the edge of The Grand Canyon eating breakfast as the Sun rises. It was the best meal of the whole trip. Strawberry pop tarts and Mountain Dew never taste so good as that day.
Welcome to the joy of wanderlust, we may pass each other one day on the road. Keep your hands on the wheel, cheap, strong coffee in the travel mug, God in your heart.
As always, have a safe journey.
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