Thunder comforts

It's been 2 semesters but I'm still not comfortable "documenting" students for drinking in the residence halls. It's uncomfortable for everyone involved. There are many people that I should have documented in the past but haven't, especially my own residents. It's hard to get your friends in trouble. But they don't really listen to friendly requests. "Please stop drinking? Please?" It just doesn't do the trick. Sometimes the most loving thing to do is to let someone experience the consequences of their actions.

I'm sure I could apply this to God somehow. It seems that for the most part I don't receive any of the consequences for sin that I deserve. But I know that God isn't thinking to himself "If I punish Abbie, she'll love me less. So I'll just let her do it her own way." That is not love.

So many questions. Why is getting drunk wrong? Why is the drinking age 21? How can I reach out to someone who I am punishing? What good does it do to tell a resident "please don't drink in the dorms" but then to say nothing about the fact that they're on their way to a frat party?

When I walked back into my room after writing up the incident, I heard the rain falling and thunder rolling through. I felt immediately comforted at the sound. There's something so amazing about thunder and lightning; visual and aural evidence of power beyond my reach and outside of my control. Kyrie Eleison.

A 3 part compilation of thoughts and photos: the Florida Wedding edition. Batteries not included.

What a wedding. My first brother to get married. If I’m not mistaken, my family hasn’t vacationed together since my freshman year of high school when we used to go up North together. This wedding may not have been a typical vacation (it was quite busy), but it was so good to be together with my family, and for all of us to be momentarily removed from our ordinary stresses and tasks.

1. A new family

I’ve always thought about what it will be like to become part of another family someday when I get married, but I never really thought that I would be united with the families of my brothers’ spouses. This wedding/marriage has changed my mind about that. There were apprehensions of course. Coming from different parts of the U.S., different cultural histories, and just... being the Stauffers, how would we be received? All I can say is that we were received with open arms. I have a whole new set of brothers, grandparents, friends, and MY FIRST SISTER! I think it really hit when Tereva’s Grandma said “I have a beautiful family!” and we realized she was talking about us. It’s hard to believe that I was with them for less than 24 hours. I guess I'll just have to take a trip to Miami :D


2. Travel Companions

I love traveling with my papa. I respect him so much. It amazes me to see how much a person can change, even long after college. It’s very encouraging. Traveling with Daddy and Joan brought about many deep conversations, spirtually, intelectually, story telling, etc. I learned so much just from listening. I was also humbled by the way my dad is willing to change and learn- even to learn from his own children. And when Joanie and I were crazy, singing or dancing or making a scene, he wasn’t embarrassed. He either smiled and watched or joined in.


3. Synergy
I really appreciated the synergy between Theresa, Joanie and I. It was great being with them and getting dressed up every day. I observed that rather than feeling insecure because of how stunning they looked, I felt beautiful by association. It was great to just be so relaxed and comfortable together that we’d be wrestling one moment, and all of us asleep the next. Whether we were making a big ruckus together or praying together during car rides, I always felt restored when I was around them, and as my dear friend Ruth Gao says, they made it “easier to be me.”

Self reflection. Not quite 25 things.

I love change. Nothing excites me like a new opportunity, a new friend, a new perspective. I am hungry for intimacy. The problem with my love for new things is that it's hard to get to know someone really well when you're constantly jumping into more and more relationships and opportunities. "No" is not a word in my vocabulary.

I am a strange breed of pride and insecurity, stability and emotional rollercoaster, joy and somber reflection.

I love nature. I love the way the light seems to come from the ground instead of the sky on a cloudy day. When I feel wind, I feel God. When it rains, it takes a lot for me to not run outside and get soaked. My favorite switchfoot lyrics: "The stars are alive, they dance to the music of the deepest emotion, and all of the world is singing in time." I would rather go for a walk than sit in a coffee shop. I would rather worship God beside a river, on a hill, or up in a tree than inside of a building.

I don't know what I'm going to be 'when I grow up' but I know that I won't take any kind of standard route. I hope that I am never rich, or complacent.

I don't think I could marry a man if he wasn't: Adventurous, Affectionate, Missions minded, and Head over heels in love with Jesus

My personality is a product of my family, and I am so glad for it. I would not be as joyful, outgoing, free, feisty, creative, musical, strange, or comfortable if not for them. My family is so comfortable. I don't know if that makes sense to anyone else... yet I think it is the perfect word to describe them.

I am absentminded. I lose most things that I don't break. I break most things.

I am a work in progress. In my many moments of frustration (with myself), I turn to the one who began a good work in me, and lean on His promise that he will bring it unto completion.

My all time favorite song: The Lord made your butt, so praise him with it