Well, I've successfully survived two papers, and I just have two tests to finish out the week.  What does that mean?  #BR2012 STORY TIME!

On Tuesday afternoon, my friend and I were heading back to the hotel from the beach.  We had a long night ahead of us, so we were going to shower and sleep and then get caffeine.  But God had other plans.  There was a very large, drunk guy in the path to the hotels.  Matt and I looked at each other and went and asked how we could help.  Matt carried the guy (who was literally twice his size) to the hotel, while I talked with his girlfriend.  They were in the middle of breaking up, and my heart immediately broke for her.  She was so upset by his drinking and other things that I wanted to cry for her.  I realize that's not saying much, since I'm a sympathy cryer, but it was still really bad.  When we got to the hotel, the key to their room would not work.  Matt took charge and went to the front desk to get it fixed.  I took the girl to the bathroom to wash her face.  I ended up just standing there, hugging her as she sobbed.  I had gone through a really bad break-up this past summer, so I knew her pain.  God gave me verses to speak truth and to encourage her.  She is so sweet and has such a beautiful heart and spirit.  If the only reason I went through the break-up was to be able to connect with her, it was worth it.  Her parents ended up flying her back home.  She later told me that I probably saved her life, and I told her it wasn't me who did it.  God was the mastermind behind it.

I was also taught that being prideful isn't good, that I do have to depend on people sometimes.  This was especially apparent outside of the clubs and at sketchy gas stations.  I needed a guy there to stand up and to demand respect for me.  I'm not exactly the most intimidating person in size.  I needed prayer and emotional support, whether it be from my prayer sponsors, roommates, team, or other friends on the trip.  It didn't make me weak.  Being vulnerable didn't mean that I was insufficient.  It means that I'm human, and it means that I do, in fact, need a perfect Savior.  I can't do perfect by myself.

God also put us in certain areas with us having no idea why.  I felt like I shouldn't leave the beach, and then I saw a girl having a seizure and had to call 911.  We were supposed to pick someone up.  They were a no show, so we gave someone else a ride, and Matt had a super spiritual conversation with him.  We ran into people we knew.  I was asked out on multiple dates by complete strangers (flirting for Jesus, anyone?).  We yelled out of windows to give people rides, only to face a language barrier.  God used every little thing that happened to glorify Himself.  He used us to bring seven(!) people to know Him personally.  He's so cool- but really.  He balls so hard (am I allowed to even say that?).

So now that you know what God did, you should also know that I have an awesome Toms tanline, learned some fantastic Christian pick up lines, gained more courage, and was unsuccessfully taught how to jerk.  But hey, learning how to dance can lead to some great conversations.

"To the weak, I will become weak, so I might when the weak.  I will become all things to all people, so by all means, I might win some."  1 Corinthians 9:22