Solitude.

Before coming back to OC this year, I prayed a lot about what God wanted from me during the course of the year. He kept placing a few ideas in my mind - purpose, intentionality, and community.  So, as you can imagine, I've been working through those ideas since I got back in the OKC. I am still somewhat at a loss as to how I should live those out, but last night I may have discovered something.
I am going to focus my life, week by week, on one spiritual practice.
I'm primarily basing these off of a book that I bought for a study last year (but never opened), and just a shameless plug, it is FABULOUS. It's called Celebration of Discipline. Props to Brianna for suggesting it to us.
Anywho, this week is solitude.
Solitude, based on this book, does not exactly mean what you may imagine. It does not mean loneliness or isolation, but rather it is a practice of intentional inner focus and the constant process of listening for the voice of Jesus. Today was my first day, and it was swell.  Just swell. 
Among other practices, I am focusing on awareness in the moment and a quietness of spirit. It's amazing how well it has gone today, and it's become really clear to me how much I depend on noise, busyness, and chatter. Sometimes, (scratch that.. ALL the time), it is better to actually listen rather than waiting to talk. It's also been so encouraging to know that I don't have to verbally defend myself or justify my actions. Jesus will do that for me.
I would absolutely love it if you would join me in this process. It has already blessed me so much, and I have no doubt that it will bless you, too.

And a side of CRAZY, please.

Well. The year has definitely begun. No doubt about that one.
School work, class work, work-outs, toomanyevents, club nights, sleepless nights, lazy days, crazy days, whirlwind, whiplash, SLOW DOWN!!
Whew. Thank you, blogworld, for letting me get that one out. I've needed to cyber-yell about the hecticness (yeah, it's a word) of the past two-ish weeks.

Sounds crazy, right? Well it is. And I am absolutely loving every last second of it.
Last year, I really struggled to be content at OC. I wanted to be anywhere else, doing anything else, helping people in the way that I thought was meaningful. Since this year has started though, I have been able to fall in LOVE with OC and the people here, and God is still working on instilling His passion in my heart for the people on this campus. This is my mission field this year! And now God is looking into my eyes asking, "Hallie, what are you going to do with what I've given you?"
Because He has given me a LOT. I feel so so so SO blessed. That kind of blessed where you can't help but cynically wonder, "What horrible thing must be coming? This is too good to be true."
Thank You, Jesus.

I have been meditating on this verse lately... it's pretty rockin'. I hope it sticks in your mind and heart like it has mine. It's from Song of Songs but I have no idea what chapter or verse.

"He brought me to His banqueting table, and His banner over me is LOVE."