Much-Needed Day Off

After three days of conferences, I was very ready to sleep in until 10am this morning! For my day off, I went to Portland with three friends. We had a great time listening to music, singing, laughing, and telling stories during the car rides there and back. We shopped around a bit and had a wonderful lunch at this floating cafe by the river. We had some great conversations that were very thought-provoking. I've had friends ask me how it is going and I can't give a one-word answer. Instead I say something more like:
amazing, tiring, convicting, encouraging, thought-provoking, crazy, wonderful, and fun.

I feel a little overwhelmed tonight after all our great conversations and the thoughts running through my head. I have so many things I want to work on and change and I feel so far behind. But, it's only been two weeks that I've been here and I have 10 more weeks for the growth and changes I want to work on.

Prayer Requests:
--my dad is still dealing with the kidney stone. The meds help lessen and decrease the amount of pain but the issue isn't over.
--that I would not get overwhelmed and discouraged with the big picture of my goals but focus on daily, baby steps.
--for my mom's last couple of days of VBS and her teaching to the children

Praises:
--for my great friends here and from SPU that are there for me and will have deep conversations with me