Sorry for the hiatus... remember that crash I referred too a few posts back? Well it happened. And in typical Melissa fashion I went down in a blaze of snotty, exhausted, head-aching glory. I think I'm pretty much recovered though!
But again, I'm afraid I'm starting to forget! Gotta get this out there!
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Denver. Oh Denver.
We rolled into the city sometime around dinner time and it's a blur from there! Throughout our days there we walked around the city, spent some time in the Tattered Cover, spent some time in REI and then thrifting, visited a church, and I visited Denver Seminary.
I probably COULD say a lot about the church we visited - but it is probably EASIEST for me to say that it was good for my heart for two reasons. 1) It showed me that church outside of dcf is possible. That I don't have to worry that once I leave this place, that other places like it don't exist. It sounds silly, but I deeply needed to be reminded that God's people and them expressing His heart are literally everywhere. 2) It showed me how much I am NOT done with my time at dcf. That I am not done pursuing life here with these people. That I'm not ready to move on. That there is still something God deeply stirs in me about these people, this place. And I NEEDED to be reminded of that. It wouldn't be the last time!
The Seminary visit was... perfect. The people I met, the things the Seminary strives for, believes in, teaches - all combined with the location. HELLO! I also was able to eat lunch with a professor who was just... gosh he was great. I loved him! Haha, I don't know that I should say that but oh well. It really was just so affirming to talk with him, to hear his story, for him to hear mine, for us to just share life as I considered Seminary and learned about the program. Yeah, I don't know what else to say about it... I started my application on the spot.
Denver was a place of healing for my soul. The specifics are too much to get into here, but there was a night that we spent talking that just led to parts of my heart being healed that I had kind of just pushed aside and thought could never be healed. I literally got down on the ground and worshipped the Lord in the most intimate way I ever have. I felt all of this junk I had been dealing with literally being thrown off of me. I felt the Lord lifting me out of the muck and placing me on Himself. I felt Him taking these lies out of my head and flinging them as far as the east is from the west. Yes, it all sounds crazy ... and it was actually pretty wild! It was pure freedom being ushered in, healing like I've never experienced. And just one more glimpse of the Lord just showering us/me with His love. My heart was awakened to life again.
And honestly, I don't really remember a lot of other specifics from our time there except that we were able to visit some dear friends. That is the largest and most important thing that stands out in my mind. It was precious, sweet, fun, rich, encouraging time.
We stayed with my friend Tara, who was a Young Life leader with me back in the day. (Do you like how I'm acting like I'm 60? Whatever.) Tara works for Teach for America in Denver and works harder than anyone I've ever known. Her heart for children and education is beautiful - just hearing her talk about it you really believe that quality, equal education for ALL is possible. I'm not even joking. It's astounding. The way she gives of herself for others is probably one of the more profound examples of Christ I've ever had in my life. We are about as opposite as 2 people can get but we love each other and see each other deeply. And dang, do we need each other. It was so good to be able to spend time with her - catching up, encouraging one another, and just being. She's close to my heart.
And one night we had dinner and coffee with Rachel. Oh Rachel. She peered into us and spoke truth over each of us individually in crazy ways. The girl knows what my heart needs to hear. And it was good. So good. I feel silly just saying that it was good over and over again, and that being the only thing to say about our time with her. But you're just going to have to trust me. (It's also true that when we first met up with her, I walked around with my hands over my heart, smiling really largely. Yep.)
We were able to see our friend Meg who lived in Haiti for the last year. Just being able to all share with each other where we have been the past year and what we're looking towards was incredible. It was astounding how we found that we had all learned such similar things about ourselves and the things that we desire, but she was half a world away and in 100% different circumstances. Funny how the Lord can work similar outcomes in COMPLETELY different ways.
And all of that can be summed up to say... Denver. Denver feels like home.
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Next Up: Other Parts of Colorado
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