"The world is quiet here."

Finally. Cyprus. I. Am. Here. 

It seems like it was years ago when I first stumbled across the website for this study abroad program and began the enrolling process. All the packing and praying and preparation... and now I'm finally here! And it's even better than I imagined. Over the summer, I thought I needed an escape, somewhere to run off to, which isn't uncommon for me. Life begins to get monotonous, and I find myself dreaming of new adventures. Thus, Cyprus. But this time, it wasn't so much about running away, as it was to running forward. It really is beautiful here. And quiet. 

Quiet. That's a new thing for me. I'm so use to the traffic coming in and out of my house, and school, and exhaustion that I haven't just sat and been quiet. It's so easy to get caught up in the everyday things of life, that we forget why we're really here, and what we really want to do. I believe I'm finally where I'm suppose to be. Right here, right now. Finally.

I've met the most incredible people already. It's strange, but I have this feeling that we're all here for the same reason.. to discover ourselves, to recreate ourselves. To finally start living what we've been believing all along. At least, for me it is. The most ironic (if that's the word you would use?) is that the majority of the students/my new friends that are in the program are Christians. How does this happen? And why do I find myself so surprised? Shouldn't this be normal?

After being in college for the past 3 and a half years, I realized that a lot of college students throw their religion to the way-side until they graduate, to ensure that they get the most out of their "college experience." How did I get so lucky to be put into a group.. 9 million miles away from home.. made up of college-aged kids from all over the United States.. who are actually going to make. me. think. about what it's really all about? 

The first night I was here, one of my roommates asked me if I believed in God. I didn't even have to open the door, God did it for me.

...we're all searching for something to believe in.

And it's up to me to use this time that I've been given to teach and to learn. God has so much more in-store for us than we could ever imagine... I can't even begin to describe the little "Oh, so that's why you did this, God" moments I've had since I've gotten here.

I'm so excited for everything He has planned.  Life is such a gift, and I have been so blessed.