School has begun! boom!

The emotion I can articulate to you right now is completely and utterly grateful. Aw man, I am so grateful. I felt a rush of this emotion when I was watching Bill Johnson speak to the 1200 of us in the BSSM 1st year class. It was so good. I can't quite grasp it all yet since it was only a couple hours ago. I just feel so supported and the best support I feel is from my Father in Heaven. God has shown me all the people around me who are willing to support me, but it is the best feeling to know that God is cheering me on. The God of all this earth cheers me on! Wow. What an awesome feeling. And to know that He does the same for all who step into His will is another awestrucking (No, this is not a word) feeling. There was a moment of this when all the students were praying and asking for more of Him this year, and at one point the noise of all the students sounded like a roar in a stadium. It was like the noise at a football game. It was so powerful. The students here are so inspiring.
So from my first day, what is the biggest thing that I have learned....
Well, since this whole year is about stepping out in faith and being equipped in ministry leadership, I feel that I need to get over the fear of rejection. Yeah, it's a super big burden that needs to go. God is pointing that out to me just by my interaction with people that I am really effected in my relationships with people by this fear. I am just so happy to be in an environment that is continuing to seek healing. This fear also showed me that it reveals a lot about my relationship with God. This place also reminds me that there is indeed time to talk and commune with God on a daily basis. I just need to make it my priority and I am reminded to do that here. I am so regretful that I did not make this a priority at home. God's presence is everywhere. An atmosphere of worship totally shifts your way of thinking. One of the biggest thing that I have taken away from my roommates and Sunday worship, is that spending time in God's presence will change you every time. That is so huge. EVERY TIME I SPEND TIME IN GOD'S PRESENCE I AM CHANGED. All I have to do is spend time with Him.

Goodnight to you all! I want to figure out how to make this blog a little more fancy schmancy, or just add pics and things.
Emily

Redding is alive

I am in Redding! My family left this morning, so today has been my first official day to myself.
I don't start school till next week so I am going to try and find things to fill my time this week! Biking will be something that I will be doing a lot while I am here so I want to get adjusted to using a bike as my transportation. I went on a ride this morning and it was so tiring! I am so out of shape, haha! I noticed on my bikeride that almost every person I passed said hello and good morning to me. I was so filled with love from the people of Redding! I love the west coast for that. It is definitely a different feel here than the east coast in terms of socializing. I feel more at ease having conversations with random people than I ever have! I love it.
My roommates here are AMAZING. They are four beautiful women of God. They are all 2nd years here at Bethel School of Ministry. My roommate is Heather; she is 21 and from Fargo, North Dakota. She is a musician and is all-around creative. My 2 other housemates are Beatrice and Sarah. They are both from Germany. Sarah and Heather lived in our house last year, and Beatrice and I are new to the neighborhood. Speaking of the neighborhood...I love it! I have awesome neighbors who are my new "big bros". Their names are Alex and Joseph, and they both go to Bethel church and help organize the house church in our neighborhood. I haven't had the opportunity to go to the house church yet, but I think it's tonight? I have heard it is full of life and wonderful. I can't wait to see the community come together to worship and go deep in the word. When I first got here I was a little worried about living in a place that looks rougher, but after meeting some people I had complete peace.
Even though I haven't started school yet, the Bethel culture here is already rocking me. In my conversations with people there is so much life that comes out of them. I feel loved, accepted, and encouraged to live out the gifts God has given me. I am so hungry for God. I am so hungry to learn more about Him and about His heart.

Prayer requests!
Please pray that my neighborhood would be flooded with God's love and that people would feel the comfort and hope of Jesus when we speak to each other. Pray that they would encounter the presence of God when they walked into our houses and they would be touched by the huge love God has for them!

I am praying for intimacy with Jesus to be even deeper for you! I am seeing how much God desires our time and vulnerability. I pray you encounter the love and grace that brings us closer to Him.
Love to you all!