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!