Let’s get Spiritual. Spiritual. Let’s get Spirituaaaaalll.

So it’s been about 3 weeks since I’ve been home and some of my biggest epiphanies from this summer have happened since I’ve been back.

What I’ve learned since being home……  some of it.

During my freshman year of college, I did a bible study on this book by John and Stasi Eldredge, Captivating.  In the book, Stasi talks about a woman’s desire to be loved and to love.  She talks about personally falling in love with God.  At least, that’s what I took from it.  So ever since then, I realized that I too wanted that for myself.  I wanted to be able to say that I, Leila Baldwin, am passionate about my relationship with Jesus and completely in love.  I don’t think it hit me until I got back, but it sure enough hit me.  I had finally gotten my answered prayer.

When I got back in the country I realized that God had woo-ed me.  He swept me off of my feet and carried me through every single open door.  Let me elaborate on those doors a little.

• Door 1: Finances.  I know that I have talked about this a lot in my first ever blog of my whole life.  But it’s important.  I had to raise $4,350.  I don’t care who you are or what your salary is, that’s a lot!  The deadline was May 1.  Obviously my deadline was met, but you might not know how.  I think it was the day before my deadline and I got a phone call from my mom.  Apparently the bible study, at Bennetts Point at Good Samaratan Church, raised over $700.  (My sincerest apologies, but I can’t remember the exact amount.)  I got my finances in the day that they were due.  My prayer was that God would carry me through that process and if it was his will then he would supply.  Thanks again to those in the bible study!
• Door 2:  Complete Safety.  I guess there is always something in the back of your mind when you’re preparing for a big, long trip that screams danger.  I don’t know it was somewhere between that article on people trafficking (which in a short definition is stealing people for sweatshops) and catnapping in the airport with every one of my belongings under me, God gave me peace that I was completely safe.  There really was never scared moment.  There were no hard times in which I thought the world was going to end.  I felt safer there by myself than I do sometimes walking around campus.
• Door 3:  Complete Safety for my family and friends.  So one of my greatest friends decided this summer she would go to South Africa.  Another friend moved to NYC to conquer the city as a really good graphic designer.  Another great friend of mine studied for a month in Barcelona.  My family is crazy, and sometimes I would worry about their safety for long periods of time.  Every single person that I left behind was here in one piece when I got back.  My family picked me up at the airport, in one beautiful piece.  The best Grandma ever waited till I was home to have a heart attack.  In this area, I am really thankful of God’s timing.  I was able to get home and kiss and love and talk to and hug all my favorite people.  It’s great being in love with God!

So that’s a few little things on one big movement that took place in me.  I hope it all makes sense, I started this a week or so ago, then came back to it a few times.

***and update on my grandma Annie:  She’s doing pretty well.  She’s always been a strong lady. They took her off the venilator on Thursday(?).. She’s moving around, sitting in chairs and jumping on beds.  Ok so she’s not jumping on beds, but she is doing well.  The last I heard yesterday, was that she’s moving into a room, and out of the ICU!  Thanks to those of you who have called or come by the hospital.  Nana has really love hearing about all of her biggest fans who have stopped by.***