Sun Valley is a place like no other. It is nothing like college, when you spend time with dozens of people your own age, both male and female, everyday. It is nothing like high school when you spend time with friends at school, then return to the security of a safe parent-run home. Sun Valley is a small Christian community of approximately 35 adults, ranging from 21 to really old (don’t tell anybody here I said that). This place can be one of frustration with the vast variety of individuals living together. However, this community can also be one in which people love and will go above and beyond to bless you. One example occurred today.
This morning in the dining hall they were serving pancakes. I jokingly asked Sharon if I could have a Mickey Mouse pancake. She turns around and says to the chef (a cute work ‘n witness guy), “One Mickey Mouse pancake please!” Then, a few minutes later she brings it out a glass plate for me! Man, am I spoiled. A Mickey Mouse pancake with coconut syrup was the perfect start to my day.
This evening we played mat ball and rollerbladed with the kids and the work ‘n witness team. They are a young team consisting of a youth group and several young adults. I don’t want this to be taken the wrong way, because I am content with where God has me right now (even though often I fight and rebel against it), but it is very nice to be able to interact with young guys. It was so nice tonight just to be playing mat ball with several guys around my age. It’s hard at Sun Valley because of the proportion of males to females. In college, our social group was just about 50/50. Here, we only have a couple of young guys and a heck of a lot of young women. The estrogen level is a bit high at times and this week has been wonderful to have that team here.
Another exciting moment this past week is when Tammy asked me to help her and Steve herd the llamas (aka: chase them into the pen)! I’ve done it twice so far and man are they fast! Those stubborn animals with bolt past you. The object of this “game” is to run faster than them and manage to somehow direct them into the pen without having them stamp or spit on you. This is one of the funniest things I’ve ever done and I actually enjoy it! I put on my athletic attire, lace up my shoes, take a swig of water, and get out there, ready to take on those llamas! Tammy has been incredible and has allowed me now to interact with our horses, llamas (if chasing is considered interaction), and chickens. It’s very nice to be friends with the person in charge of animal care on campus.
One thing that everyone can pray about is that I have a rash on my arm that has been there for over a month now. I finally worked up the nerve to go to the doctor and they were all very concerned. They got me in right away (priority plays a part in entrance time at the clinic) and they kept asking me questions like, “Have you had a fever in the past month?” or “Have you experienced any severe headaches?” Anyways, I don’t know what’s going on with my arm but they put me on six prescription pills EVERY DAY for 10 days (that’s 60 pills!) and a cream application twice a day. Also, if I have a fever or severe headache, I am to report back to the doctor IMMEDIATELY and I have another appointment with her next Wednesday. With Bethany’s wedding coming up, I’m really hoping that this isn’t as serious as they think it may be. The problem, however, is that I’ve been taking the medicine for four days now and I feel that it may just be getting worse. The rash is itchy and is spreading. Please pray as I continue to work with this. It’s keeping me up at night and is quite irritating.
Besides that slight inconvenience in my life (and praise God for medical insurance with the expensive prescription drugs!), everything’s going very well. I’m blessed with a wonderful class this year, and some great friends on this campus. God is most certainly at work here, and is bringing me a peace that I have never experienced before. We appreciate how much thought and effort you all (around the world) put into God’s school here in Northern Arizona.
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