across the universe (or maybe it was just a few states)

i got to travel the country (well, parts of it)

i learned things about God

i learned things about people

i learned things about myself

...

i traveled through: Nebraska, Iowa, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, Virginia, DC, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, Kansas, and South Dakota (I may have forgotten one or two places)

...

i was reminded of God's faithfulness and goodness.

excerpts from Psalm 9 say:

"I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High...

For you have maintained my just cause; you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment.

You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish; you have blotted out their name forever and ever...

But the LORD sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice,

and he judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with uprightness.

The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.

Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds!"

...

i learned that: there are awesome brothers and sisters in Christ all over the country. that sometimes you just have to love people. that people are gracious in putting up with and loving me. :) that i am glad there is diversity in likes, professions, accents, and the way we live life.

...

i rediscovered that when i think i have things figured out (like life, attitudes etc), i don't. that i really, really like coffee. that i am nothing without Christ in me.

...

one last note. The ultimate coffee no no is to put decaf "grounds" in a tea bag and call it coffee. that is not legit.

Also, congratulations for surviving through reading all this nonsense :)