July 11th...ish

So through all the hassles of having to mess with our employers over where we can and can't use internet... we now have wireless in our dorm again and it's much higher quality!
In no particular order, I guess that's how my mind works, here's what's happened in the past week.

Work as usual, although I was cooking in the mornings getting everything all set up. I love working with Steve, but I hate waking up at 6-6:30 in the morning. On the plus side, on Thursday I was able to go on a hike up Purple Mountain with Amber and a couple of her friends from Singapore I think. That was pretty cool. Sunday we were conducting the Old Faithful services so Amber preached. She did a really good job talking about "sanctuary" and how sometimes God has us step back so we can learn new things and prepare for what He has in store for us. I can't help but believe that God has me out here to learn new things and prep for the next leg of the race. One possibility that has come up in conversations and other things, particularly in the past year or so, I feel like God might be leading me into a pastoral internship. It's all still kinda up in the air and I guess I'm waiting for more confirmation, but I'm now openly considering this as a possibility after graduation. Come to think of it, that might be the most stable possibility so far. ANYWAY.
Sunday after our second service, we were going to drive out to Lake Yellowstone and rent a rowboat and just chill for the afternoon. Thanks to the lovely hills and horrible reception, our group got split up and Staci, Sarah, and I ended up driving around. Loads of fun! I want to bring back the Sunday afternoon drive tradition.
Cool story number 1. I'm in my room and my roommate Nam comes in. He was out on a trip with some people (Campus Crusaders) and one of the girls in the group told him about Jesus and gave him a Bible to read. He told me about it and said, "I think I like this stuff". I don't think he's taking it entirely seriously yet, but he started reading Genesis and he's pretty into it. I've been able to answer questions and explain things for him too so it's been pretty neat!
Cool story number 2. Before our last service, I'm sitting outside the Lodge Cafeteria eating a pretzel and this guy Marcus I met before came and sat down next to me. He's a traditionalist Catholic I think... anyway, he asks if I could pray for him and he starts telling me about how his ex-wife is in a rough situation with her current boyfriend and Marcus wants her and his son back and how he's genuinely changing who he is now for her and he's willing to do anything for her to be safe. This is with about 30 minutes until we start our last service, I really wanted to stay and hear him out more but duty called. I was able to pray for him and I'm really hoping that God will show up powerfully. It sounded like Marcus already had his wake up call and was ready to change. If you remember, please pray for him too!
Cool story number 3. After a crazy trip to Bozeman with my roommate Nam, and friends Tung and Hiep, (all Vietnamese) they invited me over for dinner. Chicken and fried ramen noodles, it was pretty dang good for not having a kitchen and equipment to work with! More of their friends showed up, I mean my friends too but yeah, we ate and chatted and hung out for a while. And somehow, perhaps Niah told them, but I guess they heard that I'm a pastor. Once again, the first question I get when I tell them that I might: "Can you get married???" followed by "Ooooooooooooooooh" when I tell them yes, yes I can get married. I love em! They make me laugh! Noon, one of the girls, showed me a Vietnamese Bible that she has. She told me that she isn't a Christian but she likes reading it because it gives her good feelings. I told her that if she ever has any questions I'd love to talk to her about it. She seemed pretty interested, and again, Niah was there as well, my old roommate, and when we were talking about the Bible he seemed VERY interested. Keep praying that God will work in their hearts more and more and draw them to the Truth!
We kept saying that it was like Christmas, everyone coming back to their room to find us there with stuff we bought for them in Bozeman. Since I'm the one driving the car they've nick named me Santa Claus :D which I can't remember what it is in Vietnamese but I love it hahaha! When they found out that I could drive some of them there next week I had 5 of them crowding around me practically begging me! I'm looking forward to it, I hope we do it, at the least it will give us time to talk and I'm sure the Bible will come up at some point.
Cool story number 4. Not really a story but, I got back from work today and found out that I have a third roommate now. His name is Andres and he's from Quito, Ecuador. Somehow he found out that I play soccer and he was already asking me if I knew where to play, he wants to start as soon as possible... no objections!!
I feel like I have more cool stories to tell, but I'm gettin pretty tired so if I remember more I'll throw them in another post!
Thanks for all your prayers and support!

(1 month!!)