Surrounded by Love

"A soul is truly happy when surrounded my love."

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Yesterday was a day to remember. and I quickly realized that my plans of studying all afternoon were silly. so i threw those plans out the window. I attended church with my lovelies and had a wonderful Brekky with my dear Imani. Crackerbarrel of course. By the time I got home, I only had 2 hours before I had to be back at church. now good students would use this opportunity to study study study. but I found a nap to be more fitting. and a small amount of jamming was also in that 2 hour mix of nothingness. I proceeded to church and from there made THE BEST party playlist this town has ever seen...ok, im sure not everyone would agree, but I was raised (in the youth group) & I was taught you MUST love 90's music. and you MUST be willing to dance to EVERYTHING. Those rules created one of my most favorite sides of myself. for a while there I was not able to listen to these songs and give myself fully, but in light of recent events, I found myself completely letting go. It's a feeling that Ive been searching for since July 5th. After our advent worship (aka party rave jesus style), I rushed to Mama Tracie's house. Waiting for me there was a group of people who I have longed to be in the presence of for so long. Caroline, Lauren, Imani, Alex, Jessie, and Jared. To you, those names mean nothing. But to someone who know's their souls better than my own, they are names that I will always have written on my heart. There we sat in a room with pictures from our pilgrimage that we have not yet seen. But it wasn't all about the pictures. memories were shared, tears were shed, and side-splitting laughs filled the air all night. Needless to say the late night before mid-term numero uno was totally worth it. My soul has needed those people. and my soul has them now. all of them. and with all the upcoming changes in my life (insert grumble here) I know that their love will never leave me. 

So here's to my South Africa Team Members:

I love you to the moon and back.

-emily