A Test in Patience.

"Rest in the Lord and Wait patiently for Him."

-Psalm 37:7

This is the verse I cling to whenever I feel sick, both for home and for my voice to return. I still can't sing a whole song or participate fully and wholeheartedly into Bel Canto, as a singer and as a friend. In a group of girls, I'm the one who hardly ever speaks, and if she does, she talks in a husky voice about herself in an attempt to relate somehow to the other girls. This could translate to both conceit or social awkwardness; either one is unacceptable in my book.

Yep, it surely seems like I'm a mess of pity right now.

Yesterday, Bel Canto received something called "1 year Bibles" that are printed so you read the Bible in, yes you guessed it... 365 days. You read a portion of The Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs, including a bolded verse for the Verse of the Day. It says you're supposed to begin January 1st, but I can't wait that long. I've been starving and thirsty for almost 5 days now. So reading the Bible with so much variety put life back into my soul. Coincidentally, the first book of the Bible I EVER read all the way through was Ecclesiastes (I know, depressing right?) but that was the very book I began this time too!

Coincidence? I think NOT.

God has me here for a purpose, and that alone is thrilling. I just need to buck up and try and enjoy these times, both uncomfortable and comfortable. Voice or no voice. God will channel me to other like-minded folks. This whole college thing really works out your introductory colloquial skills. "I'm Katherine *shake hand* What's your major? What are your plans post school?" Stuff like that, over and over. Now if only I could speak....

On the bright side, I feel more comfortable with 1st Soprano. The parts are high, but doable.

And I played an awesome round of Apples to Apples with my Section Leader and some other people, both upperclassesmen and freshman alike 2 days ago. And yesterday all three choirs went to Huntington Beach for Pizza and worship. Rachel Kye and I took some AWESOME pictures (I'll tag them soon) and then worship by the bonfire... wow... God pulls us together as one amazing body in some really cool ways. 220 men and women extremely talented in voice, and in one man's case, accordion makes for an excellent, full-bodied sound of harmonizing. It was great hearing everyone's stories too. I carpooled with the Bel Canto president. She's a senior majoring in Vocal studies, and we bonded too.

So there's been both good and bad so far. Today was really hot, and has no intention of cooling down the rest of the year. God give me the strength to eat and drink, find satisfaction in the day's labors, and endure the off-key singing of the girl down the hall belting it out like nobody's around. She's got guts, and I'm just jealous she can sing at all.

80's party/BBQ at Dr. Hughes' house tonight. He's our professor/father figure/favorite uncle simultaneously. I gotta get ready. I miss you all so much, but Jesus is good.

Have a great night!