JMU... round one

So I have officially entered the land of hiking hippies... James Madison University. This is a world where using a hairdryer is sinful and wearing makeup on a daily basis is unheard of. Sleep occurs between the hours of 2a.m. and 7a.m. and showers? What are those? The label snobs of JMU do not flaunt their Abercrombie, Hollister, or J.Crew, they flaunt R.E.I. Pajama's aren't needed because work-out clothes can be worn at night as well as all throughout the day. While a typical question at CNU might have been "what time are we meeting to watch Grey's?" the typical question at JMU is "what time are we meeting to go [insert almost any kind of high energy, sweaty activity which include but are not limited to: hiking, swimming, biking, running, and power walking].

I don't think I've ever felt like more of a girlie girl than when I requested to take a shower before going out to breakfast. The literal response was, "why? you're just going to get sweaty later." And it was true. AC is almost as scarce work-out clothes in my closet.

Okay, so while there may be some slight exaggerations to the previous paragraphs, most of it rings true and I have felt a little bit of a culture shock coming from preppy (read: lazy) CNU. However, there have been some fabulous parts of Harrisonburg that have already started to woo my heart.

1. I live in a house that has a front porch complete with a bright orange hammock (always wanted one of those!).

2. The mornings in Harrisonburg just might be my favorite. I love waking up to cool mountain air and sipping tea in a big old mug and reading my Bible on the front porch.

3. We not only have stray cats, we have stray snails. No, not slugs, snails (complete with shell and slime).

4. There is an older lady down the street who consistently wears the same color shirt and shorts. Her van parked in front of her house is always packed as if she lived out of it (I think she may use it like an extra closet for storage). She also feeds the stray cats and picks their fleas off of them.

5. The church I visited on Sunday morning was probably the best most scripturally grounded church I have ever been to in my life. The Sola's hung from a wall behind the podium from which the pastor spoke. The worship of the congregation brought tears to my eyes.

It has been an exhausting and somewhat overwhelming trip for me, and it's not quite over. However, it has also been unbelievably amazing. I can not wait until I am finally able to
move here. The women here are incredible, especially the leaders I've met so far. They are so willing to pour themselves out for the sake of the Gospel and I can't wait to come alongside them in pouring out and pouring into them.

Today CJ told me that I need 20 people to support more at $25 a month and 10 people to support me at $50 a month in order to be able to intern this year. Where will these people come from? I'm not sure. Keep praying kids!