Short update to my college life so far. 1st of off, I'm loving college. Liberty University is the bomb, and the community I'm in here is incredible. 2nd, I've had the chance to go hiking on two separate trips, once with a bunch of MK friends and once with my dad. There's just something about being in nature that is so good and refreshing for the soul. 

"The mountains are calling and I must go." - John Muir

The first hike was with my friends up to Sharp Top, a mountain with an amazing view from its peak. The second hike was with my dad to Mt. Pleasant, which is one of the most beautiful areas I have been to so far in Virginia. Seeing God's creation up close and personal has made me so thankful for life and where He has currently put me. Also, the fact that it is autumn and all of the trees' leaves are beginning to change colors makes everything that much more magical.

Here are some of my favorite photos from both hikes: 

 The peak on the left is Sharp Top.

This is one of my greatest friends, Sam. We go way back.

 One of my favorite shots from the hike up Sharp Top. This is my friend Rich.

This is the group of friends that I went up Sharp Top with. We got up that morning to see the sunrise. I have never seen a more beautiful sunrise in my life!

 Those COLORS!

 I think this shot of Rich is super cool.

Friends, good times, smiles and laughter - this is community. 

 My dad! This was part of the other hike I went on, just the two of us (father and son), up to Mt. Pleasant.

 For some reason I just like taking photos of my boots after a long hike. On the left is a photo at the peak of Sharp Top and on the right is one at the peak of Mt. Pleasant.

 Such a truly amazing view!

Father and son right here. 

 On the left we've got my gorgeous Olympus film camera that was gifted to me by a great friend, and on the right - that's pretty self explanatory (can you find the moon?).

Nothing greater than sleeping in an ENO! Unless it gets super freezing. However, my dad brought a tent for us to sleep in so it all worked out well.

It's been quite a while since I last posted something. Finally, summer of 2015, I feel like writing something again. So here goes a little update on my life. In short: I am in the states now, adjusting to american culture, and prepping for college in the fall.

Playing music has always helped me process things, which is one of the reasons why I really want a guitar over here. I wasn't able to travel with my classical guitar from France due to fear of it being damaged. Pictured above is a Martin DCPA5 which I bought a week ago. It looks beautiful in the photos I took of it, however I wasn't 100% satisfied with it and brought it back in order to make this a true investment in something that I can be proud to own.

Despite not posting and keeping this blog up to date, I have been continuing to take photos and I don't think I'll ever stop. In fact, photography is one of several things that are completely familiar to me and in which I can find some calm. Much like the bible as well, even though I wish I knew it better than I currently do. I guess the beauty of that is that it's a life long process. I think it is important to have some creative outlet(s) in which you can find a sense of familiarity, but I'm also aware that we're all wired differently and this may not be the case for everyone.

It's been a little tough leaving all I know behind in France, saying goodbye to friends and family, some of which I will see again and some I might never, ever, see again (those are the hardest to leave). Knowing I won't return to this place I called home for the past few years is also hard in itself. One of the hardest things, though, has been that no one here asks me about what my life was like before coming to the states. The closest anyone has gotten was inquiring about the flight over. Perhaps I need to open up more, but I believe there's more to it than that. All of this, though, is part of the TCK blues, I suppose, and I know I'm not the only one to have experienced this. On the topic of leaving, I stumbled upon a beautiful poem titled "Partir, c'est mourir un peu", literally translated "to leave is to die a little":

  Partir, c'est mourir un peu,
  C'est mourir à ce qu'on aime :
  On laisse un peu de soi-même
  En toute heure et dans tout lieu.

  C'est toujours le deuil d'un vœu,
  Le dernier vers d'un poème ;
  Partir, c'est mourir un peu.

  Et l'on part, et c'est un jeu,
  Et jusqu'à l'adieu suprême
  C'est son âme que l'on sème,
  Que l'on sème à chaque adieu...
  Partir, c'est mourir un peu.

The poem is by Edmond Haraucourt and a pretty decent translation can be found here.

I'm so glad to have spent a good part of my growing-up years (nearly six years) in the beautiful country of France, with all of its flaws and quirks. Those flaws and quirks have become the new norm for me and none of them seem odd anymore. France - the culture, the language, the place - is now part of me. It's an addition to Austria, Germany, and America, I suppose. However, I've come to realize the only way to truly experience a culture is to live in it. Even if you visit countless times for extended periods, like I have to Germany and America, you can't fully experience the culture unless you're immersed, living in it without a plan of going somewhere else.

This summer will be a challenge, but as Jesus' brother James put it, "consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds, knowing that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." So I shall do exactly that. I'll rely on the one thing I know will endure beyond any earthly grievance.

I don't know how applicable this will be to you, the reader, but I hope it gave a little insight as to what is going on in my life. It felt good, almost therapeutic, to write this. A sure sign that I need a new journal. Thanks for reading!

Until next time, then.