Click

When I went to Vertical Life Church the first time, I immediately knew I liked it. It didn't make the transition from another church the easiest thing ever, but I still knew that I would go there. I just knew. It clicked.

When I went to the young adults' bible study for the first time 7 years ago, I loved it. I knew right away that I would be going back. Click.

There are some people I meet that I think, "Oh, we're going to be friends. I already know." Click.

When I went to Kenya the first time, I can't say it was because I felt like the Lord called me there. No, I was going because some of my closest friends were going, and it sounded like an adventure. But once I got there and the days started going, and even through some difficult things there (it's a third world country - it's not exactly the easiest thing), I felt that I was meant to be there. Click. When I went to Slovakia later on a mission trip, I did not feel this click. I did not feel that my heart was there. It was hard to explain and hard to feel, because I wanted it to click. It did for so many people I loved! But not me.

I've always loved taking pictures. But when I considered doing it more professionally, I wasn't sure. The task seemed too daunting. There was a youth retreat with my home church that I hadn't even been to in years, but the youth pastor invited me to go and take pictures for the whole camp (for free) of about 2,000 people. Me?? I borrowed someone's DSLR camera (so nice of him!!!) and set off to see if this thing would work. I took a billion pictures of worship nights, speakers, small groups, games, fun times outside... and loved the outcome. I loved it. With no ablity to edit them, I handed them straight over to be shown up on the big screen each morning and night for the students to see. I loved to hear them cheer and laugh and enjoy the pictures! Click.

It's an interesting and difficult thing to describe. A peace and joy that comes in those times. An excitement and a connection. Clarity and certainty. Sometimes it's the first time I go somewhere or meet someone or do something. But sometimes it's not until way later.

There once was a girl who came to my bible study, and well, I just didn't like her. It's been so long though I can't really remember or pinpoint why. Almost a year later, we went to Slovakia together, and we missed our flight during our layover. So we stayed in London an extra day. They put is in hotel rooms based on when we signed up our passport numbers with the front desk guy, and so I was with this girl. I was bummed because I wanted to be with one of my friends. But that night in the middle of the night, she was talking in her sleep and it woke me up and I thought she was awake so I ended up waking her up. Then we were wide awake at 3 AM - jet lag - and we just started talking. We had great conversations. I asked her hard questions, and she was honest with me. In the pitch black room, wearing blue jeans and tshirts in bed because we had no other luggage but our carry ons, at 4 AM, I knew that we were going to be close friends. We ended up being best friends. Click.

As life is ever changing, I hope the Lord continues to show me where I can go and who I can be around that clicks. I'm not saying I won't have hard times or struggles or have to work at things, I just mean in the way that I know the Lord wants me somewhere or to be friends with someone. To be confident in being in that place.