"Link
Year is a 9 month Post-High School program designed to build a solid
foundation within each student". It is a bible study decipleship program that teaches us how to go onto our college campuses next year and influence the campus for Christ, instead of the campus influencing us poorly. We all go here (all 58 students) on September 6th. Since then, I continue to be amazed with everything this place has. Link Year's campus is actually located in one of Kanakuk Kamps' 7 camps, this one being K-1in good ole' Branson, MO. Last year K-1 built brand new cabins for the guys side of camp, and those cabins are Link Years dorms during the year. Let me just tell you, these are the nicest dorms any college will have to offer. My roommate and I were one of the lucky few who only had one person as a roommate instead of 2. Because of that, we have our own bathrooms and enough room to longboard and place a blow up swimming pool.
This is a weird angled picture of my roomy dorm.
As if being the first Link Year class on the brand new campus isn't enough, Link Year decided they wanted to spoil us further by having us also be the first class to get brand new personalized iPads.
Along with these things, Link Year continues to give to us, not only gifts, but love, wisdom and advice. (another sidenote, we are getting chickfila on friday.) (another nother side note, the closest chickfila is 45 mintues away) (another nother nother side note, when they told us this, tears of pure joy came)
One main thing I wanted to share, was one thing that I learned here that has left the biggest impact thus far. That is what came out of an article that we read in small groups monday morning called "Cravings and Conflicts" by CJ. Mahaney. There article explains "Each and every conflict reveals an inordinately strong desire for something -- smoething we want so much that we're wiling to quarrel and fight, to sin against others and dishonor God in order to get it." This is saying: sinful cravings within our hearts are the root cause of quarrels and fights.
I had never thought of conflict at all in that way. While reading this article I already new the question that would be asked after reading it: "Is there a current conflict that you had? And what was your craving?" I immediately knew what the conflict I had been dealing with was. It was a fight that happened between some co-workers of mine at home, those of whom I had gotten extremely close to. How the conflict ended was horrible and ended with us not speaking to each other for a while. Both of us handled it very poorly and immature. In that conflict, what I was craving was a, I guess you could say, "perfect friend". One who wouldn't let me down and would always be there. What I wanted from my friend is impossible from humans, however, exactly who God is. When what I wanted didn't happen, I gave up hope on the friend and them on me.
After reading through this packet I talked to my old friend again about what happened that made us feel this way towards each other and a beautiful thing happened. We were both able to forgive each other and move past what happened and our relationship is now restored.
More things I am learning to deal with is how to manage money and manage it well. I currently do not have a job yet, though I am trying to decided where I would like to work. Because of this, money is not a thing in my life or pocket, and I am having to cut back on my beloved fast-food and soda and candy. It's teaching me that most things that I craved and held dearly and depended on money to get are luxury things that I don't need in my life anyway.
Link Year is a cool place, y'all. I'm excited for everything that is happening and everything that is going to happen. I'm excited to start new relationships with people and grow relationships with friends that are here. I'm excited for all that God is doing in this place and all that God will do.
I'm just excited cause this place is cool and I have no doubt that it will grow in its coolness.
