I try to keep these posts to one a day, but I just checked my mailbox and I received a letter from myself, written at ASP, and I wanted to share some of it.

During our last worship service, on December 1st, the worship team (which I was a part of) decided to have everyone write letters to themselves about what we had learned, what we had experienced, etc. The letters would be mailed out a few months later, when we had forgotten about them. Sure enough, I had completely forgotten about this letter.

“Wow…what to say…I have learned SO much this semester, and I cannot condense it into one letter…nor can I express it in words adequately.

I’ve learned–

* that friends are more important than politics

* that political views do not make me who I am

* that who I am shapes my political views

* that asking can get you places

* that my family is wonderful

* that it is okay to have no idea what I’ll be doing after graduation

* that God truly prepares my path, and He leads me everyday

* that even in the little things, God is in control

* that testing of your faith comes all the time, in numerous forms

* that you cannot judge a person’s spirituality by the words they use

* that friends are made often with those you would least expect

* that everyone has gifts, talents, passions for a reason, and each should be respected.

* who my “real” friends are…”

Of course these are not the only things I learned while in the American Studies Program. Everyday I am reminded of the lessons we learned and experienced there…shalom…justice…Biblical worldview…etc. But these are the things that have a great impact on my daily life and on my personal encounters along this journey. I just wanted to share, as I now have a great deal upon which to reflect regarding my semester in Washington, D.C.