I had a great talk with Darrell Sr. over lunch today. He helped me think through some issues concerning calling, direction, and seeking the will of God. I love opportunities like that, and they seem to come more often here than elsewhere. It probably has something to do with the fact that there are people from every age, walk of life, nation, and culture who come through this place over the course of the summer. What a great glimpse into what heaven will be like! I still find myself feeling torn in two in regards to where and what I should be doing - part of me would really like to find a good, steady job doing something I enjoy, settle down back home in Maine, invest myself fully in the community and in my church, and generally "settle down"... but another part of me is filled with what I like to call "the Wanderlust." It craves new experiences, life on the road, no commitments or binds, maybe even moving to a different country and immersing myself in the language and culture and investing myself in the people. If one of those desires was calling louder than the other or felt more "right," then I think it would be easy to pursue wholeheartedly. But as for now, I'm still unsure as to my specific calling. I've been coming to the realization over this past year that it's much more vital to focus on furthering and deepening my relationship with God in the present than to spend too much time worrying and pondering over the "big questions" of life (jobs, relationships, location, etc.)... not that they aren't important, but those questions need to remain secondary to maintaining and deepening my relationship with God.

I slept amazingly well last night - I don't think I've had that good a night's sleep since my first night in Skjolden. I'm excited about really getting to know some of the other team members better, diving into real relationships and moving past the surface-level acquaintances that we are at the moment. We're starting to share our testimonies with each other, which is such a great way to get to know people. Joshua and Kelsey went this morning and afternoon, and it was so great to hear how God has been at work in two drastically different people from very different backgrounds in order to draw them both towards Him. Good stuff.

We went up to the Skjolden overlook this afternoon, just a short hike outside of the town, and spent some time in silence. It was a good time - God brought up some stuff that I needed to deal with. I was also impressed and overwhelmed by the idea that I am known by God - every fragment of my being, along with every last quark, photon and particle of Creation. I was thinking about how amazing it is that God knows everything about everything... but, wouldn't it actually be more amazing if He didn't know everything? It seems to me that a god who knew anything short of everything wouldn't really be much of a god at all. Hmm.

I'm trying to get the guys on board with one of my patented crazy ideas - the "20-20 club," which would involve jumping into the fjord on 20 different days as well as memorizing 20 verses. I think it would be good for me, if no-one else, and at least a few of the guys seem to be motivated to do it. Hopefully it'll turn out to be a good way to build camaraderie while also cutting a toughness groove in our minds, bodies, and souls.

We spent some time this morning looking at Galatians 1. I was blown away by Paul's boldness in asserting his authority. I think I fall into the trap of "false humility" pretty often, trying to portray the image that I don't think too highly of myself when that's anything but the case. I constantly catch myself trying to manipulate people's opinions of me, striving to 'appear' humble so they'll think "gee, what a humble guy - he must really love Jesus." What a pathetic sham. I need to let God be God, me be me, and screw the opinions and thoughts of everyone else. But on the flip side, I think I also need to be more confident and assertive in the areas which God has gifted me. Paul certainly showed no shame in claiming his gifts and asserting his spot in the body of Christ. No sense in parading about in a cloak of false humility that obscures the very gifts with which God has intended you to use for His glory.

God, help me to love your praise more than that of people. Help me to seek you first and foremost. Make me die to self, and come alive again in you. Help me to build lasting relationships with the team, while also aiding them in whatever means possible to seek after you. Bring out the hurt, sorrow and pain that we all have, so that we may be able to share each other's burdens