Lectures have begun!!!

This week we're having actual lectures. Our speaker for the week is a pastor from South Africa, and he's been teaching us about the nature of God and His love. It's wonderful. Here are some big points that have really struck me.

• True freedom is the ability to do that which you know is right.
• True humility is the willingness to be known for who you really are. Consequently, thinking too little of yourself is not really humility, but pride. Thinking too lowly of ourselves says that our Creator didn't do a good job. 
• Conviction is specific; condemnation is vague. Welcome the Holy Spirit's conviction, and don't let the Enemy condemn you. 

On a lighter note, I realized that I'm sort of regressing in some ways... (Regressing isn't the best word... I think it reflects negatively on younger people... Don't take it that way please.) Being here is sort of like being back in college, with lectures, assignments, and community living, and many of my fellow trainees are "college-aged." It's so strange being back in this lifestyle, but kind of fun. I'm really enjoying the freedom to wear jeans and hooded sweatshirts whenever I want to. Yesterday I wore pigtails and I think this might become a habit here... I'm not always trying so hard to make my appearance scream, "I'm a grown-up!" in this atmosphere. (That's not to say that I'm not a grown-up here... oy... you get the picture.)

On an even lighter note, I had a bacon bap for lunch today. And, did you know that what we call "fruit juice" back home is called "squash" here? Now you know.