i realized last week that i get more out of deep conversations than anything else at college. i would venture to say (tho i'm probably wrong) that perhaps college is the only place to have spontaneous talks as we do here on a regular basis. i can learn academics on my own or online - classes definitely help with this, but aren't absolutely necessary. the social interaction i once thought was unique to dorm life can be experienced in other settings, tho i can't think of any off the top of my head. is it possible to have spontaneous, deep conversations with random individuals in a place other than a college setting? i hope so, but can't come up with any at the moment.

highlights for me:
~many 4+-hour online chats my 1st year of college with someone i have known for years, but never really talked to. we discussed God, how He relates to the cause of our suffering, and how we should deal with it.

~a 4-hour talk my 2nd year of school about friends, our struggles, life asperations, guys, and God.

~on the way to hcjb last spring break, i drove the 4-8 am shift. the only other girl on the trip kept me awake while we talked about our dreams, what God had been doing in our lives, and where we thought He was leading us.

~last spring while hanging out in a friends' room, i began talking to her roommate. we eventually started reading the Bible together and praying for each other. she has become a wonderful encouragement for me with my walk with God.

~this summer, on a weekend trip to arlington, i had a 1-hour chat (it would have been longer, but our trip ended) with a friend i had hung out with alot, but never really had a real conversation with. i don't remember what we talked about specifically, but it did make a huge impression on me.

~also this summer, i had the opportunity to take a friend home with me. we had some really memorable discussions about the passions God has given us.

~last weekend, i had a 3-hour conversation with a floormate i've never really talked to about how God has been working in our lives.

~of course, i have had a countless number of these memorable conversations with my 4 roommates throughout my years of college (95% of which occur when we are both in dire need of sleep).

this list may not have interested you, but i write this to express my appreciation to all of you who are willing to open yourself up to those of us who aren't necessarily that close to you. i wish i could relate to you how much i have benefited from these, but don't have the words...