Soli Deo Gloria - to God be the all the Glory!

So...I am finally at Focus on the Family!  And all I can say is...wow.  Soli Deo Gloria is the Institute's motto, and those are the very words that come to mind when I think about my journey to Focus and my experience here so far.  I feel so undeserving of this experiencing and to be in the company of the amazing young people that are here (I so feel like that with my Bryan friends too).  I'm kind of speechless right now - I just know that God is at work in this place and the people here.  I'm on the adventure of a lifetime.  So to make up for my lack of words, I will share some pictures that somewhat demonstrate my short time here so far.

My and my roomies!  L-R: Ashley, me, Sarah, and Callie

A big ol' group of "Focusers" - as I like to call them :)

I love this!  Garden of the Gods at Twilight

Me and my roomie Callie being goofy in our arctic hats - we were in Hobby Lobby lol :)

There are MANY more pictures already, but for some reason, blogger takes forever to upload pics.  Anyway, just thought I would give a sample!  

Oh I just have to tell one funny story.  Actually two.  I just want to say - I am making such a smashing impression here at Focus on the Family Institute :) (said in a sarcastic tone!).  First, we have these security badges that we have to wear at all times when we are in the Focus headquarters (where our classes are) so that they know we are not intruders.  Of course, first day of orientation comes, me and my roomies go rushing off to class, and guess what?!  I forgot my badge.  Ryan, one of the staff guys, was kind enough to let me through without my badge.  We had walked to class, so there was no "rushing back to the apartment" to get it.  Well - here's the icing.  All 76  students are gathered in the classroom, all excited to learn and glean, and then they made all the students who forgot their badge raise their hand!  So you guessed it - yours truly, along with ONE other student raised her hand.  hehe - oh well.  I sure didn't forget my badge today!

Then today - ok, I just have to say, this is classic and will go down in the annals of Becky Embarrassing Moments - but to me it is so funny!  Me and my friend Dani at Bryan have this weird tradition of applying Vanilla Bean Noel hand lotion in the middle of class, I guess it's like a little board habit.  So in the middle of our security briefing today, I'm sitting in class hearing about the robbery rate in Colorado Springs, and so out comes the Vanilla Bean.  

SPLUUUCHAT!!!! 

(that's an exploding lotion sound).  Yes.  My lotion exploded.  And it's effects were far-reaching.  I ended up with a HUGE pile of lotion in my hand, it got all over my sweater, purse, the floor, just...everywhere.  According to the girl next to me, I muttered, "that did not just happen."  I was SO mortified!  The two girls next to me got attacked by the giggles and just couldn't stop, I'm trying to recover my rubbing lotion on my arms, hands, anywhere there is exposed skin.  Trying desperately NOT to draw attention to myself or distract from what the nice security lady is saying.  

And the fragrance of Vanilla Bean Noel wafted through the classroom for all 76 students to enjoy.

Like I said...smashing impression!