Maybe I'm an extrovert after all . . .

This is my new roommate, Lahn (some confusion about her name earlier, Koreans don't have an "r" or "l" in their language).

So, I always thought that I was an introvert. A friend once told me that regardless of how outgoing you are, introverts are people who recharge by being alone and need solitude to survive. Extroverts are recharged by being around other people. At the time I had placed myself in the former category because I never feel more refreshed then when I can get away with a book or spend some quiet time praying or just listening to music.

I'm wondering about that now. I made a decision this weekend that for this first month of term, when I sat down to eat dinner I'd always pick a table with residents. Its so easy to just congregate automatically with my staff friends.

It is ALWAYS hard initially when I'm standing with my tray seeing all the tables with people that I am comfortable with, laughing together, and deliberately choosing to sit with someone I haven't met who is off in a corner, or at a table of residents who are obviously friends chatting away. But I've done this the last three days - not only for dinner, but breakfast too.

And I can't tell you how extraordinarily blessed I have been by it. I have met and had good conversations with at least 8 different people, from all sorts of countries. I've met Sara and Delphine from France, Ali from Iraq (well, currently Dubai), Scott from the States, Anne from South Africa, Sebastiano and Santosh from Italy, etc.

I just can't get over how much energy I have after my meals now. I leave feeling like I could go jog a mile or pound out a position paper. I am absolutely and totally loving the relationship-making aspect of this job. The key is that it takes intentionality. I could easily do my office job cheerfully and efficiently and still only know the residents names or never get past "Hi, how are you today?"

I'm already feeling them respond back - when I work, these students linger at the reception desk as they pass through and chat a bit if I'm not busy. They ask me just as many questions as I ask them. I found out today that Delphine is studying American Politics and she was thrilled to get to talk about foreign policy with me.

So thank you, thank you for your prayers. I am seeing miracles already in just the few days that I have taken just little baby steps out of my staff-world. Please continue to pray for these new relationships, that they would develop into numerous opportunities for me to show them true love and lead them to the Source.