Yikes! Am I in trouble? Maybe I shouldn’t point out that my blog post is a couple of days late, but here we are. There is so much grace, and Will Brown hasn’t posted his yet. Okay let’s move on.

October was a mix of silly and exciting moments with a lot of peace and settling in. Raleigh Fellows has taught me how to hold this place that I love close to my heart while also holding it up to Him. The Lord gives good gifts and this month is evidence of that.

The month started off with a bang — some might even say it was our most bonding Fellows event at that point. It was a spontaneous Thursday night porch fire hang at Simas’ house (RF ‘24 and my boyfriend) and to those who know Simas, he rarely turns down the opportunity to host a hangout. He was actually jumping at the opportunity to host the Fellows because he really wanted to get to know each of them more (ugh he’s perfect). We sat around the fire, made s’mores and roasted cold pizza on a stick. We (almost) convinced Peyton that there was a zipline in the backyard. We made memes. We traded chairs. There’s honestly no explaining what made this night so special to all of us, other than us having such a silly time that we ended up staying until midnight. 

The next day, a group of Fellows and Fellows alum gals gathered at Docksology for one last lake weekend in the sun. It was actually magical to go swimming in early October. Female friendships haven’t always come easily to me, but that weekend felt like healing and the Lord pushing me more and more towards vulnerability there. It was peak girlhood and sweet to deepen friendships with Fellows and the other ladies who were there for the weekend. 

Fast forward a couple of weeks, I got to go to a YL banquet for the area I led in college. In a season of having to say no to many things for Fellows, this felt like such a gift. I got to reconnect with my old teammates, area director, high schoolers, and committee members — all people who were so hard to say goodbye to when I finished leading.  While I know God is doing incredible work in and through them, it was such a blessing to see it firsthand and share in that joy with them.

Wow those are only three things that happened this month, but there’s so much more to tell! I’m really into bullet pointing so let’s hear it for the rest of October’s activities:

  • Spending time with college friends and still getting to be involved in their lives

  • A night out on Glenwood

  • Two fair days with Simas and Fellows

  • Cooking a feast with Will for Roundtable

  • A Raleigh weekend full of Standard smash burgers, coffee and thrifting 

  • Going home and seeing my mom, step-dad and the kitties

  • Dressing up as Greg Heffley at Skip/Simas/Shane & roomies Halloween Party

  • Ashley’s birthday EXTRAVAGANZA (Nov 1st but who’s counting)

Honorable unmentions (probably shouldn't be mentioned but I am):

  • I burnt my leg on the Solo Stove

  • That’s actually it 

This November I am continuing to learn to want more of what He wants for me than what I want for myself. It’s such a gift to be part of this program and to experience so many things about this place that make it so special to me. I remind myself that whatever is special to me is also deeply important to God. Isn’t that sweet?

Until next time, 

Carsyn

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