Umin lovin'

   This school year has gone by in a flash. Sure, I learned some stuff, read some books, had fun. But the one thing I want to reflect on is my experience at Umin.

   When I decided to leave UCU, I didn't have clear answers as to why I felt the need to change houses. I mean, I suppose many of my good friends at UCU were leaving. The house as I knew it was changing. I could sense the dynamic wouldn't be the same. I was growing tired of the rigidity. The tom-foolery had lost its appeal. I was maturing, or at least had had my fill for the time being. Change was in the air--I could feel it coming. Women's intuition, you could call it. OR, simply the little voice inside telling me "Trust". So I did. And it was one of the best choices I have ever made. 

   Oh I'm sure I would've had a good time at UCU--I hung out there enough this year to warrant a "UCU live-out" title. But this house of 11 girls...it's where I needed to be. This year was full of changes, discoveries, and learning. Break-throughs were made. And those needed to happen in the company of these 10 other women. We were all re-evaluating. God provided me with sound counsel, comfort, laughter, entertainment, insight, perspective, inspiration (hehe), and sisterhood among women in love with Christ.

   People asked me throughout the year which Christian house I liked better, and my answer was always the same: "They're completely different things". UCU is always alive with company, laughter, lively debate, and silliness. UCU allowed my love for mischief and rambunctiousness to thrive. I spoke my mind (too often). I enjoyed pushing and challenging people. If I wanted attention, I could nearly always get it. If I wanted male attention, I could nearly always get it.

   But I was craving something more--a scale down, yet a new depth that UCU just wasn't offering. The amount of girls at UCU was getting to be too much; it kept things at the surface with many. Don't get me wrong, I made some strong friendships with those there. But the feeling of the UCU girls house as a whole was at times separated, clustered, and many showed restraint in being vulnerable--which was still a challenge at our house. But at Umin, there was a sense of comfort and ease. That you could be yourself, completely. It was our home. All ours. No sharing with boys, no having to look presentable or act ladylike. We were free to scream out, spill the beans with everyone, and trust in our little family.

Dance parties in the rain. Cooking mishaps. House dinner laughter. Three G's. Bunko. Hiding from neighbors. Morning grogginess. TV Wednesdays (everyday). Gasworks runs at night. July in January. Hugs and words of affirmation. Singing in the kitchen. Thanksgiving. Fireplace shrine. Movie nights. Valentines Day celebrations. Future business endeavors. Impersonations. Evenings out as a house. Challenging words. Godly wisdom and encouragement. 

   We were silly and ridiculous. We were unashamed. We lived unapologetically.

   Umin girls was the next step in independence. Next year will be an even bigger step. I hope I get to live in a large house of girls again--I absolutely love it.