We looked at each other and then started laughing, crying and talking all at once. We'd only known each other for a year at that point and we weren't very close. But there was something about sharing that experience that bonded us. Our other roomies hadn't had the same experience that we did that night, so after listening to us go on and on about it, they left us to ourselves. We kept on talking, into the wee hours of the night about it. At one point, we sat in the hall outside our room (against the rules - ohhhhhh, we were so rebellious), so we wouldn't bother our roomies. Okay, they might have kicked us out..... but either way - we were outside. That was when one of our counselors came by and talked to us.
This counselor was one of the cool ones. She was someone we knew wouldn't bust us for being out after curfew. She sat and talked with us for quite a while. She shared some of her story, what it was like to be an adult and follow Jesus. She was very honest with us and shared her struggles to. What I remember most about those conversations was that this was an example of a real woman, mistakes and all, who embodied the characteristics I admired. She was kind, loving, funny, smart and compassionate - and she called me her sister in Christ!
This was the moment of belonging I had been looking for. This was it!
That night is one of the happiest times in my life, mostly because it is surrounded in such love and acceptance.
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