[Color]

[Color]

   6:48 PM       Laura

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Yesterday, I made it to the festival of colors.  It was something that almost wasn't going to happen due to lackage of money, and things like that.  I missed my best friend's ballroom concert for the same reason.  But we got some things figured out, and we made it.

Late.

We made it to the school, where the shuttle was.

And got on the school bus, but as we were traveling, the whole temple was engulfed in this huge cloud of pink.   I was told by people who had gone, that those on the Temple grounds couldn't see the sun.  That it was blocked out by all the dust and chalk in the air.  

I reflected a moment, on how much unity was there. I mean, its a bunch of Christians, at a Pagan celebration. 20,000 people. 

Once a year people of all walks of life, and from all religions, gather together to usher in the arrival of spring, by simultaneously throwing scented colored powder at each other. It is an amazing sight -  10,000 people all throwing this beautiful flower scented powder into the air at the same time. It creates an amazing rainbow of color that can be seen in the sky for miles. After a few minutes we all look alike…like tie dyed people. There are no races, no social classes, no ages, only people celebrating the joy of life together. The feeling of peace and love and happiness at this festival is almost palpable

SO many people were there...  They had to do 2 shows. 

When we got there, it was a mess! there was dust and chalk everywhere, and everyone looked the same.   We found some powder on the ground and wiped it on each other's faces.   Some guys were walking around with orange dust, and put some on my forehead proclaiming "simba" (hence in the previous picture, how i ended up with orange right there.)

Some guy gave steph a bag of pink powder, and she threw it in Alex's face.

We made it there late, but we had alot of fun.

Last night was Sadie's party.  She lives across the street from Cory.  I dropped Kristen off, and texted Danny, "Hi, I just remembered that she lives across the street from Cory's house. I don't know if I'm mentally ready to go over there"  

and this is what I got:

Oh whatever! you should face it with a smile. You are happy now. You know who you are. You notice God in your life everyday now. If you give Cory power over you, you won't be ready. If you let God have the power over how you feel about yourself, you will overcome whatever you are battling ;) you decide what is best .I may be off, pray about it. :)

I made it there, very nervously, knowing that if I needed it, Danny would be there to help.  Pretty soon, it was just me, sadie, chris and danny.  Sadie and Chris kept looking at pictures.  and Danny and I attacked each other on Tetris challenge.  We kept listening to part of the other conversation going on. I wish I could remember the one liners we kept picking up as we tuned into that conversation.

" you, know, i actually don't really have problems with egyptians."  is the only comment I can remember from Chris. I'm sure Danny remembers others.  Amidst a rude email from Cory, (to which i responded very well...)  It was an ok night.  I was surrounded by friends to hold me up as I went through one of the final parts of this trial.   (I'm not entirely sure if Cory remembers that I have his hard drive.  I haven't let him know, but I think my sister needs a new one.  and based on his response to my email, i doubt he wants me to bring it over... i guess. I don't know)

I talked to Danny last night after going home.  And I said that I needed an uplifting and happy scripture, and he sent me Romans 13:10.    "Love worketh no ill to his neighbor, therefore love IS the fullfilling of the law"
I read this, and responded. "I'd like to think that I did this tonight." and he responded back "I think you did"

My response to Cory was not hatred, nor was it mean. I said I'm sorry things are they way they are, and I hope he's the happiest person in the world, and that I had no hard feelings for what has transpired between us. There was no animosity, no anger, no hatred.  And I think all these learning experiences in the last couple months, has led up to that one moment, where, as I sat and emailed my best friend a response, surrounded by people who lift me up, and had the spirit with me, I knew what forgiveness was.  I didn't make the same mistake I had made time after time again. Every time I'm provoked, I get mean.  This time, I forgave.

The trial doesn't end, till we learn what the Lord needs us to learn. 

Dear readers.  Its over.  My trial is over.   No longer am I plagued with a "what if he's there" or "what happens if."  Thank you all for being there.  :)