Community living is tough. I live in the same house as 12 other girls and 7 guys. We share the same living room, bathrooms, dining room and kitchen. Our house is smaller than what I live in at home, and I live with 4 times as many people here.
Here are a few things I learned in my first month of living in community:
-Making meals for 20 people is harder than it sounds, we are almost always in a constant state of hunger
-Making a set schedule and time for chores is a must, or else they won’t get done
-You can either wake up at 6am with a bad attitude or a good one; your choice
-Affirming others is most definitely a must
-It’s easy to get annoyed by last minute changes in plans but being joyful in any circumstance is important
-People are noisy in the morning, and at night, and all the time actually. Headphones help.
-It’s not all about what you want; whether that means meals, or days off, or even ministry
-Little acts of kindness go a long way
-Dance parties are fun and definitely necessary after a long day
-It really is the thought that counts
-It’s never quiet in the house, so when it is, you wonder if there’s something wrong
-Everything is house food, unless it has a name on it
-Encouragement is important and can make someone’s day 10 times better.
The girls:
We share so many laughs, long talks, movie nights, and some of the most heart wrenching details of our lives with each other. They are such a joy to be around and a huge blessing in my life. They challenge me in my faith and grow me in my walk with the Lord. No matter how frustrating it may be sharing the same bedroom with all of them, I wouldn’t have it any other way. It has pushed me out of of my comfort zone and has helped me to be a more patient person overall.
The guys:
The Watchmen are some of the most entertaining, hard working, and kind-hearted guys I know. They make awesome meals, share their donuts (this is actually huge), and help with the dishes even when it’s not their job. They are extremely goofy, sometimes annoying, but always willing to do just about anything. (They are also super great when you are in need of someone to shave your head)
Living practically on top of each other has forced us to grow closer with each other. Yes, it can become extremely frustrating when you can’t even get a second to yourself, but guess what?! I get to live with 19 other Jesus followers, accountability partners, and best friends. We worship, read our bibles, pray, and grow in our faith TOGETHER. How many people get to say that?
