::Christmas for the Weary::

Click on over to my sister's blog...she posted some good comments about what to do when the Christmas spirit isn't as natural as some years.

Christmas is Christmas, no matter our circumstances. Jesus still came, and praise God that is always a reason to celebrate!

Merry Christmas

 

 

Sometimes I Don't Have Words...

 

And a picture is worth a thousand of them, anyway!

 

 

::

 

My View

 

 

(my "school room/office" is in the basement)

 

::

 

My church has an outdoor Christmas program,

open to the public, that is performed 4 days in a row.

 

 

I was a 5-layer Bethlehemite. ;)

Yes, that is all one night's worth of clothes!

 

::

 

Making Christmas fudge for gift-giving

 

 

means we get the left-overs :)

 

::

 

Merry Christmas to all!

 



::Thankful Because::

...It's Sunday! :)

 

I was glad when they said to me,

"Let us go to the house of the LORD!"

{Psalm 122:1}

::Thankful Yet Again::

Today is the start of Christmastime. Not that I haven't already been lstening to Christmas music...but today it's official, with the tree up and the decorations out. I know I've said it here before, but I love that Christmas is the beginning of the journey to Easter.

A new CD I've been listening to has the song "Mary's Boy Child" on it. This song has a fun, catchy tune, but I almost don't like to listen to it. Part of the chorus says, "Man can live forevermore because of Christmas Day." It's not because of Christmas Day, folks. "Man can live forevermore" because of Easter Morning. But it did all begin with a Baby in a manger...

I am thankful...

~for the Baby in a manger

~that the Baby grew up without sin, and ministered perfect among men

~that Jesus Christ died, and then rose again Easter Morning.

And I'm thankful it started with a Baby in a manger...because I love Christmas. :)

 

 

::Thankful Still::

{So that no one will think that I'm not, in light of past posts...}

Thankful...

~for bosses who are friends

~for fellow employees to laugh with

~to be {still} a part of this restaurant that I've known for over seven years

~to look back and be assured that God knew what He was doing seven years ago to bring me here; and, this fall, in allowing me to stay here one day a week.

~It was nothing I had asked for...but everyting I had desired and needed.

 Now to him who is able to do

far more abundantly

than all that we ask or think,

according to the power at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in

Christ Jesus throughout all generations,

forever and ever.

Amen.

{Ephesians 3:20-21}

 

 

 

 

::Thankful Some More::

On Monday, my twins each gave me a "Happy Thanksgiving hug" as they said bye-bye. Those are the kind of moments where nothing else matters! :)

It's a reminder to me...

It was about this time last year--October and November--that I was really struggling. God didn't seem to be doing anything.

Be gracious to me, O LORD,

for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD,

for my bones are troubled.
My soul also is greatly troubled.

But you, O LORD--how long?

{Psalm 6:2-3}

How long? It wasn't just about my occupation at the time--although, true, the prior months had held many of those "not-so-good-memories" times. There was a lot of things going on. But this one seemed the most obvious.

But even if God didn't seem to be doing anything, He was not silent.

Trust Me, He said. Love Me. Serve Me. Glorify Me. Delight in Me. Worship Me. Hold Me high above all else in your life--dreams, desires, plans, people, activities, ministries, expectations...

Do I still ask "how long" about some things? Yes.

But my two little Thanksgiving hugs remind me that time ends. Nothing in time is eternal. Even if something continues for the rest of earthly life, it's still not forever.

It also reminds me that someday a harvest of tears will be reap another bounty.

The LORD has done great things for us;

we are glad.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,

like streams in the Negeb!
Those who sow in tears

shall reap with shouts of joy!
He who goes out weeping,

bearing the seed for sowing,

shall come home with

shouts of joy,

bringing his sheaves with him.

{Psalm 126 3-6}

So today I am thankful.
~Thankful for the four little arms encircling my neck.
~Thankful for the reminder those two cute little voices are.

The weeping is hard. Painful. But it is not forever; rather, it is "preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." {2 Corinthians 4:17}

::Thankful Again::

~Thankful for the relentless pursuit that is going on...regardless of what I do.

~Thankful that nothing, as a child of God, can separate me from the love of Christ.

~Thankful that within that pursuit is a call for another pursuit...me of Him.

I will never pursue so well, so faithfully, so wholeheartedly, but Lord willing, I will be in this pursuit for the rest of my life.

It is worth living for and dying for. It is worth sacrificing for and delighting in.

This my mind knows...
O Lord, let my heart know and experience it as well!

Seek the LORD and his strength;

seek his presence continually!

{Psalm 105:4}

 

::Thankful::

 

I am thankful...for I know that even if I had nothing else to be thankful for, there would still be one thing...

 

 

Though the fig tree should not blossom,

nor fruit be on the vines,

the produce of the olive fail

and the fields yield no food,

the flock be cut off from the fold

and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD;

I will take joy

in the God of my salvation.

 

{Habbakkuk 3:17-18}

 

 

 

And yes, I do have a lot of things to be thankful for. But all those things point to the One...

 



Great are the Works of the Lord!

I’ve worked at the same restaurant for 7 ½ years. Good years…with a little stress and some not-so-good memories; but overall, good years.

But I’ve always known I wasn’t going to work in a restaurant forever. Even in the beginning. I never had a job besides babysitting in high school. Once I graduated, I was on to the working world…so I thought. What I didn’t know was that it was going to be a whole year of apply and wait, pray and wait, trust and wait. That was a tough year…and then my dad and I were driving past a local franchise that had a “now hiring” sign out front. My dad noticed and I responded with a definite “not working in a restaurant.” Long story short, I ended up applying, getting my first interview of the year, and being offered a job. Not exactly my first choice, but I saw God leading and so in I went. I loved it from the start. My bosses. The other employees. The guests. Even creating ice cream sundaes. J

None of that’s changed, really. I’ve just always known it was temporary…and seven years sort of pushes temporary in my book. Well, even six did. But as I prayed about it last year, God gently said “not yet.” I wanted to dig down deep with people…not just the in-and-out that comes with guests and even employees—we go in spurts where turnover is high and then not so much. We have regular guests, sometimes known by name, sometime known by nick-names—the Straw Hat Man. The Coffee Lady—and when they stop coming, we don’t know why…they got tired of us? get sick? move away? In reality, nothing on earth is permanent, yet I desired more permanency than what I was able to get. And a more set schedule wouldn’t hurt, either.

After a summer of being okay where I was, enjoying the people around me, God suddenly said, “yes.” And slowly the doors began to open.

I get to call myself a nanny now and get to play and cuddle babies. J Twin girls who are nearly 2. A family with a 3 year-old, 2 year-old, and almost 1 year-old (!). Another almost 1-year old occasionally. Full days for the former, half a day for the other, afternoons here and there for the third.

And I still work one day a week at my restaurant. It’s the best of both worlds, actually. And I have Fridays off. J Such a big schedule difference has been a big adjustment. I’m still not completely used to it yet!

It’s been a reminder to me, in the midst of this crazy past month, that God is working behind the yes’s, wait’s, and no’s. God knows what is best, and when it is best. On the other side we might understand…but that definitely doesn’t make things easy on this end. God remembers we are human and need reminders now and then. On the days that do not seem so bright, I only have to look back a few months and remember that yes, God is working.

Great are the works of the LORD,
studied by all who delight in them.

{Psalm 111:2}

A Paper in Four Days: A Tale of God's Grace

So...that story of an "encouraging" note I promised? It's coming. :) God had other plans for me that week!

I woke up Monday morning and got online to double-check whether my research paper of 20+ pages was due on Friday or Saturday. I got the surprise of my life to find out it was due in 16 hours. I still haven't figured out why he would make the last assignment due on Monday when there was still 5 days of class left.
Whatever his reasoning...it caught me off guard. For the record, the due date was in two places; the one I happened to see was the least reliable. That's my life and grad school, let me tell you. ;)

The next four days were run on adrenaline...and God's grace, for sure. I quickly emailed my teacher, explained to him my life of the past few weeks (which for me has been grocery shopping and house cleaning while my parents endure doctors appointments and surgeries), explaining that I had gotten behind the week before due to aforementioned activities. That was the reason I had looked to see the exact due date of the paper, because I felt too behind to be done by Friday and was hoping for a due date on Saturday. (Ha!)

He emailed back, understanding and (though certainly not without still planning to dock me for being late), gave me permission to be late. I posted my predicament on facebook and gathered some prayer warriors...

And the next four days held 24 hours of work over all four days, 2 all-nighters, gathering a few last resources to make minimum count (I know this post is not making me sound very responsible...but I tell it because of how great God is!), and writing 18 pages. At 11 pm Thursday night, I was at my wit's end to write another word.

don't worry--that coffee lasted me the whole week :)
on the right from the top: Bible study breaks,
all-nighter inspiration,
pile of research books,
and of course who would have lasted without chocolate??

I decided to take a break and review the guidelines for the paper. In there I found the sweetest words I could read at the time: my already two-page bibliography counted as part of the word count. My paper now stood at 20 pages...and that's all I needed. I was done. As I posted on facebook shortly after this, after explaining the exciting end: " 'Nough said. Paper done. Class finished. Time for sleep!!!!" :)

God was incredibly good that week. We never deserve God's blessings, and doubly so in this case. While I wonder why my teacher would be so radically different and have a due date 5 days earlier than anyone else ever does, it was my fault for not finding the deadline earlier. I never plan well for papers in the first place and usually am pushing the deadlines anyway.

But the story isn't over. The results of this rushed paper? Basically the best grad paper I've written so far concerning the grade. When I first heard the news of the deadline, I despared of passing the class, let alone the paper. But's God's grace shines forth.

Sometimes I wonder if grad school is really what I should be doing. It's so difficult...I don't particularly enjoy it...sometimes I doubt that it really is beneficial. I may complain about this teacher or that assignment. I didn't ask for grad school. But God gave it to me.

I need to accept that there will be a disconnect between teacher/student when it comes to online classes. And that there are assignments I won't like or don't see the point of (as if undergrad on campus had no such issues...) And that it's a big deal to me, and have a lot harder time balancing life--family, work, church--with school, worse than I experienced with undergrad.

Sometimes difficulties might be roadblocks, but sometimes they are just hurdles God wants us to jump over and then keep running. So I'm running still. This is the second week of another 8-week semester. I've already began collecting my books for my next research paper--I firmly believe that to presume upon grace is not a good idea. :)

I remind myself often that diving deeper into God's Word is never a waste, that I do want to be prepared to minister and serve people in whatever capacity God chooses in the future. And when I stand on the other end, I will look back and be glad I did it as I see God's hand at work.

Maybe, perhaps, those deadlines and assignments and challenges and stresses are meant to draw me closer to the One who gave me this grad school assignment in the first place. So I'm still running...and yes, looking forward to that still in-the-distant-future day when the finish line appears!

this was my "pep talk" for the week!



Linked up with YLCF about education!

::Life::

A few weeks ago I said that sometimes life bleeds…sometimes it continues to bleed. Sometimes it doesn’t seem like it will stop.

We’ve been dealing with family stuff for awhile. Both my parents are dealing with rather big medical stuff. A friend moves. Ministry opportunities change and end. Schedules change. And there’s still school (J). And sometimes all that happens all at once.

But my God who rules and reigns knows every detail and has a plan for it all. I trust Him…but that’s a moment-by-moment decision. I let my guard down—and the thoughts wander and wonder. I’m excited for the other end of all this but in the mean time there is a long, rough journey to persevere.

As I was considering the theme for the month of October (which we are almost halfway into, can you believe it?), I decided there were so many directions I could go that this is going to be a theme-less blog month. A patchwork of posts—a variance of subjects that nevertheless point to the awesome God who saved me. Since I someday hope to make a quilt, I thought it would be enjoyable to play off that as a “theme.”

And since I lost all my pictures when my flash drive broke this summer…I have no fall pictures. I’ve definitely missed the many pictures that were only on that flash drive before now, but I feel it acutely now, since I was ready to post fallish pictures before the colors came out this year. And since we’re basically in a drought, there are no brilliant fall colors to capture this year. already for next year…

So take a peek into my pile of “leftovers” awaiting the someday-quilt…

 

 

Stay tuned for an encouraging update—Lord willing, next week. As difficult as adjusting to a new schedule can be, sometimes it is due to an answer to prayer. J

And pray for us, will you, as we go through all this? I want God to be glorified…and I know He will be, but I also personally want to be a channel for His glory. Whatever happens here has a greater purpose and I want to testify to that!

Of Quilts and Patchwork Pieces

Someday I will make a quilt.

It's a dream I have...along with several other artsy-things.

Perhaps a patchwork quilt that I can design myself--but probably just a 9-square to start with, right?

I've always loved quilts and imaging the stories behind them as I looked at those made in the 1800s that now hang in history museums. Sometimes the pieces fit together to tell a story themselves...but every woman who stitched those pieces also had a story!



my quilt my grandma made for me

I have yards of old clothes I couldn't totally get rid of and fabric "leftovers" from past projects ready and waiting.

Someday it shall happen. :)

Baptism: A Testimony of God's Power

My church had a baptism service this evening. I always come away so encouraged by God's work of transformation in different lives as they share their testimonies.

This time I watched two my my jr. camp girls get baptized. A 6-year old. A mother of a 16-year old. High school students. No one is out of God's reach!

Sometimes I hear about people who professed Christianity but walked away from God. Or even Christians who are making foolish decisions...My heart wants to break and I feel discouraged. Heaven looks amazing, with its perfection and holiness!

But baptisms are refeshing. They remind me that the same power the draws a heart initially to Christ is the same power that works after salvation unto sanctification.

God is still God, and He is not limited to time. His power never ends or weakens. I've prayed for many people's salvation since I was a little girl, and I'm still praying. I'm praying for people who professed salvation but don't show the fruit.

The wait is hard, and God does not guarantee us the answers we pray for--I know people have passed away without accepting the salvation I'd prayed they would understand. I've watched people make years of foolish decisions. And yet, as long as there is life, there is hope, and I am reminded to keep praying and leave the results in God's hands!

Resting in the Gospel

Sometimes life bleeds.

Sometimes it overwhelms as {seemingly} a million things happen at once.

These past few weeks, I've contemplated over and over what the Gospel means...

 

Security.

 

Peace.

Hope.

 

Purpose.

It means I have a shelter in the refuge of God's wings, no matter how dark and stormy.

I've been noticing the contrast in songs and Scripture, lately...

 

Dark vs. Light.

 

Storm vs. Peace.

 

Despair vs. Hope.

Behind the not-so-good is light, peace, hope. Because God is there.


And perhaps...in those things is when and where I can best see Him.

Labor Day Weekend: 4pm

 

With a little background music...

 

 

 

a tie-dyed apron compliments of jr. camp :) ...

 

 

 

newly discovered pinterest recipes...

 

 

 

* Peanut Butter-Chocolate Fudge

* Hot Fudge Sauce 

* Salted Caramel Sauce

* Homemade Ice Cream

{not all were pinterest recipes by the way,

in case you go searching for them ;) }

 

No pictures of the end results...

be assured they were enjoyed. :)

 



What the Gospel Means

The Gospel of Jesus Christ means a great many things. I've been dwelling on this particular thread of thought, especially in relation to blog posts, for the past few weeks. What does the Gospel mean to you? How is it manifested in your life?
 
Because...the Gospel should be my life. Jesus gave all for me...therefore, I am not my own.
 
Time, money, energy, pursuits, ministry, relationships, thought, actions, words--everything I am and have owes so much to the One who saved me.
 
The original context of this passage is very specific, but it stands true of all of life.

"Or do you not know that your body is a

temple of the Holy Spirit within you,

whom you have from God?

You are not your own,
for you were

bought with a price.

So glorify God in your body."  

{I Corinthians 6:19-20}

 

 

Too often I act like I am my own. May I daily remind myself that I am not!

 

Etched on my mind...

As I was running errands this morning, I had my "So High the Price" CD playing. I was singing along to one of my favorites, "The Look," when I had to stop and catch my breath. I know I've quoted part of this song on my blog before...but I looked at it anew this morning.

...With pleasing grief and mournful joy

my spirit now is filled,

That I should such a life destroy,

yet live by Him I killed.

 

Forever etched upon my mind

is the look of Him who died,

The Lamb I crucified...

 

{"The Look" by John Newton and Bob Kauflin}

 

I had to ask myself, What is etched upon my mind? Is it the cross? Is it the agonizing sacrifice Jesus made? Everytime I'm tempted to sin, do I remind myself that Jesus died because of this?

 

No, the cross is not etched upon my mind.

 

But I want it to be.

 

How about you?

 

Dependent on Grace

 

 

Help me now to live a life

That's dependent on Your grace.

Keep my heart and guard my soul

From the evils that I face.

You are worthy to be praised

Wih my every thought and deed.

O great God of highest heaven,

Glorify Your Name though me.

 

 

 

{"O Great God" (verse 3) by Bob Kauflin}

from the Petit CD,

So High the Price

~definitely one of my favorites!~

 

Enjoyment: August 20, 8pm

Pretzels. It's hard to make pretzels actually look like real pretzels. So when I saw the pretzel maker...and found myself with kohls cash... I caved in and bought one. On the other end of making them, I'm so glad I did. :)

*homemade pretzel*

Jr. Camp is over...but some of the bumps and bruises are still going away. :)

My co-counselor and I had a lot of fun with the Western theme and got all decked out the first day to welcome our girls in!

It was an amazing week watching God do awesome things...and remembering He is sovereign in the midst of people's sin. There are always heartaches as well as joys, but overall it was a year of abandonment and watching what God can do with that!

Our "counselor theme" was
No Reserves,
 No Retreats,
  No Regrets.
This phrase was originally penned by William Borden who has an awesome story of abandonment to God and was a challenge to us all week.

This abandonment was seen in the tears counselors shed over unrepentant campers yet surrender to God who does the heart-work no one else sees.

It was seen in the bumps and bruises that are still going away. :)

It was seen in the unity and prayer support the counselors gave each other.

None of that is to the glory of any person who was at camp this year--it was all God, the God of grace, who does what men cannot, and gives grace that enables those same men to yet have a part in His plan.

Second Corinthians 12:9 was briefly used in our camp devotions one day, but it stuck in my mind like no other. And ever since. So with my handy jr. camp window markers, I wrote it out on my mirror downstairs as a reminder.

 

Because it's not about me, but all about God.

May all the glory be His!

Because a Girl Can Dream...

(and because really good deals are

hard to pass up sometimes...

and because they arrived on my birthday...

okay, that last one wasn't planned ;) )

*for now, for the hope chest...

 maybe someday for real :)

Enjoyment: July 18, 11a.m.

(even if it was while I read some homework

and 100-something degrees

and the day before my actual birthday)

* birthday frappuccino *

Saving, Sanctifying, and Always Sufficient!

I have decided that the theme for July and August {smile} shall be grace. I am thankful for saving grace (Ephesians 2:8), for sanctifying grace (Titus 2:11-12), for sufficient grace (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Grace permeates a Christian's life! I am surrounded by grace...and I am so grateful.

Please come back and help me celebrate this amazing grace!

Suddenly...

My wardrobe is BLUE.

Must be {almost} junior camp time!

We're getting just a little excited around here. :) I'm going out shopping next week with my co-counselor for room decorations. This year's theme is "Western Expedition" and our particular cabin is the Rough Riders. Horses are every girl's dream, right? :)

Praying already for a good and godly week!!

Counting Blessings, Part 2

See Part 1 here

20. Sleep (naps!)! (Yes, that's a double exclamation point. Enough said. :)

21. Contrast from last week's craziness

22. Reminder to be humble

23. Excitement of diving into God's Word

24. Celebrating Jesus (awesome Sunday of worship, fellowship, and service)

25. A little scrapbooking! (I was um, listening to lectures, but I really can listen, take notes, and do something else as well. It actually does help me concentrate better--I've been glad to be able to throw in a little fun here and there that I normally don't have time for. :)

26. The ministry of Scripture

27. Christian fellowship comes in all ages :)

28. Delight of service

29. A sure and strong foundation

30. God's love and comfort always surrounds me!

How many blessings from June can you recall??

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

for His steadfast love endures forever.
to Him who alone does great wonders,

for His steadfast love endures forever;
Give thanks to the God of heaven,

for His steadfast love endures forever.

{from Psalm 136}

Counting Blessings

God wants a grateful people. After all...He rescued me from sin and self, from eternity in hell, from days without purpose... He gave me Himself. He gave me His presence.

So...I have a little "praise book." I'm not all that faithful about writing in it--so this year, I set aside a calendar and every day I write one thing down. Even if I have to think really, really hard. Because after all, I don't deserve anything good...but God still gives it.

Yes, that's a Cow Calendar.
I love coffee, donuts, and Chick-fil-a... :)

Here's a peek into my June and what I'm grateful for...

1. Fun jaunt for free donuts :) (Yes, that really was my grateful moment for the day ;)
2. Joy in Christ
3. Fellowship in Christ
4. God's faithfulness
5. Encouraging friend at work (I work with a ton a people from church...and several close friends!)
6. Rest in Jesus
7. Moments of enlightenment :) (This is regarding school...)
8. Hope of Heaven
9. Grace for assignments (Again, for school. Saturdays often are crunch time.)
10. God love has no favorites
11. Bible on audio! (I had a lot of Bible reading to finish by the end of the week, and a lot else to do as well, and downloading a couple books onto my ipod was such a blessing! I was able to weed our neglected garden, do a few chores around the house, and listen in the car. I discovered listening (as opposed to reading) was a nice change-up...something I might be doing here and there!)
12. Grace for inconveniences
13. Grace to keep on loving
14. Knowledge that God is over the big and little things
15. Joy and lack of anxiety
16. Fun moments ... and yet still got everything done! (I don't have many Saturdays off but since I did have this one off, Rachel and I planned some fun. I didn't back out on my plans even though it turned out that I had a lot of homework left.)
17. Sweet babies (I work in the church nursery once a month. What can I say? :)
18. The joy of puting Jesus first
19. Peace about school (last week did not go well, but amazing things happen when you quit focusing on circumstances, and stressing about them, and just trust God that He knows what He's doing :)

Stay tuned--June's not over yet...

Thirty-One

Thirty-one days. I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve actually posted—I just know that I didn’t post the entire month of May. That’s a lot of days, a lot of happenings, a lot of God-moments. This Spring in general I’ve fought to retain joy and hope…May was a hard month. My circumstances have not changed, and so I know the battle continues, but my spirit is renewed. God is working—so there is hope. The grass is never greener on the other side—so I can find joy in the now stuff, even as I pray for change in several areas. May, as the 6-month anniversary of Thanksgiving Month, was supposed to be the theme of gratefulness again. I guess God knew I needed to really struggle through that before blasting it on the web world. :) I have several half-started posts that lie scribbled here and there but  now I sit with a completed post. So here goes:

God-moments and Happenings

1. God leads the way—I can trust His guidance.

      2. A brother graduates.

No, this wasn't for my brother. :)
It was a big graduation year!


3. God gives such undeserved blessings.

      4. An 1800-mile round trip is completed within 70 hours (graduations and work schedules are hard to correlate :).

5. God shows Himself in many small ways that in the grand scheme of things are relatively unimportant yet matter to me.

      6. A garden is planted!


7. God is still God of the impossible!

      8. A hair-cut is received

  

before...

after!

9. God gently replies “press on and rest in Me” to cries of “How long?”

     10. A school session ends by seeing God’s grace.

11. God brings hope and joy—we have the responsibility to press on regardless of feelings, but in the end it is always God who gives peace.

     12. A paper is researched. In the car. With flashlight when needed. And it’s written the day after aforementioned trip is completed.

13. God works in hearts, healing and restoring.

     14. A holiday happens: Monday-Monday without any school or work.

15. God waits for “the fullness of time,” and for “such a time as this” in my life, too. I can look with hope to the future and rejoice in the now!

     16. A camping trip is enjoyed (my young adult group at church)—beautiful weather, a great sleeping spot (last year’s was a tad…bumpy…so I rejoice in God’s blessing of good sleep. :)

17. God refreshes the soul…and sometimes uses a staycation and a camping retreat to do it. :)

     18. A summer school session is started…and the first week logged in nearly 400 pages of reading and 5 hours of lectures among other things (wanna trade places?).

19. God is full of steadfast love and faithfulness!

     20. A walk to the park with a couple of Littles is enjoyed…it was a lovely morning with a 4- and 2-year old. :)

21. God gives great blessings of family and friends.

     22. A new phone is bought…and I’ve found out touchscreen isn’t so bad as long as one gets rid of the fingerprints every few seconds ;)

23. God is at work, sanctifying me for His glory!

     24. A joyride is performed…perhaps in connection with Free, er National Donut Day. “Free” and “donuts” and I’m there, even though the offerings were a few neighborhoods away. :)

25. God gives grace for the journey. 

     26. An era was closed—I began helping out with Truth Trackers at church a few years ago, and we’ve had relatively few kids move up. This year is quite the opposite as the majority of our kids will be promoted tomorrow. Sadness.

27. God speaks through His Word—I love the encouragement and rebuke of Psalms! And I need to get back into the habit of memorizing…

     28. A new resolve for exercise has begun…the busy days of school have tended to override that priority, but little by little I’m working to incorporate it back in. So far, so good. :)

29. God gives beauty—in creation, in the little things, in the joy of a relationship with Him!

     30. A summer (post-Memorial Day) has begun. Mostly school, a little bit of work (well, probably a lot of work), and some fun to look forward to at the end!
31. God is the same “yesterday, today, and forever” ~ I can marvel at His works of the past, submit with joy to the works of the present, and look forward to the works of the future!

That, in a not-so-small nutshell, was May. And now June has arrived, and I will rejoice in great things He has done!

I will give thanks to You,

O LORD, among the peoples;

I will sing praises to You

among the nations.
For Your steadfast love is great

above the heavens;

Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Be exalted, O God,

above the heavens!

Let Your glory be over all the earth!

{Psalm 108:3-5}