Saturday, May 31, 2008

dear seminary friends,

While reading in Nehemiah this morning, 4:19-20 stuck out to me. “And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, ‘The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.’”

Lest you think I am implying that Nehemiah was thinking of graduates from Gordon Conwell when he wrote this, I’m not. :) Instead, I am saying that it provides beautiful imagery for us to consider.

Sometimes I miss all of you so much. I long for the times when we ate together in the cafeteria (some of us for free!), went to classes and chapel together, hung out in my apartment and at the library, and played foosball in a never ending fashion. But, when I read this, it reminds me that the work is great and widely spread, and indeed we are separated; however, we are needed to build different parts of the wall. And, I have been so touched by the support I have received from all of you when you have heard my cry for help and have rallied to me there. It’s as if the trumpet can be heard in the United Kingdom, California, Connecticut, DC, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington, and further. So, I’m committed to continue on in the work He has for me here in Minnesota.

And, today I rest in the reality that God will and is fighting for us in all parts of this crazy world.

Friday, May 30, 2008

who i was

I’m not who I want to be, but by God’s grace I am not who I was.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Monday, May 26, 2008

driving

…and the sun went away.

Friday, May 23, 2008

love until it hurts

A recurring prayer from my days in Austria:

“Lord, help me to love and love and love until it hurts, and then love some more.”

daddy's words

“Because I said so, that’s why!”

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

shadow side

Strengths have a shadow side.

Monday, May 19, 2008

monday morning reflections

We know you are a good God and that makes everything ok.

more from mom

“suck it up!”

Sunday, May 18, 2008

sitting on the church steps

I feel like Christmas is over.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

just because you love something...

It’s funny, just because you love something doesn’t mean you have to own it. And, just because you love something doesn’t mean that another will never come along. Sometimes I think that when I have found something wonderful that I need to wrap my hands around it. That life would be over if it got away. That I would never find something so wonderful ever again.

This past month I made an offer on my town home. After some negotiation, we came to an agreed upon price. I got all of my documents in order, submitted them to the bank, and contacted a lawyer. My loan was approved, and the purchase agreement was written. And, all the while, I felt confident that I was making a good decision. I love my home. I love that it has two decks, a spare bedroom, a beautiful backyard, space to entertain…and the list goes on.

This week was supposed to be the week that I signed the purchase agreement. But, the day that I was scheduled to meet with the owners was a terrible day on a variety of levels. So, I rescheduled with them for later in the week still intending to sign. But, something happened. Tears flowed, prayers were pleaded, and God moved. Thursday night I decided that even though I dearly love this place that I call home, it is not something that I should wrap my hands around. The Lord has other things in store. And, only one thing that I need to wrap my hands around…Him.

Friday, May 16, 2008

favorite thing number three

the smell of rain

Monday, May 12, 2008

changing my attitude

but have not love…

Sunday, May 11, 2008

oh moon...

come closer, please.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

my favorite thing number two

the many melodies of the birds joining to make a beautiful chorus of sound

Thursday, May 8, 2008

favorite thing number one

a black t-shirt in the hot sun after many months of Minnesota winter