He is Good

Blessings this week...

• A test thought failed actually was an A-. Shocked? I think yes.
• Meeting fellow Christian girls, ON CAMPUS!
• Finding out my last class next week is lab, and I can leave FOR HOME early next week.
• I have a place to stay for clinical #2.
• Having a church to go on the weekend that I am excited about going to. The sermon's have been incredible!
• Finding a nice, simple, formal dress for $18 (usually $90!).
• Having a job that allows me to work the hours that *I* want to, so long as I get my assigned cleaning done. 
• Having a job that pays well.
• Long letters in the mail.
• Being almost HALF done with my first semester here. (That also translates to 1/4 of my total time here!).
• Encouragement from the older women in my life.
• Time with just me and God.
• Soft pretzels.
• Hot showers.
• Pictures from my little sisters on the wall above my desk.
• The anticipation of getting to go home briefly in 7 short days =).

A good week it has been.. He has showed me much that I want to share so badly, but it has to wait until after these tests and exams and practicals are done this next week. For those of you who read this, I covet your prayers. Four practicals, five exams, two papers, and one take-home exam. In five days. It will be a fast week. Chances are I won't know what day it is half of the time ;). But He is good, and He gives the weak and the weary strength to rise up on wings like eagles!

Fall...

From the top of Sugarloaf Mountain last Saturday.

Black Rock

Headed up Sugarloaf Mountain

The view from the top of our hill.

(The building on the right is the one I practically live in!)

Daily

Delight yourself in the Lord,

And He will give you the desires of your heart.

(Psalms 37:4)

If I am daily delighting in Him, He will be my desire.

He will give me more of Himself.

Which will lead me to want even more of Him.

If I desire Him, He will be my delight.

I think that's the best never-ending cycle to get caught in.

Shorty!

My baby sister is 12 today. This is not only her last birthday before she is a teenager, this is the first birthday I have not been there to love her, hold her, laugh with her, decorate her cake, and spoil her silly with gifts.

I love this kid. Maybe it's because of the age gap. Maybe it's because I was elated to have another little sister. Maybe it's because we are so much alike. I helped her with her school, I did her hair, I gave her baths when she was a teeny tot, I dressed her, I tucked her in bed, I read her books. And now, she doesn't need all of that any more. She is growing up into a confident, beautiful young woman. She seeks after God in a way only a young person can, with a desire to know more and a simplicity in her faith...

Shorty ~ I love you. I love who you are. I love who you're becoming.. I love a lot of things about you.. 

I love how cute you are when you're excited!

I love that I used to be taller than you. 

(I have a feeling that will change soon enough!)

I love that you do crazy things with Rach and I.

 I love watching you with Mom. You love to be right next to her.

Or on her, if you can get away with it ;).

 I love how you work hard! Usually without complaining!

 I love the goofy things we say and do!

 I love making you laugh =)

 I love your crazy outfit combos. You take after Rach with that one!!

 I love that you love being outside.. Even when it's cold!

 I love how you are not afraid to try new things. 

You are brave and you keep on, even when things hurt so badly.

 I love that you love horses. I have forever, and now you love them more than me!

(Even when your horse steps on my feet. Like she did in this picture ;-)).

 Don't forget, Shorty. When you fall off... You get back on.

 I love that you look like me =).

 I love that you love to read. All the time, every time, and every thing!

 I love that you help me be my best at everything I do!

 I love how you are so beautiful.

 I love how you are magnetically attracted to anything fuzzy.

I love it when you curl up on the couch with me to "do school."

(Neither one of us ever got anything done!!!)

 I love that you still love to hold my hand!

I love that you can make me laugh!

I love you so much, Shorty. It's been a crazy 12 years. We've been through a lot together. Animals, school, my graduating from high school, Mom being sick, losing friends and animals, your broken bones, my knee surgery, my graduating from NCMC, and now me off at Narnia ;).

Know that I love you, always and forever! It's really hard being so far away. But I'll be home soon and we can celebrate then =). 

I. Love. You. MORE.

=).

Open Hands

Jesus, let me learn to live with open hands.. Free and surrendering all of me.

To let the whole world see how You've Loved me. How You died and set me free.

To let go of my earthly plans.. To stand at Your cross with open hands.

Apple Catches up.. ;)

Blogger now has an iPhone app... Finally!!! I have been waiting for this! Not with baited breath or anything, but for someone who is always on the go, this is marvelous news =)...
(except I can't type in landscape.. Shoot. I apologize for spelling mistakes and autocorrect now!)

Week 3 is almost over. I have one more skills check to get through after my classes tomorrow and then I am free!!!
To study all weekend, that is =P.

I need time to not think. Every day my release from reality is to go to the gym afterI get out of class. Before I eat, before I study, before anything to go workout. Sometimes it's 40 minutes, sometimes it's closer to an hour and a half. However long, that is my time to not study, worry, or think about classes. I either rock out the music or listen to a podcast, depending on my mood.

Every time I walk out the gym doors, I am greeted with this view..

Beautiful? I think yes.

He has given me an incredible display of His artistry!!! I can't wait to watch it as the colors change... =)

Escape

I found the advantage to being in a dorm room on the *back* of the building!!! We don't have the sun shining in our windows all day long, resulting in a room that is at least 10 degrees cooler than the people on the front of the building. =D. On days like today, that is a definite advantage. It was around 80, with a light breeze if you got down by the water... So down by the water I got!

 (My dorm building is the one that is directly above the back of the boat,

with the long gray-ish roof)

I spent almost 4 hours there under a tree.. Reading, studying, highlighting, writing, and praying. It was a break from the noise, distractions, and insanity that is ever-present in a dorm. I have discovered just how easy it is to let time for myself slide. I get caught up in the homework, the tests, the open labs, sleeping, making new friends.. I forget about me. When I got to today, I needed me time. I have never been surrounded by so many people and felt so lonely. I didn't know that was possible, honestly. I needed time where I could study without interruption, but more importantly where I could spend some time pouring myself out to Him. I got less studying done than what I intended.. And way more praying than I'd hoped for.

He is good. He has given me many blessings over the past few weeks... I am in a place where I must lean on Him daily. To get through my classes and to Love those around me. It's been a challenge. But it's forced me to depend on Him and to make time for Him every day like I would for my friends back home. I have had to choose each day to delight in Him. To rest in Him. To wait for Him. To each day, ask Him to hold my hand. It's harder some days then it is others.. Some days I want to give up, go home, and be with the people I love and care about. But He has me here. He has established my steps and will be with me through them... From here to wherever He takes me next.

Holding my Hand

My life has been more than a little busy.. But here is a break from the land of all things muscles, bones, and joints. I love these verses. No matter how many times I read through Psalms, I always, always find something new!

The steps of a man are established by the LORD,

And He delights in his way.

When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,

Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.

Psalms 37:23, 24

He established my steps.
He delights in my way.
When (not if) I fall, I won't be hurled headlong into space..
Because He is holding my hand.


I rather like that mental picture.. =).