Be still and know.

“Be still, and know that I am God!

I will be honored by every nation.

I will be honored throughout the world.”

Psalm 46: 10

Peace

"For a child is born to us,

a son is given to us.

The government will rest on his shoulders.

And he will be called:

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

His government and its peace

will never end.

He will rule with fairness and justice 

from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.

The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies

will make this happen!"

Isaiah 9: 6-7

Joy comes in the morning

Today seemed like a pretty gray day, unless of course, you saw the sunrise.  

What a beautiful sunrise it was!!  Amazing!  It was so much more beautiful in person, but I did happen to have my camera with me.

This is my favorite part of the day!  Each sunrise is so beautiful in it's uniqueness.  Thank You God!

O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us.

Your plans for us are too numerous to list.

You have no equal.

If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds,

I would never come to the end of them.

~Psalm 40: 5

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
~Lamentations 3: 22-23

Struggle

Dear God,

I don't have words.  Just music that keeps running through my mind describing how I feel, how I want to feel.

"In the chaos, in confusion 

I know You're sovereign still.

In the moment of my weakness

You give me grace to do Your will.

When You call I won't delay

This my song through all my days.

There is no one else for me

None but Jesus.

Crucified to set me free.

Now I live to bring You praise.

All my delight is in You Lord.

All of my hope, all of my strength.

All my delight is in You Lord, forevermore."

**None But Jesus ~Hillsong

"Standing on this mountaintop

Looking just how far we've come

Knowing that for ev'ry step You were with us

Kneeling on this battleground

Seeing just how much You've done

Knowing ev'ry victory was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts can say

(Yes our hearts can say)

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful

God You are faithful

You are faithful

God You are faithful"

**Never Once~ Matt Redman

You are in control God.  You are sovereign, even through all our messes.  You've done so much for us already.  We really don't deserve anything from You because You are so great and holy.  You are faithful, even when we fall short.  You carry us when we are too weak, tired, and broken.  

Help us to remain joyful through struggle.  Help us to keep soft hearts, seeing people for who they are, not who/what they represent or what they do to us.  May everything that we say and do bring glory to Your Name.  Whatever happens God, I want my hope always to be in You!

Fun fact

Did you know that cows don't have teeth on the upper half of their jaw (as demonstrated by this lovely young cow below), just on the lower half of their jaw?  I wonder why it still hurts when they bite?

Wash. U. for Charise

After a lot of studying, test-taking, decisions, and prayer, I am happy and excited to say that my sister-in-law is now starting medical school at Washington University in St. Louis.  Although it will be a long journey, I know that it will be worthwhile and such a great time of learning and growing.

Charise (in her new white coat) and parents getting photo in front of Wash U screen.

Congratulations Charise!!  I hope it goes really well and also really fast!  Remember you will always have a lot of people back in PA praying for you and supporting you!

3 years

Today I get to celebrate 3 wonderful years of marriage to my best friend and favorite coworker! Happy anniversary Josiah!

Constant

It's funny how the weather can change so much from day to day.

God is the one true constant in our lives.