Oh how life changes...

So, being back in Toccoa for the new semester and having to leave again really made it hit me that my time there is over. It was so wonderful, though to spend time with friends and know that those friends will be in my life forever (I hope) even when there is space between us.

Today, I went to help with youth group at my church with Ben. One of my students was at the service (a few grades too young to be there, but he came on the "inner city" bus. When we were taking the kids home, we got to talk to him and he told me he was expecting to hate music class, but loves it. It was just so cool to see all my different new worlds here in Carrollton come together with this little kid showing up there, and then to see him so excited about music was so inspiring to me. Plus, it's wonderful to be in the same world as Ben and get to minister to these kids together. So, so fun! And such a blessing to see God at work in the lives of these kids!!

~In His Grip~

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3: 12

Jesus I am resting, resting
In the Joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,
And Thy beauty fills my soul,
For by Thy transforming power
Thou hast made me whole.


Jesus, I am resting, resting
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.

O how great Thy loving kindness.
Vaster, broader than the sea!
O how marvellous Thy goodness,
Lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in Thee, Beloved,
Know Thy certainty of promise,
And have made it mine.


Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,
I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,
Satisfies my heart;
Satisfies its deepest longings,
Meets supplies its every need,
Compasseth me round with blessings;
Thine is love indeed!

Ever lift Thy face upon me,
As I work and wait for Thee;
Resting 'neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,
Earth's dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father's glory,
Sunshine of my Father's face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting;
Fill me with Thy grace.

"Find rest, o my soul, in God alone; my help comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, oh people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."
Psalm 62:5-8

Haven't posted in ages...

... I think I may take it back up.. we'll see!

For now.. I just wanted to rant for a moment... I don't like getting to the end of the day with as long of a list of things that I didn't accomplish as things that I did. I've been to 5 classes, accompanied 2 ensembles, and worked.. walked two miles... and had great conversations with friends who I love dearly... so, I'm trying to be content with that, even though there are piles of things I have yet to get done!

"Prayer is the contact of a living soul with God. In prayer God stoops to kiss a man, to bless man, and aid man in everything that God can devise or man can need.~Prayer fills man's emptiness with God's fullness. Prayer fills Man's poverty with God's riches. Prayer puts away man's weakness with the coming of God's strength."
E.M. Bounds

Quote of my summer...

"This great God we serve will throw us in situations beyond us with no other thought than that His great heart will sustain us." Rev. Graham Cook

"In the arms of a good Father
You can go to the deep water
Where the questions, we have left unspoken
Come out in the open
We will find shelter here

So I lay down, what I cannot hold in my hands
Every sorrow and hope spinning out of control
And here I find sweet resolution comes in letting go
And we will find shelter here

When I look back I can see,
And when I am old I’ll remember these things
Like a mountain of stone
And the longing that makes me believe…

There is a tree by the blue river
Where the shade stretches wide over
In this breaking we are hand and glove
Come with me my love
We will find shelter here"

Sandra McCracken

Tonight I am...

Happy... satisfied... content...restless....wishing I could take an eraser to my heart sometimes...thankful for the strength to be self-controlled...yet frustrated that so much of life tends to be holding back...and frustrated that the holding back of that which needs to be held back often results in holding back that which would be better to express....frustrated in not knowing what way is the "best" way to go...frustrated that that which I thought was the "best" ended up failing... ... ...fascinated by anthropology...loving the opportunities to be a window to shine a beam of Christ's love into people's lives...wishing for more of those opportunities...loving friends, new and old, and those in between...loving little dogs, and big ones too...loving the mountains and the country-side...thankful for precious memories, and hoping God helps me let go of others...excited about the future... not wanting to get any older...wanting to be single and live with Ashley and her dog for the next ten years...wishing I could play guitar; or somehow carry a piano in the back of my car...wondering if it really is better to say too much than never say what needs to be said (John Mayer)... and wondering if I should be the one to say it...wishing I could open up more...yet comfortable with not opening up any more... and not really knowing how to open up any more...not wanting to leave Ashley and Catherine...excited to go to Florida and be with Mel and my grandparents...and thinking maybe it's time to go to bed... :-)