quick - ish update

There has been quite a lot going on lately and I just wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone for your encouragement and compassion. God is so tremendously good and gracious and I am so thankful for His enduring unconditional love more and more each day. This morning I'm sitting in my kitchen listening to the sweet birds that have decided to have a nest right outside my window. Their timing is perfect and they usually start chirping right about the time I need to wake up. It's been a sweet little blessing of joy. I've just finished some of the cupcakes for Court's shower today and I'm beyond excited! The picture to the left is a blurry one from my iTouch but I thought it could add some color to this post :) It has been so fun to plan this shower with Kara and Megan and I cannot wait to lavish Courtney with our love for her! I'm praying that today is a sweet day that honors and celebrates what God is doing in her and Matt's life.

All that to say, life is sweet. Yes, there have been some difficulties with my extended family but I'm continually learning to trust God with them. I'm also learning more and more how limited my view of grace is. I had a dear friend remind me of some truth that has continueed to challenge me. She helped me to see that when I am lacking in my grace towards those around me, I am also lacking in my understanding of the grace that was given to me. Seeking to understand that grace more fully has made an impact on my perception of others and of God's goodness. Even as I was reading "My Utmost for High Highest" this morning I was reminded of this truth.
A practical help in keeping your personal purity unblemished in your relations with other people is to begin to see them as God does. Say to yourself, “That man or that woman is perfect in Christ Jesus! That friend or that relative is perfect in Christ Jesus!”

What a gift we have in our Savior! Ok... well, break is over! I'm so excited for today! Please continue to pray for my family and here are some other specific areas as well.

• My family - that God would be clear and grant wisdom to my parents and I. That we would know how to love our family in the best way possible and ultimately, that we would show them Christ. Also, many of them are not believers. Please pray for their salvation.


• East Asia - God has already been OVERWHELMINGLY generous. Please pray for my team and for the other half of the support. There's about $1500 to go!


• My contentment - God has been SO GRACIOUS in my life in Wake Forest. I love the sweet little house I live in with my INCREDIBLE friends and I enjoy the fun we have. I am so thankful for my school, my church, my neighbors and all the opportunities He has placed in my life. However, there are times that I struggle with contentment. There are days that it is SO EASY to see some of the many many reasons why He has me here at this time - but others I struggle with a desire for marriage and for children. Please pray that I would find my worth and value in the Lord and not fail to walk in the joy He has placed before me.


• School - I love my classes but just happen to have several 15-20 page papers in all 3 of them. Please pray for endurance and that I would not be overwhelmed!


• Wisdom/discernment - There are a few things (I can tell you more offline if you call!) that I am currently seeking discernment about. Please pray that I would be open to the Lord and would put aside my desires and only seek His.

Ok... well, I guess that wasn't so "quick" ... but I love you all dearly and if you've made it to the bottom of this blog you're a good friend! Thank you for your presence in my life. Whether you are near or far you've added something special to it.

Have a sweet and joyful Saturday :) April