A New Day

I'm sitting here with a steaming hot chocolate at my desk watching the rays of sunlight stream through the trees. It's so beautiful. It makes me thankful that God's incredible beauty is so evident through all of creation- in the trees and flowers, reflected in the enchanting eyes of a child, wrapped up in the loving arms of a friend's hug, glimmering in a smile. I rejoice in my God who is worthy of praise!!

It has been so long since I have blogged. I guess you could say I took a little sabbatical. And I decided to come back this morning (when I should be doing schoolwork...)! :)

So I'm not really sure where to start! It's been a crazy couple of weeks. I've been very busy with school, as well as working some extra shifts for people at the office. Tonight we're having a baby shower for the Juvinalls, since they're going to get Iona pretty soon! I'm very excited for tonight, and I think that it will be very special. I will definitely post pictures and details when it's over! :)

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God has been so incredibly good (as always) to me and I see His kindness reflected every day. He has been so faithful to show me hope the past few weeks. For the most part, I think I've adjusted to the new plan for school. The changes have allowed me to re-evaluate my priorities, and just my life in general. The question I've been asking myself is, "How then should I live?" This is a question that Franciss A. Schaeffer asked when he wrote his book, "How then Should We Live?" which I have not read. I think that it is probably too intelligent for my brain! lol. Anyway, this question has been weighing heavily on my heart and I've really been trying to seek out the Lord's will on this. The ache in my heart for the orphans is overwhelming. So, knowing there are 143 million orphans in this world, how am I to live?? How can these next years best be spent to aid these precious children?

My mom and I had a really good conversation last weekend about the future and I was filled with excitement and anticipation for everything that God has in store for me. I'm humbled by the grace that He shows. That He offers me a new day, a chance to try again, to grow, and to seek Him more fully. The beauty that is revealed when I seek Him just overwhelming. The grace and mercy I find is indescribable.

You, oh Lord, are worthy of praise. Thank you for showing me hope and love, great Father!

Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name;

make known among the nations what he has done.

Sing to Him, sing praise to Him;

tell of all His wonderful acts.

Glory in His holy name;

let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

Look to the Lord and his strength,

seek His face always.

Remember the wonders he has done,

his miracles, and the judgements he pronounced.

O descendants of Israel his servant,

O descendants of Jacob his chosen one.

He is the Lord our God;

his judgements are in all the earth.

He remembers His covenant forever,

the word he commanded for a thousand generations.

1 Chronicles 16:7-15