This is the Day.

This is the day the LORD has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it. Ps. 118:24

God has given us SO many days to be grateful for. I keep thinking back on the past school year, the summer, and the start of this semester... I can't help but being blown away by how GREAT God has been to me and His children! I thank Him for showing me His love every day. It's more than anything I deserve.

Over the summer, I was able to go to Germany to visit my family and work and travel.

It was a really great break from school, and I learned so much about my family, friends, myself and God.

So many things happened, and I learned so much from every experience.

First of all, I've realized that I'm extremely bad at blogging. =P So this entry is going to be the most journalistic that I've had in a while. Just bear with me, since blogging isn't really my thing.

Also:

My brother graduated from high school... which means that he's now in college with Krystal and I. That made me feel old ;)

We were able to backpack in the Bavarian Alps... which made me realize how AWESOME and BIG God is, an it was profound realizing that the same God who made the mountains also made me.

I was able to work full time (and enjoy sunsets like this on my drive home)... it made me realize how much God has blessed my life with such amazing people (and scenery!).

We spent two weeks in Italy as a family... which made me realize that there are a lot of things about myself that God still has to work on, but I need to let Him.

As I left Europe for the last time, I became car-less & jobless... which means that I really had to learn to trust God to provide for daily needs in my life.

I also got to hang out with one of my very best friends for a few weeks over the summer break... which made my heart extremely happy. =)

Now, as the new semester begins, I've come to realize that every person in my life and every situation or challenge that I face is a blessing and opportunity for God's love to shine through me. And I think that's amazing, because I am so small and insignificant in God's presence.

Don't we serve an amazing God?

Prayers in the night.

Every night I lie and pray,

But I don't know what to say.

All I've said, You've heard before

So I'll repeat myself once more.

Give me patience, grant me strength

And give me wisdom for each day.

You know my heart, You know my needs,

You know my thoughts better than me.

Fill my mind with thoughts of Thee

So You can reach the world through me.

What Beauty Is.

Seek True Beauty.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hibyAJOSW8U

Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

1 Peter 3:3-4 (NIV)

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

Smile from Heaven

Over the weekend, I volunteered at the El Caldito soup kitchen. I hadn't eaten breakfast that morning, partly out of forgetfulness and partly to remind myself of how fortunate I am to be provided with staples of life that often get taken for granted. I spent the first two hours chatting with the other volunteers and having a fun time as we assembled over 135 sacked lunches. Then they opened the doors, and the hungry people walked in to get their meal and eat it on the building's sunny steps. Secretly, I grumbled over my own hungry stomach. I heard many greetings and thankful remarks from the people, but what touched me the most was when a little girl, maybe nine years old, walked in and took the bagged lunch we handed to her. "Thank you!" She said, and then she gave us the biggest, sweetest, most sincere smile I have ever seen. The smile was so full of joy, hope, and thankfulness. I started to cry. My stomach's needs were quickly forgotten. I knew that there was nowhere else I would rather be on a Saturday morning than right there, doing God's work and seeing the brilliant smile on a little girl's face.

A Designer's Pledge

A virtual high-five to whoever designed this. *Chuckle*



By luredesigninc.com

Getting by and Waiting Until Tomorrow

Smile
tho' your heart is aching.

Smile
even tho' it's breaking.

When there are clouds in the sky
you'll get by
if you smile through your fear and sorrow.

Smile and maybe tomorrow
you'll see the sun come shining through for you.

Light up your face with gladness,
hide ev'ry trace of sadness

although a tear maybe ever so near.
That's the time you must keep on trying

Smile
what's the use of crying?

You'll find that life is still worthwhile
if you'll just smile.

Music by Charlie Chaplin
Lyrics by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons

Dancing with Heaven.

There's goodness in Your character
And beauty in Your face.
There's tenderness that's in Your voice
And love in Your embrace.

You take my hand to dance with me
Though you know I cannot dance,
But in Your arms I feel I can.
I am free in Your romance.

My heart and hands are trembling
But I know that nothing's wrong.
I'm overwhelmed with love for you.
With You is where I belong.