Life has a funny kind of way of changing all the time. Just last summer, my home life was so different. My brother Matt and his wife lived in S. Korea, awaiting the birth of their first child. Now I live in a house with Matt, JungSun, and Caleb, their son. I see his beautiful smiling infant face and hear his squeals all day. Last summer, I was searching for biblical answers about dating and a future husband. Now I have been dating the most amazing man I know for almost nine months, and couldn't be more content with him. Last summer, all I wanted to do was go back to school in the fall. Now I am waiting on answers about a possible summer job that I want so badly. I think about all of the events that have transpired over these past two semesters, all the people I have met, those I have grown closer to, and those I wish I had seen a lot more. I think about all of the trials that I have gone through, some of which I continue to drudge through. I think of all the times I have met God in the early mornings and all the lessons He has taught me. All of the heartache, the joys, the showers of blessing, the frustrations and anxieties, the burdens on my heart, the peace and rest,  the list could go on and on...

I am amazed at how, through everything that has changed in my life, God has remained the same. No matter how much I learn about Him or in what new ways I see and experience the Lord, He has always been that way, and will continue to be. He never learns and grows, never changes. He is constant, and the One to whom I can hold on when everything else in life is uncertain. So after I run to my adulterers and my idols, and once again recognize Him as the one who has given me life, breath, and all I need, He will be there still to speak tenderl to me.

This song is a wonderful expression of our God's character and how He shows Himself throughout life's changing seasons.

Every Season by Nicole Nordeman

Every evening sky, an invitation
To trace the patterned stars
And early in July, a celebration
For freedom that is ours
And I notice You
In children’s games
In those who watch them from the shade
Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder
You are summer

And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come
You are autumn

And everything in time and under heaven
Finally falls asleep
Wrapped in blankets white, all creation
Shivers underneath
And still I notice you
When branches crack
And in my breath on frosted glass
Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter
You are winter

And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced
Teaching us to breathe
What was frozen through is newly purposed
Turning all things green
So it is with You
And how You make me new
With every season’s change
And so it will be
As You are re-creating me
Summer, autumn, winter, spring

What is wisdom?

We hear about it all the time. We are told to make our decisions wisely, and even the scriptures talks a lot about finding wisdom. The fear of the Lord is the biginning of wisdom.

In Pslams 19:7-14 it says this:

"7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
       reviving the soul.
       The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
       making wise the simple.

 8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
       giving joy to the heart.
       The commands of the LORD are radiant,
       giving light to the eyes.

 9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
       enduring forever.
       The ordinances of the LORD are sure
       and altogether righteous.

 10 They are more precious than gold,
       than much pure gold;
       they are sweeter than honey,
       than honey from the comb.

 11 By them is your servant warned;
       in keeping them there is great reward.

 12 Who can discern his errors?
       Forgive my hidden faults.

 13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
       may they not rule over me.
       Then will I be blameless,
       innocent of great transgression.

 14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
       be pleasing in your sight,
       O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."

My friend put this prayer up in his away message a couple days ago, and I thought it was really cool, and it spoke to me a lot. So I thought I would share it with you.

"Lord,
 Grant me the wisdom to see what is right,
 The courage to exectue,
 And the strength to see it endure.
 Amen."

But wisdom i do not think is knowing which way you "should" go, but knowing that the way you choose will work out because you are trusting in the Lord and in his provision. If you trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding--in all your ways acknowledge Him, He will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

God has been opening certain doors for me that at first I wasnt so happy about.. and when I saw different ways that it could close, I almost was counting on it. But then that door didnt close... Its weird, how God works sometimes. He uses people and circumstances to kind of tell us to suck it up sometimes. This is what perserverence is about. Perserverence isnt continuing when its easy-- It's continuing when its hard. So thats what Im trying to do, and reminding myself that no matter what, God demands that we do everything in His name, while thanking Him. Please lift me up that I might be able to do that. This summer is gonna be good, but rough.

I started reading through Judges again today and its really cool to see some things that we went over in class, and some things that i just noticed for the first time on my own. Im learning a lot. : )

I can't wait til I get in the habit of work n such. OOH and then there's New Orleans. Only four weeks until we leave! AHH! please be praying for us. we will need it.