Rain is a Good Thang

Yep, that's right...We've got rain today.  It started sprinkling a bit this afternoon, and it came down pretty heavy this evening.  It is rather surprising to me that I have missed the rain so much.  Don't get me wrong, I am loving all the snow and the fun things we can do in it that I never got the chance to do much growing up in Kentucky.  But the fact that it is currently spring in my home state with colors popping out all over the place while I am still surrounded by white and brown is a bit saddening.  But I will glory in the opportunity I have had to spend this last year in a completely different climate.  It has been wonderful!  I praise the Lord for the changing seasons and His promise of spring.  He truly is ever-faithful.

I am experiencing something tonght that I don't think I have experienced this entire year: I have no homework to do.  I am wonderfully amazed to tell you that I finished all of the assigned reading, wrote my paper, and memorized the Bible verse....and I finished last night!  This is a pretty awesome but rather foreign feeling I'm experiencing....but I'm loving it.  I think I'll do some more Bible reading and maybe some more reading in Mere Christianity, then get to bed early. 

We'll be heading out on our spring trip this Sunday, and I am sooo looking forward to it.  But I am not looking forward to the fact that this will be our last trip together as a class.  I can hardly believe how this year has flown by, but I am so very grateful for all the amazing friends and memories I have made.  I will cherish this year always for the friendships made and the spiritual growth I have undergone.  God is so good!

What a truly extravagant love!

I am currently working on Hebrews homework, our first class since getting back from spring break.  I enjoyed this morning's class and am looking forward to the rest of the week.  We have a paper due that sounds like it will be very challenging, but I am eager to put to use all the skills of exegetical Bible study we have learned thus far.  It will certainly be a challenge, but I think I'm up for it.
I was listening to music while studying, and this incredible song came on.  I just thought I would share the lyrics with ya'll.

"Your Love Is Extravagant"

Your love is extravagant.
Your friendship is so intimate.
I find I’m moving to the rhythms of Your grace.
Your fragrance is intoxicating in our secret place.
Your love is extravagant.

Spread wide in the arms of Christ,
Is a love that covers sin.
No Great love have I ever known.
You considered me Your friend.
Capture my heart again.
Capture my heart again.

Your love is extravagant.
Your friendship is so intimate.
I find I’m moving to the rhythms of Your grace.
Your fragrance is intoxicating in our secret place.
Your love is extravagant.

Spread wide in the arms of Christ,
Is a love that covers sin.
No Great love have I ever known.
You considered me Your friend.
Spread wide in the arms of Christ,
Is a love that covers sin.
No Great love have I ever known.
You considered me Your friend.

Capture my heart again,
Capture my heart again,
Capture my heart again,
Capture my heart again.

 

Study Break

Well, I'm just taking a little break from my homework to write a quick note.  I have so many things to get done before I leave this weekend, but the amazing thing is, I'm really not feeling too stressed out about it all.  I normally would be freaking out and feeling completely overwhelmed, but the Lord has blessed me with a peaceful attitude today.  Perhaps if I felt more stressed, I would kick my rear in gear and get more stuff done in a much more timely manner.  But I'm praising the Lord right now for giving me peace despite all the things I should accomplish before the night is through.  Granted, it will probably be a late night (or morning), but the Lord will carry me through, and I'm sure at the end of it all, I will survive Philosophy class just fine and have some sweet new knowledge to come away with, too!

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." -Philippians 4:6

Spring Break is just around the corner!

I will very soon be heading out to California with my dear friends Micaela and Aimee to spend two whole weeks at their house.  I can hardly wait for this adventure, and have not ceased to tell them so at least three times a day since I decided I would go with them to their home.  And after the week we will be having studying philosophy (rather intensely), I know I will be even more grateful for a nice break with such a welcoming family.

I have never been to California before, and I am soooo excited to see a new state!  While thinking today about our trip, I was listening to pandora, my favorite online "radio station".  Okay, so it's pretty much the only music I listen to online.  Anywho...the song "Ocean" came on, and reminded me of the beauties our Lord has created that I will get to witness for the first time.  Here's the chorus:
   "Something about the ocean makes me rise up and praise.  Something about the heavens makes me stand in awe again.  Something about the sunrise reminds me of Your faithfulness.  Something about the ocean and I'm lost in (Your) love again."
    

Just some thoughts...

I am sitting here tonight reading a book about philosophy called The Journey. There is the gentle hum of conversation in the background. I hear Jessica's unmistakable laugh coming from the kitchen as the dish crew finishes cleaning up from supper. I am struck this evening with the amazing realization that God has given us the gift of language, a gift no other creature on earth has been given to the same extent that it has been given to us. Although it is true that animals can "speak" to each other through looks or noiseses to signal how they are feeling, they have no ability to speak to one another about desires, dislikes, or passions (and it's not like animals even have any "dreams for the future" to discuss). How incredible a gift God has granted us so that we may tell each other when we are upset, overjoyed, or even just contemplative. We can ponder things like philosophy and express to others what we think of it. How great a God we serve and how worthy is He of worship and adoration!