My Lovely Familia...

So, I'm really thankful for my family! I was so blessed by the time we shared together last night. Lots of delicious food, Grandpa's jokes and stories (he shared most of his repertoire), Aunt Sally's laugh, coffee with my Uncle Anthony & Marie, lots of hugs (a given at family gatherings), my cute little cousin Ava, admonitions to be careful from my Papu, amazing grandparents, unexpected gifts, overwhelming encouragement from aunts, uncles, and cousins. Even though everyone wasn't able to come, it was great to see most of them. I know that everyone that wasn't able to come would have like to be there... I guess that's why email is a wonderful thing! It was just a sweet night. I'm blessed with a pretty amazing family! [There's so much more that could be said... but I'm not exactly sure how to express it all...]

I've also been realizing that this is a pretty major time of transition for the rest of my family. Emma just started middle school and cross country. Caleb is now in high school, taking algebra 2 honors, and playing Penn football. Josh is a junior - driving to school and playing bass for chamber choir. Zac just got back from Catalina Island Camp on Wednesday and is leaving for Purdue today. I'm leaving for South Korea tomorrow morning. My mom starts her new job next Tuesday (she would start on Monday, but it's Labor Day and she gets holidays off with her new job!!!). Both my mom and my dad are trying to find a new van because our other one is about finished. Lots of change, I think.

Amidst all the changes, I am so thankful that the Lord remains constant and faithful. He continues to overwhelm me with His great faithfulness.

I've also been amazed by the peace I've had through this whole process. Although there have been a couple of moments of panic over the past couple of weeks, I've really been overwhelmed with peace throughout most of it, especially this past week. I realized yesterday that it's probably because so many people are praying for me. So... thanks for your prayers, you amazing people!

He's Always Been Faithful to Me
-Sara Groves

Morning by morning I wake up to find
the power and comfort of God's hand in mine.
Season by season I watch him amazed, in
awe of the mystery of his perfect ways

CHORUS:
All I have need of his hand will provide.
He's always been faithful to me

I can't remember a trial or a pain he did
not recycle to bring me gain. I can't
remember one single regret in serving
God only and trusting his hand

CHORUS

This is my anthem, this is my song, the
theme of the stories I've heard for so long.
God has been faithful, he will be again.
His loving compassion, it knows no end.

So true!

Random

There is so much to blog about I don't even know where to begin.

God is FAITHFUL.
I love my family.
My brother Zac is coming home from Cali tomorrow morning!
I leave for South Korea on Sunday (Zac goes to Purdue Saturday).
My Mom has a new job!!!!
I'm trying to pack everything I need into two suitcases... and just might make the weight limit!
My coworker and dear friend Jordan made us an AMAZING lunch Saturday afternoon and gave me the sweetest note that totally blessed me .
I am thankful for the sweet times I've had with friends lately, although the goodbyes have been bittersweet. I have particularly enjoyed times of prayer together.
Nana made chocolate chip pancakes for me last week and gave me coffee and took good care of me.
My mom has been spoiling me.
Emma needs to paint my nails soon before I leave (she just reminded me)... and we have to play checkers.
My sibs and I all got Vivanno drinks last week from Starbucks while my parents were on their date night... and we didn't like them, but had a nice time together.
I enjoyed spending the summer at New Life.
Grandma helped me with my letters and took me out to breakfast and hemmed my six pairs of pants (they just make them too long!) on Monday.
Kate came to visit me and we had a marvelous time a couple of weekends ago. The highlight for me was our time at Panera.
Dad took me out to lunch last week and we had a great time.
I finished backing up my computer pictures and documents.
God's been overwhelming me with His provision. It is so encouraging to know that He knows what I need better than I do and is more than capable to provide it!
Sara's parents had my family over for a lovely dinner Saturday evening.
I like random phone dates with friends over the phone at our respective coffee shops when distance separates.
The Olympics are fun... I should watch them more.
I got to see Jana and Char-uh-bee with Megs for an Egle 101 reunion.
Our girls night was fun last night. Josh made a really nice fire for us.
I really like the hymn Jesus I am Resting, Resting.
My brothers are amazing.
I'm still adjusting to my new glasses.
John 15 is my favorite chapter right now.
I feel restless and kind of ready to go and wishing I could skip the goodbyes (not because I don't want to say goodbye... because it's easier to just keep acting normal).

Overwhelmed with His Faithfulness (once again)

The faithfulness of the Lord continues to amaze me. He surprised me with a divine appointment this morning and overwhelmed me with an incredible reminder of his great provision. He is so faithful.

The goodbyes have begun. This morning, I had coffee with Hope and just had a wonderful time of sharing with her. I will certainly miss her, but it is so encouraging to know she is praying. Last night, I was so blessed to have dinner with Mrs. O, Mrs. Fisher, my mom and Emma. The fellowship was so sweet. I savored every bit of it. Mrs. O shared the following verse and hymn with me as encouragement as I prepare for Korea:

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. - John 15:4 [This passage has been a recurring theme this summer... I think the Lord just might be trying to teach me something!]

Jesus I am Resting

Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,
And Thy beauty fills my soul,
For by Thy transforming power,
Thou hast made me whole.

Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.

O, how great Thy loving kindness,
Vaster, broader than the sea!
O, how marvelous Thy goodness,
Lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in Thee, Belovèd,
Know what wealth of grace is Thine,
Know Thy certainty of promise,
And have made it mine.

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,
I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,
Satisfies my heart;
Satisfies its deepest longings,
Meets, supplies its every need,
Compasseth me round with blessings:
Thine is love indeed!

Ever lift Thy face upon me
As I work and wait for Thee;
Resting ’neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,
Earth’s dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father’s glory,
Sunshine of my Father’s face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting,
Fill me with Thy grace.

Waffles, Watermelon, & Sisters

Today was a big day according to everydayisaholiday.com: National Waffle Day, National Watermelon Day, and Sisters Day. My family did an excellent job celebrating each of the "holiday" festivities today. It was grand.

Growing Up...

I am officially starting to feel like a grown-up for the following reasons:

• I bought new shoes last night. The main concern was not fashion, but arch support.
• I bought new sunglasses (because my other ones broke... lasted 3 months though, which is some type of record for me) and wanted to make sure there was adequate UV protection.
• I get sick if I don't have sufficient amounts of sleep, thus I find myself going to bed much earlier than my college days (and even those were on the early side sometimes).
• I get sick if I have too much sugar/caffeine at once.
  
• When preparing for meal time, I try to figure out a way to incorporate healthy fruits and vegetables.
• Junior high kids in the youth group have no idea when I refer to memories from my childhood.
  
• I'm learning about the wonderful, ridiculously confusing world of taxes, insurance, and the like.
  

I'm okay with growing up, though... even if it does make me feel old sometimes.

Everyday is a Holiday... and other randomness

Update on things with South Korea:
Sara and I have both received our visas!!! We are almost ready to apply for our traveler's insurance and send in the most ridiculous tax treaty document ever (talk about a headache!). My contacts and new glasses have been ordered. God is providing for me in ways that continue to remind me of His incredible faithfulness. Yesterday I found out that Bethel owes me a $100 dorm deposit refund (things got lost in the shuffle with me studying abroad last semester). It's absolutely perfect timing... because that is exactly how much my insurance will be costing me for the first three months. The Lord is SO FAITHFUL!

Everyday is a Holiday...
This is complete randomness and the result of boredom at Meijer Starbucks. A few weeks/months ago, I was talking with one of my coworkers about being bored and livening things up with celebrating random things. My friend Sara (who is going to Korea with me) had mentioned to me several months ago a really silly, fun website: www.everydayisaholiday.com.

Tuesday was national lasagna day - so my siblings and I ate lasagna for dinner while my parents were on their date night. We made it extra special by eating in the dining room and playing Imaginiff afterwards.
Wednesday was cheesecake day - so two of my coworkers and I bought cheesecake to eat during our Experiencing God Bible study at Bella Vita, which was absolutely marvelous!
Today Jordan and I made up our own holiday - Christmas in July. This consisted of purchasing white chocolate peppermint mistos, playing Charlie Brown Christmas music at Starbucks, making announcements over the PA about our white chocolate peppermint special for the day, and sharing some of our favorite Christmas memories with one another. Totally cheesy, and totally fun.
I'm not sure what we're celebrating tomorrow.... but it definitely helps the time at work go by faster... and makes for some fun memories. You can rest assured... I will continue to update you on my holiday festivities throughout the month of August before I leave.

Time for me to go to bed... I get to open in the morning!