Well, here it is- my last week in Charlottesville. I've been sadly/excitedly looking forward to this week for a long time, and now I'm smack-dab in the middle of it. It's an incredibly strange reality, as I find myself doing things "one last time," and saying goodbyes to people, all the while not knowing when/if I will do or see them again.
My heart is slowly and surely processing this, and in the midst of it all, I am finding myself singing one of my favorite hymns. Will you sing and pray it with me, as I hope to walk this day, this week, and all those that lie ahead in surrender to my Beloved Jesus?
"Take My Life"
Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee
Take my moments and my days
Let them flow in ceaseless praise
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee
Take my voice and let me sing
Always, only for my King
And take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee
Take my silver and my gold
Not a mite would I withhold
Take my intellect and use
Every power Thou shall choose
Take my will and make it Thine
It shall be no longer mine
Take my heart, it is Thine own
It shall be Thy royal throne
Take my love, my Lord I pour
At Thy feet, its treasure store
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only all for Thee
(I recommend Jadon Lavik's version, if you are looking to make an itunes purchase)
March 29, 2010
March 24, 2010
Here's the Thing
I think it would be a good idea to clarify a couple things about my writing on this blog. I'm sorry I didn't write these things earlier, I guess I assumed they would be obvious- not a good idea when writing to undefined public.
I write here as a way of processing thoughts; thoughts that are always ongoing and never actually finished. My writing is just that- a personal thought process. It is not meant to be read as an authoritative source of truth, but is hopefully to be read as I intended; as a personal journal.
I understand that many who read this blog will disagree with things I write. I understand that I am never going to have it all right, nor am I going to conceptualize the Gospel perfectly. I'm sorry if my previous writing displayed an attitude that suggested differently. The Word in itself is the only authority on truth, and while I do seek a right understanding of that truth, I guarantee that I will never be the sole possessor of its entirety.
I am so thankful for those of you who have extended grace unto me as I continue to wrestle with these things- I pray that the Lord would indeed pour out His Spirit that we may know Him and His will more fully. I am also saddened by places where grace has seemingly come up short, in my own heart first and in the hearts of others also- this is an unfortunate reality for those of us wanting to be more like Christ, from whom grace never ceases to overflow. In moments of conflict, it seems certainly true that the logs confuse our perception of the specks, and in that confusion, hurtful words seem to be things extended instead of grace.
In so many ways, this week has shown me that we are in such great need of humility. I stand first in line hoping to receive- won't you file in with me and pray-
"I humble myself for faculties misused,
opportunities neglected,
words ill-advised,
I repent of my folly and inconsiderate ways,
my broken resolutions, untrue service,
my backsliding steps,
my vain thoughts.
O bury my sins in the ocean of Jesus' blood
and let no evil result from my fretful temper,
unseemly behaviour, provoking pettiness.
If by unkindness I have wounded or hurt another,
do thou pour in the balm of heavenly consolation.
Fill me with an overflowing ocean of compassion,
the reign of love my motive,
the law of love my rule.
O thou God of all grace, make me more thankful,
more humble;
Inspire me with a deep sense of my unworthiness
arising from the depravity of my nature, my omitted duties,
my unimproved advantages, thy commands
violated by me.
With all my calls to gratitude and joy
may I remember that I have reason for sorrow and humiliation;
O give me repentance unto life;
Cement my oneness with my blessed Lord,
that faith may adhere to him more immovably,
that love may entwine itself round him more tightly,
that his Spirit may pervade every fibre of my being
That send me out to make him known to my fellow men."
-The Valley of Vision
I write here as a way of processing thoughts; thoughts that are always ongoing and never actually finished. My writing is just that- a personal thought process. It is not meant to be read as an authoritative source of truth, but is hopefully to be read as I intended; as a personal journal.
I understand that many who read this blog will disagree with things I write. I understand that I am never going to have it all right, nor am I going to conceptualize the Gospel perfectly. I'm sorry if my previous writing displayed an attitude that suggested differently. The Word in itself is the only authority on truth, and while I do seek a right understanding of that truth, I guarantee that I will never be the sole possessor of its entirety.
I am so thankful for those of you who have extended grace unto me as I continue to wrestle with these things- I pray that the Lord would indeed pour out His Spirit that we may know Him and His will more fully. I am also saddened by places where grace has seemingly come up short, in my own heart first and in the hearts of others also- this is an unfortunate reality for those of us wanting to be more like Christ, from whom grace never ceases to overflow. In moments of conflict, it seems certainly true that the logs confuse our perception of the specks, and in that confusion, hurtful words seem to be things extended instead of grace.
In so many ways, this week has shown me that we are in such great need of humility. I stand first in line hoping to receive- won't you file in with me and pray-
"I humble myself for faculties misused,
opportunities neglected,
words ill-advised,
I repent of my folly and inconsiderate ways,
my broken resolutions, untrue service,
my backsliding steps,
my vain thoughts.
O bury my sins in the ocean of Jesus' blood
and let no evil result from my fretful temper,
unseemly behaviour, provoking pettiness.
If by unkindness I have wounded or hurt another,
do thou pour in the balm of heavenly consolation.
Fill me with an overflowing ocean of compassion,
the reign of love my motive,
the law of love my rule.
O thou God of all grace, make me more thankful,
more humble;
Inspire me with a deep sense of my unworthiness
arising from the depravity of my nature, my omitted duties,
my unimproved advantages, thy commands
violated by me.
With all my calls to gratitude and joy
may I remember that I have reason for sorrow and humiliation;
O give me repentance unto life;
Cement my oneness with my blessed Lord,
that faith may adhere to him more immovably,
that love may entwine itself round him more tightly,
that his Spirit may pervade every fibre of my being
That send me out to make him known to my fellow men."
-The Valley of Vision
March 21, 2010
The Valley of Vision
Here is a passage from one of my most beloved devotionals, a book of prayers written by puritans such as David Brainerd, John Bunyan, Philip Doddridge, C.H. Spurgeon, Isaac Watts, etc.
"Dawn returns, but without thy light within
no outward light can profit;
Give me the saving lamp of thy Spirit that I may see thee,
the God of my salvation, the delight of my soul,
rejoicing over me in love.
I commend my heart to thy watchful care,
for I know its treachery and power;
Guard its every portal from the wily enemy,
Give me quick discernment of his deadly arts,
Help me to recognize his bold disguise as an angel of light,
and bid him begone.
May my words and works allure others to the highest walks of faith and love!
May loiterers be quickened to greater diligence in acquaintance
with thee!
May the timid and irresolute be warned
of coming doom by my zeal for Jesus!
Cause me to be a mirror of thy grace,
to show others the joy of thy service,
May my lips be well-tuned cymbals
sounding thy praise,
Let a halo of heavenly-mindedness
sparkle around me
and a lamp of kindness sunbeam my path.
Teach me the happy art of
attending to things temporal
with a mind intent on things eternal.
Send me forth to have compassion
on the ignorant and miserable.
Help me to walk as Jesus walked,
my only Saviour and perfect model,
his mind my inward guest,
his meekness my covering garb.
Let my happy place be amongst the poor in spirit,
my delight the gentle ranks of the meek.
Let me always esteem others better than myself,
and find in true humility
an heirdom to two worlds."
"Dawn returns, but without thy light within
no outward light can profit;
Give me the saving lamp of thy Spirit that I may see thee,
the God of my salvation, the delight of my soul,
rejoicing over me in love.
I commend my heart to thy watchful care,
for I know its treachery and power;
Guard its every portal from the wily enemy,
Give me quick discernment of his deadly arts,
Help me to recognize his bold disguise as an angel of light,
and bid him begone.
May my words and works allure others to the highest walks of faith and love!
May loiterers be quickened to greater diligence in acquaintance
with thee!
May the timid and irresolute be warned
of coming doom by my zeal for Jesus!
Cause me to be a mirror of thy grace,
to show others the joy of thy service,
May my lips be well-tuned cymbals
sounding thy praise,
Let a halo of heavenly-mindedness
sparkle around me
and a lamp of kindness sunbeam my path.
Teach me the happy art of
attending to things temporal
with a mind intent on things eternal.
Send me forth to have compassion
on the ignorant and miserable.
Help me to walk as Jesus walked,
my only Saviour and perfect model,
his mind my inward guest,
his meekness my covering garb.
Let my happy place be amongst the poor in spirit,
my delight the gentle ranks of the meek.
Let me always esteem others better than myself,
and find in true humility
an heirdom to two worlds."
March 16, 2010
...Explained
I realize my previous post and confession made less sense and were far less useful apart from their details, and so I embark on the task I have been avoiding for several weeks. A direct and up-front warning: this will be absurdly lengthy and certainly offensive. I do not, however, intend any other offense than that which is already present in the Word and hope to be extremely careful in its delivery.
About a month ago, a thought popped into my head- what makes me different from other people? Certainly there are circumstances unique to my life that make me different, but why am I experiencing things others seem not to be? Specifically, why I am feeling called to give away all my things and serve the poor while others seem just fine living 'normal life' here? Why am I all of a sudden being labeled the exception to the standard?
And since I actually couldn't find a good reason to explain my being different from anyone else claiming to follow Jesus- I started an argument. I began to argue with people that everyone actually should give away all they have and serve the poor, even more specifically- orphans with intellectual disabilities in southern Africa. Sounds like a bit of a stretch, but I went with it for a while.
Every time I started this conversation, I repeatedly found myself reaching the same dead end- right where the road of my knowledge of Scripture ran out. I became so frustrated by this path that I almost gave up on the argument. And that's when God stepped in and compelled me to pray for understanding (Matthew 7:7). Had I known what I was asking, I'm not sure I would have had the guts to continue, but thankfully He did what I could not choose on my own and led me onward.
I stayed up that entire night feeling like I was reading the Word for the first time. I literally had to set down my Bible several times because I was so shocked by the passages I had just read- it all seemed so new and so entirely different than my previous understanding of the gospel. With this realization came tears- I cried harder than I ever had and for longer than I thought possible.
My sorrow came as a response to the realization of my sin- that for so long I had believed and lived according to a different gospel than the one laid out by Jesus in the Bible, and specifically one that I had created to suit myself and the life I wanted to live. I had chosen to follow some of Jesus' words, but not others; not the ones I understood to be a little too uncomfortable or a little too demanding of my life. Here's the thing, Scripture doesn't actually seem to function like a buffet- where you get to pick and choose according to your palette and leave behind that which does not appeal. It seems instead you either swallow down everything laid before you, or you don't get eat at all.
Even worse, I realized I had not been content to sin alone- I had invited others to join me and my 'buffet-style Christianity.' I encouraged others to join me in believing and living this false gospel, telling them that it was just fine to do so. Problem with that is very clear in Scripture- 'But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.' (Matthew 18:6). Excuse me for a moment as the shock of that passage forces me to once again to set down my Bible...
Next God asked me to sit down at the table and consider that which lay before me. My eyes glanced over the all the plates and cups I had always refused or intentionally let pass by- specifically the ones full of Hatred (Matthew 5:11, 10:22), Persecution (Matthew 5:10, 10:17), and Death (Matthew 10:39, 16:24-26). And His Word spoke (though not using this exact metaphor, which is my own)- you either eat and drink of them all and do so entirely, or you excuse yourself from the table- it's all or nothing (Luke 14:25-33).
I foresee the hatred, persecution, and death beginning with the words I write next, as I know they will offend the theology many of you currently hold, and the life many of you currently live. I believe the terms of discipleship are actually what the Word says they are- 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let Him deny himself, and take up His cross, and follow Me.' (Matthew 16:24). We must deny ourselves and die. Then, and only then can we follow Christ. I also believe that once we actually do so, our lives will look just like Jesus', specifically that they will be given wholly to the service of the poor. (My understanding of the Word does not allow me to use that word except to mean anything other that the actual poor- those who do not have material wealth.) The greatest commandment in Matthew 22:37 is intended to argue this very thing, if it is understood within the whole counsel of God. Specifically, 'love' as used in the greatest commandment is intended to be understood according to the very way Jesus demonstrates 'love' in His life and death. John puts it this way in his first epistle- 'By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in Him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and truth.' (1 John 3:16-18)
Friends, we cannot claim to be the people of God and continue to ignore the way He calls us to 'love.' We cannot continue to love Him in ways we choose, but instead we must do so by laying down our entire lives for the poor. This is what it means to love God, and as far as I can see, most of us are missing the mark.
And while we miss it, the world dies around us. The hungry, thirsty, strange, naked, sick, imprisoned world remains just as it is. The enemy sits comfortably back, not even caring who we are, since we are certainly no threat to His plans to continue stealing, killing, and destroying (John 10:10). Just as he did with the sons of Sceva, the enemy must be bewildered and amused when we claim to walk in the power of Christ, and rightfully so since we look and live nothing like Him (Acts 19:14-15). He knows our fate better than we, and looks forward to the day when Jesus says to us 'I never knew you,' (Matthew 7:23) and 'inasmuch as you did not do it to one of least of these, you did not do it to me' (Matthew 25:45-46). The enemy looks forward even more to the moment just after when we are cast into everlasting punishment as a result.
Here's the really tricky thing about this gospel- if it is true, then we are not. We are not actually who we say we are. And unless we actually begin obeying God's commands to love Him alone with all our heart, soul, and strength, and our neighbor as ourself; which according to Jesus is done so when we 'give all we have and serve the poor' (Luke 18:22), then we too will be forced to sorrowfully walk away from the table. That's the other tricky thing about the Gospel, and this table that sits before us- we will never choose to sit in that chair after really considering that which is laid out before us. We will always act according to the wickedness of our heart (Jeremiah 17:9)- we will always excuse ourselves from the table, and head back to the broad buffet line of destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). We will never choose love and we will always refuse obedience- unless the grace of God allows us and enables us to partake of the whole meal (Ephesians 2:4-10). It is completely up to Him as the Sovereign God to provide that which is needed to obey His call of true discipleship, and so my hope is placed in Him as He promises to do so for those whom He chooses.
The confession I posted yesterday was in regards to a conversation I had in which I shrunk back from preaching this Gospel; fearful of the reaction it may cause in my fellow converser. I hope this post functions as a step in a different direction, one demonstrating that I believe this Gospel to be the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes (Romans 1:16), and I will not be ashamed to speak it out with my words and my life. There is much more to say, but I will stop for now (although I'm sure many stopped reading long ago- for those of you who pushed through, I pray it be a useful endeavor for you). More details of the argument (it's back on) to come, but for now 'The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, Amen' (Philippians 4:23).
About a month ago, a thought popped into my head- what makes me different from other people? Certainly there are circumstances unique to my life that make me different, but why am I experiencing things others seem not to be? Specifically, why I am feeling called to give away all my things and serve the poor while others seem just fine living 'normal life' here? Why am I all of a sudden being labeled the exception to the standard?
And since I actually couldn't find a good reason to explain my being different from anyone else claiming to follow Jesus- I started an argument. I began to argue with people that everyone actually should give away all they have and serve the poor, even more specifically- orphans with intellectual disabilities in southern Africa. Sounds like a bit of a stretch, but I went with it for a while.
Every time I started this conversation, I repeatedly found myself reaching the same dead end- right where the road of my knowledge of Scripture ran out. I became so frustrated by this path that I almost gave up on the argument. And that's when God stepped in and compelled me to pray for understanding (Matthew 7:7). Had I known what I was asking, I'm not sure I would have had the guts to continue, but thankfully He did what I could not choose on my own and led me onward.
I stayed up that entire night feeling like I was reading the Word for the first time. I literally had to set down my Bible several times because I was so shocked by the passages I had just read- it all seemed so new and so entirely different than my previous understanding of the gospel. With this realization came tears- I cried harder than I ever had and for longer than I thought possible.
My sorrow came as a response to the realization of my sin- that for so long I had believed and lived according to a different gospel than the one laid out by Jesus in the Bible, and specifically one that I had created to suit myself and the life I wanted to live. I had chosen to follow some of Jesus' words, but not others; not the ones I understood to be a little too uncomfortable or a little too demanding of my life. Here's the thing, Scripture doesn't actually seem to function like a buffet- where you get to pick and choose according to your palette and leave behind that which does not appeal. It seems instead you either swallow down everything laid before you, or you don't get eat at all.
Even worse, I realized I had not been content to sin alone- I had invited others to join me and my 'buffet-style Christianity.' I encouraged others to join me in believing and living this false gospel, telling them that it was just fine to do so. Problem with that is very clear in Scripture- 'But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.' (Matthew 18:6). Excuse me for a moment as the shock of that passage forces me to once again to set down my Bible...
Next God asked me to sit down at the table and consider that which lay before me. My eyes glanced over the all the plates and cups I had always refused or intentionally let pass by- specifically the ones full of Hatred (Matthew 5:11, 10:22), Persecution (Matthew 5:10, 10:17), and Death (Matthew 10:39, 16:24-26). And His Word spoke (though not using this exact metaphor, which is my own)- you either eat and drink of them all and do so entirely, or you excuse yourself from the table- it's all or nothing (Luke 14:25-33).
I foresee the hatred, persecution, and death beginning with the words I write next, as I know they will offend the theology many of you currently hold, and the life many of you currently live. I believe the terms of discipleship are actually what the Word says they are- 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let Him deny himself, and take up His cross, and follow Me.' (Matthew 16:24). We must deny ourselves and die. Then, and only then can we follow Christ. I also believe that once we actually do so, our lives will look just like Jesus', specifically that they will be given wholly to the service of the poor. (My understanding of the Word does not allow me to use that word except to mean anything other that the actual poor- those who do not have material wealth.) The greatest commandment in Matthew 22:37 is intended to argue this very thing, if it is understood within the whole counsel of God. Specifically, 'love' as used in the greatest commandment is intended to be understood according to the very way Jesus demonstrates 'love' in His life and death. John puts it this way in his first epistle- 'By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in Him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and truth.' (1 John 3:16-18)
Friends, we cannot claim to be the people of God and continue to ignore the way He calls us to 'love.' We cannot continue to love Him in ways we choose, but instead we must do so by laying down our entire lives for the poor. This is what it means to love God, and as far as I can see, most of us are missing the mark.
And while we miss it, the world dies around us. The hungry, thirsty, strange, naked, sick, imprisoned world remains just as it is. The enemy sits comfortably back, not even caring who we are, since we are certainly no threat to His plans to continue stealing, killing, and destroying (John 10:10). Just as he did with the sons of Sceva, the enemy must be bewildered and amused when we claim to walk in the power of Christ, and rightfully so since we look and live nothing like Him (Acts 19:14-15). He knows our fate better than we, and looks forward to the day when Jesus says to us 'I never knew you,' (Matthew 7:23) and 'inasmuch as you did not do it to one of least of these, you did not do it to me' (Matthew 25:45-46). The enemy looks forward even more to the moment just after when we are cast into everlasting punishment as a result.
Here's the really tricky thing about this gospel- if it is true, then we are not. We are not actually who we say we are. And unless we actually begin obeying God's commands to love Him alone with all our heart, soul, and strength, and our neighbor as ourself; which according to Jesus is done so when we 'give all we have and serve the poor' (Luke 18:22), then we too will be forced to sorrowfully walk away from the table. That's the other tricky thing about the Gospel, and this table that sits before us- we will never choose to sit in that chair after really considering that which is laid out before us. We will always act according to the wickedness of our heart (Jeremiah 17:9)- we will always excuse ourselves from the table, and head back to the broad buffet line of destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). We will never choose love and we will always refuse obedience- unless the grace of God allows us and enables us to partake of the whole meal (Ephesians 2:4-10). It is completely up to Him as the Sovereign God to provide that which is needed to obey His call of true discipleship, and so my hope is placed in Him as He promises to do so for those whom He chooses.
The confession I posted yesterday was in regards to a conversation I had in which I shrunk back from preaching this Gospel; fearful of the reaction it may cause in my fellow converser. I hope this post functions as a step in a different direction, one demonstrating that I believe this Gospel to be the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes (Romans 1:16), and I will not be ashamed to speak it out with my words and my life. There is much more to say, but I will stop for now (although I'm sure many stopped reading long ago- for those of you who pushed through, I pray it be a useful endeavor for you). More details of the argument (it's back on) to come, but for now 'The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, Amen' (Philippians 4:23).
March 15, 2010
A Confession...
I failed Him. How could I once again been so sure that I would succeed in obedience apart from anything but His Spirit (2 Peter 1:3)? How could I expect to accomplish anything of my own accord besides that which grieves His very heart (Ephesians 4:29-30)? How could I think myself capable of doing that which He has asked when He assures me it is impossible to do so without Him (Luke 18:27)?
The second He chooses to remove His grace from me, I fall right back into the sin I have always been prone to commit- fearing men more than I fear God. In theory, it seems like such a ridiculous waste- why would I ever expend an ounce of fear on the ones 'who kill the body but cannot kill the soul' when there is One who has the power to destroy me completely and righteously for my sin against Him (Matthew 10:28)?
And this time seems even worse. At least in years past, I felt I could say 'I didn't know.' But now, I have not even that inadequate excuse for my disobedience- it is simply that and despicably so. I knew exactly the way I was failing Him exactly as I was doing so; I even tried to justify it after the fact.
I am dreadfully and delightfully reminded of His Word 'whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report- if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy'- these things certainly do not come from me. The reason He tells us to meditate on these things in Philippians 4:8 seems to be because they are so utterly foreign to our human nature, and yet perfectly synonymous with His. In order to think upon these things, we must take our eyes off of our own false, dishonoring, unjust, impure, ugly, evil, iniquitous, reprehensible selves and fix them onto our wholly-other-than Lord.
Praise God that He possesses not one shadow of turning, and that His faithfulness is indeed great. Thanks be to His grace as it compels me to repent and to again walk in obedience to His Word. May He allow me to despise not His chastening, nor to be discouraged at His rebuke- for it is itself the sweet reminder of His love, and the hope of His calling. I certainly do not take joy in its painful sting- but I trust and hope for the fruit of righteousness He may choose to produce from its endurance (Hebrews 12:5-6, 11). May it bring Him all the glory I once again sought to steal- as it always has been, always is, and always will be His alone.
The second He chooses to remove His grace from me, I fall right back into the sin I have always been prone to commit- fearing men more than I fear God. In theory, it seems like such a ridiculous waste- why would I ever expend an ounce of fear on the ones 'who kill the body but cannot kill the soul' when there is One who has the power to destroy me completely and righteously for my sin against Him (Matthew 10:28)?
And this time seems even worse. At least in years past, I felt I could say 'I didn't know.' But now, I have not even that inadequate excuse for my disobedience- it is simply that and despicably so. I knew exactly the way I was failing Him exactly as I was doing so; I even tried to justify it after the fact.
I am dreadfully and delightfully reminded of His Word 'whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report- if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy'- these things certainly do not come from me. The reason He tells us to meditate on these things in Philippians 4:8 seems to be because they are so utterly foreign to our human nature, and yet perfectly synonymous with His. In order to think upon these things, we must take our eyes off of our own false, dishonoring, unjust, impure, ugly, evil, iniquitous, reprehensible selves and fix them onto our wholly-other-than Lord.
Praise God that He possesses not one shadow of turning, and that His faithfulness is indeed great. Thanks be to His grace as it compels me to repent and to again walk in obedience to His Word. May He allow me to despise not His chastening, nor to be discouraged at His rebuke- for it is itself the sweet reminder of His love, and the hope of His calling. I certainly do not take joy in its painful sting- but I trust and hope for the fruit of righteousness He may choose to produce from its endurance (Hebrews 12:5-6, 11). May it bring Him all the glory I once again sought to steal- as it always has been, always is, and always will be His alone.
March 12, 2010
First Farewell
They had to start sometime, and though I am dreading saying goodbye to many of you, this was a particularly hard one. This past week, I flew to Atlanta to spend some quality time with my two best friends- Maddy and Molly. We have gone on numerous trips together, including one to visit my parents in Spain last summer in which we got stuck in Atlanta for several days. Though it was an incredible nuisance at the time, Delta calmed our nerves with a few hundred dollars, which we redeemed on this trip- back to Atlanta, of all places! Here are some highlights...
We took walks in the park with Cooper (Molly's very adorable nephew)
We snuggled with each other and Cooper
We went to our fav breakfast spot, the Flying Biscuit
We made yummy food, including these Lemon Petit Fours baked by Maddy
And, lastly, I said farewell to my sweet friend, Molly
Overall, it was a wonderful week with these girls. We got lots of time to read and study, and so while I am still processing a lot right now- I am just about ready to get back to writing on this thing. Stayed tuned if you will...
We took walks in the park with Cooper (Molly's very adorable nephew)
We snuggled with each other and Cooper
We went to our fav breakfast spot, the Flying Biscuit
We made yummy food, including these Lemon Petit Fours baked by Maddy
And, lastly, I said farewell to my sweet friend, Molly
Overall, it was a wonderful week with these girls. We got lots of time to read and study, and so while I am still processing a lot right now- I am just about ready to get back to writing on this thing. Stayed tuned if you will...
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