strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.

I think God's sovereignty and providence is kind of crazy, but also really convenient. If you've been keeping up with the going-ons in my life then you know I've been thrown a few curveballs. And most of the time lately I've just been focusing on those curveballs and their effects instead of..... well. I'll get to that. 


So, my mom moved to Nashville today (all my Nashville friends give her a shout out if you happen to run into her. unlikely, but you never know). And even though this past weekend I felt like I was on the verge of tears most of the time.. I was also strangely provided for with things to distract me and give me hope. And it took me until now to realize it. 


FOR INSTANCE
on Friday night I got to spend the evening watching movies and eating and fellowshipping with some of my favorite people. Even though they don't know this, I really look up to them a whole lot. Theresa, Matthew, Helen, Aubrey... man... they're all winners. We had a blast. 


Friday afternoon, after much prayer and consideration, I applied to work at Twin Lakes summer camp for my 3rd summer in a row. I'm SO EXCITED. I won't get a be a counselor, which I'm a little bummed about, but I still get to minister to the kids and the other staff! I don't know my position just yet... Andrew, Zack, and Tuan are still thinking. And that's just fine! I'm just so anxious and excited and I just want to go now. Right. Now.


Today, even though this school week is going to be probably the most busy of my entire life, my dear friend Hannale surprised me at lunch today! She graduated from JA 2 years ago when I was a sophomore and then kind of became a lost soul... there was some bad stuff involved and then she went to the Honor Academy in Texas and she wasn't allowed to have her phone so we lost touch. It was so sad for me. And then she surprised me today and told me alllllll about her life and how God's just taken ahold of her life and turned her right around on the spot. I was overjoyed! She visited with and even apologized to a few of her old teachers today. Hahaha... that Hannale.. such a little ray of sunshine. But now she's back and we can be best friends all over again. And I've gained a sister in Christ! How exciting!! 

this was from way back in the day. Hannale put this picture on facebook and wrote as the comment on it: "are you my mother?" I've no idea why. but I think it's funny.

Sunday morning I heard this killer sermon from the trusty Pastor Mike. I just love that man. He talked about loss seeing as we lost a member of our church this past week. Our dear brother, Michael Barranco, left to join the glory of the Lord on Tuesday night after a dreadful car crash leaving a wife and 4 kids. He was a great man with a wonderful voice. Pastor Mike spoke on this passage from Lamentations about Gods love and faithfulness:



Remember my affliction and my wanderings,
the wormwood and the gall!
  My soul continually remembers it
and is bowed down within me.
  But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
  they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
  “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”

The LORD is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him.
  It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.
 (Lamentations 3:19-26 ESV)


WOW. I love that passage. It's so true. His mercies are new every morning! Just like I've found out through my own personal troubles and such. But look! He really has supplied new mercies each day! He's bringing me back to Twin Lakes, he's given me great fellowship with great role models, and he's brought Hannale back into my life. But like Pastor Mike was saying... the Lord is my portion, my hope, and the one I'll be waiting for.