Dear Friends

The Wilderness Must Be Explored

I feel so incredibly blessed. I love my home time when I'm home. And I love my school time when I'm at school. I miss both when I leave each one and go to the other. But soon I return to the one that I miss.

Last weekend I got to camp with one of my older sisters, her husband, their two boys, Danielle, and Dad. I got to chase the boys around the playground until I was short of breath. We made up silly songs on the swings. We took turns making up stories as we snuggled on a blanket under the stars. The boys fell asleep on either side of me. The next day we all ate breakfast together. After a kayak journey, face fainting, bike rides, catching fish and feeding them to a bird, afternoon naps, and making s'mores by the fire, we headed home. It was only a two day camping trip, but it was a beautiful one for sure.

Lots of pictures, I know. But it was just all so grand.

The New Old

 Today was one of the happiest days. My church just moved into a new (but super old) building down the street and it is beautiful. Praise be to God and God alone for this immense blessing upon us. Today, we had our last meeting at the old building and then an open house at the new one. It was so joyful and so full of gratitude and unity. I seriously could talk on and on about the many many rooms and the long brick hallway and the multiple staircases and the gorgeous high ceilings and the attic. Oh, the attic. Any artist's dream. Here's a few photos of the attic and some of the kids from church. I'm so thankful for these kids, especially when I sorely miss my nieces and nephews.

This church family has been such a huge and vital part of my life at school. I cannot explain how God has shown his goodness to me and so many others through this body of believers.