An encouraging verse from this morning's Psalm calendar; amazing how the Bible always touches you at the place where you are at, huh? I was working in the kitchen and glanced over to read it since I wasn't the one who turned the calendar this morning ... and fancy that, just the verse I needed to read! ;)

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart. Psalm 27:14

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A correlation that was brought to my attention during this morning's sermon: even as the Passover Lamb (Ex. 12) was not allowed to have any broken bones, so Jesus Christ, our Perfect Lamb, was also sacrificed without a bone being broken in His body. That was such a COOL connection to make -- don't you love how God fulfills His promises in such perfect detail?! So amazing.

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Taylor and I were really excited to be asked to sing at a 50th anniversary celebration last night for a lovely couple from church -- a touching, sweet celebration, wonderfully put together by the family, of this Christian couple's devotion to God, each-other, and their family! Such a privilege to be involved. :)

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That's all for now folks! Hope you are all doing very well today!

If y'all aren't familiar with the sweet children's stories of Elizabeth Coatsworth, she wrote a wonderful little book called Away Goes Sally in which a young girl, along with her aunts and uncle whom she lives with, decide upon the necessity of moving. However, they are not enamored of the idea of leaving their house behind ... so they take it with them, pulling it by horses or oxen I think, and living in it on the way. I can't remember exactly how they managed the logistics of the thing (it's been several years or more since I read the story) but it's a charming plot and the characters are lovely. :) The subject of my post brought to mind the story ... for, though I'm not moving nor am I planning on taking my house with me in travel (I doubt that would be a popular idea with my parents and siblings even if it were a possibility) I am Lord willing hoping to take a trip in the late spring that I'm excited about! I'm tentatively hoping to make it to the Gettysburg Bible Forum which is in late May -- the subject sounds excellent, and I'm excited about the prospect of seeing friends both old and new again. :) I'm also really looking forward to just being in PA again -- I love, love travel, and history, and the Amish countryside ... so much fun. The reason I'm posting here about it is that I wanted to ask if any of my friends on here from remotely near places to where the forum will be held are planning on going? I think I remember you had talked about wanting to go several years ago when we were at the spring HS camp ... thought I'd throw the question out just to see who, if anyone, was thinking about it. :)

Past ten ... which means I'd better head toward bed. :) Have a wonderful weekend!

While waiting for the clock to strike twelve, my Dad, brother, and sister are watching old Gomer Pyle, USMC episodes and eating popcorn (currently I'm hearing Gomer render "Jimmy Crack Corn"), Mom's listening to a book on tape, and I'm compiling some goals for the year, letter writing, and blog writing! :) I love starting off a new year with fresh goals and renewed inspiration, and I'm looking forward to what this year brings. I hope each of you has a wonderful year in 2013, full of growth and joy -- may we reflect this hymn's beautiful message in the coming twelve months!

Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
still all my song shall be,
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
darkness be over me, my rest a stone;
yet in my dreams I'd be
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

Or if, on joyful wing cleaving the sky,
sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I fly,
still all my song shall be,
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

My Lord, I need nothing beside You, without You I could not have stood.
You promise is my hope and my refuge, Your nearness my strength and my good.
When I was distressed and embittered by things I could not understand,
Your presence was continually with me; You always took hold of my hand.
My heart may be broken within me, my earthly strength may depart;
but you are my portion forever; You are the rock of my heart ... You are the rock of my heart.

(Matthew Bassford, Psalm 73)

Those days you feel lost and floundering -- when you are overwhelmed and cry out "How Lord ... just, how?" Remember. Remember that He's never going to allow you to carry more than you can handle. His thoughts are not your thoughts. And you can keep going, and so can I, one step and one day at a time, knowing that. He will be sufficient and more than sufficient -- He will give you the answers, one at a time. Because that's all we need. Glorify Him, and let Him be the Rock of your heart.

a couple of beautiful hymns that have been really meaningful to me of late ....


My Only Hope is You

and

The Lord is My Light

In other news, I've reached the ripe old age of twenty two! Why does that sound so much older than twenty-one??? However, somehow my juvenile side still seems to be making a very prevalent appearance or something because when we visited the Exton, PA congregation a couple weeks ago, a sweet and totally well-meaning member there asked me what grade of school I was in. :O) I had a hard time deciding how to reply that I was post-college. :o) Anyways, I'll need to update and tell y'all of our wonderful trip out east!! While there we visited with the brethren at Exton (we were able to catch the last two days of their excellent gospel meeting!) and Gettysburg, and got to spend time with some wonderful HS camping friends and also meet some new friends as well! It was so encouraging, and I'm so thankful for having been able to make this trip with my family -- and for the timing, as well, since we left the Friday that the hurricane started to make its move toward the east coast! For those of you on my friend's list who live out there, we've been keeping all of you in our prayers.

I hope all of you are doing well and enjoying the autumn -- I love this season so, so much. :) Best get going and get ready for dinner!