Lilypie First Birthday tickers

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Pastor Dave showed a video on Sunday that I found on YouTube. I wasn't at the service- but my mom told me to watch this video. It's the most heartfelt, honest, display of a Father's love that I've seen a very long time. This is a story of the Hoyt family. The father and son compete together in the Ironman Triathalon. I can't watch this video without crying... I can't help but realize after watching this that this is the way God cares for us. This is the way He loves me. And you. Let me know what you think.

Monday, June 11, 2007

Congrats to the two newest high school graduates in my family! My cousin Adam (on the left) and my not so little brother, Jason (on the right) graduated from NorthWood a couple weeks ago. As of yesterday their open houses are done and they are ready to move on with their lives! I am so proud of my brother. I can't believe he's going to be going to college. Crazy!

Summer is definitely under way, and I am loving my time spent with friends and family. The nights of bike rides, softball games, and late movies are just beginning and I'm so excited to see where this summer may take me.


Also here's a picture of the last group of NMC people who went to Kenya! My dad and I have been excitedly talking about our trip, getting our passports, etc. They will be announcing the dates soon! Also we're taking a Global Impact class this Saturday to prepare ourselves. I just love this picture, and I can't wait to hold those babies myself!!


On a not-so-celebratory note, my heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to the Nine and Flickinger Families. Kim Nine and Deenene Flickinger were killed in a motorcycle crash Saturday night in Nappanee. My deepest sympathies go out to Connie, Ashlie, and Kimmie Nine as they have lost their ex-husband and father; and also to Carl Sr., Carl Jr., and April Flickinger as they deal with the loss of their ex-wife and mother respectively. Let's keep them in our prayers as the coming days bring anger, sorrow, and grief.

Friday, June 1, 2007

Summer is here and it's off to a pretty good start. I've had some quality time with my friends, and some much needed deep conversations about life, love, and God. And most of all my place amongst those three. More recently, my heart has had a longing to move- to relocate. I seem to go through this every few months. But sometimes this urge is stronger than other times. This is one of those times. However, I got to thinking about WHY I find myself wanting to uproot myself and run far away. I had a conversation recently with my good friend Corey, and I think that I'm really scared to just settle. To be in one place for a long period of time. Which is ironic considering I'm now back to where I started..Nappanee. But I'm even scared to settle here. I keep thinking - is there more out there for me? Will I meet the man of my dreams if I move? Will God provide me with the skills and tools I need to be a Grief Counselor here? Or should I relocate to better accomodate? All of these thoughts run though my head and it leaves with a feeling of uneasiness to say the least. Then I wonder if it's just ME feeling uneasy, or if it's really God wanting me to make a change. Life can be confusing, unstable, and completely unpredictable. However, I just keep reminding myself that my time here on Earth is SUPPOSED to be the hard part. Heaven is the reward. So until then, I'll keep searching, keep navigating, and keep feeling uneasy - until God tells me to just settle.