on the lighter side, these are just a couple of the things some of my students (cory, lindsey, & heidi) were up to while i was in california. yes, that is chris tomlin. my students are the best. they make me laugh so much! peace. 

here is the other pic

wow. this day has been a doozy. you know those days where nothing goes according to plan - i'm in one. and yet, miraculously (i mean that literally), i'm ok and no peramanent damage was done to me or others. these last few weeks have been so funny. they have been full of a lot of fear and discouragement, but at the same time they have been full of such grace and encouragement. it has made for quite a ride. it is interesting how this time has made my worship and time with God so intense and so essential. one of the speakers i heard in anaheim last week was talking about wilderness times and he shared hosea 2:14 where God talks about leading His love into the wilderness and speaking "tenderly to her." that is such a beautiful picture. sometimes it is in the desert and wilderness that i'm called back to God and my covenant with Him is renewed and remembered. that idea brings me peace right now.

People are often unreasonable and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are honest, people may cheat you.
Be honest anyway.

If you find happiness people may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough.
Give your best anyway.

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God.
It never was between you and them anyway.

-Mother Teresa