the picture

Everything is going good. The future looks pleasant; you don't know exactly what is going to happen, but you think you have a general idea, and you are happy with that idea. You are content with your life the way it is and where it is going. But then something happens. God throws a wrench at the picture you have been painting of your future and shatters it into a million pieces. He tells you to trust in Him instead, to trust in His plans, not your own. He tells you to follow him and to step out into the dark, uncertain waters, and just trust his current to bring you to the perfect future. God did this to me.
As most of you probably know, Tim and I broke up last week. We both still like eachother, and would still love to be dating, but we know God has other plans. Neither of us are ready to get married any time soon, and we both have changing and growing we need to do. We both need to learn to place God in the center of our lives and we both need to be completely satisfied with God before we can be completely satisfied with anyone else, be it each other, or anyone else. God is telling us to trust. To trust that if we are meant to be together, we will be brought together in the end, and if we aren't meant to be together, God will have someone else or some other plan that will be perfect for us. It's sad, it's scary, but I know God will give me strength. I know he will be there for me and will fill those empty places in my life. That's the great thing about God. He will shatter your painting, but then he will help you clean up the pieces. He will repaint your picture for you, more beautiful and more perfect then you could have ever imagined.

God's Splendor

There are few things that show God's power and splendor better than a thunderstorm. A few days ago I watched a storm from when it was flickering and rumbling in the West, to when it came closer and the lightning flashed constantly, the thunder roared, and the electricity hummed in the air, to when it was right overhead and the thunder crashed and the lightning blazed simultaneously and it was pouring, to when it moved away in the north-east, grumbling as it went. It was amazing. I have never seen a storm with such constant lightning, I have never before heard the electricity in the air and in the rain drops.
I love storms. I can just sit and watch them for hours, just sitting and soaking in the majesty. They give me the shivers. They make me feel small, but a good small. Like I am powerless and insignificant, but at this same time that this show of power is for me, it is sent by God to make me happy, to remind me of the truth of who's in charge. I don't understand how someone can see something so great and believe that it came about by chance. How they can see a show, unequalled by any of the fireworks or any other devices made by man, and not believe in a god. I can almost hear God yelling, "Look at me! Look at what my hands have made and believe!" It must be frusterating.

(above is a picture of the tornado we had near our house last summer- another incredible storm)

A New Baby (Donkey)!!

Our Donkey had a baby yesterday. Here he/she is 6 hours old- isn't it cute?!?!?

Tim's Birthday

Tim and I went out to dinner for his 18th birthday. I made him dress up, it was fun. Happy Birthday Tim!!!!!