September

i can't believe i'm already facing the end of september. i am so thankful for the sound of the wind chimes in the wind, the leaves changing color, and the cooler weather finally coming around. oh how i love fall!

september has been a busy month for us. justin has had carpal tunnel surgery and is recovering wonderfully. his patience and good attitude in dealing with it have amazed and inspired me. what a blessing he has been!

school also started this month and it's interesting to be back in the routine already. i say "interesting" on purpose. some moments are wonderful and some are hectic and energy-zapping. i have asked the Lord specifically to work in my heart and prepare me to leave school when it's time. i've asked that my heart would rejoice and look only to the future and not look back when it's time to leave. He's already answering my prayers :)

september has also brought some fun family events. last weekend many females from justin's side of the family celebrated nanny's 75th birthday by spending two days in Lancaster. we shopped and ate and shopped and ate and antiqued and ate some more. it was great fun to all be together and there is no one quite like Nan. i love her spunk and energy. i could joke and laugh with her all day!

after returning from our trip, we had a baby shower for laura. it was so nice to see so many faces we haven't seen in a while...but even more so, i enjoyed having laura around for the few days she was here. it's not the same with her and robert so far away, though i know it's where the Lord has them for now. she and i are due with our babies on the same day (crazy, i know!) so it's fun comparing our bellies and pregnancy tales. it will be so interesting to see the Lord's timing in bringing these two cousins into the world! 2 Christmas babies? who knows!

tears of joy

as church ended today, i had tears of joy trickling down my cheeks. i was lost in thankfulness to the Lord for Jesus and His finished work on the cross, His love for me and how He continues to work in my heart. i was thankful for my husband who loves God and whom i love dearly. and i was thankful for our church body. they had an altar call this morning for those who know the Lord as Savior, but have not let Him be "Master of the House." in other words, they don't allow him into certain areas of their lives or to interfere with their plans because it's an inconvenience. anyone who's been at an altar call before can testify that they can be intimidating or embarassing...but today, i stood in awe. people walked down the aisles in humility, asking to be prayed for, because they desired to let God rule in all areas of their lives. then the amazing part happened...friends and family members came down as well to pray for them and with them...it was such a display of love, fellowship, accountability, and genuine care that all i could do was cry. then add the worship songs we sang, along with watching countless people pouring out their hearts to the Lord with hands held high...it was amazing and all i could do was cry tears of joy and thankfulness. what a great God we serve.