complex yet simple

Life is so complex and yet so simple. I wish I could get rid of expectations, my own and others and the cultural ones impressed upon us. God, you've come to rid us of fear and doubt and yet we still do. We doubt your very existence, which is ridiculous if you consider the very nature of our world and our universe the intricate complexities that make up an atom, a single-celled organism, a plant, an animal, a human, a thought, a soul. We are designed to know you and be in relationship with our maker, to know you and know the truth about the creator of the universe, the truth about your love for us and your grace for us. If you are love and do things from this quality that you are, then we should live in light of your love for us and not in doubt. Sin is in this world, but ultimately your plan will prevail. Bad things happen because there is sin in this world and our earth is deteriorating. Why does God allow these bad things to happen? To allow good things to happen--I really think it's that simple. To point people to Him and to love one another. If no one felt pain, how could they appreciate joy. If no one went through anything difficult, how would you know what it was to experience good things. How much more do you respect the people who have been through hell and back than those who have never experienced, deep pain, deep longing, deep desperation, deep depression, deep need, difficult trials, too many trials, too much to bare. The ones who have born these things and have come out the other side know the glory of God, the grace, the peace, and the joy. For tribulations produces perserverence; and perserverence, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not dissapoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Rom. 5:3-5

Raymond's Fortune Cookie Advice

The piece of advice I received from my 80 something year old neighbor, Raymond last night.  I feel like this should be on a fortune cookie.

walls

I've been trying to build up walls around this precious thing in my life, to protect and keep it; the more I try to keep it, the more it pulls away.  Today I give this over to you, God.  I'm letting go, I surrender it all to You, Your will be done.  I pray that my focus would turn back to You and off of myself and off of this thing.  I pray your will be done.

today

From my devotional today....


With skillful hands he led them. Ps. 78:72


"When you are unsure which course to take, totally submit your own judgment to that of the Spirit of God, asking Him to shut every door except the right one. But meanwhile keep moving ahead and consider the absence of a direct indication from God to be the evidence of His will that you are on His path.  And as you continue down the long road, you will find that He has gone before you, locking doors you otherwise would have been inclined to enter.  Yet you can be sure that somewhere beyond the locked doors is one He has left unlocked.  And when you open it and walk through, you will find yourself face to face with a turn in the river of opportunity--one that is broader and deeper than anything you ever dared to imagine, even in your wildest dreams.  So set sail on it, because it flows to the open sea.


God often guides us through our circumstances.  One moment, our way may seem totally blocked, but then suddenly some seemingly trivial incident occurs, appearing as nothing to others but speaking volumes to the keen eye of faith.  And sometimes these events are repeated in various ways in response to our prayers.  They certainly are not haphazard results of chance but are God opening up the way we should walk, by directing our circumstances.  And they begin to multiply as we advance toward our goal, just as the lights of a city seem to increase as we speed toward it while traveling at night."  
--F.B. Meyer, from Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman 


Father, I need Your wisdom and your strength, please guide me in the direction of obedience and Your will, please give me discernment with the days ahead and lead me.  May my life reflect Your truth and Your glory.

I love visiting Gary & Elaine

Ever since I met Gary and Elaine I haven't stopped laughing...I know you will enjoy them as much as I do...Gary & Elaine from Catalog Living.

good day L.A.

Recently Sky and decided to go on an adventure to L.A.  This adventure has begun a new work in our hearts.  We found an amazing church to attend and spend the rest of the day talking and eating and wandering--it feels so European.  Here are some photos from our day.

smiley.

silly.

a heart from the cute boys at intelligentsia, ty.

rad logo.

Sky, street.

thoughts on a run.....

1. oh dear....is that a shin splint?  shoot...I guess it's been a while, but seriously?! f.
2. oh good for them...kettle bells...hmmm I wonder what those actually work, I feel like if you used them wrong you could throw your back out.....
3.  oh yeah! down hill...
4.  smiled a "hi" at older woman
5. doot-da-doot-da-do....ahhh!/eww! (bug in eye-ball)
6. just remembered why I wear sun-glasses when I run...what a stupid bug...
7. okay, stretching time...that's a lot of ants...I wonder if those ants are getting drunk from that broken beer bottle?...I wonder what ants do when they are drunk...I wonder what would be worse: sober ants or drunk ants?
8. yes, 4 mile run it is ....
9. (looking over Jamboree bridge) I wish I had someone with me to share this with--so fricking beautiful! Wow, I live here?! 
10. hey, that girl looks like Kathleen's sister...what was her name?...what was her name?--I should know her name....I can see her face...I totally forgot.
11. yes!  this feels okay--way to catch up legs!
12. ugh, a hill...I hate hills....you can do it...little bit further....if she can do it, you can totally do it....yea! made it, home stretch.

Look how her garden grows!

It's been a while my friends, but while I've been busy at work my little garden has been flourishing.  Due to my garden consultant, Carrie Dunn, it has been properly pruned and maintained.  I have been able to harvest radishes, strawberries, basil, and soon lettuce and string beans! Below you will see some highlights from this week.

In order to grow in my gardening skills I began attending edible gardening classes at Roger's Garden and have been learning all sorts of interesting things...ie. there are no organic pesticides to kill grasshoppers...great...and that I will have to "breed"/"mate" my corn crop (good thing I have two!--don't want to have incestuous corn).

  

string beans

corn

lettuce

     radish about to be picked

                                                  

harvested radish

tomatoes--waiting patiently for them to turn yellow

(yellow pear tomatoes)

I'm currently taking suggestions and requests for fall and winter growth.