So many things in a year. I looked for God's sovereignty this time last year. He was Sovereign. I'm looking for it this year, and even though this year looks very different, He is still Sovereign. I pray I will remember that.

We sang this song in church this morning and it brought tears to my eyes. I'm glad He knows what He's doing.

Hello, World.
The last few months have been glorious, humbling, thrilling, the best-ever in many ways, disappointing, faith-building, schtrrrrrrrretching, sad, feeling like I was living life on the edge, thought-provoking --(emotion provoking, for that matter), and a whirlwind. I've been to Romania and back, umpteen million doctors have seen me (not really, but close), and I've started back to work.
A lot more has happened than that. Also, something changed in my heart. I'm glad my heart hasn't been left to its lonesome. God has been at my side--actually, He's carried me and not put me down. He's been with me wherever He's taken me. If it weren't for Him and His unchanging ways, I couldn't have survived the last few months.
Here I am. Today I'll walk on the path meant for today.

Here is an excerpt from the book I am reading right now--"Lies Women Believe" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I thought it was so powerful, I wanted to share it with you! Ever felt this way with sin?

---

"Dear diary,

My head is spinning. I hardly know where to start. This day started out so perfectly--like every other day we've ever had. As we always do, Adam and I got up early to take a walk with God. Those walks have always been the highlight of our day.

This morning, no one said anything for a while. We just enjoyed being together. Then God started singing. It was a love song. When He got to the chorus, we started to sing with Him--first, Adam's deep voice, then I joined in. We sang and sang and sang--songs about love and stars and joy and God. Finally, we all sat down under a big shade tree near the middle of the Garden. We thanked God for being so good, we told Him all we wanted to do was to make Him happy and to find our happiness in Him. It was such a sweet time--it always was when the three of us were together.

I don't know how to explain what happened next. All of a sudden, we heard a voice we'd never heard before. I turned and there, looking right at me was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. He talked directly to me. made me feel important, and I found myself wanting to hear what he had to say.

I'm not sure what happened to God at this point. It wasn't like He left us. I think I just kind of forgot He was there. In fact, for a while, I forgot Adam was there. I felt as if I were alone with this dazzling, mysterious creature.

The conversation that followed is indelibly etched in my mind. He asked me questions--questions I'd never thought about before. Then he offered me some things I had never had before--things I'd never thought I needed. Independence--from God and from Adam. Position--I had always looked up to God and Adam; this creature said they would look up to me. Knowledge--of mysteries known only to God. Permission--to eat the fruit from the tree in the middle of the Garden.

First, I just listened and looked. In my heart, I pondered, I questioned, I debated. Adam had reminded me many times that God had said we must not eat the fruit from that tree. The creature kept looking into my eyes and talking in that soothing voice. I found myself believing him. It flet so right. Finally, I surrendered. I reached out--cautiously at first, then more boldly. I took. I ate. I handed it to Adam. He ate. We ate together--first me, then him.

Those next moments are a blur. Sensations deep down inside that I've never had before. New awareness--like I know a secret I'm not supposed to know. Elation and depression--at the same time. Liberation. Prison. Rising. Falling. Confident. Afraid. Ashamed. Dirty. Hiding--I can't let Him see me like this.

Alone. So very alone. Lost. Deceived."

Ask, Seek, Knock.


...and it shall be given unto you.

...and you shall find.

...and the door shall be opened unto you.


It's been a hard week. New things on the horizon, many questions to ask of life, decisions to make, deadlines to meet, stray info to bridle in, tears to blot and for which to offer comfort, lives who need healed, and much prayer to Him who can handle all of the above.

"The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world and all who live in it. Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up you ancient doors, and the King of Glory may come in. Who is he, this King of Glory? THE LORD ALMIGHTY--HE IS THE KING OF GLORY."

Many things make me happy--one of which is a clean car! For those of you who don't know me really well, I really like clean cars. My last student cancelled tonight, so I got off a little early and got to vacuum my car!!! (No, not by candlelight, by flashlight. ) It hadn't been vacuumed since before Christmas. I guess there are worse things in the world.

The sad thing of today was that I said goodbye to another student. Ruby is moving to Alaska and she has been a GREAT student. You know, the type who always practiced what I told her to, had great posture, good intonation, always improved technique versus rushed ahead on her pieces. I loved having Ruby as my student. I hope she finds a good teacher. The cool thing about Ruby is that she's only five years old and she already has great habits.

I had lunch today with a friend. She is asking a lot of questions of life. Pray for her, her name starts with an M. I love it when people like that want to get together with you...it's like God "plops" them into your lap.

If you get a minute, CHECK OUT THIS AMAZING LINK.

Tonight I finished off a 2 liter of Pepsi that has been opened for almost a week. You'd think we were all health nuts or something. I've never seen pop sit around for so long. I guess you can tell my brother isn't around!

I got told "you rock" today. Does that mean I rock the boat, the chair, or their world? Or is it that I'm as hard as a rock? Just kidding. It's just funny to think about where those phrases come from...