Back at work again

My mentor suggested we meet after the dust settles as we all begin a new semester. Then in one of my replies to something we were discussing over email, I said, "Gosh!!!!!!"

And he immediately offered to meet sooner rather than later because I included so many exclamation marks. He is super sweet.

But nothing's wrong. I used a lot of exclamation marks because I've been having trouble getting back into a respectable work routine and for that moment--and actually even now--I don't feel very motivated to get back into work.

I'm sure God wouldn't approve, but wouldn't it be nice if life were a nice long vacation?

Summer storms

adulting

“The crisis of identity is fundamentally a spiritual crisis. In terms of our faith development we are far enough along in life to know what matters to us most and what our faith represents—a complete adult trust in God as reflected in our resolve to love God and others. If we face ourselves honestly, doubtlessly we will know that no matter how accomplished we are or how talented or how capable or how connected we might be, we are not really in control” (66).

-- Gordon Smith, Courage and Calling

Joy

Gordon Smith's definition of joy: “....rooted in confidence in the goodness of God, trust in his providential care and hope in the ultimate triumph of justice and peace” (160).

Phew

Retour

The highlight of returning to a less than ideal reality: getting my hands on books I ordered while I was away. Three of them by Tim Keller.

Blessings beyond compare

I feel like I lived several different lifetimes in the last few months. Not all of has been easy, but I can say that God is still good. I couldn't have planned the last few months the way they have unfolded. Sure, I would get rid of the hard parts, and that's probably why God wouldn't let me plan my life.

What will the next few months look like, I wonder?

Croatia

The water is so clear you can even see to the bottom at night.

Mediocre dinner because my mom got impatient so I sat down at the nearest restaurant. Worst food I've ever had in Italy....