What do you think?

(my friends Abigail (left) and Ashley White (middle) and I (right) at Jr/Sr retreat this summer. Its the only good picture I could find with both of us in it. And, I like posting pictures!)

My wise and lovely friend Ashley White (affectionately called 'Dubs') and I were talking today about dwelling on the future.

Thinking about the future is good. But really, how much is too much?

Dubs and I go to the same church and school, and our pastor as well as our teachers speak often about purpose and calling and hope and destiny. Their words are so rousing and inspiring.

I'm curious what you think, where is the line between dwelling too much on the unknown future, and looking forward with expectant joy to see what the Lord will do?

First day back at School!!!!

And judging by the fabulous brunch we had in the Senior room, its going to be an awesome year!!! Nothing kicks off a school year like cute mommies bringing yummy food!

King's Mountain Camp

My school begins each year with a week of camp. Every student and many of the teachers come. Its tradition. Its rare. Its powerful. Its wonderful. The Senior class leads the camp, surprising the students with the theme of the week and preparing all of the activities. Since 6th grade I've watched the incredible leadership of the upperclassmen and this past week was such an amazing culmination of the 7 year long journey as my classmates and I finally lead the student body at King's Mountain Camp.
This is the huddle of returning alumni praying over the senior class on the last night as we signed the honor code.

The Seniors then prayed over each class indiviually as they were called up to sign. I pretty much cried the whole time, especial while praying over Joseph's and then Lela Grace's classes.

This is my class. 16 girls and 7 guys. Goodness I love them. We look kind of crazy b/c we had all just gotten out of our Cowboy and Indian costumes (hence the face paint).

We traditionally kick off the week with a flour war. Call us crazy. You'll be right. I still have flour in my hair. :)

The entire student body grades 5-12 after the flour and water balloon war. They are absolutely disgusting and I don't think there is a group of people I love more anywhere.

I learned so much this week. God has really been healing my heart and its been incredible.

The summer between my sophomore and junior year I visited New Hope Uganda (my friend Elle went with me, she is up there in the blue v neck and the 2 long brown braids). While there I went into some missionaries' house. I can't really describe it, but their ministry and situation was/is almost exactly what I have dreamed of and hope for. I only met the mother of the family for about an hour but I told her that I was basically looking at what I hoped to live one day and it as so encouraging yada yada yada.

She didn't let me ramble very long. She stopped me and looked me in the eye and asked me how old I was. When I told her I was 16 she exhorted me to live where I was. To not get to caught up in what I hoped for one day, but to cherish the time now. The entire interchange took maybe 5 minutes, and I've never seen or heard from her again. But her wisdom stuck with me. She was right.

See, for several years I had let my future calling define me almost completely. I talked and talked about how I would go to Africa one day and about what my life was going to look like.
Here is the thing: "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by streams of water that yeilds its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers." ~Psalm 1:1-3~ I believe that I am just as called to be in this school, in this place, in this time as I am to adopt children, or be a mother, or minister in Africa, or anything else. I believe that my calling as a daughter, as student, a sister, and a member of my church are in one sense more important at this time than the more impressive or more specific callings for the future, because only the Lord knows the number of my days.

I believe that more often than not, God calls us to BE something, rather than to DO something, and that the things we do are simply outworkings of who we are.

I so often let the things I do or the things I want to do define me. But if you think about it, God does not need our work. He doesn't need our most wonderful works. He doesn't. In fact, He doesn't even ask for them. What He asks for is us. Is me. My heart, my life, my dreams, my thoughts, my praise, my love, my all. I am primarily called to be His child, where I am planted. And the more I scramble to do 'stuff' the more wonderful opportunities I miss. I am so grateful for the words of wisdom spoken to me by the missionary in Uganda, because there are so many things I almost missed.

Look around where you are. God is doing something incredible in your midst. Is it possible to work out your calling even where you stand, instead of waiting for some moment when it will hit you like a bolt of lightning.

Lightning doesn't last long.

But the Word of the Lord stands forever.

And the funny thing is, the less we focus on doing, the more we see what God has done.

Matthew 11:25-30

"At that time Jesus declared, 'I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him. Come to me, all who labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

And you will find rest for your souls.

Hey Folks

So, I know its been fifty years since I've posted anything real. I really am sorry. Its been a lot of working and a lot of family-ing this summer, as well as a lot of spiritual stuff to wrestle through. I'm still working on that. Lord have mercy.

Anyhow, I have missed you guys! The "Eight" family is still living in our basement, it will be two months in a couple of days. Its still going well, but I really want them to have a more permanent place for their sakes.

I'm still really wishing for another brother or sister of course, but I really think that the next person to adopt in this family will be me (and hopefully my elusive husband :).

Some dear friends of ours recently (like, last week) came home from Ethiopia with their sweet, one year old boys, Moses and Augustine. We love their family so much and fellowship with them at church and at school. I'm so glad to finally have these boys who we have been praying for for 2 years home! They're pretty much adorable, and Moses is from the same village as Michael and Julia! Hey, maybe they're cousins. :)

Our school starts off with a week of camp which is totally run by the senior class each year. I've so enjoyed being part of the planning for that and knowing all the secrets and preparing all the surprises! I head up with my classmates to King's Mountain Camp this coming Monday and my brother and sister and the rest of the school with ride up in buses the next day. School officially starts for the 3 of us the following week with Michael and Julia doing pre-k at home.

Well, there you are for a very newsie, pictureless post. Sorry, I know those are the most boring kind. I'll try to do something fantastically interesting in the coming days just for your sake. :)

ps! another reason I haven't been posting is because someone has been posting ridiculous comments, but I finally figured out the way (I'm not so tech savvy) to moderate comments. Sorry for all you real people out their, some wacky person with a really long Chinese name is making everyone suffer.