Learning to live for HIS glory

Hello world! :) It's Thursday... And just as good a day as any for counting blessings! Today I praise Jesus for: Our house,  And soon to be new home. God's provision for all our needs. My sister... And that I get to see her SOON! Momsey... And all her hard work for the wedding. My wonderful job... And the past 4 years of learning and growing there. Awesome co-workers... And the surprise party they threw for me last night. Water. Time. So many people who are blessing us with their talents and abilities for our wedding day. Good connections with those I'll be saying farewell to soon. Young Adults. New chapters in life, And the opportunities they give us to grow.

So last Thursday we spent all day driving and this post didn't get written. BUT, it was worth it! Cause I got to see my man. ;)   Home now,  Just over three weeks till the wedding, And still counting blessings. Today I praise Jesus for: My soon to be sister-in-laws, They're a talented group! :) Sunshine. Opportunities to rest in the craziness. My family's willingness to roadtrip to MO. Time spent with my love. Progress on the wedding checklist. My DRESS :) :) :) Journaling Emotions Time to process this crazy life. Letters. Consistent friends. Prayer.  God's grace and perfection. The tidiness that has invaded my room once more. :) Rest. Hope in our coming King. God's Words. His faithfulness.

"Like a bride, waiting for her groom We'll be a church ready for You Every heart, longing for our King We sing, even so come Lord Jesus come!" ~ Even So Come This song has been singing in my head the past few days.  It's a very familiar thought in this season of life.  Wedding preparations are in full swing, and I look forward with much anticipation to the day when all the planning will be done and I'll walk down an aisle in a white dress...to join Carl as his bride.  But as we've been preparing and planning for that day, and more importantly for our life as one afterwards, I've been thinking more about another wedding that's coming...another bride that's making herself ready, and another groom that will be coming back for His bride.   Spurgeon depicts this so well....here's what he says:  "Heaven is always Heaven and unspeakably full of blessedness—but even Heaven has its holidays, even bliss has its overflowing....

Life can be crazy, Crazy good or crazy bad, And in the midst of both sometimes, I forget to rejoice and be glad. Today I'd like to pause, Take 5 minutes of praise, To give thanks to the Lord of Power, My King, my Savior, my Friend... I praise You today, Jesus... For You are good. You are merciful. You are faithful. You are trustworthy. You are true. You are righteous. You are perfect. You are loving. You are personal. You are God. Thank You for Your many blessings, For life. For breath. For fans. For friends. For health and strength. For a wedding to plan. For Carl. For Mom. For Danae. For time to spend with ones I love. For joy in counting down the days. For Your presence with me each day. For my sister. For puzzles. For flowers. For purple, white, and green. For borrowed treasures. For treasure hunts through clothing bins. For cards. For phones. For cool summer dresses. For my family and my fam...

For those of you who may not know, a few weeks ago I finished up 4 weeks of just about drowning in school work as I attempted to fit in a month long intensive training course in ESL before the wedding.  There were many times I wanted to quit, but God's sustaining grace kept me going.  And it's official folks, I passed!  I am a CELTA graduate.  (<-that sentence may well be the largest accomplishment of my life thus far.)   But you know what?  More than being a CELTA graduate, this month helped me see my true identity with a clearer gaze.  There's nothing like having so much to do you're sure you can't get it done, praying for the strength and wisdom to somehow make it through, and seeing God answer those prayers day-in and day-out.  Physically spent and mentally exhausted, I realized more this month than ever before that I am a weak woman indwelled by an all powerful God.   In that place of utter weakness, I found grace to carry ...

It's been a long time...but I have a few moments free today.   And my heart is truly overflowing with thankfulness. It's Thursday, friends. I'm thankful for God's sustaining grace... Demonstrated: in many people's prayers, A new church family loving and caring for me, A fiance who has been by my side every step of the way through this crazy month --Doing laundry, Making me food, Helping with homework, Brainstorming, Cheering me on-- God's faithfulness, His overarching plan, Looking back, Seeing how this month has been two years in the making, Strength, Ability, Christ's enabling, Gospel moments, Flowers, J&J's open home, My green room, The hope of being almost done, Knowing I'm passing, My students (I'll miss them), So much that God has done!

My hope is in a someday that is promised me. It'a a someday filled with joy and not pain. A someday where heartache will be erased, Where new life will always be, And where the greatest Sunrise of all time will be a constant glory-- Not a fading one. Someday...the presence of the Lord I cling to in my day-to-day Will be a seen reality. Someday, worship will be my only option As I see the fulness of His glory not through a mirror dim. Someday...it's not a dream or wish, but a firm and sure foundation. Hope that's anchored on the Rock of all the ages. Distractions come and go... Other hopes may disappoint and fade. This hope remains, Forever and always, The constant of my days. "For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it." ~Romans 8:24-25 "For now we see in a mirror dimly,...