Rain, never, never go away!

This morning was a beautiful morning! I woke up to a beautiful swirly hue of orange glowing sunlight - the sign of rain!! I know I may sound so weird to my fellow Oregonians, but I miss the rain so much!!!! The rain is such a blessing - it cleanses and washes. It makes me want to do 2 things: 1 - go outside and walk and run in the rain; 2 - stay inside, brew some coffee-pressed coffee, and curl up in a blanket on my sofa and read a book.

It reminds me of a Nichole Nordeman song "Gratitude" - it's such a beautiful song.

Send some rain, would You send some rain?'

Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again

And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade

Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?

Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down

Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid

But maybe not, not todayMaybe You'll provide in other ways

And if that's the case ...

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude

For lessons learned in how to thirst for You

How to bless the very sun that warms our face

If You never send us rainDaily bread, give us daily bread

Bless our bodies, keep our children fed

Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight

Wrap us up and warm us through

Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs

Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time

Or maybe not, not todayMaybe You'll provide in other ways

And if that's the case ...

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude

A lesson learned to hunger after You

That a starry sky offers a better view

If no roof is overheadAnd if we never taste that bread

Oh, the differences that often are between

Everything we want and what we really need

So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace

Move our hearts to hear a single beat

Between alibis and enemies tonight

Or maybe not, not today Peace might be another world away

And if that's the case ...

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude

For lessons learned in how to trust in You

That we are blessd beyond what we could ever dream

In abundance or in needAnd if You never grant us peace ...

But, Jesus, would You please ...

God is faithful!

Today was an amazing day that was filled with God's faithfulness. I often struggle and wonder if I'm making a difference when I'm teaching, and I finally understood that I'm going about it the wrong way. I am in my job because God has called me and HE wants to use me in any way that He choses - NOT how I choose! At college group worship practice last night, we sang the song "Jesus, Lover of My Soul" (not the really famous one). And I came into my choir room and worshipped in the morning before the students came and sang this song, and I welcomed the Lord into my classroom for Him to do HIS will, not mine, as "good" as mine may seem! His blessings abounded, and God was here.
I want to encourage you to invite the Lord into your life, your workplace, your family, and He will show up and show Himself as faithful and will give you strength. He is good.

"Jesus, Lover of My Soul"
It's all about you, Jesus
And all this is for you, for your glory and your fame
It's not about me, as if you should do things my way
You alone are God and I surrender to your ways

Jesus, lover of my soul
All consuming fire is in your gaze
Jesus, I want you to know
I will follow you all of my days
For no one else in history is like you
And history itself belongs to you
Alpha and Omega, you have loved me
And I will share eternity with you

Fall is almost here!

I am the BIGGEST fan of autumn there is!! Growing up in Oregon, I have always loved this change in seasons. The warm air of summer gives in to the crisp, cooler days of autumn. I faithfully watch the leaves change color. Although, I must say that I have yet to understand the systematic change that California trees go through in the fall. Some of them starts to change color in mid-September, while others like to hang onto their bright-colored leaves until new life buds in the Spring! I usually crave trips up to Oak Glen and Yucaipa to satisfy my craving for color. :) I love (and look very forward) to the Tuesday that Starbucks reintroduces the Pumpkin Spice Latte. I usually overdose on those by mid-October so no longer crave them until they are OUT of season!! So, the cycle continues, and I look forward to my back-to-school commute with my pumpkin spice latte in hand. I am a huge sentimentalist. I love taking the time to think about life, and how seasons change. (by the way, the most beautiful song that I have recently heard is "Every Season" by Nichole Nordeman. It is breathtaking!
Here's a link to the youtube video. It will bless your heart!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dwpdZdvCl8&feature=related
God is in every season, and He teaches us through the changes. He is always faithful, even during the coldest winter.

My brother's wedding

My (Michelle's) brother is married! We traveled up to Oregon for the week leading up to the wedding, and it was an amazing time. My brother has married the most wonderful, Godly and PERFECT woman for him! The wedding was absolutely beautiful and special. Enjoy some pics of God's blessings!