happy thurs!

CLAIRE! i'm glad to see you back on the blog. haha it sounded like you gave yourself a cartoon name or something---the silent blogger??? you are funny!
i love this blog too---mainly because i get to keep up with ya'll and we can all be involved (even though we are miles apart) in each others' lives. it is gloomy and depressing here in mtown but weather like that always still reminds me of God's beauty, power, majesty, and even tenderness because rainy weather is almost peaceful to me. i have been reading a book called "for women only" and it seems like the main running theme in the book is trust. and how the guy needs for us as women to let them know that we trust in them and believe they can do things. but even beyond that issue, i've been thinking alot about trusting Jesus and His Word. last night, katie and i discussed how we had both been in kindof a season off and on of doubt and doubting our faith. and she was talking about a sermon she was listening to recently about how those doubts are in turn for good, because they draw us nearer to God. they kindof "wake us up" in a sense if maybe we have been lacking in the Word or spending time with Him. i know those doubts always bring me into a reality that He is near and nearer than we can even imagine...yet we still try to run and hide. so, all of that to say even in those seasons of doubt that we think are "wrong" and make us not Christians, the Lord can use those for our growth.
ya'll ALL need to read "for women only". it is not just for marriage/dating relationships, i think can definitely pertain to how we relate to men in general---even in friendships or with our dads. it is so so good. there is also a book for men called "for men only" haha obviously....and i actually want to read it just to see the information that is in it and how they describe the wants and needs of women.
sarah---you definitely should get the song "without words" by the shelley moore band. it is really good and very calm and relaxing. i love it.
i feel like all i have been doing lately is school...and interacting with people...and that makes me SO DRAINED. at the end of the day, all i want is down time. i want to start reading a book of the Bible to kindof have a little more push and motivation to stay on track in the Word. i try to read a verse or two a day before i go into school, and actually SO many times it is very refreshing and something i absolutely needed to hear that day. it has been sortof strange lately how my attitude is slowly changing. i can feel the presence and power of the Holy Spirit moving me into situations and opportunities of emptying me of self and into Himself. it is really weird. my relationship with others and with my family has changed and for a long time i felt obligated and almost forced to do things for people and it was without joy and a servant's spirit. and now i feel like doing things because i see in perspective the love of Jesus and His sacrifice that brought me where i am. and i feel a sense of joy in doing those things that for the longest time would have made me so frustrated and upset to do---little things like emptying the dishwasher or taking out trash or cleaning up after myself or others. and in the dental hygiene clinic, every interaction with my patient and every conversation i try not to take for granted. it is such an opportunity for sharing the Gospel and also an opportunity for the Lord to work in me through the people i meet and get to talk to every day. i'm not sure if this change is something "new" or something the Lord has been churning and working in my heart for a long time...but i just feel different and see things in a different light. it is really neat.
WELL--- sorry for the rambling. looking forward to hearing updates and new things with ya'll. and kate--thank you for that verse the other day that you sent...i think hebrews something. it was so good. read nehemiah 9 (i think i sent that in a text) when you get a chance AND mark 11:24. ya'll are great, much love!