I milked a cow this morning!!! (not very well, but I've got time to learn)

So yep, I'm getting settled in at Celo. I spent a few days in Asheville with some friends that just moved there... and trained to do some door to door marketing (if and when I choose to). I think this is going to be a splendid summer!

Love, love. Bye.

Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being? declares the LORD. This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.

I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.

When you see this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass; the hand of the LORD will be made known to his servants, but his fury will be shown to his foes.

I'm loving the last chapter of Isaiah this morning. I need my God that is the mastermind Creator of the Universe... (beyond big).  I also need His promises to hold His people like a mother comforts a baby.  He is faithful to His word and will both reward and punish.  This morning I needed to be reminded the roles HE FILLS.  God I'm sorry for being so self-centered.

analogous reflections

this is a time of letting go of plans that were made and hopes that were never realized. this picture that i had painted in my mind of the next few years is dripping and blurring. that paint i had used included many projected expectations. conversation turns to future plans and my hands turn cold from a surge of adrenaline in my body. i want something more than "i don't know" but planning is so hard for me!

i see myself on a dance floor with God. it'd be easier if he'd just tie strings around my limbs and drag them along in marionette fashion. what's all this about the desires of my heart? i don't know them very well. the strings i thought would lead my dance have fallen to the floor. i can move. but what will it look like? first i want to hear His Song inside of me until i know it so well that each step is on the beat. so i'm waiting and listening ... when i open my eyes to the other dancers swirling around me i either hear the liar's voice whispering that i'll never dance like that or i stop-amazed at their beauty and strength-and sit down in the audience forgetting i was made to move too. this open space is meant to be celebrated but that dumb slavegirl mentality of my old self doesn't know what to do with all the freedom.

God, burn away the choking weeds that clutter my mind. cut the soil, turn me over till all i know is hunger for Life-giving water and sun. through death to self make this empty pot a fertile womb.

rejoice in the Lord always

Now I understand something I heard in a sermon a couple years ago.  The preacher said that Christ may have actually sang the words from Psalm 118 "this is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it" before going to the cross.

The way this might be possible is because after Christ and his disciples ate the Passover meal they sang praises (according to Matthew and Mark's accounts). These praises after the Passover meal were called the "hallel" and included Psalm 113-118. So it could be true. Just before Judas betrayed him and the Jews condemned him and the Romans crucified him, he led the disciples in a celebration.

Whether he sang those words or not, he definately had this kind of joyful surrender that I can hardly imagine having! "For the joy set before him" Christ endured the cross.

I want to be like that.

I had a good week. I put about 600 miles behind me and made some sweet memories with family and friends. Now I've got to buckle down and do homework and such. But it sure is nice to have my own time 24/7! Clocking in and clocking out is a good thing... but I do feel a little sad for Mrs. E. Thursday I saw her and she told Ruth she could go home because I was back. : (  I'll go visit her though! But it's a big change.

I am definately moving into hippieville, NC for the summer! organic food and drink and hairy pits for all... demonstrators and dorky bumperstickers. well... most bumperstickers are, really. Micah told me he knows one lady that will make you replant weeds if you pull them and would say 'kill the babies, save the trees.' YIKES. I wonder what my housemate will be like? Her name is Anna. That will be nice... Anna, Andrea, Anne, Ana and Annie! What a crew we'll be!

Micah will be my favorite part of the summer I think. Micah and the river, the garden and the kids running around... Gotta go!