Thank God for your coffee :)

A week ago, today we still did not have power. God really taught me a lot through those few days without power. Last Sunday I was on my way home from church and all I could think about was how bad I wanted to make a cup of coffee so I could finish some work for an online class and then do reading for school. As we drove home, we saw trees everywhere and power lines sparking but I did not think anything of it. I got to my dorm and noticed how dark it was, then I realized we were without power, and at first I was mad because now I was inconvenienced and I was unable to drink coffee or do work online and reading in my room was hard without light. I went outside, watched the storm, and talked to people as we all tried to figure out what was going on and if anything was open, so we could do work and study. We found out that the school was going to feed us dinner that night, and when I walked into the cafeteria at eight the Lord humbled me, standing behind the counter to serve dinner was the Mohlers, the president of this school and his wife came to campus to serve us. In that moment, God reminded me of all the things I thought and said that day and how selfish I was being. He used this week to show me how many blessings I have in my life and how much I take things for granted like being able to do something simple like make coffee, not everyone has that blessing. It was nice not having power after a while because students talked to each other more, we got out of our rooms and helped out around campus, and we had real fellowship with each other, I was able to spend real uninterrupted time with God every day. Sunday night after dinner was so beautiful, you could actually see the sky w/out all the lights the campus usually has. I sat outside in the dark talking to people and singing worship songs. We looked up into the sky and there was a beautiful full moon that we would have missed if all the light had been on and we did not have this time to stop and meditate on God and his creation. For Dr. Wares class we have been meditating on Palm 19 for the last month and as we sat there one of the guys started to recite it. That Psalm took on new meaning after watching the storm that day and then seeing a full moon without lights on anywhere. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork, Psalm 19:1. It was such a gift of God not to have classes for a week even those I love classes and was sad not to have them, it was nice to have a break, to get some reading done, to spend extra time with him and sense my Aunt died on Tuesday it was nice to not have to go to class thinking about that. I love this school they took very good care of us and made sure we had 3 meals a day even when we did not have power they made it work. God showed me how blessed I am and how its easy to take that for granted.

Life here is good but it can be real hard. In the last few days I feel as if God has been testing me like never before or the enemy is attacking me or both (thank you to those at home who know whats going on and who have been there and Happy I love you its that simple) Its hard but at the same time such a sweet time because God is showing me over and over again in all of this that he is so much better. He is better! And he is bigger, he is bigger then any test, any pain, any hurt, he is. He is also showing me that there is purpose in this season as there is purpose in all seasons and that my identity is found in him. It has been a hard reminder that I need to live for his approval and not the approval of others....my identity is found in him alone and my hope is in him alone.

Sorry it has taken so long to update this thing but with the power being out, my aunt dying, and the other stuff that's been going on I've been spending most of my time seeking the one who holds it all together and holds me together. Wherever you are today dear brothers and sisters know that God is Good, he is Good in all things! No matter what season you are in weather it be a good one or a broken one God is in it with you and he is Good. Put your hope in him not in the things of this world and remember to thank him today for your cup of coffee hehe :)