The last day of June. Wow, how did that happen? Only one more month of summer, then everything starts back up again. I love summer, 'cause my friends don't have school, which means they can hang out more often. :)

So, my cousin Ian is a dad now. His daughter's name is Natalia. That's so hard to believe, especially since that means my aunt is a grandma. Time certainly does go by fast!

I'm looking into buying a used car. I think I'll stick with a Honda, 'cause I know they are reliable. I just have to pick which year and type of car would be best. And I'd really love for the car to be blue. I love blue cars. :)

Discontentment is so foolish!

So, here's what I've learned recently. Please take the time to read it. I want everyone to consider this.

"I deserve nothing except hell. Therefore, why should I be impatient if I do not get what I desire?" -The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment

"God knows better than any of us do what furthers our salvation. Our true happiness is to be realized precisely through His refusals, which are always mercies.
When Paul's flesh was tormented by a sharp thorn, he naturally wanted it removed. He made this request known to God, but the answer was No. God didn't change Paul's physical condition, He changed his spiritual one. He gave him what he needed more than healing. He gave him the high ministry of heaven called grace. Paul not only accepted the answer, he learned even to be very thankful for weakness itself, for 'power comes to its full strength in weakness'. " -Keep a Quiet Heart
_________________________________________________________________

I deserve hell, and nothing more. Everything I have - family, friends, job, clothes, house, food, water, even life itself - is a completely free gift of God. If I don't deserve any of those gifts, how much less do I deserve a relationship with the very One who has so richly blessed me? And yet, that is exactly what He has given me. Instead of complaining about things I want but don't have, I should be completely blown away by the fact that God has not already condemned me to hell, the only place I deserve to be. Absolutely everything I receive should be seen as a blessing, even if I don't like it, because it is far better than what I deserve.

Also, if God says No to a desire, I should see it as a way of His telling me, "This thing you want will not help you grow closer to me. Here, take this instead. It is far better for you." God wants me to stay close to Him, so it is out of love that He refuses to grant my requests. He truly knows what will help me grow near to Him, so He gives me those things. Instead of arguing when God says no to me, I should think that what I am asking for is not good for me. My loving Father is trying to keep me close to Himself.

Isn't God so amazing? He loves us all so much that He gives us far more than we deserve, the greatest blessing being a relationship with Him. On top of that, He gives us those things that will grow us closer and closer to Himself, so that we will never, never want to leave Him.

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!" Lamentations 3:22-23

things around here lately

It's been a while since I updated. Well.....
We got a vegetable garden. It's growing nicely, and the veggies are delicious!




Two of my siblings graduated this past month. I'm so proud of them! :)

Anna graduated from CPCC with an associate in arts

Wesley graduated from Sweigart Academy, and is now a college student

Anna's going to be an intern for Mission28 this coming school year. I'm so excited for her! Can't wait to see how God will use her in the lives of others.

Chick-fil-A now has a spicy chicken sandwich. It's way too spicy for me, but if you like spicy stuff, you should definitely try it.

Tonight is the Quest222 end-of-year celebration. I'm helping serve cheesecake to all the youth and their parents. Looking forward to hearing about all God's been doing in our youth group. Should be exciting! :)