I AM

"Therefore, behold, I will allure her,

and bring her into the wilderness, 

and speak tenderly to her."

(Hosea 2:14)

And that's exactly what God did this weekend.

He pulled me away to the mountains and spoke words of love over me.  

I went up with some friends and their family.  We...

-camped

-hiked

-slept under the stars

-fished

-shot guns

-played games around the campfire

-laughed (I mostly snorted) 

-swam in the river

-skipped rocks

-sang country songs

-played some football

-and held a snake (I was shaking/freaking out the whole time...but I held it! haha)

As I sat on a warm rock, listening to the river play its melody, felt the sun on my face, and slowly reeled in my fishing line, everything seemed right in the world.  Have you ever had one of those moments?  You take a deep breath, soak it all in.  Savor the moment.  And thank God that he, "Leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul" (Psalm 23:3).

Not only so, but I had a few moments like that this weekend.  Resting on the top of a mountain, listening to the wind, feeling the sun warm my skin.  Cocooned in my sleeping bag, cool wind on my face, silence all around, and a sky filled with bright stars. 

The LORD of the universe, the great I AM, allures us.  He takes us by the hand, leads us to the place where our heart is content, and speaks words of peace and love over us.

What more could we ask for?

What more could we be thankful for?

We have a God that loves us.  A God that is living and active. I was reminded on Sunday that our God lives in the present.  Yahweh, the I AM.  He didn't say he is the "I WAS" or "I WILL BE."  He is the I AM.  The here and now.  Working through us, in us, around us at all times.

This song embodies that.  We sang it at church. So incredible.

I love that even in the midst of screwing up or in the middle of chaos, God is still working in our hearts.  Preparing us for what he has in the future.  Making us more like Him.  Couldn't be more thankful.

Dad's first week of brain radiation was a little discouraging.  We haven't seen improvement with his left arm or leg.  He has been very sick and tired all week.  He said it feels like he just had chemo.  We're praying this week, that will change!  

I truly can't thank all of you enough for all the prayers & encouragement.  It is one of the biggest blessings to be surrounded by you all.  I think you deserve an award ;)  So awesome!  But yeah, please continue to pray over dad: for his strength mentally, physically & spiritually.