Living in this beautiful, broken world...

This gorgeous tree stands behind the Chapel at Grove City College

There are very few things that I enjoy more than Fall...

The Blue Heron, Red Trees, Wolf Creek...beautiful. 

I attempt cool photography...

More amateur photography 

**I went outside and took pictures on campus yesterday.  I've posted just a few.

**Sometimes I walk outside and barely notice the weather, the trees, the animals, the sunshine...and sometimes I walk outside and am absolutely mind-blown by how gorgeous God has made our world.  Even with all the sin, fallenness and brokenness that we live in, there is so much  beauty.

**I pray that not only would I notice God and His creation each time I leave my dorm, but that it all would drive me to the Cross, where I can fall on my knees and worship the Creator.  My Creator.

**"For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made."  Romans 1:20

Because it's a good day for ten...

10/10/10

Ten things for today:

*I wore bright yellow capris that reminded me of sunshine and my mother

*I ate Sweet CeCe's ice cream for the first time: Hello, new favorite ice cream place.

*Thank you to Eric Hancox and John Piper, for reminding me what true joy is and what godly love looks like.

*I studied. Enough said.

*Church was different: a media service on the Sovereignty of God, even during suffering.  Came at a perfect time.  Ironic?  I think not.

*It was 77 degrees and sunny. I love Fall.

*My Redeemer Lives, by Nicole C. Mullen.  New favorite song of the week.  Why?  Because, good gravy, she can sing!  And oh, the beautiful truth of the lyrics!

*I changed my current favorite candy to Airheads.

*My sister's antics made me giggle.

*The Steelers did not play, as they had a bye: no football today.

That's all.

Autumn Wonders

My heart is happy.
No, that doesn't mean life is perfect. I still have achy wrists, and a problematic knee. I still have too much studying and not enough time.  I still overbook myself.  I still have hard days. I still feel like I'm not keeping in touch with the outside world and my friends well.  I still struggle with sin. But my heart is happy.
God has been teaching me this semester like never before.  His Word has come alive to me.  He has shown me His grace. He has been showing me the need to preach the Gospel to myself continually.  He has been teaching me what sincere love looks like, and how lacking I am in it. He has been demonstrating His relentless pursuit of my heart and has been so merciful to me.
I am content at school.  It has been awhile since I felt this way.  I am grateful to be in this place.  I am enjoying my classes, the routines that I have, sharing a room with my sister, getting more involved with my church and growing my friendships.  Currently, I am most enjoying watching the campus be swept into the whirlwind of Fall.
Fall. I cannot say exactly why I love this season - not in complete sentences, anyways.  Perhaps phrases and thoughts will suffice:
Crisp, crunchy apples; brightly colored trees; cool winds blowing; the smell of burning leaves; pumpkin patches; fall break at home with my family; drinking warm apple cider; sitting in front of the fireplace; memories that come because of the weather; sweatshirts and jeans; family time; Thanksgiving...
I am blessed by the changing seasons.  Some days I wish it was Fall all year round but I am thankful it comes when it does, so that I appreciate it's beauty and uniqueness even more.
This Fall has been a time of growth, change, learning, contentment and peacefulness for me.
Mark 7:37: "He does all things well." It has been a joyful season, seeing and acknowledging this in my life. May that solid truth be something I cling to even when the days are hard.  But for now,
My heart is happy.