Its been a long while sine I updated. Sometimes, I feel full of words and they spill from my heart as fast as I can type. Other times, it just feels like its all been said or maybe doesn't need to be said at all.
But I know so many of you continue to care and pray and support us. The weariness I feel in our story is strictly my own. Our community just continues to pour out love. Thank you for that.
Yesterday we went to Pennsylvania to pick up Amanda from her freshman year at Summit, the Bible College where she spent the last year. What a special, beautiful, sacred place.
My mind couldn't help but recall just one year ago when my girls and I stepped on campus for the first time to witness the graduation of our friend Sarah. Sitting in my seat that day it was on my heart that Amanda could go there but it seemed so far from a possibility. But God has worked miracles in these last 365 days! He has shown such extravagant and personal love. He has answered prayers and showed me I don't pray big enough prayers.
After the graduation ceremony, I had a few moments alone while I waited for the rest. As I took in the beauty of the campus and the joyous celebrations of graduates and their families, an unbidden lump rose to my throat. Briefly I wondered, will I be here next year when Amanda walks across that stage to receive her diploma?
Hours before, an overflowing congregation and graduating class sung, with great gusto, In Christ Alone. Its a powerful song that I can't sing without crying. From my favorite stanza:
I don't know all of God's ways and this weekend it struck me how grateful I am that God doesn't take our prayers as his to-do list. He is good and does things I wouldn't even know to ask for. Though I don't understand how it all works, I take such comfort in knowing he is sovereign and Jesus is the one who commands my destiny.
The power of Christ in me means I can have sturdy suffering. I can't find where I heard that throw-away phrase, but I've latched onto it. Our pain, the hard of life, does not need to be our undoing. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! Sturdy suffering.
Potent words "sturdy suffering". Our suffering is varied, according as He desires, and this has been a hard realization for me after almost 30 years with a chronic immune disease. I do pray for you and your family. The verse you wrote of "In Christ Alone" always brings tears to my eyes. So true. Blessings . . .
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