How can it already be the beginning of my junior year? A month into it, really. Wow.
In the past month, I have seen the Lord's faithfulness and looked to HIM as my steady constant in this moving, changing world. Psalm 62:1-2 continues to be at the front of my mind as I think of Him:
"I am at rest in God alone. My salvation comes from Him. He is my rock and my salvation; my stronghold. I will never be shaken."
When this world shakes us, we can only cling to the Lord. As things around me change (and change is hard on this super sentimental heart), I know He is right in front of me, leading the way, and speaking to me as I go.
In the midst of change and some discontentment, I am reminded that He has me right where He wants me. And that is truly the absolutely best place to be. I must rest in Him. 1 Timothy 6:6 says, "But godliness with contentment is great gain." I'm learning that godliness is that pressing into the Lord, seeking His heart, and desiring to know Him more. Along with that though, He calls us to contentment in relying on Him. So, though my life today be changing, as I press into the Lord and wait on Him with contentment, I am promised great gain.
(Teacher inside of me...):
Godliness + contentment = great gain
I never posted about my summer!! Wow. And this was a summer for the books. : )
Four of my best friends and I traveled to Europe for the adventure of a lifetime. As I look back on it, I still can hardly believe we did it...and that our parents let us for that matter!
Our trip highlights included:
- Our flight being cancelled (of course) and us being rerouted through a different airline
- Only 2 bags arriving in Italy. Yes, five girls sharing 2 pieces of luggage does make for an adventure.
- Trying to track down our bags via phone, internet, (wish we spoke Italian)/our parents racking up huge phone bills calling the Milan airport/sharing sharing sharing everything!
- All wearing cute outfits finally (lots of sharing), taking a tour of the Coliseum, and rain coming from nowhere and SOAKING us
- One suitcase arrives in Rome!! Hooray!
- Most gorgeous trainride of my life: Rome to Florence
- FIRENZE: favorite city of Europe: cappuccionos, art everywhere, street musicians, the Duomo, seeing Texas friends, gelato, gelato, gelato.
- Getting my luggage after 6 days of being without it in a foreign country: priceless.
- Venice: gorgeous hot weather, browsing around the countless alleys and bridges, cute stationary shops, a gondola ride complete with the Aggie War Hymn, meeting friends from Arkansas. Small world.
- Train ride to Austria: slow train, no air conditioning, hot hours, sitting by an old German couple and a famous tennis player from Virginia Tech who grew up in Croatia. Cool.
- Alps. Most gorgeous views of my life!
- Sound of Music Tour wearing sundresses in the sunshine.
- Apple Strudel in the little Austrian village where Maria and Captain Von Trapp got married. eeeeeeh!
- Bavarian Mountain Salt Mine Tour. Hilarious moment when our tour guide told us we were going to GERMANY! Who knew?
- Going to the top of Mt. Pilatus and having a quiet time and listening to our iPods. We were on top of the world. Literally.
- Celebrating my birthday (early) in Paris at the Hard Rock Cafe
- Seeing the Eiffel Tower glow with lights at night
- Coffee and pastries with my best friend. In PARIS.
- Browsing through the Chanel Fine Jewelry store wearing my backpack, skinny jeans, tennis shoes, and sweatshirt (long story, but we couldn't get our luggage where we needed it to go...and had to tow it with us...) When we asked where we could buy Chanel makeup, the stunning French lady told us that we were in the Fine Jewelry store. Oops.
- Versailles, Louvre, Orangerie, seeing Monet and Renoir....wow.
- Getting to go with four amazing girls.....seeing the world....seeing the Lord all over the world. Such a wonderful blessing!
The rest of the summer I was home sweet home. I read a ton: A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken will forever remain at the top of my favorite books list.
God is good. Rest in Him today.