dai·li·ness

a random collection of thoughts and memories

------------------------

Last Thursday I had the opportunity to watch three children while their parents and older siblings went out for the evening.  They were from the south, and the southern drawls on the children were so fun.

We headed outside to play in the yard before supper.  The two youngest (ages 6 and 3) quickly picked 'who they would be' as we started playing house..  The little girl wanted to be the dog, the three-year old the son.  There was an awkard silence as the eight year-old boy looked at me with an almost embarrassed look on his face.  Amused, I thought that it might be because he didn't want us to be the 'mom and dad'.  So I decided to ease his thoughts and offered that he could be the Dad and I could be the daughter.

He thought for a moment, furrowing his brow in concentration.  Then he answered in all seriousness with his southern accent  "Yeah, that's a good idea. . .seeing that I don't want to have to marry you."  Oh, how hard it was to keep from laughing!

----------------------------

Today was a day full of laundry - mounds and mounds of it.  Four of us girls were working on it pretty much all day, along with wiping down bathrooms and emptying garbages.  It is amazing how enjoyable such work can be when with friends.  And I am so blessed to be able to serve even in the little ways, to in a small way be part of the ministry here.

---------------------------

The evenings have been typically quiet these past few weeks and I have instigated a new tradition; listening to a sermon by Paul Washer before bed.  The few peaceful hours from about eight o'clock and on have become some of my favourites as I watch the sun set from my window and putz around my room.  What a gift this time has been, surrounded by the truth of God's Word and the beauty of His creation.  I'd encourage you to go on to sermon audio and download a couple of Paul Washer's sermons or you can start here. 

--------------------------

the sun has just set, and the world outside my window is again cloaked in shadows. 

it changes everything

If you are a child of the King,

nothing on this earth can satisfy you. 

Nothing

-Paul Washer-

{today}



photo by Kristi

 . . .is a good day for reading.

The wind is gently blowing, the dorm is quiet.  There is a stack of books by my bed that have been there for a long time now, and my mental list of books to read seems to be continually increasing. 

One of the books I'm reading through is the Scottish Chiefs {wish I had a copy as amazing as the one in the picture!}. 

It has been about a year since I first read it.  Friday nights during the Selah they read it aloud but I missed every one but the last {which put me in such a Scottish mood I was humming 'Loch Lomond' all the rest of the evening}  So I decided that these next three weeks would be a good opportunity to reread it. 

Every once and a while I'll put down my book and hop up to clean a room or make a bed in preparation for the conference this weekend.

But I keep coming back to my room and the stack of books.

consecration

Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes,

all my own desires and hopes and accept Thy will for my life. 

I give myself, my life, my all utterly to Thee to be Thine forever. 

Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit. 

Use me as Thou wilt, work out Thy whole will in my life

at any cost, now and forever.

-Betty Stam-

{I first read about John and Betty Stam this past fall, and the Lord truly used the testimony of Betty's life to bring me closer to Him.  Reading journal exerpts and letters gave a glimpse into her heart, marked by complete consecration to her King.  And what an impact it made knowing that she 'loved not her life unto death' but remained faithful until the end.} 

surprises

The campus is full of secrets and surprises this weekend.  Most of the conversations you overhear at meals are vague but meaningful,  "How is the 'stuff' coming along",  "Oh, I need to talk to you about, yeah, you know what."

Surprises are being planned from - 

the graduating students forthe staff.

the nongraduating students for those who are graduating.

the staff for all the students.

All to be unveiled tomorrow. 

Settling In

I’m feeling like I’m getting back into life down here at my campus home as I had to kill three spiders in the bathroom this morning. It’s strange the things that can feel ‘homey’  :)  

the lilacs are blooming here on campus!





We are preparing for a graduation here, which is bittersweet.  The summer students who have been here for a year will be commissioned Sunday.  Though it will be hard saying goodbye to friends and to send them off, I am so excited about all that the Lord has in store for them. 

The world needs more young people like them - radically surrendered to the Lord and willing to go to the ends of the earth to serve their King.  They have continually spurred me on in my own walk and I know that they will have such impactful ministries wherever God leads them.

just a wee note. . .

. . .to say that I'm here. 

Woke up in Canada, had lunch in the States.

Modern travel is quite something :) 

And thank you, all who were praying.  Travelling and customs went so smoothly, which was such an answer to prayer. 

Now. . .to go and unpack again!