Rest

Tired

Here is one of my all time favorite people...my little man Alex. There is something so healing about sleep and sweet rest. I can't think of the reference but I love the idea that even while we slumber, God is working and moving in our hearts and minds. Drew says he loves watching me sleep...says it's the time I look the most peaceful...as if the rest of my world...my anxiety just doesn't exist. Pedro the Lion's Lullaby has been running through my mind all day...

The sun shines

And leaves blow
And my hope like autumn is turning brown
I know it seems like I'm always falling down
But it does not matter to me
Although it seems like it should
It's because I know I'm understood when I hear Him say
Rest in me little David
And dry all your tears
You can lay down your armor
And have no fear
Cause I'm always here
When you're tired of running
And I'm all the strength that you need

what comforts my soul...your soul...what does it mean to really rest...to really listen...where is my rest and my peace when I am wide awake...

Rain and Sun

This week has been an interesting one...Because of the nature of working with people, vagueness is necessary and that's okay...There are two ways at looking at my life or rather my work right now. The first is seeing the pain that is so prevalent in the people around me and even in myself and wondering why. The second view is that this pain that has come to the surface is a blessing and a tangible way to see that He is working in our lives and is bringing light to where there is darkness. I am trying to hold to the latter when circumstances are overwhelming and when my path crosses with people who are having to sit in the darkness and can't see the light. Either way, nervously holding a bleeding heart in my hand, sitting in grey and despair as someone spews out their pain, takes something out of me and I realize my wisdom is nonexistent...it all has to come from Him...I still don't get why most of the time.

It hadn't rained a day since we have been in California. I realized that on Monday and yearned for it to fall. I got so tired of rain at times in Oregon but now that it's gone I've found I need that balance in life. The rain and the sunshine, the pain and the joy. Anyway, sometimes being here, seeing the blue sky and shiny sun each day it feels unreal. There was one evening this week that was particularly rough. I wasn't feeling shiny and sunny and there did not seem to be blue in a lot of people's skies. And just at the point of darkness and blackness, it rained. I wonder if God rhythms the weather, the birds, the wind in the trees just to soundtrack our lives. Maybe it's not theologically sound, but I like to think so.

Pictures

Drew was meant for the ocean...

Drew and I and the fixed gear...

My staff...can you tell they have energy?!?!?

California

I make no promises that this will be amazing...inspiring...deep...funny...etc. I do promise that I will try to keep it updated (obviously that hasn't happened in the past).

Here we are plopped in the middle of California. Not really the middle I guess...just mainly La Mirada. For those of you who I forgot to inform, Drew and I relocated to Southern California for my job opportunity as a Resident Director at Biola University. We bravely left Oregon in July...just in time for some extreme heat. I began work mid-July and feel like I am just this week able to come up for air again. Things have been so busy with the students and with their training that I feel like Drew and I are just now starting to figure out what it means for us to live in southern California and what this new season of life will be like...we are just trying to be where we are and experience this transition...the excitement and the loss of what was...and figure out where God is in the midst of it.

My staff consists of 10 students...2 guys and 8 ladies...who are amazing. They know how to have fun and they also have depth of character. Our residence hall is only a little over a year old and so we are still defining what the "feel" of the community will be. I love being able to work with students...challenging them, caring for them, having fun with them...and I am totally not able to keep up with their lifestyle anymore. I am trying to balance living where I work and working where I live...I don't know yet. Biola has been a blessing...I have felt supported and cared for from day one.