Life is weird, but God is in control.

Life would be totally incomprehensible in its weirdness if I didn't know that God was in control.

Do you ever step back in wonder to see what God has brought to pass, what he has been doing in the background, and what he has sovereignly been orchestrating in your life?
These last few months have been like a flashing sign proclaiming that God is at work in ways I have not even been able to comprehend yet!

Let me sum up:

• A Russian family recently moved to a small "village" 45 minutes from where I live. It is just bizarre that they would move to Shingletown of all places. Through a whole set of convoluted circumstances, they ended up meeting friends and family I have in the area and we were connected! So now, Alla and I are swapping languages! This has been such a blessing, and such a great challenge! I can't help but think about how I would have missed out on this opportunity if I would have left for an internship!

• I now have the opportunity to teach Sunday School for the high school girls in my church. This comes with its own peculiar blessings and challenges, since I have grown up with these girls. In fact, I think I am related to 70% of my class :-) We are starting to study Ephesians, and it has been such a blessing to dig back into this glorious book and share it with young ladies that I love so much!

• Plus, surprise, surprise, I am now an intern here at my home church! I have been praying for an opportunity to be more connected to my home church. Now, God is answering that prayer and I am excited to see how it will all work out!

  I look at all of this, and I shake my head in astonishment that I was worried about what I would do while I was home. The whole time, God was calling me to trust. To walk. And to rest. Today I was listening to a song by Keith and Kristyn Getty called Still, My Soul, Be Still and it summed up very well what God has been doing in my life.

Still, my soul, be still 

And do not fear 

Though winds of change may rage tomorrow.

God is at your side.

No longer dread 

The fires of unexpected sorrow. 

God, You are my God 

And I will trust in You and not be shaken.

Lord of peace, renew 

A steadfast spirit within me 

To rest in You alone. 

Still, my soul, be still.

Do not be moved 

By lesser lights and fleeting shadows.

Hold onto His ways 

With shield of faith 

Against temptations flaming arrows. 

Still, my soul, be still.

Do not forsake 

The Truth you learned in the beginning.

Wait upon the Lord,

And hope will rise As stars appear when day is dimming.

This is now my "theme song" for this summer :-) Thanks for reading! I hope this was an encouragement to you!