Joy

Okay -- it has been awhile. My summer was full of high-highs and some really low-lows. August was a particularly hard month, however, the Lord is good! I won't bore you with the details. To be really honest, I do believe this past year I have been struggling with a mild state of depression and grief -- definitely a new thing for me. But I was still amazed at how the Lord brought people into my life to encourage me along the way and how the joy that I have in Christ still shined from my face. There is definitely a difference between happiness and joy. And I am so thankful for the church.

"Trading my Sorrows" came on the radio the other day, and these lyrics had a new meaning to me:

I am pressed but not crushed, persecuted not abandoned
Struck down but not destroyed.
I am blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure
And his joy's going to be my strength.

The struggles I was struggling with are nothing compared to what other people struggle with everyday. But next time, I will remember those lyrics :) Regardless, I feel like this season is changing, and I am excited for those changes.

A brief update:
1. Shayla is engaged!(proposed to on Mt. Bierstadt. I lugged that camera to the top! It was a labor of love ;) and *totally* worth it.)

2. I am living in a house with Shay and Kenz, and it's been great.
3. I PAID OFF MY STUDENT LOANS. (still have a little debt, almost there!).
4. Because of this I will probably be moving in January? I have options, and am praying about possibly returning to Thailand later in the year. I have also thought about attending a discipleship training school in September in California.
5. I have found a church near my house. It has been a huge huge huge blessing. Thank you, Lord.

Persevere

I thought I should post an update of my life. Does this blog need to end now that I am back in the states? No. :)

The Lord has given me the word "Perseverance" and I think that describes my life well right now. That is the word I run over and over in my head when I feel like giving up.

I am adamantly working toward paying off my students loans. I am so close I can almost taste it! I am going against my nature and intentionally not thinking about "what will be next" but am focused solely on paying off my loans. Then I will pray, a lot, and go where I feel lead.

I have also taken up running :) This takes a lot of perseverance, and has has taught me a lot.

There are also a few other very pertinent ways the Lord is asking me to persevere  but I don't think those need to live in the public internet.

My life in a nutshell this past year:
1) My beautiful Grandma passed away in July. I miss her dearly.
2) I have been working at the photography studio and my own wedding photography business.
3) Wednesdays I help teach a bible class to Jr. High kids -- it is so fun! Tomorrow is the last day.
4) I also help lead worship at a church singing and playing the keys. It has been a great learning experience, and I love being able to worship God with other people.

I do have a few stories I want to share about things that God has done, but I thought I would keep this post short. More to come soon!