Last Post from the 757

My prayer for my team and I the next 6 weeks:

The boldness to spread the Word of God like Peter and John. 

The eagerness of Paul to save lost souls. 

The devotion of Daniel. 

To be enveloped in prayer like Hannah. 

The trust of Noah in God, despite the persecution and judgment of others.

The fearlessness of Rahab to step out in faith.

The love of Jesus that He displayed on the cross for us.

The team is heading out in a matter of 30 hours from now. I can't believe it's finally here. I've been looking forward to this day/trip since January. The feelings traveling through my crazy mind make up a list that could potentially not have an end. But there is one that I can stick at the top of the list: blessed.

Last night my mom had both sides of my family over for dinner, as a kind of "send off" for my trip. We've had countless meals together, especially since all of my family lives within 20 miles of each other. But last night was different. There was SO much love and encouragement floating around that I found myself a couple of times just walking around aimlessly from person to person in kind of a daze. I had never felt so much love and comfort from my family that I did last night. 

Uncle Scott prepared me well :) He let me wear his "Crocodile Dundee" hat and taught me how to throw a boomerang!

I wasn't expecting it at all, but I was given a few "goodbye/good luck" gifts. There was one in particular that as I was reading the card, I just started crying. If you know me well, you know I'm not the crying type...especially over a gift. It was from my Aunt "Gin" (her real name is Virginia). She wrote me the most sentimental card ever and explained the gift she gave me. It was a book that she was given when she graduated high school. I had never heard of it, but she told me that it was the most circulated book at the time other than the Bible. She further explained how it affected her and it touched my heart in such a wonderful way. 

Tomorrow, I believe is going to be filled with more emotions along the lines of "excited, anxious, ecstatic", which is why I decided to blog today while I'm not completely hyped up. I want to thank everyone for your endless prayers and encouragement so far. This trip has not even happened yet, but it has already impacted my life AND lives of others in a way I know was completely in God's plan. 

I probably won't be blogging again until I get to Australia (aka when I have access to a computer). I will do my best to keep all of my prayer partners/family/friends updated as best as possible. You all know my love for blogging, so it shouldn't be a problem :)

"May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance" -2 Thessalonians 3:5

 

my day in pictures.

A morning downtown with my beautiful friend, Amy :)

We ate a delicious lunch at the Smithfield Bakery

Hair appointment to get highlighted. Caramel and Copper Red :) Pictures of the finished product will eventually get posted.

 

 

Ended the night giving myself an at-home mani :) hott pink...I was feeling ambitious.

Though my day doesn't look that overwhelmingly busy...I sit here typing at 10:30pm and I am pooped. I began the day around 5:30am. So it's been a long one. I will say, as early as it may seem...I really enjoyed my long day. I had a wonderful morning before the pictures start. I woke up and hopped on my bike and headed up the road to feed my neighbors dog while they're out of town. Came back and jumped right on the treadmill and had an awesome treadmill interval workout. I spent a few minutes out on the deck to cool off and then made my way inside and brewed a wonderful smelling cup of hazelnut coffee and joined Jesus back out on the deck :) It was an early rise, but it was very worth the productivity and energy boost for my day.

My goal for the next 3 days: repeat today's morning.

Fun Fact: It takes 21 days to make something a habit. I am going to attempt this while in Australia, but with flying and changing of schedules during the day, it may not happen. 

Fun Fact Pondering: Is there something that you've been wanting to start doing and making a habit of it? Try it out. 21 days of commitment.

68%

4 days folks. That's 96 hours. 5,760 minutes. 345,600 seconds. Give or take.

Surprisingly, I'm about 68% packed AND I still have room in my suitcase :) It's starting to hit me...the fact that I will be spending the next six weeks on the other side of the world, putting myself in awkward conversations in hopes to talk about my God. I don't think I've been more excited to be uncomfortable! 20 hours on a plane, being a clueless American in Australia...so stoked :) I will be using this blog to keep those praying for me updated on my trip. Prayer is going to be so vital for this trip. Open minds of the Aussie students, easy conversations, smooth travels, safety...the list is pretty endless.

The Lord is going to do amazing things in Melbourne, Australia...ah, I just can't wait.

Oh Abby.

This morning was my last bible study with the "girlz". We've been going through a study called Faith Untamed: The Strength of Rahab, Deborah, and Abigail. It has been so incredibly encouraging to study each of these women, read of their past, see their "untamed faith" through the various trials, and be able to relate to each one of them, despite the circumstance.

This was a question that we answered in today's study:

The woman I most admire is ___________________ because...

My answer:

The woman I most admire is __Abigail__ because... her patience is incredible. I hope one day I can have the self-control, love and submission she did for her husband (who was a non-believer). AND, she was completely satisfied in the life she had.

If you don't know the story of Abigail and Nabal, I suggest checking it out. This woman is solid. 1 Samuel 25...it's worth reading.

The more I thought about my answer, the more convicted I became. I'm not patient, especially with the people who need to see it the most. Reading what real Christ-like patience looks like in the life of a woman who was not respected or even loved by her husband was really convicting. I often try to put myself in the situation, and if I were Abigail...Nabal wouldn't have been around long. But instead of seeing her marriage as a punishment or lost hope, she used it as an opportunity to witness to her husband through patience and submission. She relied solely on God for her joy and despite the unhealthy relationship between her and Nabal she was completely content with the life she was given. 

I don't want to ruin the rest of the story, so I'll leave that to you to read. I will quote this, "The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good man (woman) rewarded for his." -Proverbs 14:14

And just to add on to the message God is trying to tell me about this whole patience thing...

The car that I followed all the way home.

Genius

"Never think that God's delays are God's denials. Hold on; hold fast; hold out. Patience is genius."

-George-Louis Leclerc de Buffon

 

As easy as that is to read and think you believe it, it's much harder to live out...at least for me. I'm at this point in my life where I see myself "waiting". I'm not saying that I'm in a slump, but I do consider myself in a "waiting process". I'm not sure how long it's going to last, but like de Buffon said "hold on; hold fast; hold out". What I've realized through this season of my life is that waiting looks different for a christian than it does for a non-believer. Waiting, for me, has been most of the productive and growing stages of my life. Over the past year, the Lord has given me so many opportunities to serve and experience things that I don't think I would've done if I wasn't "waiting." And through all of those experiences, growth has been incredible. I have felt my faith strengthen, my hope in the Spirit become more sure, and my love for others has flourished. And none of that credit goes to me. It has been God working His wonders during in this season of 'waiting'. 

 

So how am I "in waiting"? Well, I've been asking the Lord for certain desires and answers that have been on my heart in the last year, and I am waiting for His answer. God, I'm sure of it, has been slowly putting the pieces of the puzzle together during these last several months, and the day He does decide to reveal the answers to me I will see why all of my "waiting" was necessary. 

Christians don't stand still while they wait. They don't stop life and become hopeless, or at least they shouldn't. God tells us to "be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make all your requests known to God." He wants us get the most out of every season of our lives, especially when we are "waiting." Waiting is when we learn more about God's character; it's when we hang on to His every word; it's when we give our desires over to Him.

Waiting is patience. Patience is genius.

Vampires on Monday, Wolves on Tuesday

It has been just a typical Monday...slowly easing myself into this busy last week at home. Waking up to the Lord is truly the best way to start a day. Ever since I've been home for the summer, I've been blessed to meet God on my deck with either a cold or hot cup of coffee (depending on the temperature). For the last 3 years, I have said that I would never live in Smithfield after college. I still hold that thought, but over the last month and a half of being home and spending just about every morning staring out over my big back yard, surrounded by silence has definitely made a mark on my heart.

Since I ran home from church yesterday...haha, yes. That's how small Smithfield is. I took a change of clothes and after teaching Sunday school for the teens, I tied up my sneakers, turned up my ipod and headed home. I'm sure from the looks of it, many people thought that my parents were punishing me. They pulled out in the truck the same time I headed down the road. I'm sure people were thinking, "man, what did she do that they would make her run home?" Nevertheless, yesterday was my long run. 4.25 miles up and down constant hills. It was pretty tough. Who am I kidding, it was really tough. It may have taken me 45 minutes, but I did it. Anyway...that was my long run. Today was rest day :) one of the best days. With that, I took full advantage of "resting" and during the time I would run, I watched a movie instead. Plopped myself right on the couch, kicked back and pushed play to none other than...Twilight. I know, but being completely honest...it was a good pick. I'm currently waiting on my cousin to get home from work so I can borrow the other two.

Continuing on...I headed to town to feed my uncle's dogs while they're at the beach and stopped by the gym on the way home. It was incredibly crowded there that I lost all motivation to try to get in a small workout. So after 30 minutes on the elliptical, I headed home. I did a quick 20 minute leg workout when I got home and for some reason, my endorphins were going crazy after that. I couldn't sit still. That resulted in a washed car...and a washed dog.

What the rest of my day includes...a bike ride with my beautiful neighbors and probably finishing out the Twilight series :)

Strolling.

 From day one...

 

 

He knew I was his girl.

He taught me how to fish (and clean the boat apparently)

He taught me how to hunt (and yes, I did kill that)

He taught me to love.

 He came to every game, caught for me at every pitching practice, pushed me when it was hard...and was always my biggest fan.

He believed in me and helped me the entire way.

To this day, he still treats me like his little girl.

 Today I took a stroll down memory lane. Out came the albums, and with it came so many memories. My dad is a man who works hard for his family. Whatever he does, he does it with all of his energy. He puts 110% into any task he's given, especially our family. He has been an amazing role model, he has taught me so much about myself and the kind of person I strive to be in life. He taught me to be unique, to be different than your ordinary girl. (Refer to the hunting picture above for this). He taught me how to "hang with the guys" while out hunting, to "rough it out", to "rub some dirt on it"...but he also taught me how to be a woman with class, submission, and delicacy. He has loved me unconditionally from day one, and I have never seen that change. He has his flaws, but we all do. I'm not saying he's the perfect man, I'm saying he's the perfect dad for me :) 

Happy father's day daddy, I love you <3

For my dad...here's our song :)

Drive - Alan Jackson

It was painted red the stripe was white
It was eighteen feet from the bow to the stern light
Secondhand from a dealer in Atlanta
I rode up with daddy when he went there to get her
We put on a shine; put on a motor
Built out of love, made for the water
Ran her for years, 'til the transom got rotten
A piece of my childhood that will never be forgotten

It was just on old plywood boat
With a '75 Johnson with electric choke
A young boy two hands on the wheel
I can't replace the way it made me feel
And I would turn her sharp
And I would make her whine
He'd say, "you can't beat the way an old wood boat rides"
Just a little lake across the Alabama line
But I was king of the ocean
When daddy let me drive

Just an old half ton shortbed ford
My uncle bought new in '64
Daddy got it right 'cause the engine was smoking
A couple of burnt valves and he had it going
He let me drive her when we'd haul off a load
Down a dirt strip where we'd dump trash off of Thigpen Road
I'd sit up in the seat and stretch my feet out to the pedals
Smiling like a hero that just received his medal

It was just an old hand-me-down Ford
With a three-speed on the column and a dent in the door
A young boy two hands on the wheel
I can't replace the way it made me feel
And I would press that clutch
And I would keep it right
And he'd say, "a little slower son you're doing just fine"
Just a dirt road with trash on each side
But I was Mario Andretti
When daddy let me drive

I'm grown up now three daughters of my own
I let them drive my old Jeep across the pasture at our home
Maybe one day they'll reach back in their file
And pull out that old memory
And think of me and smile and say

It was just an old worn out Jeep
Rusty old floorboard, hot on my feet
A young girl two hands on the wheel
I can't replace the way it made me feel
And he'd say, "turn it left and steer it right,
Straighten up girl, you're doing just fine"
Just a little valley by the river where we'd ride
But I was high on a mountain
When daddy let me drive

The Zone.

Today has been quite different than my non-productive post from the other day. I woke up, fully energized and headed to the gym. In the process of training for the half-marathon, I'm using Hal Higdon's training schedule. Today was supposed to include a 30 minute cross. I walked in the gym...I wasn't feeling like trudging along for 30 minutes on the bike or elliptical, so I headed over to the free weights. Intervals! I turned up my "Philippians 4:13" playlist and grabbed some weights, bosu ball, and 2 steps.

Here's a sneak peak of my playlist:

Pressing On - Relient K

Like a Lion - David Crowder Band

Enough - Jeremy Camp

Awakening - Chris Tomlin

No One is Greater - Aletheia

Jesus Has Saved Us - Arisen

Glory Defined - Building 429

Starry Night - Chris August

Rise and Sing - Fee

The Saving One - Starfield

Dare You To Move - Switchfoot

Rediscover You - Starfield

Love is Here - Tenth Avenue North

That is about half of them, but I encourage you to check them out :) I tend to get so into my music that I unconsciously start singing them out loud at the gym. Today just happened to be the day that someone heard me and said something. From what I've been told about my singing voice, I'm expecting a "hey, could you stop?" or "can you keep it down?" Instead, I got a "hey! I know that song. I love Chris Tomlin!" :) I love divine appointments like that. This huge, macho weight lifting guy comes over and starts talking to me about how God had changed his life, and it all started with him hearing Christian music for the first time. We did continue our reps, but we continued the conversation as well. He had an amazing story of how he came to know the Lord. It was so encouraging to know that there are people out there who are open and EAGER to talk about their faith like he did. So yes, the gym was wonderful this morning. I'm thankful God told me to do intervals this morning instead of staring at a magazine or TV screen while I climb endlessly on the elliptical. If there were no intervals, there would've been no need for me to get "in the zone" (yes, don't joke). Without "the zone", there would've been no music for me to sing to. And then there would've been no conversation.

I left the gym this morning feeling more rejuvenated than usual :)

So I'm home now, cooled off and filled up with a nice banana chocolate smoothie for lunch. And since it's Father's Day weekend...I'm going to go conquer the yard with nothing other than the "Deere". 

I pray that each one of you ask God to give you an opportunity to talk about your faith today. I ask Him every morning during my quiet time, and sometimes I end up looking back on my day and noticing that He did in fact give me the opportunity...but it not always involves words. Being home almost all day, I find that it's hard to share my faith with well, no one. So I find ways to serve my parents and family while they are at work. That's my challenge for you today. 

Share your faith, in words or in actions, today.

Productive, Not.

Status of my day: LAZY.

I literally have done 3 productive things today.

1. Finished my little "gifts" for my future housemates.

2. Made dinner (in the crockpot)

3. Cleaned the kitchen

My "to-do" list is very disappointed in me. Fortunately for me, I am most productive between 6pm-11pm. What the rest of my day looks like:

Running with a group from my church at a local park. We're meeting at 6:15 and having a short devotional together, then running/walking on our own for 45 minutes, and coming together to close in prayer. This is new on my agenda. First attempt, actually for this training/devo sesh. Several people in my church (including myself) are running the Virginia Beach Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon in September, so this is us "training" for it. I love the idea actually, I hope it will last. 

So that's that. I'll then probably meander over to the gym (if I'm not too tired) and do a little strength training. I got a book I ordered in the mail today that I'm super excited about.

It's like Christmas morning...I can't wait to sit down tonight and look through it :)

Anyway, I just thought I'd throw up a post (and possibly add this to my productivity list). 

God did answer a prayer today which was pretty stinkin' sweet :) My support for Australia had been raised...according to me. But about 3 weeks ago, after I had sent the last of my checks in, I checked my account online and it said I was short $200. Well, that's no good. So I went back and looked through every check and every deposit. I ended up finding the problem. Two $100 checks had never been recieved at the regional office. [Insert Casey slightly freaking out here.] Oh no. I've lost their money. Not good, at all. So for the next week, I emailed back and forth with a CCC director and they said they had never recieved the checks, but they would keep looking. I got an email on Monday saying that they still haven't found the checks and that I needed to contact the people who donated and ask them to see if their checks were deposited. So that was my plan for today, making two phone calls that I really really didn't want to make. So I got up the courage (finally) and signed onto my account to get the phone numbers. I log on, and this is what I see.

Your Ministry Goal

101%

You have received $5,635 of $5,600

What?! So I look, and the checks in fact, had arrived. Wow, God :) And the best part is, I'm over my goal which means that my extra money goes to my team! 12 days left and God provides. And He's not even done yet. I have a few more support checks that I recently recieved and I'm hoping that it will greatly help my team out :)

One last praise: My best friend Emma is full of excitement. Her boyfriend, another good friend of mine, Caleb, just returned home from a month-long mission trip to Tanzania, Africa. So praise that he made it back safely and all the amazing things God used him for and praise that they will soon get to see each other :) Caleb had a blog while he was there, you should check it out. Caleb's blog

A Bowl Full

 

 My lunch :)

I've been so inspired to experiment with smoothies, and I follow pbfingers.com on a daily basis. (before you judge, you must visit. You will soon see why I thoroughly enjoy it) 

Homemade peanut butter granola + strawberry banana smoothie bowl = perfect summer day lunch

It's such a healthy, protein-packed meal :) Perfect for following a pretty intense workout at the gym.

More accomplishments of my summer day:

I purchased my first luggage set. Yes, that's right. Because in 13 days :)

The aqua green was out of stock :( So my next choice was salmon of course. Something bright and easy to identify :)

As for the rest of my day, I spent some amazing time with the Lord. I think that's what I love so much about the summer. Sitting on my deck, admiring my beautiful backyard while talking to my Father is the most wonderful feeling. With my parents at work during the day, the house is relatively quiet. I have so much time to study His word, talk to Him (out loud, mostly) and learn more about what and how He wants to do with my future. This morning I opened up to Psalm 16 and verse 5 immediately caught my eye and I somehow just couldn't get passed it.

"LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure."

He has planned out my life. I have been assigned a certain purpose for my time here. Trying to change that will just end in disappointment and straying away from my Lord, either in anger, confusion, or even distrust. Knowing my life is securely written out to the full and nothing can change the words on that page is something God needed me to hear today. There are things in my life that I have been fighting against; things I have been desiring, trying to change and make it happen. Well, He's telling me to stop. Put down whatever I think I have to satisfy my desire and to let Him lead me. 

My challenge for you:

What are you fighting to do on your own?

Is it financial problems? A relationship? Singleness? Independence? Security?

Whatever it may be, just stop. Trust that God will take care of it. Live by His word and His word alone and He will not only pull you through, but He will lift you high on His shoulders.

Projects and such.

Wanted to share a few of my new discoveries and projects :)

These beauties were a total steal! Plato's Closet for $7. I instantly fell in love. Cannot wait to wear them :) 

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This past weekend, my folks and I headed up to Harrisonburg to work on my soon-to-be new home. The lovely Shiloh :) Here are a few shots of the painting process.

Before:

 

After:

 My cute little writing desk :) 

 Shot from the door. End of my loft bed, dresser and closet.

 Under my bed :) perfect place for a nice reading chair and a cute bookshelf :)

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Today I found a wonderful recipe for lunch...all contained in my precious JMU tumbler :)

Banana Mocha Protein Shake

 Super easy to make! Here's the recipe:

1 frozen banana

1 packet of instant coffee

1 scoop of chocolate protein powder

5-7 ice cubes

1 c cold water

Just blend it all together! If you want it thicker, just add more ice :)

It's so filling!!

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And the last new discovery...my new workout equipment. A pilates band and my 3 different resistant bands. I can do all the strength training I want with these. I work everything! Shoulders, arms, legs, back and abs.

Withholding Desires

Again, I'm am going to quote another Elisabeth Elliot book. I'm telling you, I'm hooked. I'm going to own and read every one of her books. I'm confident of that...potentially by the end of this year. I just started "Keeping a Quiet Heart." I feel like I am continually repeating myself, but it's amazing. Each one of her books have awakened a different part of my heart. This is just a little bit of what I read this morning:

"Heaven is not here, it's There. If we were given all we wanted here, our hearts would settle for this world rather than the next. God is forever luring us up and away from this one, wooing us to Himself and His still invisible Kingdom, where we will certainly find what we so keenly long for. 'Running aground,' then, is not the end of the world. But it helps to make the world a bit less appealing. It may even be God's answer to 'lead us not into temptation' -- the temptation complacently to settle for visible things."

This really put a lot in perspective for me. I keep thinking the more that I align my heart with God's, then our desires will align as well. But I often forget that I am still human. I still have selfish motives and wants. Even if my desires aren't selfish, maybe it is better not to ever experience them. Elisabeth makes such a great point here. We must remember we are but "aliens" here. Why are we expecting this world to satisfy us? It ultimately just won't happen. That's God's plan. He wants us to desire more...eternity with Him. There are many things in my life right now that I am desiring. They are not all selfish, but again, I am human and a few may be.

Here's a metaphor I think of it as: 

I want a cookie. A huge, freshly baked oatmeal raisin cookie. I want it bad. There's nothing wrong with that right? Except for maybe it's 6pm and I'll spoil my dinner if I have it. If I eat that cookie, I'm not going to want the delicious meal that my mom spent time preparing. I had to wait until after dinner if I wanted it. Ugh. But I want it NOW. Just a few bites. Nope. If I got it now, I wouldn't appreciate the dinner awaiting me. But if I were to wait, I would be able to fully enjoy the meal my mom made, and then I would have the option of deciding if I still wanted that cookie.

I don't know how much that makes sense by reading it, but in my head it does. If God were to give us all the desires of our hearts, then what is there to look forward to? Be patient. 

God isn't depriving us, He's preparing us.

I challenge you because God has challenged me. What are those desires that you think God are withholding from you? Picture your life with them and then ask yourself, "would I crave God the same/more/less?" He wants us to be joyful. But He also wants us to be hopeful and eagerly awaiting Him.

Sore Calfs, Joyful Heart

Relay for Life was last night and I, being the optimistic one that I thought I was, eagerly volunteered to take the 11pm-7am shift for my church. The goal as a church was to have our flag (representative) on the track for the duration of the event, aka 7pm - 9am.

Let's just say it was a lonnggg night. I got there about 9pm for the illuminating ceremony and started walking about 11:20ish. With the exception of a few 15 minute breaks, I walked. I finished off 3 cups of coffee and a couple apples throughout the process. It was cold...48 degrees. So to say the least, it wasn't exactly how I would've spent a Friday night. 

The one thing that kept me going...well two things actually. One, the reminder that cancer victims fight and struggle for long durations of their lives to survive and fight this awful disease...I should not be complaining about walking to support this fight. This time and energy sacrifice of 8 hours is nothing in comparison to what those who have this awful disease have to go through. The second thing that kept me going (other than the overload of caffeine) was being able to sit at the top of the bleachers overlooking the track and spending time with my amazing God during the sunrise.

This is what I wrote between 5:50-6:15am this morning:

Watching the sunrise after a long night of walking brings so many thoughts and feelings with it as it peeks its way over the trees.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." -2 Corinthians 4:16

As tired, sore, and exhausted as I may be...reading that verse is such a great reminder of the state in which I sit. I can see so clearly (and feel) how much I need my Lord. Not just to give me strength, but to keep me going. I wanted to just give up and sleep hours ago. But I didn't for one primary reason: to spend these few minutes with my Creator during one of the most beautiful times of the day. As I sit here, I feel how weak I am and know that I am nothing without Christ.

Life would be without purpose, without calling, without joy, beauty or hope...and most importantly, without love.

He proves His power daily, but do I prove my trust in Him just as much?

"Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place, that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it?" -Job 38:12-13

The Countdown

Seeing that is June 2nd...I have 26 days until I leave for Australia. Whaaa?!?!? I know, I'm stoked too. I'm confident that each and every tough conversation, trying situation and testing of my faith that God has put me through was in preparation for this adventure to the other side of the world. 

Since my time at home is getting shorter and shorter, I figured I would compile a "to do" list before I leave.

1. Spend a day (or two) in Harrisonburg getting my room ready for my return.

    -includes: painting and furnishing

2. Substitute as many days as I can

    -reason: Australia is an expensive place and I plan on buying souvenirs :)

3. Be able to run 6 miles (without stopping)

   -reason: I registered for another half-marathon in September and an 8k 2 days after I get back

4. Visit friends

   -includes: Richmond and Charlottesville

*this next one is questionable -- it all depends on what the artist/my parents think is best*

5. Get tatted

   -what: "I Will Go" written in Greek on the outside of my foot

   -why: great ministering tool, and it's my passion

So there you have it. My "to do" list for the next 26 days. Will they all be completed? I sure hope so. I'm not a person who leaves a list of things without everything being crossed off.

Be praying for Australia. It's been a long journey of calling, prayer, support and trust, not just for me but for my entire team. God is going to do some incredible things in the hearts of those Aussie students this summer :) Just pray that we have the diligence, patience, and wisdom to rely solely on the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit inside of us.