a good day.

today was a better day than i expected it to be. God revealed to me the truth of Jim Elliot's advice... "let not your longing slay the appetite of your living."

i don't like going to class these days. i don't have any motivation or desire to really put forth much effort. most of the things i am learning do not pertain to what i am going to be doing in the next year or so, and my mind just wants to veer to the things that are coming up in my future. yet, there is so much for me to learn in my classes and in the things i am a part of right now.

today i went to practicum at the hotel and conference center. we have to be there showered and in pressed khakis and white button downs by 8 AM... needless to say i am not ever too thrilled about that. our instructor was not here today, so i simply got to work with the pastry chef in Ariccia. umm... so fun. i made moist chocolate cake, decadent truffles, and apple tartlets. not only that, but the pastry chef is a young Korean girl. i loved her. she could not speak english very well, but i got to know a little about her nonetheless. she had such a sweet spirit, yet let me know that she is lonely here at auburn. i tried to figure out a way that maybe she could come to church or RUF or this international group i sometimes go to on fridays. however, she has to work all the time. if you work in the hospitality industry... you work ALL the time. so, i will keep her in my prayers and i will try to say hey when i am in the hotel. i am thankful that i was just able to chat with her today. also, she kept trying to feed me all kinds of treats. she gave me a huge cookie, a lemon tartlet, brownie, chocolate cake... i would take a small bite and say i can't have any more. she was so funny. then before i left she filled a whole bag of truffles... she said, shh... this is a secret. she was precious.

see, God will treat us in the here and now. i needed to hear someone's story that was very different from my own and that's what He did.

He did that twice today.

i then went to RUF core group tonight, where i do not cease to be amazed by the support of those around me towards me and scott and our internship. i am amazed at their encouragement, inquiry, and prayers over our upcoming plans. i want to say, i know that the rest of you have big plans coming too... so how can i help you? how can i pray for you? truly, i have such a blessed and unique position becoming an RUF intern, because you do get to have such a team of supporters around you as you begin a new career when you graduate.

then, i went to my friend's house for what he calls "highs and lows". it was a small group of people that i do not particularly know well. i was really blessed. i needed to hear about what was going on in other people's lives. sometimes that really allows me to see God's sovereignty. i get to so bogged down in my own story, in my own mess and longings, that i can't really see the big picture. when i hear what other people are going through, i think, ok Lord, you have me under your care. that was a fun group of people and i'm glad i got to talk with them tonight.

sorry, i rambled, i just wanted to let things out.

but, if you did not want to read anything at all, i completely understand! for you, here is an inspiration board.

and, P.S. unfortunately, i was pretty disappointed in casey james this week... first of all, your voice was not that impressive, and you got a little cocky, mister. please tone down the arrogance a little bit and bump up the vocals. however, his pride might be due to girls such as myself who swooned just a little bit... ahem, kara.