somebody must have hit the fast-forward button.

things are happening and changing pretty quickly these days.

there was about a month or so there where all i could do was s c h o o l ...

and time seemed to drag by...

then, i found out the Lord was faithful and i was able to graduate...

then...

- childhood friend got married

which meant i got to go to a dream wedding and meet some really cool people

- summer conference in FL

which meant lots of wonderful teaching

meeting other interns, new and old

one last fun trip with Auburn RUF

beach time!

- now, Marannook friend's wedding

bridesmaids luncheon, rehearsal, wedding!!

- then, move out of this house in Auburn

- and go back to Scottsboro...

- and raise a lot of money

- and train to be an intern

- and then more weddings...

- and in the midst of it another amazing friend got engaged.

life's changing...

and moving fast.

in the meantime, a couple of pics from summer conference and a couple of things i learned.

notice they are antiqued... well, i did a little editing because basically i looked like a tomato.

hopefully i will be all tan by O's wedding.

megs and me.

scott, richard, and me.

john stone spoke on this passage the final night i was there... what a beautiful picture of faith.

"A woman who had lived a sinful life in town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, 'If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is - that she is a sinner.'... Jesus said, 'Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven - for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.'... Jesus said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you; go in peace." - Luke 7:36-50

it is not the strength of our faith that saves us, but the object of our faith that saves us.

if only we could get just how beautiful Jesus really is like this woman did, then our affections could start to change.

i finally purchased this book i have been wanting for awhile... Gadsby's Hymns. here is a hymn from that book.

"O love divine, how sweet thou art!

When shall I find my willing heart

All taken up by thee?

I thirst, I faint, I die to prove

The greatness of redeeming love,

The love of Christ to me.

Stronger His love than death or hell;
Its reaches are unsearchable;
The first born sons of light
Desire in vain its depths to see;
They cannot reach the mystery
The length, and breadth, and height.

God only knows the love of God;
O that it now were shed abroad
In this poor stony heart!
For love I sigh, for love I pine;
This only portion, Lord, be mine,
Be mine this better part."