Jesus loves me, this I know...

This is the view from my seat tonight and the sun sets... feeling like I have the best seat in the house... listening to the sound of the crashing waves and looking at the vast expanse of the ocean... in absolute awe... there is something about the ocean that makes you feel so near to God... and stand in such awe of Him at the very same moment. You guessed it... I'm on vacation... spending 10 days of relaxation in Florida. It's easy for one to feel guilty for taking time off... but, as I shared with a friend just the other day... I believe that vacation is absolutely necessary. And as I sit here at the ocean... I am reminded that some of my greatest vision and dreams for life have been the fruit of times away from the hustle and bustle of life.... when there is no agenda... nothing preoccupying your thoughts... and there is opportunity for sleep, rest, and refreshment... It brings clarity. And, I think that sometimes you don't realize how much you needed a break until you get one. These past couple of days have been incredible. So- I was walking by myself along the beach yesterday afternoon... splashing along and letting the sand squish beneath my toes.... when I said the silent prayer, "Lord, teach me something new about You... and I'll tell the world what I find." Now that seems like kind of a bold prayer... then, I go pick up the book "Love Beyond Reason" by John Ortberg... this could be a pretty neat journey... I'll let you be part of my "world". :) Yesterday my sister and I saw dolphins off the coast, and today we saw about 50 cownose sting rays [come to find out- they are migrating to Mexico and there could have been thousands of them!] and we didn't even have to go to sea world. :) I'm excited for the new things God is going to teach me this week, the visions and dreams He will place in my heart, and the rejuvenating He will give my body, mind, and spirit.

Signing off for now... here's what I've been up to as I've been writing... green tea in hand. :)

me and Jesus.

There is nothing in the world like a long walk on the beach... sand between your toes and the vast ocean before you as the landscape.  It is such an incredible reminder of how big God is and how near He is to us.  (even saw stingrays and dolphins)  It's continually amazing to me how we can ask God for help but seem so surprised when He answers us.  This summer I have really prayed about what to do in relation to a high school life group.  Let's say that the answers to my prayers have been different than I thought or could have come up with on my own.  I was asked to lead a life group with my sister.  At first, neither of us knew what to think and our immediate response was to resist.  But, the more we prayed and talked about it, the more right it seemed.  We realized how much of the same page we are on, how well we work together, and how much we enjoy being together.  This is going to be quite and "overboard" experience for me.  I don't feel qualified or capable of doing this, and I could so easily ask "why".  But, I know that's right where God wants me and where He can be glorified.  My life has in no way turned out the way I thought it would up to this point... so I suppose that's the way it will continue to be.  Life can seem downright overwhelming and stressful at times.  But, I must be quick to remind myself that I am not the one who got myself here, and I am not the one who can sustain me or equip me.  wow.  This life God is asking me to live is so much bigger than me.  It will have to be taken one day at a time.  So, I'm going to take today and embrace this moment.  After all, God is just wanting us to stay close to Him.  I envision myself holding on to Jesus' hand like a little child... standing on the edge of a big chasm (me being scared to death, but Jesus realizing it's not as big as I think)... counting one, two, three... then we jump together, just me and Jesus... accomplishing something I could have never dreamed up on my own.