Goodbye my sweet summer…

I was broken, challenged, and refined.

I will leave you with a story that a good friend shared with me…and God displayed to me…

          "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."- Malachi 3:3

          In order to fully grasp this verse, a woman went to a silversmith to watch him work on a piece of silver and ask him about the process. The blacksmith knew nothing of the woman's intent, and began to explain the long process. He held the piece in the middle of the fire and explained that it needed to be in the hottest flames in order to burn off the impurities. He has to sit, in front of the fire the whole time, never letting his eyes off the piece. If the silver was left a moment on its own, it would be destroyed in the fire. The woman asked him when he knows that the piece of silver is ready. He smiled and replied, " That's easy… when you can see your reflection in it."

          That is my prayer for this year. We might feel like we are in the hottest flames, but he is shaping us and burning away our selfishness. He won't take his eye off of us in the trials that this year will bring. He will know if He sees his reflection.

I am not afraid of the trials that may come with this year, because of the promises that light up His word. "… these have come so that your faith… refined by fire may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." - 1 Peter 1:7

A whole new year…challenges, blessings, lessons, verses, laughter, late nights, conversations, classes, walks, parties, worship, Chicago, tears, coffee shop… and so it begins.

*taking a breaking in paaacking*

Ah, summer days will be missed, but memories are coming with me. My days were full of visiting college friends... talks with dad on the way to work...tropical fruit markets (I thought of you Sarah!) with my mom and abueltita (little grandma)... lunches with the factory ladies... seeing the bright faces of my destiny friends worshiping God... road trip to MI with a certain brilliant brunette...watching my sister try new things...

1.  2.

 3.... you go girl!

...salsa nights downtown...encouragement and prayer with my accountability group... ... late night chats with Becca... exposing our Spanish girls to America...bike rides with my sisters... being Megan's bridesmaid... reuniting with Tyler...

eating tropical fruits with my family--->

...

offered honest thoughts in my journal... jumping under waterfalls...kayaking in a glowing bay of stars... taking pictures... reading ( God's word, Ragamuffin Gospel, Captavating, Mere Chrisitanity, and Blue Like Jazz) and my precious morning devotions over coffee with mom. I feel blessed beyond words.

I'm leaving for Olivet... tomorrow! I am going to be an amassador for admissions this fall, so can go early for training. I can't believe its here- a whole new year.

   ... bolted to the ancient brick

      .... where you will sit

          ... and contemplate your day.

"Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go. And where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." Ruth 1:16,17.

     I recited that verse through tears at Megan's PERFECT wedding. Every part of it was shinning God's love. I couldn't help crying as I watched them take communion together, and to see Colby, in his sharp uniform, looking at his dad with tears full of love and pride as his dad gave them the cup and bread.

    It was so beautiful. Megan's looked gorgeous, and she never got nervous! We had fun taking pictures in the back room during those precious moments of anticipation before the wedding.

The reception was a blast, and I was so happy for them. I couldn't stop giggling- it was pathetic!

The thing I loved about Colorado ("God's country") is that there is a beautiful view behind every building- instantly enhancing the beauty and the peace of any moment. The mountains served as my backdrop as I thought back over the trip. I loved the other bridesmaids, and we had a blast proudly wearing our "always a bridesmaid, never a bride" shirts through Denver at Megan's bachlorette party.

     I went for the whole mountain experience…

in THIS picture---> … I am actually eating that EXACT deer that is hanging behind me! Craaaazy.

    After the wedding, I stayed in a beautiful house full of love. To go along with their daily custom, we took a walk every evening after dinner. This cute old couple held hands every time, and they were still madly in love. I loved it! At last, I looked into a pair of eyes that I haven't seen for months. As we talked and gazed out to the mountains, God completely answered a strong prayer that has been lifted up. Thank you all for your prayers. I felt them.

    We had to leave at 5:45 to catch my plane in the morning. I felt so bad that they had to wake up so early to take me. God's plan is bigger, because he blessed me with a breath-taking sunrise coming up from behind the mountains as we drove through the valleys for the last time.

   (12 hours after I got home, I turned right around for vacation in Puerto Rico with my family! ... pictures soon.)

   My trip to Chicago was fabulous. Each morning, we ate breakfast, laid out by the pool then spent the day in the city. We went to the top of the Sears Tower rode the trolley, and danced in the fun house on Navy Pier. I had such a nice time with my Spanish girls and plans to visit them are in the making!  

One night, I met up with my girls from Olivet at the mall and we had another one of our much needed talks of spiritual encouragement over dinner and ice cream.

    In the words of my Japanese friend from work, that I have lunch with, Kosco, I am in “God’s country”    àColorado. Because, in 3 days, I am going to be a bridesmaid for Megan’s wedding! All week has been spent getting everything together for the wedding: typing up/ folding the programs, choosing the songs for the reception, and packing her up. I love her other roommates, and we are having a blast planning her bachlorette party. Ow ow!

   Sunday night, I surprised them all by showing up at the Destiny concert in Denver. It was such a blessing to see the Christ that shone on their faces during the concert and the tears the cried when they saw me. I love my Destiny girls, and I will always remember them just like that- worshiping God in complete brokenness.

   I have been running around helping Megan with getting ready, but mornings are saved for my Lord, the mountain, and me. God is teaching me so much about listening to him at the top of that peaceful mountain that I walk to. Everything makes sense up there and my worries seem so insignificant in comparison to the majestic mountains scattered with log cabins. 

   On the flight over here, I couldn't help but have a full heart of gratitude towards my Lord. I can just imagine him up there- smiling- as he is planning such a wonderful life for me. This weekend's plans for me include quite time with him, getting to see a certain someone I haven't seen since Christmas time, and seeing my dear Megan walk down the isle in three days!

It has been a completely different summer compared to my carefree Destiny summers, but it has been a good one. Sometimes … most of the time… I think I know what's best for me, but my God keeps blowing me away with knowing me better than I know myself. Although I wanted to travel the world and although I still check cheap flight tickets, God had something better in mind. He chose to keep me home, teach me something every day, and surround me with those that I love. I have an encouraging accountability group who are strong friends I've had for years, great conversations with friends from Olivet, and a loving family. How could I ask for more? I wouldn't trade a thousand trips around the world for the love I feel in good old Fairfield, Ohio.

   Last weekend, my joyful Amy Michelle came to visit me! I took her to the famous attraction that Fairfield is known for, the international market: Jungle Jims. The weekend was spent showing Amy the typical Spanish meals at the Gant home and learning how to cook! After pina coladas and much laughter, we dressed up in skirts and took fun photos at Harbin Park.

We talked the night away...

Since the beginning of the month, we have had a foreign exchange student staying with us from Spain. Her name is Vanessa and she is adorable! Every day is filled with exposing her to American culture and every meal is full of international cooking.

She is completely surprised about…

1. the amount of fat people here

   and how much they worry about it…

2. how early people get married

3. how many kids they have

4. how early we eat (they eat dinner at 10:00)

Today we picked up Merecedes from Argentina, and she is staying with us for two weeks over her "winter break." I look forward to getting to know the girl behind her sweet smile!

   Since Fairfield isn't exactly the best representation of America, we are taking them (and one other Spanish exchange student) to Chicago for the week! But not yet. Not tonight. Tonight, a cup of tea, my Psycology book, and my journal are awaiting me. Mil besos!