Time for a Post?!

A long overdue post...

Our Bible study around the bonfire continues and this past Wednesday we had our fifth meeting and finished the book of Philippians. I'm pondering and waiting on God to see what we will study next.

***Above: The view from my house where we have our Bible study.

The last two meetings we have had a time of corporate prayer, which I have really enjoyed. So, throughout the night, there is a time of worship (usually led by Jeff or Sean), Bible study, prayer and fellowship. I'm enjoying these nights, even though I usually don't feel up to it and am exhausted. However, whenever I begin reading the Word of God, everything else in my mind dissolves and I can drink His presence in. So, thanks all for coming; I'm looking forward to many more Bible studies!

Some of the group & others came over for the 4th of July @ 9pm to begin setting off fireworks.

***Above: Fireworks - set off by my dear brother & friends ;-)

***Above: Cait & I on the 4th of July enjoying the bonfire ...Adam in the background looking up at the fireworks.

In terms of work, I have been working as a hall monitor (for exams) at the medical school, babysitting, cleaning, gardening, house-sitting and dog-sitting. Each of these little tasks has challenged me in different ways (i.e., I don't typically like dogs, but I spent a whole weekend with a GIANT labradoodle and LOVED it), and God is working on my heart through all of this, which is awesome! I enjoy having a different schedule every week and I always have little adventures throughout...Today, I think I breathed in slightly too many bleach fumes while cleaning at the Conquests'. Oops!

In the meantime, I am working on reflecting on my experience in Gabon for my Religious Studies senior internship thesis. I am also writing a newsletter to re-cap on some cool stories and share with you (who are interested) what God has done in my life as a result of my month away from home....so stay tuned for the newsletter!

I'm also enjoying time with friends & family. My grandparents came to visit for a weekend in June, which was fun!

***Above: My grandpa & I during their visit to Rochester

***Above: Joy, Me & Alicia @ Mt. Dew Thursday @ Sean's (a weekly celebration, filled with much Mt. Dew consumption) ...this one is for Alec Roush and Keir Thelander, fellow Mt. Dew drinkers in Ohio & Gabon.

This coming week will be filled with preparing for my family's 3-week trip to Germany, newsletter writing, thesis writing, letter writing, sewing, working, Bible study planning and oh-so much more.

Am I still missing Gabon? A thousand times YES! Everyday that passes, I wish I could be back in Bongolo washing dishes in the Kelly's kitchen, listening to the whir of the AC in the OR or swatting bugs late at night, but as I am continually reminded, I am here and not there. So, now I am enjoying reminiscing, the rest of the summer and slowly looking towards the school year and letting my head spin with all the preparations to be made for applying to medical school.

Here is a song I am currently enjoying or rather obsessed with:

From the Inside Out
by Hillsong United

A thousand times I've failed
Still Your mercy remains And should I stumble again
I'm caught in Your grace
Everlasting
Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending
Your glory goes beyond all fame

Your will above all else
My purpose remains
The art of losing myself
In bringing You praise
Everlasting
Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending
Your glory goes beyond all fame

In my heart and my soul
Lord I give You control
Consume me from the inside out
Lord let justice and praise
Become my embrace
To love you from the inside out

Everlasting
Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending
Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart
Is to bring You praise
From the inside out
Lord my soul cries out

Blessings to all!