I Have a Shelter

Sometimes this year seemed beyond excruciating. It wasn't always school, more often than not it was just life. Hearing the news that family members were terminally ill. Battling my own constant torment of problems. Adjusting to the change of life around me. Feeling utterly at a loss of how to help someone. Aching for the little AWANA Cubbies who sometimes gave me fits, yet I couldn't bear to watch them go home to what I was sure was not a good situation. There was studying for the tests that seemed far too difficult. To be very blunt sometimes I felt I already had too much to bear and could not take anymore.

Than I would remember...who was carrying my problems. Who it was that knew the troubles far better than I. The One who could care far more than I ever could. And than I was more overwhelmed than ever of the faithfulness and strength of our God.

I have a shelter in the storm
When troubles pour upon me
Though fears are rising like a flood
My soul can rest securely
O Jesus, I will hide in You
My place of peace and solace
No trial is deeper than Your love
That comforts all my sorrows

I have a shelter in the storm
When all my sins accuse me
Though justice charges me with guilt
Your grace will not refuse me
O Jesus, I will hide in You
Who bore my condemnation
I find my refuge in Your wounds
For there I find salvation

I have a shelter in the storm
When constant winds would break me
For in my weakness, I have learned
Your strength will not forsake me
O Jesus, I will hide in You
The One who bears my burdens
With faithful hands that cannot fail
You’ll bring me home to heaven

Steve and Vicki Cook, and Bob Kauflin

Safe is it to say that without the grace of God I would have never survived this year.

To: My Mom...From: Your youngest child

Confession, I didn't buy my mom a Hallmark card to give to her tomorrow. Instead I am writing the words I want everyone who cares to listen to know about my mother.

My mom the mother of six children

The non advassiave mother in law to 2 son in laws and 3 daughter in laws. Grandma to 21 grandchildren...and counting!

Mom the one who would serve us lima bean soup for supper and than dish up bowls of ice cream for dessert.

The woman who rocked her newborn daughter and her first grand baby in the space of 3 years.

The wife of my father, the one who respects and loves my daddy like no other.

It was mom who would set the table with pretty dishes and extraordinary food for the smallest reasons.

Mom taught me how to cook and did her very best to show me how to keep a spotless kitchen, unfortunately mother has often seen her kitchen turn into a absolute disaster zone, because every mixing bowl and spoon is being used for the 4 cooking projects being produced at once. Ahem.

And when 2 days before his wedding my brother needed a white dress shirt mom dropped everything to find one.


I am very certain it was my mom who felt the very worst when I was in the midst of those terrible teenage years.


Mom who would not give on teaching me, even when I pushed so hard against the brick wall feeling sure my will was stronger than hers . Than I would watch when she went on her knees before the Lord and than I knew Who it is who really helps us through every situation

Mom sometimes I act too much like the little girl who still hasn't grown up and still has a few things too learn, but you just forgive and love me. You are patient and listen me talk about the same things every time I call and than you give me the same advice for the 10th time. Sometimes some things that are utterly ridiculous make me want to cry, instead mom laughs and than I laugh. I can tell mom anything cause I know she won't tell anyone else and I usually take advantage of this. Mom I can always be sure it will be you who will encourage me because you will tell me where you went wrong and how you went to the Lord and corrected it.


Mom I'm pretty sure that no other woman could put up with me like you do. Thank you.

Note to Self

Make sure to constantly wear a sign stating your travel plans as to avoid having to answer the same question 36 times. Even more importantly do not disclose your mode of transportation.

Beware of what you say in Romans class...Mr. T, can and will turn it into something else

Do not jump down the last 4 steps...you might accidentally jump on a boy which would be utterly embarrassing.

Be careful of who you sit next to in class it will make the difference of remaining completely composed for 50 minutes or acting ridiculously immature.

When sitting in a car with vinyl seats be sure and wear a seat belt. Especially important when driving around curves...

It's best just to listen to the teacher lecture about the Song of Solomon rather than reading select verses in class...

If your alarm has been blaring for a great while you probably should have gotten up a long time ago.

When saying the word "cutie pie" make sure all those within hearing distance know you are talking about the baby.

If your going to play Volleyball with only one other person who lacks just as much skills as yourself, you might as well stop and play fetch the ball.

When boys are given candle lighters and multiple candles to light they will turn it into a contest to see who can light the most candles in the least amount of time.

Just because its Missions class does not mean you may slack off in the English department.

9 days left to learn some more lessons...I'm not sure I want to learn them.

Happiness Today

Today there is happiness because...
the product of a long prepared Bible study has been delivered. The two leaders who could not have a study session without busting into a fit of giggles only laughed one time during the actual study. Ahem

The sky was bright blue today and the clouds were pure white with lovely fluffy edges. The weather was warm like a spring day ought to be, so we dined for lunch on the picnic tables. We smacked our lips while quite barbarically eating BBQ ribs with our fingers. It was an most unladly like meal, but oh my was it ever good. I only used 4 napkins.

A paper needed written and books should have been read, but instead I went gallivanting about the town with my roommate and found it to be a much better pastime. We chattered about silly things and than our voices were low and we talked about the serious matters of the heart. And I wondered how I could be so blessed with such kindred spirit of a roommate?

Later it was time to put on dresses with flowing skirts and satin fabric to make sure the attire fit just right for banquet. I must admit I never stopped liking to play dress up. When I was small child I firmly believed ordinary days could be made extraordinary by putting on a terribly out of style prom dress just to do my chores in.

Why do I write these words? Because tonight I feel unhappy at life for no good reason. This is why I sit down and recount the little things that God gave, just to make my day happy.

I think though the very best thing about today was the study of the life Peter. He was a man who failed awfully, Peter was a man who God used in His grace, God even used the failures for His glory, and it is this that encourages me.

What a Picture could not say...

The long anticipated wedding is over and no I do not have pictures because my silly camera is giving up the ghost. Pictures are very necessary and wonderful but they could not capture the small moments that were only noticed if you were looking the right way at the right moment.

The little nieces and nephews were of course without question the cutest members of the wedding party. Several times before the wedding they hurried away from their gleeful play frightened they were missing the wedding. They were reassured to see the bride still waiting and of course the little children were smart enough to know the wedding would not start without the bride.

There is photographic proof of the bridesmaids and bride clasping hands moments before the wedding in prayer together. You cannot hear the bride praying personally for each of her bridesmaids or you cannot feel the hands held tight in nervousness.

Pictures we are grateful are not scratch and sniff for if they were they might smell of salty potato chips and turkey sandwiches hastily eaten between photo shoots.

Speaking of food there was the bossy little sister who attempted to stuff some food down the groom's throat because of his lack of breakfast. Of course though little sisters are never listened too. I'm not sure who would even try to make them listen. Ahem.

It is rumored that because girls bathroom was overflowing with girls doing hair and make up the men's bathroom was made use of. I'm afraid I'm not denying anything. I will say the female members of the wedding party and bride were a bit late getting ready, but well if you hurry a girl getting ready nobody is going to be happy...

We have yet to know if all 34 members of our family managed to hold their eyes open during the group photo. However the photographer did manage to capture forever the faces of two screaming nieces.

Did pictures capture the tears that slipped out of the bridesmaids' eyes at the sight of the radiant bride? It is rumored the groom himself had tear filled eyes as he saw his bride approaching.

The wedding was beautiful, the music was beautiful, the bride was beautiful, the groom was well... not beautiful, but very handsome.

There is one picture I have in my possession. The picture you see is tradition, my brother's and I have taken to posing very seriously for the camera whenever together. However in this picture the groom could not manage a frown and I of course was just trying to look sweet and innocent.

I wonder...

if one week today if I will be crying my eyes out...

if my brother will stop smiling for even 30 seconds...

if the ring bears will behave themselves or will they shamefully steal the show...

how many times I wonder will the bridesmaids burst into simultaneous giggles...

if the photographer will get all 34 members of our family to look at the camera as well as preferably be smiling ...

what will it be like to stand, to witness... two people with undeniable love for each other, enter into the covenant of marriage in the sight of a Holy God...

because this is all I know is all that what will matter not matter what sort of incidents impose upon THE wedding day...

Less than 7 days and I can tell you what happened...

The People I Miss...

There is so much school to do, but I can't seem to think about Theology or mission projects simply because I'm going home in just 9 days. Which means I will see my family of whom I never stop missing.

I see many siblings together here at school and I admit unashamedly that I'm jealous when I see brothers and sisters together. Just because there is something about sharing a laugh with a sibling, the people whose blood flows of the same genetics. The people who will tease you mercilessly just because they love you. The people who grew up in the same environment as yourself, thus you can laugh and remember the good old days together. The people who you laugh with about things that seem utterly ridiculous to the outsiders, i.e. those not related to you,.

Who knows what will happen as we marry off our last brother, but it will be things that only our family will do, because some things in life only happen when there are combination of common genetics which create a recipe for organized havoc only created by siblings.