speechless.

i could not tell you how blessed i am. God really knows how to handle everything. He has placed me where He needs me, and it is so cool how it has all played out.

counted blessings:

1. North Greenwood Baptist Church
2. The Ussery family as a whole
3. intentional conversations with kids
4. having everyone in town already know who I am
5. Shelby

this is only a quick snippet of the overall scheme.

And I am speechless
I'm astonished and amazed
I am silenced by Your wonderous grace

And I am speechless in your presence now
I'm astounded as I consider how
You have shown us
A love that leaves us speechless

so long sweet summer.

well summer is coming to a close. almost surreal. i am so ready for fall though. it's one of my favorite times of the year. i really enjoy being outside in the midst of creation. it's so comforting. He is so comforting.

greenwood is starting to grow on me. from the people to the activities, the food places (which really aren't the same) and the weather. it has all become a reality that i have moved away from home. but yet in some sense this feels like home. that's a good feeling.

i love the kids here. it is so evident that God has brought me here for a reason. last night was evident of that. it had poured down rain all afternoon--so in my mind i seemed to have a nasty night ahead of me (turns out i actually did, but not in the sense that i intended). i went to the PA jv football game to watch some of the youth play. while we were there i received my revelation for the night while watching some of my 7th grade boys play in the puddles at the field. so i called them over and asked them if they wanted to go do something. they said "Yes" with that eager look as to what on earth was i going to take them to do. i told them that when i was in high school we would always go mud sliding on the baseball fields after it rained or was raining. they were all for it! we all got ready and went and played wiffle ball for about an hour and a half. we were covered in mud! it was by far one of the best nights i have had since i have been here. just spending time with them and investing in them in a way outside the church is refreshing too. God is so good in how He puts all the pieces together. i pray for more nights like that.

Word for the day:

"But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves to sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin have become slaves of righteousness." Romans 6:17-18

let my heart be fully committed to the Lord and serving Him because i have been called.

one more note: i love the rain, but not on move in day.

unashamed.

"as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be a all ashamed, but that withe full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death." Phillippians 1:20

can i honestly say that i am unashamed of being a Christ follower? is He really honored in my life? do i completely and wholeheartedly, not out of obligation, live my life in a way that shows complete devotion to the Lord and Creator of everything?

i used to struggle with this. but honestly i can say that my life is in His complete control. of course i mess up, of course i struggle, but i am human. thats the beauty of our Lord. He gives us mercy and grace. He gives me the opportunity to be forgiven. He has granted us all salvation to take hold of and no longer look at our sin. that is why my life is His. i continually work out my own salvation (phil. 2:12), daily, so that my life can reflect and honor Christ crucified.

"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ." Philippians 1:27

can you tell i read Philippians?