a psalm

Earlier this week the cipros (*see most recent post*) read through Psalm 136 together, then prayed out-loud together in a fashion like David's psalm: someone personally praised God, then someone followed it up by saying "His love endures forever." I don't know if this was sung as a call and response back in the day, but what an awesome way of praise! And this is a true promise that God gives us. Read Psalm 136... this is just the look-alike that I wrote yesterday.
Give thanks to the Lord... He is amazing!

His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord, the King of the universe!

His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord, our powerful Creator:

His love endures forever.

to Him who fashioned my mind,

His love endures forever.

and who knows all my thoughts before I do;

His love endures forever.

to Him who brought me to Durham this summer

His love endures forever.

and who will go with me to Lima in the fall;

His love endures forever.

to Him who has forgotten about my sin,

His love endures forever.

and who looks at Christ in me

His love endures forever.

instead of punishing me, like I deserve;

His love endures forever.

to the One who cares for the orphans and outcasts,

His love endures forever.

and wants to adopt us all into His family.

His love endures forever.

Give thanks to God, my Protector, my Abba.

making cookies

      I'm currently making cookies. Not for any particular reason, except that I like making cookies. We like cookies here in Wendy's house... maybe a little too much. I'm baking all of the dough so we're not tempted to eat it out of the fridge. My dad would be so proud!

      Anyway, it has been far too long since I've written for my blog. When one does this, it's difficult to write everything that's happened since the last posting. So, I will do my best to highlight the highlights.
      The Summit Student Ministry is awesome! Their summer has kicked off splendidly with two large-group worship sessions and one small group Bible study so far. Currently, a lot of the students are at Crossroads, a camp they go to for a week in the summer. I've really enjoyed getting involved with this ministry and getting to know some of the students around the triangle area. The Bible study that I got to lead two Mondays ago was in Philippians, and I had a great time breaking down the first seven verses of this letter with 3 high school girls (a rising senior, junior, and freshman). Unfortunately, there will only be one more opportunity for me to help lead, because after that I'll be in KENYA!
      Wednesday a week ago, June 29, I had the wonderful privilege of getting out of philosophy class... but that's not the half of it. I skipped class (with permission) to go to the airport to surprise Eric, my boyfriend, who just got home from East Asia!! He was there for six weeks with a small team who took a few classes at a college with the purpose of getting to know students there and getting to tell them about Jesus Christ! I'm still getting to hear stories about it. God was definitely at work in the hearts of all the students they met, with a number of them believing in Jesus as their savior!! Wow, so it was a great reunion :D
      Free weekends are a great thing, especially when you're goin-goin-goin through all the weekdays! Last Friday several of us cipros (City Project students: city-ci, project-pro >> thanks, Bemni!) and Eric went to Badin Lake where Christa's parents have a lake house! They were so sweet to let us hang out and have fun and cook a great supper for us! Swimming, jet skiing, and s'mores were just a few of the highlights! The fourth of July was also great fun, even though it stormed like crazy and we didn't see fireworks. I got to see my parents on their way home from Kentucky, and they got to meet some of my pals here.
      As far as my schedule goes, this current week is the last week of classes (including philosophy, Bible study, ministry, stewardship, perspectives) which is crazy! I've learned so much!! And I have so many quizzes to take! But that's neither here nor there. This weekend I will be studying and taking the final exam, which should be not as much fun as last weekend, but it'll be ok.
      Quick shout-out to my bros: Michael and Thomas... I love you! Please do not lose any more weight! We can hardly see you as it is! Yall are awesome through-hikers!