good.

Today I received my "silver status" frequent flyer miles card. Although I still have two tiers to achieve--gold and platinum are next--it was still a significant moment in my life. I suppose this is because I often recall my childhood years, and how unlikely it seemed (at the time) that I would ever have a job in which I traveled to foreign countries. It was a big deal when I made it through my first sleepover in 7th grade without my parents picking me up at night because I was homesick and crying on the phone with them. But at this present state in life, I find myself living 5 hours away from my family with 2 trips to Africa in under 6 months under my belt...and I can't imagine anything different.

However, much of my travel time is spent in a car rather than a plane...sometimes for 3, 4, or even 8 hours at a time on a road trip to some domestic destination. I've become intrigued with unique road trip games and other random entertainments. More than a simple license plate or billboard alphabet game (though they can be enjoyable as well), I've had help finding other ways to fill my time. Trent and I came up with a version of "radio bingo", where we fill a paper grid with frequently played songs and search for them until one of us find 5 in-a-row. He also introduced me to RadioLab, a show on NPR that explores topics such as "time" or "laughter" in an unusual but very intriguing way. I haven't been able to stop talking about it (or the things I've learned--did you know that rats laugh when they are tickled?!?!) since I first listened to it. 

I also keep a box of "loaded questions" in my car for any commute, no matter how long or short. As I was driving to dinner tonight for Julie's birthday celebration (for those who live in Louisville, you MUST go to Napa River Grill if you are looking for an upscale restaurant with delicious food!), she got the box out and began asking Devin and I questions. She'd skip over the "lame" ones, and we'd laugh about what candy we'd most like to be or what celebrity we'd most likely stalk. But then we came to one slightly more serious in nature:

"What one word would you use to describe God?"

The question was immediately dismissed as being "too big to answer." Of course, as a lover of words, answers flooded through my head. Holy, powerful, just, Jehovah-Jireh, all-knowing, gracious...the list could go on and on.

But as I sit on my porch, surrounded by the dark stillness of this summer's night and the clear sky that displays God's glory from thousands of miles away, only one word resonates in my mind.

Good.

God is good. 

His goodness is worthy to be praised.

It's such a simple word, not as eloquent as sovereign, benevolent, infinite, or faithful. Yet I truly believe that the goodness of God is not always easy for us to grasp or truly believe. It tells so much of His nature, His love; that he is FOR us, not against us.

What one word is most significant to you, at this moment of life, in describing the nature of God? 

-o-n-e-

Day 1 -- You wouldn't even have had a 1 year birthday without your parents. Write a letter to them telling them how much you appreciate who they are and what they have done.

I'm quick to publish most of my life in written words on my blog, but I'd like this letter to my parents to remain special and unique to them, so I'll give my readers a small snapshot of what it contains.

My dad is the kindest man you will ever meet. There's never been a day where I've questioned his love for me...and it was even seen through personal sacrifice growing up. He's always desired to be a part of my life and made the effort to understand who I am. He's patient and slow to anger. He also is responsible for teaching me everything I know about some of my favorite things in life...the most important being the St. Louis Cardinals...haha! 

My mom is my hero. I've never known someone to work as hard as her, since growing up she gave her family full attention even though she worked full-time. She's a strong leader that I've been able to learn from, while at the same time being sensitive to my feelings. I can talk to her about anything and know that I will have her undivided attention. Just recently, her desire to know the word of God and believe that "perfect love casts out fear" has spoken volumes to me.

Together, my parents have been a testimony of love for me to call upon. They've put their family first, and are committed to growing in their relationship with God as they move into the future. I miss them greatly with the miles that are in-between us, and love them deeply.

tWo

Day 2 -- We serve a God who gives 2nd chances. Take a moment to ponder what events led to you surrendering your life to Christ. Give Him thanks for his grace and mysterious ways.

Like many people, I grew up thinking that religion would save me...or at least make me a better person if there wasn't anything I needed to be saved from. I struggled to reconcile the different truths of the churches that had an influence in my upbringing. Nonetheless, as I look back, it is evident that all of this influenced my surrender to God's grace.

And although the memories of these defining moments stand out, there is an address that has much more significance. Perhaps this is because I don't recall every conversation that happened within those walls, every prayer that was prayed, every question asked...but I know this is where I first encountered the one true God.

I'll never forget the eternal impact of that house on Copper Creek Road, because it contained a family committed to demonstrating the love of Christ through honesty and hospitality. They were (and still are) there for me, even though my visits are less and less frequent over the years.

I remember standing at CIY next to them when I first heard God speak to me. Perhaps that was the first time that I really knew God was real, that He loved me and created me and was for me, and that I couldn't help but respond to Christ's death and resurrection with complete obedience.

Before I left for college, I remember telling Gonzo and Lynne (at CIY as well) that I wish I could say I owed my life to them...but rather, because of them, I realized I owed my life and everything in it to my creator.

.5.4.3.is.a.magic.number.

Day 5 -- You probably started school at age 5. Talk to your parents and have them share some stories about your Kindergarten years. If they have any of your school work from then, have your parents send some to you.

I'm going home this weekend, so a picture awaits this entry, but until then, I have stories! I went to Kindergarten at Trinity Lutheran School, and Mrs. Colba was my teacher. My parents described me as a shy little girl, who would barely talk and often get nervous in situations that were not familiar. But my teacher would often tell them that I was "gifted" (which I guess means smart!). I have a few memories from Kindergarten that stick out to me. I remember the dress I wore on the first day (red and black with apple and school bus buttons on the top), achievement tests where we'd build brick walls on the U-shaped tables to separate each student, letter people...

Day 4 -- Four legged friends make the best pets. Find a way to spend some time with a 4-legged creature...visit a zoo or hand out at a house with a 4-legged pet.

When I was in Kindergarten, I was afraid of dogs. People would say to me, "Don't run away from the dog, it will only chase you." Anyone else find this advice ridiculous at 5 years of age? I never knew how to combat the "flight" instinct, so I ended up running for "my life" (or so I thought) many times in my younger years.

But times have changed! This weekend, Trent and I went to Cincinnati to visit his siblings, and we were able to play with his brother and sister-in-law's dog, Pepper. Regardless of the fact that I was allergic to him, he still liked me. 

Day 3 -- According to "School House Rock", 3 is a magic number. Google and watch the video of the song. Appreciate the fact that it's exactly 3 minutes long.

~6~praying for selflessness.

Day 6 -- God created man on day 6. And God shortly after declared that man is not made to live alone. Spend some time in prayer about your future marriage and husband.

Unlike most girls, I didn't spend the majority of my teenage years doing this every day, making lists about what I wanted in a future husband or planning my dream wedding. But that doesn't mean I haven't had to ask God for confidence and patience in this area of my life.

God has shown me--through His faithfulness--that when you truly surrender something to Him, He will give you more than you ask for (after all, His Word promises this, so why would I be surprised?!). I suppose I've had a tendency to cover up my God-given desire to love, serve, and respect one man with my independent nature. For many years, I held relationships at a distance so I could have control of them.

Last summer, God asked me to let go of this. It was obvious--if I was depending on my own efforts, I wouldn't be pursuing holiness. That's what God asks from us--to be humbly refined by relationships, through the good and the bad, so that we look more like His son. When we do this, there is amazing freedom found in the comfort of our identity in Christ.

I see many girls who struggle with patience, control, and confidence when it comes to romantic relationships. I know I certainly have. The solution isn't found in dating someone. It's found in approaching the Lord with an attitude of selflessness, asking not for that which I think will make me happy, but that which will please Him.

As I grow closer to the Lord--and as my relationships change and God reveals what His plan for me is--I pray that I am continually humbled, so that I may selflessly serve someone with the love of Christ. If marriage is what God has planned for me, I look forward to seeing how God uses that relationship to bring Him glory as a testimony of Christ's selfless love for the church.