Songs of Thanksgiving, Sounds of Rejoicing

Well, it's official! I've been living in Iowa City for about two weeks now.  Here are some apartment pictures! 

My room...

Our kitchen...

The living room ...

Yep! We live here! Oh, and maybe you were wondering, "Who's we?"

Meet my wonderful new Roomie, Miranda.  We're having lots of fun together. 

"From them will come songs of thanksgiving

    and the sound of rejoicing. 

I will add to their numbers, 

    and they will not be decreased; 

I will bring them honor, 

    and they will not be disdained." 

-Jeremiah 30:19 

That's a scripture that our Teaching Pastor, Jeff Thune, shared at our Salt Company Iowa City leader's retreat this past Monday and Tuesday.

Songs of thanksgiving, the sound of rejoicing---that's what's been echoing in my heart in the two weeks since I've moved in.  God has shown Himself to be incredibly faithful (imagine that!), and literally, each day I see another example of that truth.

New places, people, and routines are tricky at first, and I'm definitely experiencing that.  But, there's also an undercurrent to all of those feelings, a deeply rooted understanding-one that is growing and maturing with each new way I trust Him--that He is in complete control and that He is trustworthy.  Each morning as I wake up in a place that is becoming familiar, I find myself agreeing more confidently with David when he says, 

"Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; 

    you have made my lot secure. 

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; 

    surely I have a delightful inheritance.  

I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; 

    even at night my heart instructs me. 

I have set the LORD always before me.  

    Because he is at my right hand, 

    I will not be shaken." 

[Psalm 16:5-8]

Thank you all so very much for your prayers.  Truly, you are such an important part of all that is going on in this place! 

A Known God

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."
-Corrie ten Boom 

Wise words.  Definitely words that have found their way into my heart over the last year.  God has done so very much in my heart, mind, and life to show me that He is incredibly capable and in control.  As summer gradually winds down for me, I've been doing some thinking about all the ways He has shown up & blessed this season of my life. Here are a few brief snapshots of all the beauty: 

-A wonderful month at home with family and friends

-Quiet evenings alone with Jesus to worship, journal, and read 

-Early morning running followed by afternoon baking & cooking (a good combo!) 

-Plenty of time to create & just generally have fun with paper, fabric, etc. 

-A few days in Duluth with some of my dearest friends 

-One awesome week at Vacation Bible School with the 3rd-5th graders

-Clear, starry skies at Ada Hayden in Ames with some wonderful ladies 

-Five weeks of staff family, blessings, trials, new Believers, restored relationships, and changed lives with TeenServe 

-The tallest four year old, robot-loving, pirate-ship-building cousin, Jackson

-A lakeside campfire (w/marshmallows of course!) in Duluth, MN

-Three days well-spent learning about Megan's summer of ministry at Wildwood Hills Ranch 

-Slumber party/tie dye event/let's eat raspberry pie w/apt 4 ladies in Ames (Nicole missed the tie dye part, but tried on all the shirts afterwards...)

My summer has been blessed.  And these are just the very edges of what that sneaky Jesus has been up to in my life! On the 5th, I'll be moving into the next chapter of life in Iowa City...I'm ready for all the wonder of this new adventure.  

And hey! A lot has been going on all summer in Iowa City---our church now has a name, Veritas Church (Veritas=truth) and a website. Check it out!