Camping, the World, Words, and Insecurity

1.  Camping is never camping enough.

  The past few days were spent by me, my husband, and our two dogs at our local campground.  It was quite the enjoyable experience.  What cracks me up about camping though is it's never "camping" enough for someone else.  If you're a tent camper like me, then you tend to give the stink eye to those hotels on wheels with TVs hanging off the sides.  "That's not camping!" I think to myself.  But then someone looks at me and sees that I have a water hook-up to my site and suddenly I'm not camping either.  "You're staying in a campground??  Nope, sorry that's not camping.  See what you need to do is go out into the middle of some random woods with that tent.  Then you'd be camping."  I can imagine my then doing so.  I'm sure then some more rustic Joe is going to come along, and I can just hear the conversation. 

"You're sleeping in a tent?  EHHH sorry that's not camping.  What you need to do is sleep on the ground in that sleeping bag under the stars.  Then you'd be camping." 

And then more, MORE rustic Joe:

"  What??  You have a sleeping bag??  Nope, sorry..."

....

"  You brought matches?  That's not camping!  You need to rub two sticks together to make fire.  Then you'll be a real camper."

.....

"  You went to Walmart and got trail mix before you left?? Nope, sorry that's not camping.  If you want to be a real camper you're gonna have to jump into that creek there and grab yourself a fish and cook it over that fire that you started with those two sticks.  Then you'd be camping."

  I mean, what is the definition of camping anyways?  It seems we pretend like it's "Live as animalistically as possible.  Forgo any step of progress made over the last thousands of years".  According to an actual dictionary though, it's "To live temporarily in or as if in a camp or outdoors, usually for recreation.  To reside or lodge somewhere temporarily or irregularly."  Well I'll admit that definition leaves a lot of room for... um, interpretation.  But I guess that's the way it should be.  Camping should be what each person wants it to be, free of turned up noses, even if that means sitting out at the campfire watching TV on the side of your bus, er.. camper.  Truly, I'd like the definition of camping to be something like this:  " Accidentally almost eating bugs.  Waking up in the middle of the night freezing cold, hearing frogs die.  Smelling like smoke for the next 30 years."  If that were the case, I'd say I'm quite the successful camper.



2. He's got the whole world.


  We were sitting out on a dock one night watching a stunning sunset. And it just hit me.... looking at all the birds, bugs, trees, lights... hearing all the creatures and technology.... it just hit me how big this world is, and how much is going on, and how God has every little part of it in His hands. And that lil' simple song came to me with such power I knew it wasn't just a child's song: "He's got the whole world in His hands..." Wow. So amazing. He's got the WHOLE world in His hands... and that includes me and everything in my life. When I feel like it's too much... to think that it's not for Him.  Because the whole world isn't too much for Him... so neither am I.



3.  Words are so scarily powerful.

  One of the down sides of our camping trip was a set of neighbors we had  for a couple days (yes, we had neighbors.  While you're rolling your eyes thinking "That's not camping" please see above).  They consisted of a father and his 12 year old daughter and whatever friends he had over for the time being.  They did most of the things I found annoying: were loud, up late, and played music, etc.  But those weren't what got under my mosquito-eaten skin.  What got me most irked was that this guy felt the need to verbally abuse his daughter continually.  Nothing she did was good enough, quick enough, careful enough, or just plain enough.  Guess who ended up looking like the child the whole time? . It was all I could do to keep myself planted at the picnic table; but at least from there I could shoot him death looks that he couldn't see through the smoke.  One if his peaks was when his way too young girlfriend came over with a puppy.  The guy had already made it clear to his daughter throughout the previous time camping that he thought her "stupid".  Well when lil' puppy ate the 12 year old's hair bow she said "stupid dog" (accurate).  Guess who got yelled at for calling the dog stupid?  Sheeesh.  Another peak was when the guy not only offered the 12 year old beer, but pretty much commanded her to taste it.  I wanted to go remind the guy that there was no alcohol permitted in the campgrounds, and oh, did you know 12 is too young to drink beer??  Instead I prayed for his soul. 

  Words are so powerful.  I hope that girl grows up to be the next Beth Moore and makes her lousy upbringing bring bigger, better things.  Because while all those words she's hearing are so powerfully destructive, God can redeem them and harness that power for so much more.



4.  "So Long Insecurity".

  Speaking of Beth, one of the books I finished reading while camping was "So Long Insecurity" by Beth Moore.  I cannot recommend this book more strongly!  It was absolutely, overwhelmingly refreshing, convicting, and inspiring.  If you are a female, I dare say you MUST read this book.  You will be forever glad that you did!

Expectations

 

  I pass this church sign every day to and from work; and it consistently has postings that I find challenging, thought-provoking, and inspiring.  This day was no exception, and I even had to take a picture!  It says "Expect the ungodly to behave that way.  Repentance begins with God's people."  I  love this, and feel it portrays a current stirring in Christianity.  It seems like often we expect the unsaved to behave as if they were... we want them to be sanctified before they are even converted (something I've blogged about several times before).   It seems like lately though maybe we're starting to see this blind area for what it is.  This sign is a great example and reminder of how we should instead be thinking.  We should not only not expect the ungodly to act as though they're saved, we need to actually expect them to behave ungodly... because they are!  Instead, we need to be the ones aspiring to greater levels of sanctification.

   This also reminds me of something new I learned about a passage I'd heard several times.  A pastor was preaching on 1 Corinthians 5, specifically vv. 9-13:

"When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin.  But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that.  I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.  It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.  God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, 'You must remove the evil person from among you.' ”  ~NLT

"I wasn't talking about unbelievers..."  "I meant... anyone who claims to be a believer"...  Huh.. light bulb?

Here we are specifically and clearly told NOT to worry about the unsaved's behavior.... but to instead worry about fellow Christians' behavior (starting with ourselves- Matt. 7: 3-5).  I have heard this passage so many times and often what is emphasized is the sins listed in it, instead of who the sinner is in it.  And who it is not.

  So maybe we can shed more light on this blind spot.  Start caring more about the souls of the unsaved and not their behavior.  And start taking our sin more seriously.

Top 3 Conversation Starters

  In case you're looking to be the next winner of your social network's popularity contest, I'd like to introduce you to the top 3 conversation starters.  These questions are sure to help you get friends and make Emily Post proud.


1.  Why aren't you using your degree? 

    The best part of this question is it reeks of sensitivity to our current economic climate.  Never mind the recession we're in, just go get your dream job!!  Recommended follow up questions include: 

   "Didn't you take out student loans??
   "But I thought you wanted to become a                ??
   "Have you even applied anywhere??

    So instead of asking yourself if you really want to know.... how many nights they've spent filling out endless applications... how many interviews they've been in... how many interviews they haven't even gotten... how hard that person is trying to be grateful for the job they do have... instead just keep probing and looking disgusted! 


2.  When are you gonna have a baby??

  The fantastic aspect of this question is it comes in many forms.  So if you feel like changing it up you can try: 

    "Have you guys thought about kids?" 
    "Do you guys wanna have kids?"
    "Don't you want a baby?"
    "Aren't you getting the baby itch?" 
    "Any babies on the way?"
    "What is your plan for having children?"
    "Do you know what a baby is???"

  You can even change this conversation starter from question form to command form (an even more likely way to make friends!) such as:  "You need to have a baby!"  "You better have a kid soon!" "You should have had 3 already!!" 

   So instead of asking yourself if you really want to know...  how happy they are without kids... how they would love to if they only could... how much "fun" they're having trying... how much fun they were having trying when they started so long ago...   instead just whip away the intimacy and privacy boundaries and ask, ask, ask!


3.  Why aren't you married or even dating anyone???

   This question is best accompanied by a confused and concerned look on your face.  Pretend while you ask the question that you know something deep and dark is wrong.   It might be a good time to also ask:

  "When was your last date?"
  "What are you looking for in a spouse?" 
  "Would you like to meet my son??"

   So instead of asking yourself if you really want to know...  how many dating websites they're on... how many bad dates they've had... what's happened in their past to make them wary of relationships... how happy and content they are single, if only everyone else would be for them... instead offer your prayers and start seeking out a spouse for that person with as much vigilance as you can muster!


~  Well, if you want to win friends and influence people, just use one of these great conversation starters and you'll be sure to... umm... make an impression!~

Back to Reality

You know the feeling... the "slump"... that you have from coming back from vacation?  The dragging yourself around to be productive because you now again have to?  The I-could-not-be-less motivated blues?

It's like you've been in this tiny bubble of bliss and then POP, it's gone.

We got home from an eight day vaca of glory last Sunday night.  It was the first time since our honeymoon that me and my hubby went away with just the two of us for more than a couple nights.  It was a celebration of our 5 year anniversary so that tells you we were definitely over-due for it.  It was fantastic!  This last Monday however, not so much. 

I began the dreary task of unpacking all of our never-ending junk that we had taken and the extra junk we got there and brought back.  I piled together our mountain of laundry and began the loads.  Despite my pre-vacation attempts to leave the house neat and clean for when we got back, all I saw now was grime and clutter.  I went to see what I could put together for brunch and was greeted with the Fridge of Death.  Don't ask me why I forgot to get rid of the already outdated milk before we left or why I felt the need to save spaghetti in there the whole time we were gone.  Yuch.

Then as I unpacked I began to realize the things we had forgotten and had unknowingly donated to the resort we had stayed at.  Sigh.

Amongst the joyous day back in reality were some awfully nagging thoughts and worries that I had been carrying with me for a while and had enjoyed my eight day break from.  Now, though, I felt the need to pick that burden back up, and as I worked around the house my mind worked on solving my problems.  Actually, nothing was solved.  That's the essence of worry-  fretting over things we can't solve. 

Around the worry circles went my mind... again, and again, and again. 

And as I was unpacking a glass and putting it into our kitchen cupboard I knocked it on the edge, and glass came shattering down around me like sharp rain.  At first I was utterly frustrated at breaking something we had so carefully packed and traveled with and it was only two inches away from survival.  Then I realized the red dripping down my face and the nausea hit. You see, I don't do blood.  Can't handle it.  So as I fought the nausea, I debated between looking in the mirror to see how bad it was and possible passing out or just waiting and seeing when the blood stopped.  As I debated and nearly vomited, I decided instead to just collapse on the floor.

And as I curled up in a ball with my head down to fight the dizziness, I started sobbing.

Not about the blood.

Not about the glass.

Not even about the fridge.

I started sobbing tears of complete frustration and sadness about the thing I kept worrying about.  And the sobs came harder and harder. 

I finally found myself where I needed to be.  And I stayed there for quite a while.  Sitting Indian-style next to my bed crying and pouring out my prayers to God.

I laid it all out there for Him- told Him how it was (in case He didn't know) and begged Him to move in this situation.  There I was vulnerable, weak, and hurting right before my Master.  And as I prayed and held a bloody paper towel to my face, my sobs decreased and His peace came. 

I now have the tiniest cut to the left of my right eye as a reminder to not worry nor forget the lesson I learned to pray instead.  I ended my prayer that day thanking God for that cut.  That broken glass was the last straw that snapped me out of my enslaved mind and gave me the freedom to let go and let Him.  Too bad it takes breaking things and feeling pain to get us to pay attention to Him...

Or is it?

Fairy Tales

We all know the routine...  it starts with, "Once upon a time..." and ends with "Happily ever after".  Throw in a few evil schemes, magical moments and glorious victories and ta-da, you have your classic fairy tale. 

What is it about the fairy tale that's so alluring?  I mean not just for children, but for everyone?  Why do we produce movies such as "Ever After" to carry the fairy tale to adulthood so that we can keep it with us?  Why do princes and princesses still touch our deepest heartstrings? What is it about a good fairy tale that we just can't let go of?

In my opinion, the fairy tale, no matter if it's Cinderella, Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, etc. is so alluring because it is so true and close to real life.  Ok, ok... before you think I'm a total whack-job let me explain.  Of course I realize that wicked step-mothers, poison apples and magic potions are NOT a common thread in our lives, but think of all the underlying themes that DO ring true to each of our daily routines and hearts.

Ahh yes, whether it's at your work place, social outings, families, school, etc you've certainly had your share of fairy tale themes.  The good guy/bad guy wars, the witches and ogres, the princesses and princes, the weak and the strong, the captive and the free, the oppressed and the oppressive. 

Those who work the hardest get paid the least.  The number of moral, ethical, and even legal crimes that people get away with.   People who know the least about something yet know it the loudest.  People who mock and tease.  People who absolutely seep with negativity and criticism.  People who squander others in a selfish constant quest for only helping themselves.  The villains in your own fairy tale.

Fortunately there's the other aspects of fairy tales that rings true to life as well.  The heroes, the moments of vindication, the battles won for the right team, the moment the prince finally appears and the princess wakes up.  The time when finally the witch is banished and the wicked step-mother is seen for her true colors.

Sure these delightful moments seem few and far between.  And while we will still be misunderstood and wronged, it's amazing as a Christian to know that we will for sure get a happy ending.  As God tells us in Romans 8:28, all things WILL work together for good in the end.  And an eternity in Heaven with Him is certainly the best "happily ever after"... ever!

Tornadoes, Weddings, and Bin Laden

It's been a few weeks since my last blog, and much has gone on.... such as...

Tornadoes

The area here was hit with dozens of tornadoes a few weeks ago, 4 of which were F4 tornadoes (F5 is the worst).  It was so sad and truly surreal to see the news reports and pictures the days after.  Fast food chains, grocery stores, houses, cars, trees, completely demolished, flattened, and crushed.  Lives ended.  Such an overwhelming reminder of the power of- nope, not nature- God, and a grave reminder of the fragility of life.  He gives and takes away, indeed.  We must remember that nothing material that we have is truly ours, no matter how hard we cling.  It is so quickly and easily gone, that we must cling to the deeper truer treasures, for here and eternity.

Weddings

A couple days after the tornadoes hit was the "Royal Wedding".  The events of the tornadoes sure did tone down the craze and excitement that was buzzing before they happened.  It really did adjust my perspective.  I mean, can you really get excited about a $400,000 dress when so many around you just lost everything?  Now before you think I'm bashing royalty, remember to look at the other side of the coin too.  How many sick people in 3rd world countries could look at my life the same way that I look at a princess'... how many starving children would be baffled at my blowing $6 on mascara... could look in awe at my 1,200 sq ft "mansion"?  It's all about perspective.  

Bin Laden

So apparently Bin Laden was found and killed.  Go USA?  I don't want to share much of my thoughts here, because I am interested in yours.  The whole fiasco brought about the question of our celebrating death.  Should we ever celebrate death (remember before you answer too quickly what we celebrate every Good Friday)?  Or just justice?  Can we separate the two in this type of case?  Please share your thoughts!

The Rest of the Story

Last week as I was driving I was hit by a spacey young girl who apparently thought there was room enough in my lane for her car as well.  As the traffic lights were then red, I rolled down my window to see where she wanted to pull over.  She proceeded to tell me (as she laughed) that she was fine, we didn't need to pull over.  What followed was what felt like an eternity of my trying to explain to her that we did indeed need to pull over as I needed to check my car.  As I continued to bang my head against this wall, the turning lane's (that I had been forced to pull into) light turned green.  Well I sure wasn't going to turn away when chica was confused on protocol.  So of course, the cars behind me had a great honking fest at me.

I'm sure if they had known the rest of the story, and realized that I had just been stinkin hit by Ditzo, they mighta understood.

Often in life, we don't know the rest of the story. And so we honk...  verbally, emotionally, spiritually, physically... out of ignorance and frustration.

This takes me to another story that I recently heard.  You have to read it first here.

Ahh to know the rest of the story.  How many times we've been delayed, inconvenienced, and irritated...  but we don't know the rest of the story.  We don't know what heroic actions are happening; what tragedies are being suffered; what miracles are taking place; what hearts are breaking.

We need to become a little more patient.  A little more selfless.  Give that benefit of a doubt.  Stop filling in the blanks.  And start wondering... what's the rest of the story?

Second Chances

One of the worst feelings for me is regret.

One of the most amazing feelings is getting a second chance.

A couple weekends ago I experienced both.

My first couple years of college in Iowa I made some amazing friends.  They were the type of friends that were always there to laugh with, rant with, cry with, whatever.  They always listened, understood, and sympathized.  These frienships were as close as close could be.

I didn't appreciate them nearly as much as I should have.  After my second year of college, I ran out of funds.  Off to community college it was.  Then, through a series of God's leading, I transferred again to a college in Tennessee.

Over time and distance, we lost touch.  We are now spread across states and even oceans.  At first there were the quick notes and phone calls.  Then eventually our friendships were not much more than the facade of facebook.  A few "likes" here and there; a couple comments.  Such a cheap trade-out.

One of these amazing friends got married on New Years Day, and God incredibly and graciously worked it out for me to go.  And so we all found each other again:

The overwhelming flood of feelings throughout the trip were hard to wrap my head around.  But through many wonderful conversations and God's continued prompting, I have learned a deep lesson.   You see, since my move I've been waiting to make such friends again.  Waiting for that type of tight relationship.  And as I've waited, I've experienced plenty of loneliness and self-pity.

The facts are that those type of friendships are RARE.  Especially since I don't live in a dorm anymore:)  The facts are also that those friendships can still be there- across the states and oceans.  I mean for goodness sake we are all still alive after all!

And so I've given myself plenty of shame-on-me speeches and am committing to keeping in touch with these girls again.

But mostly, I'm thankful to God for the lessons learned in the regret and the grace of second chances!

Girl's Best Friend

Thirteen years ago, I became a dog owner for the first time.  One of the best things that has ever happened to me!

I was 13 years old, and my family was camping at a local campground- then someone dumped a little puppy out of their car and took off.  Nice, huh?

The following day involved a lot of crying and begging... "Daddy, PLEASE?!!  I promise I'll take care of him!!!!"  My dad ended up giving in..:)  I named him Nicholas Matthew King- Nicky.  In a diary entry I still have, I see that I wrote, "I fell in love with him immediately!  OOOOH!"

I did take care of him- along with feeding and walking him, I made him watch "Wishbone" with me everyday so that he could learn from the TV star dog:)  I also taught him many tricks- "Speak", "Sit", "Whisper", "Kiss", "Bow-down", etc.

 Nicky turned out to be a wonderful, smart, sweet, and pretty much perfect dog.  He was a continual companion through my early teen moods, high school dramas, and college adventures.  He stayed my friend each time I lost many others.  He put up with each loser boyfriend and let me cry on him after each break-up.  He celebrated with me as I graduated high school and waited for me when I went away to college.  He even became a part of a new family unit as I got married to Jason Hart and we all moved to Iowa- and so my doggy became "Nicholas Matthew King Hart." He moved with us again when we went to Tennessee and was officially the only friend we had here for a while as we didn't know anyone.

A week and half ago I had to make the toughest decision ever- I had to decide to put down my little best friend.  A normal vet appointment ended up revealing serious illness for my darling Nicky, and after an eternal time of crying in the vet's room, I said a painful goodbye to my best friend.

Thirteen years, three moves, many memories, many adventures, countless changes, one faithful buddy. 

Even now my face is drenched in tears as I miss him.



Through a series of sudden and great circumstances, God has given me the chance to have another dog love.  Next week I will receive my next precious pup.  I am thankful for the opportunity to head down another path of puppy!  Though I will forever miss my Nicky, I'm excited to meet and love a new best friend, Ferdinand Nicholas Hart, Ferdy:

Three

Well, yet again there's been another long lag in my blogging life. Due to pure busyness, indeed!

Among the busy events of these last several weeks was a trip to Des Moines, Iowa to see my husband's family and some friends we knew when we ourselves lived there. My husband and I lived there for the first couple years of our marriage and it was a great home! We have many wonderful memories there and uplifted roots that are still healing.

I've been very privileged to now have three places I feel are as such- where I grew up in Pennsylvania, then my home in Iowa, and now good ol' Chattanooga, Tennessee:) On one hand, this is all quite flabbergasting as, of course, moving isn't the easiest or the funnest thing in the world; and also is really quite tearing for the heart, as relationships are suddenly long-distance and most friends are now seen on Facebook. On the other hand, each time I miss, visit, and remember each place is another smile and fulfilled feeling.

So on one side of me, I'm saddened by the location changes in my life and the chapters that have closed; but on the other side I'm so grateful to have three great places I can be at home in when I know too many people have not one.

In a way, I often feel like these three places are really three "me's"... three different lives I've lived. Three different big stages I've gone through. And through each "stage" came new lessons, challenges, and transformations. I often wonder if others feel this way... especially when I think of the people who have moved many MANY more times than I have!

While I'm so happy for this third home and stage, I definitely ache over the past ones. The chapters I can't re-open, the memories I can't re-create, the friendships that I'll always miss.

Who knows how many more chapters will be written and ended. And I know with each chapter a part of me will find it harder and harder to let the roots grow and be at home wherever I am. I know I will fear making the friends that I might very possibly have to say goodbye to one day.

But I will be grateful for each and every one; and in the meantime I will crave more and more the permanency of the place and the lasting relationships in my final home of Heaven. God didn't intend for us to say goodbye and break down roots- and in the end, I won't have to anymore.

Summer's End

Well, it has certainly been a bit since I last blogged! I guess summer swept in and then got away from me:) Ahh summer... it was nice! Ok so technically it's still summer, but as I went back to work yesterday to get ready for the new school year starting next week, I'm already mentally moving on to Fall.

As summer comes to an end, here are just a few thoughts from it...

~~~~~~~~~~
Goals: Since it was the first time in 6 years that I didn't have the demands of a job and college on me, I decided it'd be wise to set some goals for myself to keep active and purposeful. I set about 8 goals and had the first 7 done in the first two weeks. While it was nice, I also learned that I have a hard time relaxing! Getting myself to accept that it was ok to not be busy all the time was challenging and jarring. I learned a good lesson though that my identity is not in what I do or in how many to-do lists I get done; it's in who I am in Christ. The goal I set that was the most rewarding was to spend more time with the friends and family He has given me. Pouring love out and receiving love from them all gave me such satisfaction in my summer and was a reminder to me of the great love He has given me. The good ol' Sanctus Real song, "We Need Each Other" is certainly true. He made us that way. Indeed, the greatest of these is love!

New Family Member: God gave me a special gift this summer through a new little nephew, Jonah James! My older brother and his wife had their first little one:) While I have a nephew and niece that I love to death on my husband's side, I must admit that there was something different with Jonah. I guess it's the whole "blood-relative" thing or something. All I know is when I first saw him, my heart grew:) It was truly a weird and overwhelming experience. It's weird to think that my simple family of 5 that I grew up with has a new chapter in its book! But the love for this little guy overwhelmed my heart and spilled over through many, many tears when I had to say goodbye to this tiny being. I'd finally gotten to the point where visiting and leaving my family in PA was not nearly as emotional and, really kinda normal for me. I guess that all changed now! How great it will be in Heaven to have no more goodbyes and not miss out on things!



Unplugged: The last couple weeks of summer were spent away on vacation- the first of the weeks was spent with my brother and sis-in-law in Gatlinburg, and the second week was spent in PA visiting family. One of the things that happened in both locations was that I had rare and limited access to internet and often did not have cell signal. This left me, well... rather unplugged. To my surprise, it was nice. I was forced to live more in the moment, focus on those around me, and invest more in what was actually going on. Now, I'm not saying that I'm about to quit my phone and internet use, or even cut it down. All I'm saying is that it was a good reminder and warning to not let them become too demanding or leashes that pull me away from reality. Too often I have found myself texting one friend while another is right with me! Then later I find myself facebooking the friend that I had been with. Now, this isn't always a bad thing but I think there is a pattern, at least for me, of missing moments and cheapening relationships through it.
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I could go on and on, but sum it up to say this summer was great. God taught me a lot, and gave me a lot. I am VERY thankful!

Ah, Changes.

Well, it's officially been over 2 months since I've posted on here. Ouch! I must say I have some pretty good excuses, like.... buying a new house and moving into it, finishing summer school and starting a new semester, getting and starting a new job (and officially finally doing what I've wanted and gone to school for:) )...

Whew! Moving, college, jobs... life! It never ends its whirlwind of craziness and changes. Changes. Gew!

I absolutely hate transition. Always have, probably always will. Even when they're wonderful and positive, there is just something about the process that I find threatening. Getting used to new things for me is just dizzying.

That's why God's immutability is so refreshing for me. He NEVER changes. He alone is the only constant in life. And this attribute of His is by far my favorite.

"For I, the Lord, do not change..." Malachi 3:6

"...the Father of lights, with Whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." James 1:17

"Of old You founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. Even they will perish, but You endure; and all of them will wear out like a garment; like clothing You will change them and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not come to an end." Psalm 102:25-27

So, here's to changes. To blogging before the next two months are up. And to our one Constant. Our one true Guarantee. Our never-changing, great, and almighty God!