New... Life has been speaking of new things lately. C&S just got a new puppy, Buddy. His new life, the joy that he brings, and the smiles, the laughter that I've seen him bring a needed brightness into lives, those he belongs to and those who come into contact with him. It's amazing how Father can use something like a new puppy to make his name great, to ensue conversation, to direct conversation, and more.

I've been more than blessed this summer. Friends and family moving and those who have extra things have given me many needed/wanted/useful belongings of theirs for this next year. I am overwhelmed with their generosity, however as I was reading this morning in Acts i was reminded of them, as it spoke of the believers -- how they shared everything they had among each other. I am again reminded of this as a week ago we were sitting in the park and some beautiful Afghan ladies who had known us for maybe 3 minutes offered us their food they had prepared, they gave us pieces of their culture as we shared in conversation and laughter.

I was once again challenged in chapter 3 of Acts, when Peter and John are walking to the temple to pray. They pass a gate called Beautiful where a man in his 40s has daily begged for money. The man is blind, and they offer him true healing-- the healing of Christ, and the blind man can see... I was challenged in that 'their plans' were interrupted. They were going to pray, but God interrupted those plans... with plans of his own-- much bigger plans. I love that even to the end of chapter 4, the miracle that was done is still affecting so many. The healing of ONE man caused all this commotion. Amazing, really... if you stop and think about it. I was also REALLY challenged when Peter and John come back to report what had happened and the believers immediately began to pray for them and all that had happened to the sovereign Lord... and just the reminder as they prayed to the Lord who has the ability to outstretch his mighty arm. <3

i've also put a playlist of a few of the songs that God has been using in my life, whether through singing them at the IBC or them coming up while i'm praying....