Less than 10 Days till School Starts

Life, I've determined, is a bumpy, bumpy road full of ups and downs. How chaotic it would be without the consistency of Christ! It may only be August here in NH, but I've been experiencing my share of potholes and frost heaves this month.

My planning time has gone well and I feel about as prepared as possible for the coming school year. School starts in 9 days and I'm both excited and nervous! I know this is going to be a challenging but awesome year for me.

Jay and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary at the beginning of the month. It's amazing how quickly time passes. I'm so thankful to have him in my life. As he puts it, we're such a good balance of shared interests and complimentary personalities.

Unfortunately, the month hasn't all been great. I've finally gotten confirmation on that strange pain I've been getting randomly for the past three years. Apparently I have kidney stones. It feels good to know for sure what I have, but it's really painful and it's taking a while for the doctors to figure out what kinds of stones I have (to know how to prevent more from forming) and where they are now (to know how to get rid of the ones I already have). Needless to say, it's been a frustrating and painful experience. I did get to experience the joys of vicodin though, so I guess even pain has its perks. Now I'm trying my best to drink a gallon of water a day, which leaves me feeling sympathic toward how water balloons must feel.

In any case, I am constantly holding onto God's promise that He has my life in control and that even when things don't look so good, there is a bigger picture I can't see. Over and over I've been reminded of the words to one of my favorite Matt Redman songs:

"Blessed Be Your Name"
Blessed be your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name
And blessed be your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

Chorus:
Every blessing you pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

Blessed be your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's "all as it should be"
Blessed be your name
And blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be your name

Chorus

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord blessed be your name

Chorus