Through the wind, the rain, the snow, you've got my love, heart and soul

Nobody can ever get enough of The Boss. (All his songs are like poetry to me and when I read the lyrics I imagine all of his work being sung like The River or the acoustic version of No Surrender. Unfortunately for my morose heart, lots of his stuff has sassy saxophone solos, and chirpy, upbeat piano melodies. Oh well.)

Before I go any further, a verse from my Bible reading this morning that were meaningful to me:

"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

We had a great Father's Day weekend up here in MI, except for the fact that we hardly had a weekend. Saturday, for me, was spent running/walking for an hour, doing laundry, taking a (short) snooze in the sun, churching it up and finishing off the day with mediocre Chicken Caesar Salad. In hindsight, not a strenuous day.

On Sunday I woke up to deafening silence as our fans simultaneously shut down due to a power outage. In a third floor apartment on a 90 degree day, BAD NEWS folks. So we high-tailed it outta there at 8:30am to spend the day at Dan's parents' house in the oh-so wonderful air conditoning. Turns out I spent the day making egg salad, deviled eggs, dinner rolls, washing dishes, and only had time for one and half episodes of The Hills. Sad! On the bright side, I had about an hour long conversation with my wonderful dad, getting caught up on everything going on his life. I can't wait to be with him for more than 24 hours this July! I've spent ONE day with my dad since last August. I miss the 'ol guy.

Next weekend promises to be much more relaxing. On top of a normal laundry load (FINALLY!) I'm thinking about seeking out some "alone time." I'm such the introvert and haven't had time to rest my social/emotional motor for far too long. I'm burning out.

Before getting into my devos and thoughts of the day...

My awesome dad on Father's Day with his gift from us girls


This is where my dad's been working on-and-off for the last little while. STC in Spokane, WA. Talk about your great office views :)

This morning my reading from Streams in the Desert was awesome...again. It seems like every day my readings are totally applicable and such an encouragement. This reading was about how God is often silent with us in times of trial...

"God's tender heart must often ache listening to all the sad, complaining cries which arise from our weak, impatient hearts, because we do not not see that for our own sakes He answers not at all or otherwise than seems best to our tear-blinded, shortsighted eyes.

The silences of Jesus are as eloquent as His speech and may be a sign, not of His disapproval, but of His approval and of a deep purpose of blessing for you.

(This next part is the last part of a story from the reading...God speaking, from His perspective regarding silence)
'She knows Me so intimately, and trusts Me so utterly, that she is independent of words or looks or any outward intimation of My approval. She is not dismayed nor discouraged by any circumstances through which I arrange that she shall pass; she trusts Me when sense and reason and every finer instinct of the natural heart would rebel - because she knows that I am working in her for eternity, and that what I do, though she knows not the explanation now, she will understand hereafter.

I am silent in My love because I love beyond the power of words to express, or of human hearts to understand, and also for your sakes that you may learn to love and trust Me in spirit-taught, spontaneous response to My love, without the spur of anything outward to call it forth.'

He will do marvels if you will learn the mystery of His silence, and praise Him, for every time He withdraws His gifts that you may better know and love the Giver."