rain, mercy, and a God who sees

my homesickness has been waning. even though mountain day was this past weekend, the coosa valley fair starts this week, and i spent 5+ hours in traffic court on friday. thanks for praying for me. i surely need it.

it rained on saturday!!! that's right, RAIN. we, too, were wondering what the noise outside was and why there was wet stuff falling from the sky. we had a youth group party on saturday night and right before it began it started raining. it was raining water and kids at our house because, i lost count, but we easily had 40 people over!

before the party i also had the opportunity to go for a swim, lay in the sun, and take a shower. these things are all real treats for me. AND i got to hang out with some friends.

sunday, church was so sweet and we started our new children's curriculum. the teachers loved the it and i think the kids do too. please pray for a family at our church as on saturday after noon the father died suddenly of a heart attack leaving two very young children and his wife. this was shocking and will be very difficult for this family and our church family, but it is always sweet to see the Body surrounding its members and meeting each other's needs. she will have to move back to the States with her two children and organize a funeral for her husband. please keep them in your prayers.

sunday afternoon both middle and high school youth groups went very well. one of our high school leaders, is speaking at middle school youth group for a total of 5 weeks. we're in week two. she's doing such a fantastic job. it's beautiful to see these young leaders developing their gifts. and i wish i could record my 6th grade small group of girls. the things we talk through are so sweet! they are precious. we talk about spaghetti strap tank tops, boys, mean girls, God's love, and the Bible. i love girls.

here are some boys at youth group:

at high school youth group i talked about The Good Father. and how Jesus has not promised us all we ask for, but he has promised us mercy and grace in our time of need. there are a couple of students that i can't get off my mind and i really feel like God gave me that message for them. i was so nervous (i always am; i don't want to confuse anyone with my mixed up words), but the Holy Spirit delivered the message through me and TO me. indescribable.

i was reminded that Jesus has experienced all the emotions, fears, temptations, and struggles that we have. sometimes we feel so alone in the things we go through, but He knows and He sees us, and gives us mercy and grace.

we've had water steadily coming to our house all day today! it's a miracle. just to be sure i could completely wash my hair, though, i washed it outside in the spigot in front of our house. that is, after i washed the dog. he needed it more than me. i'm really glad no one drove by while i was bathing in the driveway. please continue to pray for rain.

love you all!