Love Love Love

Today is Mother's Day. I called my mom to wish her well, but my absence by living abroad leaves me feeling empty and powerless to actually let her know how thankful I am she's my mother. She's a wonderful woman who has always directly and indirectly taught me about life. There are moments when I realize I am becoming much like her and it always brings a smile to my face.


She's made many sacrifices that upon thinking about, choke me up because I realize I don't know if I'd truly have the courage or strength to pull through the way she has.

I love my mother and I gladly call her my friend.

That being said, I'm two weeks away from my big Europe trip and that much closer to being back in Boise to spend time with my family and friends. Destination?

Ireland

England

Netherlands

Germany

Greece

Italy

Spain

I'm also two weeks away from being finished with my job. I have been amazed at how wonderful it's been to work here; however, a few weeks ago I experienced frustration that has been somewhat of a challenge to deal with. The challenge has been a learning experience and overall positive, but I will be glad to move on to the next chapter, but will greatly miss many of my dear students.

I feel like maybe this challenge has a lot to do with what Mr. Oswald Chambers has put really well:

"Now He commands me to show the same love to others by saying, ". . . love one another as I have loved you" ( John 15:12 ). He is saying, "I will bring a number of people around you whom you cannot respect, but you must exhibit My love to them, just as I have exhibited it to you." This kind of love is not a patronizing love for the unlovable— it is His love, and it will not be evidenced in us overnight. Some of us may have tried to force it, but we were soon tired and frustrated."

I am sorry for the love that has not been true or genuine and am challenged by the reminder that God's love will not continue to grow in me unless it is nurtured.

What an amazing Lord I serve that deals with me in such a gracious way regardless of my faults, failures and insecurities.

Praying for authentic love,
- J.

I desire...

To be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Mr. Oswald Chambers daily convicts and stirs my heart in his rich and meaningful devotional called "My Utmost For His Highest".

Here's something from today that I particularly found great:

"Discipleshiop is built entirely on the supernatural grace of God.... We do not need the grace of God to stand crises, human nature and pride are sufficient, we can face the strain magnificently; but it does require the supernatural grace of God to live twenty four hours in every day as a saint, to go through drudgery as a disciple, to live an ordinary, unobserved, ignored existence as a disciple of Jesus... We have to be exceptional in the ordinary things, to be holy in mean streets, among mean people, and this is not learned in five minutes."