let it be said of us while we walked among the living

let it be said of us by the ones we leave behind

let it be said of us that we lived to be a blessing for life

let it be said of us that we gave to reach the dying

let it be said of us by the fruit we leave behind

let it be said of us that our legacy is blessing for life this day

You set life, You set death right before us,this day

every blessing and curse is a choice now and we will choose to be a blessing for life

let it be said of us that our hearts belonged to Jesus

let it be said of us that we spoke the words of life

let it be said of us that our heritage is blessing for life

for Your kingdom, for our children for the sake of every nation…

What will be said of us when we are no longer here? Not just in the sense of us dying and leaving this world, but what about moving, leaving places and people behind? What will be said of us at the moment we are no longer there? Will Jesus be remembered? Will the impact we leave behind reveal the glory of God? Will they love Jesus more after all is said and done? It is something to think about, I know it is something I need to think about and something that I need to live out.

Today was a lazy autumn day-perfect to spend at Starbucks! When we returned to the mail room after being in New York we found a gift card that was given annonymously to us. We are deeply indebted to them. I msut say that their new Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate is absolutely divine!!!

Pray that I will be an example to those around me and that Jesus will be the One that is remembered

I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me.' Phil: 4:13

Here I am in New York!!! I came up on last Thursday for Luke and Karen's wedding.
Thursday morning I woke up and headed off to the Big Apple. We left around ten in the morning and a few rest stops later we arrived at our destination around eleven at night. The house is the best-a old farm house with a big red barn. We are packed out with the people staying in the house, but that is what memories are made of:)
Friday was a great day to sleep in and then go prepare for the rehearsal. A group of us went to the church to decorate for the reception. I could tell this was going to be a great wedding, all the people helping out were having fun and just enjoying each other. That evening was the rehearsal dinner. The house was inspiring, can you believe that there was a room attached to the kitchen that was the kids ballroom?! The kids of the family competed in ballroom dancing. Later in the night we watched their competition videos-they were amazing!!! Anyways, it was Nicole,Shannon, Sarah, and I that served at the rehearsal dinner. It was a spread of delicious Asian food that made your mouth water just looking at it:) Between Sarah Brown, Shannon, myself, and Sarah Ramey we played piano throughout the night. The Kallberg family also sang for the crowd. The atmosphere was electrifying with laughter, music, the aromas of the food and if you closed your eyes it took you away...
Saturday-the BIG day that everyone had been waiting for had finally arrived. The ceremony was at two, groups of us caravanned over to the church around one thirty. To sum up the weeding would be impossible, but let me tell of its uniqueness. As the family was seated a classical guitar was playing Fairest Lord Jesus. A trio accompanied by a Chinese instrument and piano sang while the bride made her way down the aisle. Throughout the ceremony instead of a soloist singing we were lead in worship songs. No kiss was announced but of course there was one:) It all ended with us singing Holy is the Lord. The reception consisted of announcing the couple, a first dance, cutting of the cake and then mingling. A slide show was played with a mix of great songs that summed up the day. The food was awesome. Lots of little desserts and appetizers which surprisingly filled you up completely. After the party died down we took of to Lake Ontario to see the sunset. Breathtaking can only scratch the surface of describing it. From the beach it was off to TGI Fridays for some down time and good food:) No sooner were we finished with our appetizing meal we were asked to go bowling. Again we were off to first of all Starbucks for a little pick me up and then we hit the lanes. It was so much fun, kind of funny however because some of us were not smart enough to bring a change of clothes. I was one of them, bowling in my lovely black dress with hideous bowling shoes sticking out like a sore thumb. Oh well, those things you won't forget. The night ended after 4 this morning after watching a movie. It was a full day and looking back on all that we packed into it makes me think that we were utterly insane!!!
Today was the after party, which started at two this afternoon and will probably last long into the night. We head back tomorrow, maybe then I will be able to catch up on some sleep:) Don't worry mom and dad, I am still healthy and alive(I have not passed out yet:)

The carriers have been closed, the packages have been sent out, and the madness has come to an end. It has been a long week, a good week but long. I love looking around the office and seeing Sam and Jordan talking geometry, then looking over at Nicole enjoying her root beer...it all is peaceful and a time of enjoyment.

Have I mentioned that I have been attending police classes every Wednesday night? It is a thing that our Hinsdale Police department puts on every year for the community to become involved in the police station. I have been able to learn the requirements that you need to meet in order to be a policeman, then last week we learned how to negotiate(it was very intense by the way) AND tomorrow I am going to be going for a ride along for about 4 hours in a squad car. I am excited...it is going to be a long night(from about 9pm to 1am)but hopefully it will be eventful. Don't worry mom and dad-if it gets too intense the officer will drop me off in a safe location:)

I can't believe that I have almost been here at IBLP head quarters for almost a year! It doesn't seem like it has been that long, but that is a good thing. Some old people came through and it was good to see them, reminisce, and enjoy a nice cup of coffee.

By the way the picture up to the right is from when we went to the wedding...it is Nicole,me, and Minch Minchin.

Pray for me that I will be able to trust God in every single detail-not trying to take things into my own hands. He knows better.