“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
~Psalm 118:24

With two tests and no break from 7 am-5 pm, rejoicing was the last thing on my mind. I was definitely not looking forward to today. Every Sunday I pick a new verse to memorize as “verse of the week.” It’s usually just a random verse that I think of or one that I read the past week. The verse of the week this week is Psalm 118:24, and it really applies to the entire week (plus part of next week) as my life is crazy right now. I knew it wouldn’t be good to start out the day with a negative attitude, so I recited this verse to myself literally all day long in order to make myself willing to try to have a good day.

I also thought of a song that helped me get through the day. I’ve only heard the song once or twice, but the words of the chorus stuck in my mind. I don’t know what the song is called, but it’s on the album FFH released a couple years ago.

“Say hey! It’s a good day
even if things aren’t goin’ my way.
Jesus is Lord, and I am saved, so
say hey! It’s a good day!”

Before long, I was having a good day and enjoyed my classes and studying with friends. My tests went okay, and now I move on to studying for the test that I have tomorrow…

Everywhere I go this semester I have a little shadow that tags along with me–my violin. It’s not that I plan to carry it with me everywhere, but it hasn’t been convenient to use my locker in Frasier much. So instead, I carry my lightweight (thank God!) violin case everywhere. When I bought this new violin for college, I named it Grazia, which is Italian for grace. Ironically, the very first piece that I performed for an audience with this violin was an arrangement of Amazing Grace at church for offertory! So the name really fits. Today as I was walking down the hallway with my violin, I was thinking about the fact that I carry Grazia (grace) with me everywhere. It reminded me of God’s grace that He gave to us as a free gift. God also gave me my talent to play violin. Each and every day we are living saved by His grace. So instead of feeling burdened carrying Grazia with me, it will remind me of God’s grace that follows me everywhere I go.

This is an awesome song! We sang it at Thirst No More tonight, and I just love the words!

How deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son, to make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss, the Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One bring many sons to glory.

I will not boast in anything, no gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward, I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart, His wounds have paid my ransom.

Pictures from the AWESOME girls retreat this weekend!!! (Can you tell that I love pictures?? hehe)

Sara, Ashleigh, Tiffanie, and Kristen

Julie, Sarah, Julie, Christen, and Brittany

Linsi, Sara, Julie, and Natalie

Jada and Ashleigh being silly

cramming into the van at midnight to go to King Soopers

Tiff, Sarah, and Ashlie

Ashleigh, Sarah, and Julie

Larissa driving

Kristen and Julie

Sara and Kristen

Sarah, Ashleigh, and Jada

junk food

Sara playing with the scanner gun

Sara at the checkout

standing in line

Sarah Babb

“Eve”

the van on the way back to Harvest Baptist Church

the group

eating the junk food

sleep time

I don’t like this picture–I look sad!

Julie and Emily

quiet time in the mountains view #1

quiet time in the mountains view #2

yucca plants

Boulder horizon

blue skies

beautiful view

wild daisies

mountain and valley

worship

more worship

all of us in the mountains

Sarah and Julie with wheat

after maneuvering the van through the parking garage, we successfully got it parked without hitting the ceiling or other vehicles!

clearance of 6.5 feet

it’s a tight fit

street performer on Pearl Street

hanging out on Pearl Street

Sarah, Sara, Sara, and Sarah

Kristen, Kristen, and Christen

the Julies

Ashleigh and Ashlie

“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
~Matthew 10:28-30