Finally Alumni

Well friends, we finally graduated from college!

I feel like this is something we should've done a long time ago, and if I think about it long enough I start to feel lame. But then I remember that we've already packed 2 1/2 years of marriage into our short lives and I feel much better. I am so thankful for my time at Bethany, but boy am I glad to be done with programs, at least for now. I am excited to be a wife - to bake things and deep clean our house and support my husband as he begins his masters at CIU.

Our good friends took us out to eat middle eastern food after graduation. It tasted a bit like Azerbaijan and put me in the mood to make an Azeri dish called Ash. Sooooooo tasty. Chicken, apricots, golden raisins, onions and a whoooole lot a butter. I think I'll make it tomorrow night while Ryan's sister is in town.

Lately, God has been speaking to me through John 15. I am becoming more and more aware of the presence of God throughout the day.

"Dwell in me and I will dwell in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in me." - John 15:4

Abide. Dwell. Remain. Tarry. Stay.

By the Holy Spirit we are able to acknowledge and respond to his presence. anywhere. anytime. despite lack of feeling. Slowly, I'm discovering what it feels like practically to abide in him. Just remaining aware of his presence sobers the mind and makes the heart sensitive. It puts us in a posture to receive - to receive strength to pour out love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Plus, interacting with the Holy Spirit is just plain fun.