Grace Like Rain

Last night, I laid awake in my bed listening to the rain. I could hear big heavy drops beating against the windows and the roof of our house. It was pouring so hard, drenching everything. I imagined all the birds and bugs caught in the storm and how they were scattering about trying to save themselves. The experience brought many different feelings. At first I felt a few nervous flutters, I guess you could say a little fear mixed with amazement. I wasn't sure if we were about to experience a powerful storm. Then I felt an urge to run out and let it soak me through. I knew it'd be cold and might even hurt a little, but it'd be totally worth it. I fell asleep enjoying the sound and feeling an overwhelming sense of peace.

I want to experience God like that. How awesome to be drenched by Him, completely and suddenly enveloped in Him. I think of Abraham when he greeted God on his porch (Genesis 18) or Moses who stepped onto holy ground unknowingly (Exodus 3:5). I bet their hearts stopped! I know that God desires to meet us in the most intimate ways possible, again and again. That's what he created us for. It's just up to us to let him.

The Island Life

We've been living on Japan's lovely island of Okinawa for three full months now. This summer has been hot and humid, especially for a Colorado girl like myself. Mark and I have been taking plenty of trips to the beach and it seems the sun never sets with out a show.

I tend to barrel through my life at full speed, on and on to the next thing, cuz that's how I like it! And God has been trying to get me to slow down for a minute so I can see all the wonderful things he has planned. It's been a rather comical 3 months for me :) I'm psyched to be here and feel like the world is at our feet even though we still have an overflow of obligations. The military is teaching us new things we didn't even know existed and is challenging us to really be the best we can be. I'm feeling more focused than ever (although that doesn't say much). I sure do miss all the wonderful people back home though. What happened to the days when whole families just moved around together? Honestly! I must admit that we newlyweds have been keeping to ourselves these days instead of charging off to find more great people. So that's our new mission.


I think we look lovable... don't you? Anyways, Mark's gotten the whole driving on the left side of the road thing down, but I still constantly walk to the wrong side of the car thinking the steering wheel is still on the left. I even took a right turn into the right lane once... very bad. You should have seen the dude heading toward me in his car, he totally freaked. Well, needless to say, that was the last time I did that :) So here we are, in the midst of signs we can't read, a language we can't speak, people & places we don't know and I'm feeling like a million dollars. Anything to enrich life's experiences right?