Happy Friday! Well, I'm drawing near to the end of my spring break and reflecting a bit on the time...

First of all, it's been awesome to have the time with family-to say that God has blessed me with incredible parents and siblings would be an understatement.

I also can't tell you how nice it's been to have a break from classes...so much open time to WRITE! I've been working on two new songs this week-I finished one tonight...praise the Lord! AND...the other one is still a work in progress...but it's coming along! It's so strange how different ideas formulate and materialize. I was driving home from my sister's house yesterday, and I was thinking about her relationship with my brother-in-law. They got married pretty young and I've seen them experience so much together-simply in being young and married while in school. I am continually amazed by the love they have for eachother-and I know it's nothing but the grace of God that has held them together through everything. Needless to say, I was reflecting on all of this, and I opened my mouth, and just in singing my thoughts out loud, formulated a chorus! I was so excited I ran home, wrote down lyrics and began working out a melody. After the chorus, I began praying about the rest...and really started to feel like the song shouldn't just be about lateral relationship love, but about God's love for us, and how we should be trying to work towards loving eachother with unconditional love every day of our lives. The thing is, we (as people) aren't good at loving unconditionally. I know personally, I get frustrated because I don't love others the way I should or the way I want to or the way each person deserves. This song is about that, I guess. Being inspired by love-the love of others and the love of Christ for us and others and the realization of falling short of extending this love-but continually trying anyway.

On a different note...I also worked on my Kazakhstan support letters tonight. I'm taking a missions trip to Kazakhstan in May through the Worship department at Liberty. I always feel a little strange with things like this-I know God provides through the financial blessings of others, but I guess I just struggle with feeling as though things aren't getting across sincerely. So, I guess I would really appreciate all of your prayers-both that God would provide financially and that recipients of those letters would really know my heart. Thanks everyone!!!

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Emily

Isaiah 42:16
"I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, in paths they do not know I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them and rugged places into plains. These are the things I will do, and I will not leave them undone."