Counting down to vacation!

5 more days! It's going to be the best kind of vacation, going to stay right at home... sleep in late, watch lots of bad TV plus some better movies, eat lots of ice cream, go to bed even later...

I might even finish painting the living room and start the dining room. The paint job really started in 2003! No flashy colors. Just plain white... at least the paint manufacturer creatively named it Vienna Coffee/egg shell finish.

Guitar

I bought a guitar as a birthday present to myself several years ago, but haven't played it for many months. I was very recently reminded of the song, "As the Deer Pants for the Water," from Psalm 42 and decided to dust off the guitar to play it...


As the Deer Panteth for the Water

As the deer panteth for the water so my soul thirsteth after You
You alone are my hearts desire and I long to worship You

You’re my friend and You are my brother, even though You are a King
I love You more than any other even more than anything

You alone are my strength and shield, to You alone does my spirit yield,
You alone are my hearts desire and I long to worship You


The lyrics and the music are so beautiful. As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs for Jesus! Lord God, consume my thoughts with You alone!

Quote of the Day

What's worth living for is also worth dying for!
-Elisabeth Elliot

Dog days of summer!

I am counting down the days until vacation... three more weeks! This has been a frustratingly discouraging summer! I had intended and counted on the summer months to get some work done in the lab. But, set-backs and failed experiments have thrown kinks left and right. God is teaching me patience this summer, that's for sure!

Not quite certain where vacation will lead me. I was really hoping to get away. But, right now, sitting at home, watching TV, and taking afternoon naps sound real good, too!

Sigh... I do not mean to sound depressing. I just need to remember to keep my eyes on what's important... Jesus!

Here are verses to a new song that has really touched me of late...

Captivate Us (Watermark)

Your face is beautiful
And Your eyes are like the stars
Your gentle hands have healing
There inside the scars
Your loving arms they draw me near
And Your smile it brings me peace
Draw me closer oh my Lord
Draw me closer Lord to Thee

Captivate us, Lord Jesus
Set our eyes on You
Devastate us with Your presence
Falling down
And rushing river, draw us nearer
Holy fountain consume us with You
Captivate us Lord Jesus, with You

Your voice is powerful
And Your words are radiant bright
In Your breath and shadow
I will come close and abide
You whisper love and life divine
And Your fellowship is free
Draw me closer O my Lord
Draw me closer Lord to Thee

Let everything be lost in the shadows
Of the light of Your face
Let every chain be broken from me
As I’m bound in Your grace
For Your yoke is easy, Your burden is light
You’re full of wisdom, power and might
And every eye will see You

Gift

Mom and I were on our way to #1 Chinese grocery store on Saturday when her 1989 wagon stalled on I-95. It was scary at first to be stranded on the side of a major interstate highway. I quickly called AAA to request a tow truck. In God's providence, we pulled over to the side underneath a ramp to be able to wait in the shade, even though it wasn't really hot. The tow truck finally came after a good 45-minute wait. But the best part of this story was really the story of the truck driver he shared when he towed the car and us home. He had a friend who won a medical law suit for 14 million dollars. Out of the blue, this friend decided to use the money, pay off his house, and sell it to this tow truck driver friend for $1. What a nice friend! We could all use a little break every now and then. But it seems like our tow truck driver was desparate for one and seemed to deserve it more than anyone.

As for the wagon, Mom is finally letting it go. We'll probably donate it. It was having the same problem a couple of weeks ago. Mechanics thought they had fixed it. Apparently not...