so much fear

a lot has happened in these past few weeks since break, yet i've been running, running, running and i am still running and barely ever have time to stop and post and reflect. well... i'm tired of running and so i'm taking a break. here's my reflection and some pictures that follow of the past 2 weekends, the first in wabash indiana with the band and my family showed up... it was amazing and the most wonderful surprise in the world! and the other weekend was this past in traverse city michigan with work. there were 22 inches of snow and josh, amy, tyler, brenda and i had sooo much fun playing in it! hope you enjoy the pictures.
i think the biggest thing i have learned in these past two weeks is that God really does listen to my prayers and he cares about them even if i feel like they are petty or insignificant or stupid and i should just stop praying. that's not true and he loves me! there've been many sad and scary moments in these past days. i'm getting ready to pack up my room, move to ohio, and then journey to egypt where i will live for four months and while i am excited i am TERRIFIED!!! questions fill my mind all the time... legitimate ones, and others that are just silly. i was going through my cds 2 weeks ago and i found a worship song on one of my kids tapes that i sung over and over to myself this past weekend especially when i was just overcome by fear, and i will continue to sing it as i go. i wish that i knew more about technology slash blogs and the internet so that the song would play for you as you read my blog. i would love to hear it play every time i logged on! but anyways, it goes like this...

trust! trust in the Lord, lean not on your own understanding.
in all, in all of your ways acknowledge him... he'll make your path straight.

my eyes can only see the ground beneath my feet
but your dreams are greater your ways are higher, o Lord, please show me!
when i trust

trust in the Lord, lean not on your own understanding
in all, in all of your ways acknowledge him... he'll make your path straight.

you'll be my guide for life. i walk by your side.
with your hand in mine, i will go where you lead me!

oh, [kara], trust! trust in the Lord, lean not on your own understanding.
in all, in all of your ways acknowledge him... he'll make your path straight.

bless my choice! my dreams, my imagination...
step, step by step... your delight... your creation!

trust! trust in the Lord, lean not on your own understanding,
in all, in all of your ways acknowledge him... he'll make your path straight.

i am reminded over and over again of my grandma burkey and her amazing trust in Jesus in spite of the cancer that she is facing. those dear sweet words are often on my lips "tis so sweet to trust in Jesus... how i've proved him over and over." i KNOW that i can trust him and i know that i am going to make it through all of this... these last several days of crunch time and deadlines and studies and tests and projects and presentations and meetings; packing and shots and finishing things and turning papers in. and i KNOW that i can trust him just because his word says i can. psalm 125:1-2 says: Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forever. he's surrounding me!! what do i have to fear?? AND!! psalm 20:7-8 says: Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. if i keep trusting in him, i will rise up and stand firm... there will be no falling!! what is there to fear??? he is WITH ME!!!
AMEN. let it be so.