[ we've only just begun... ]

Okay, so disregard the lyrics from the famous Carpenters love ballad -- you know, the one that is played at 90% of weddings. But maybe not, since we've really just begun.

***

Move-in weekend is finished, which is a relief. Any transition to less paperwork and more interaction is refreshing; truly.

Tonight I talked to my friend and fellow RA Holly Soper, a really beautiful, wise, funny friend who loves people hard. (She uses that phrase to describe other people, but really, it embodies her character, too.)

Anyway, I think we're both overwhelmed with this big sense that God has really been preparing us to be here, in this place, with these young women -- sharing His love and working toward an others-centered lifestyle through Him.

It's been cool, even in the past few days, to welcome residents into this community -- and not just because it's Muskingum and we love it, but because God is here and is anxious to 'love people hard' -- this kind of indescribable, redemptive, engaged compassion.

Joe and I were talking about the need for our community here to rely on God for purposeful day-to-day living that points to Him in every way. He describes it like this: "We should pray like this: at the end of the year, we'll say, Look at all the things God did this year."

So true.

You know, to really move out of the way (escape from self!) and allow God to move in such a way that people meet Jesus -- right there, right here.

***

It's just good to be around all of these students all the time. Rocky times are inevitable, but what Holly was saying is so true -- that it just feels that God has equipped us for this place; that He has dealt with us and pushed us to grow up a bit; that He is going to reveal Himself and show up in every circumstance.

***

He's plucked us out of the dirt . . .

into this breathtaking brilliance only He can offer.

Love lead [us] on.