[ the joy of the Lord is our strength ]

Do not grieve,
for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10

I should head to bed soon.

A few random thoughts, though:

• When I'm not feeling up to par physically, I can really notice how weak I become and how desperately I need to slow down.

• Questions that have come to mind lately:
  
• How does my response to the gospel reflect my view of God? Am I working praying to become a woman who spontaneously responds to the good news of Jesus?
• Does the work of the Cross capture me, beyond my own understanding and feelings?
• Am I allowing the Lord to permeate every area of my life?
• How can I be really intentional in reaching out to men and women here at Muskingum? What will it take?

• I miss my parents a lot right now. Mom and I have been texting each other. This really cracks me up.

• I get to spend a lot of Saturday and Sunday with Joe! Time with him gives me life. And a heart at rest.
  

• Fall is almost here! At dinner the other night Meryl and I were brainstorming signs of fall, like crisp air, sweatshirt-and-jeans weather and a sudden drop-off -- and trade-off -- in cravings for ice cream for hot apple cider! I think she may be writing a commentary on it next week. Oh, goodness. I have to write commentaries next semester!

• The Lord is faithful, even when things seem kind of tough. His joy is our strength. Every part of our insufficiencies and limitations -- covered by God's accomplishments (2 Co. 3:5).

Jessie