[insert your life here]

To whom it may concern:

Tonight, after my run, I walked to the edge of a hill overlooking highway 1. A streetlight behind me cast my crouched shadow on a patch of weeping golden grass at the base of the slope. I watched the cars drive by and listened for God to give me some form of reply to questions that have been burning my mind. I hate those... questions without answers. Initially they make me furious, then they make me desperate. Ultimately, God provides understanding but the time it takes to finally hear His whisper is tortuous and seemingly unbearable. Still He brings me through and I have faith that He will bring me through this time as well. What questions are burning in my mind right now? Mainly questions pertaining to some relationships I have. Am I supposed to be hurt? I realize there is a time for everything: joy, pain, laughter, sorrow, life, death; and relationships are subject to the law of undulation. But still, even for all the good times, the bad constantly repeats itself and that's just it! It's the same thing each time! You think I would learn or say something but I guess that is part of my question waiting to be answered. Is it even my place to say anything? Another question burning: how many times have I dismissed the issue by placing the blame on myself? Maybe that's where it belongs? I am just waiting and listening for a reply.

I am so thankful for my pastor's message on Sunday, especially with these questions branding my mind. One of the points he discussed was how Jesus demonstrates the significance of stillness in Mark 1:35 and following. I have been waiting for God to provide an answer to me in my schedule without leaving any time for Him. He can still answer me in the noise of daily life but how much more will I hear when I am quiet, in solitude, yearning after the sound of His voice -- a sweet whisper on the wind. So pray for me in this, that I will seek solitude with Him and be attentive to His voice.

Exciting news for the day: I have decided on the topic for my informative speech! I will talk for 7-8 minutes on collages! I spent several hours tonight in the school library (aside from the track on a clear night, the library is my home away from the dorm) researching collages and finding odd craft books all about gnomes! Did you know that Pablo Picasso was the inventor of the collage. He made the first in 1912, a painting called, "Still-life with Chair-Caning." I never knew there was so much history behind my favorite hobby. Research is thrilling.

Here is a quote from a random book I pulled off the shelf before COMM 200 in the library this morning, it is on the doctrine of grace: "Salvation from commencement to consummation, service from start to finish, sanctification from beginning to end are all associated with the grace of God."

Now to what the rest of the night shall hold...

be well,