God's Gracious Timing...

Today, I have officially been here for 3 months. Time is such a funny thing. Sometimes it feels like I just arrived, and at other times it feels as if I have always been here, that this has always been my life. But regardless of how time feels, I know how my heart feels today- so thankful for this season, so thankful to be here, so thankful that the Lord has graciously given me this opportunity, this privilege.

I am also so thankful for the great privilege I have tomorrow- going up to Philly for the CCEF Conference! In these two things, I see God's gracious timing so clearly. As many of you know, Philly and CCEF had been my plan for so very long, a plan I had held so tightly to- even after coming to Covenant. And as excited as I was about the Conference, I also dreaded and at the same time hoped, that this weekend would confirm that I wasn't supposed to be here in STL at all, that my plan had been right- God's wrong, and that I could come back here knowing I was supposed to go up there.

But God's timing is so good! Today, I sat in class thinking- "I love this so much." And as I think about life, I honestly would not want to be anywhere else right now. And tomorrow I go to Philly, for what I hope will be an incredibly shaping, challenging, and refreshing weekend. But at the end of it, I know I will come home to a place, and people, and a life I love! Praise the Lord!

Seriously, I couldn't be more excited about the Conference. Over the past several years, it has been one of the most encouraging and influential parts of my life and ministry. I can only guess that this years is going to be the same. The entire weekend is on sex- looking at it from a biblical-creation, fall, redemption, and glorification framework. I am really excited because this is a topic I don't think the church talks about well or enough. I'm sure I will have much to say upon returning from the Conference, and as I think and ponder these things in the days and weeks to come.

For those of you who are not familiar with CCEF, check them out! There are not many people I would rather sit under and learn from than these godly, humble people who so profoundly apply the truths of the gospel to the realities and struggles of life.

Also, I am anxiously anticipating my hotel room. Last year without even requesting it, I got to stay in this...

I can only hope I'll be so lucky this year!