A taste of art...

Kate and Laura on the left; Kaelah and Ira on the right...it's autumn in Germany! Oct. 2

Gentle middle school curiousity...

The Artist...or The Potter

This past Saturday, October 2, several of the middle school girls and I went to a craft festival in Holzen and we walked around in awe of the incredible variety of arts/crafts that the vendors were selling. We saw (and touched) the pottery, sampled bread, marveled at jewelry, and modeled hats and scarves. It was a refreshing escape from the dorm...so the girls and I called it our little 'field trip' for the afternoon (haha, Holzen is only 7 km away, but it was exciting nonetheless).

I wanted to share these pictures with you to give you a taste of autumn and the bright personalities of these girls. They are brimming with energy, they are curious, and they are just adorable girls!

-------

The final picture that I have attached is one of an artist at the festival. I couldn't help but capture his work because I was impressed by his focus as he painted the small man in his hands (especially considering the hustle and bustle through the crowded streets of the town). This past Friday after a conversation with a friend, I was convicted about my lack of faith in my own Creator. Just like this artist, the Lord is so attentive to my needs and He focuses so intently on every detail of my life...it's just that I have a tendency to forget this. I also have a tendency to forget about His care for His other children. For you see, I tend to question Him about the salvation of the people I deeply care about. These are His daughters and His sons...how long will He wait to capture their hearts and draw them in? "How long, LORD?" And then He gently but firmly convicted me of these passages from Isaiah 45-46...

"This is what the LORD says--

The Holy One of Israel, and its Maker:

Concerning things to come,

Do you question me about my children,

or give me orders about the work of my hands?

It is I who made the earth

and created mankind upon it.

My own hands stretched out the heavens;

I marshaled their starry hosts..." (Is 45:11-12)

"Remember this, fix it in mind,

take it to heart, you rebels.

Remember the former things, those of

long ago;

I am God, and there is no other;

I am God, and there is no one like me.

I made know the end from the beginning,

from ancient times, what is still to

come.

I say: My purpose will stand,

and I wil do all that I please.

From the east I will summon a bird of prey;

from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.

What I have said, that will I bring about;

What I have planned, that will I do.

Listen to me, you stubborn hearted,

you who are far from righteousness.

I am bringing righteousness near,

it is not far away;

and my salvation will not be delayed.

I will grant salvation to Zion,

my splendor to Israel..." (Is. 46: 8-13)

I read this writing of the prophet Isaiah and I have hope again. This is my God. I don't have to question Him about His children--He loves them more than I ever could and will faithfully do as He pleases. I rejoice because He did save Israel. He redeemed them despite all of their unfaithfulness. He made a way for a whole nation. Wow. AND YET, THE BEST PART is that He did summon a man from a far-off land! Christ came from heaven to earth to save His people and fulfill His mighty promise and purpose.

My prayer is that you would recall the story of Israel and God's redeeming love today. May it give you the proof and the evidence you need to believe in our Creator. May it be enough to release you in your Maker's hand and say, "Yes, Lord, may your will be done in my life and in the lives of your children."

I have no authority to question my God about His children... and there is freedom in this because He is the greatest Father they could ever hope for.

As I wait for the salvation of these people, I pray and I trust.