Arden's Garden

God has blessed me with a season of rest this fall. I graduated college with a bachelor degree last December and I've been very busy all this year. I spent the spring working a job and studying for the MCAT (though, since then, I've ruled out medical school, but that's a discussion for another day) and I spent the summer serving on a mission trip, but now I have time to rest.  This fall, I am employed part-time, but that is an on-call position and, so far, I have not yet been called in. I'll admit, that is frustrating. In a high-achieving family, being the only one not currently enrolled in school (though I will begin a masters program in the spring) and not actively working each day does take a toll.  Yet, I've been able to find peace and contentment. I see this season in my life as a time for reflection and a moment to catch my breath and prepare for the next steps in life.  However, rest does not, and should not, equivalate to sloth.  I have been able to find bal...

This summer, from the end of May to the beginning of August, I served on a mission trip called TEAMeffort. This organization leads week-long mission trips for middle and high schoolers, who come to serve the communities through construction projects. Being a camp counselor, I lived in Altoona, PA all summer and had the joy of meeting new groups each week.  What an experience!  To understand my perspective and growth, you must know that, as a young child, I was outgoing and extraverted. However, during my teenage years, my life moved online and, as a result of sinful influences in my life, I shut myself off socially. Yet, the Lord is always good and He always has the power to redeem! He led me through a dark time in my life where He showed me the error in my ways and directed me back onto the straight n' narrow! I've spent the past three years rebuilding my social energy, which, I'll admit, had been quite the struggle.  Now you understand why this summer, especially the so...