It's hard to imagine how I could ever put into words all that has filled this past month of my life... So much has happened... and yet, there is very little I could say that could ever be more true than simply this: God has been so abundantly good to me, my precious friends.



I am recently engaged, and I'm soon to wed the best man I've ever known, one of the kindest men God has ever brought into my life. So, it is with great gratitude and deepest honor that I am able to introduce you to Chaney Rutherford.



We'll be married at First Baptist Church of San Antonio on December 20th, 2008 at 5 p.m. and will be so blessed to have those we love near at hand. In fact, my precious friend, Aimee Wheeler Moore, is even returning for the Christmas holiday from her missions in China (for the first time in a year-and-a-half and the last time for another two years.) Many other dearly-beloved friends and family will be there to celebrate alongside us...



I'm simply wanting to share the goodness of God with you all here... and wanting to say how much I love you--each and every one. May the Lord bless you!

This is me, saying "Good night" and telling you all how dearly I love you... I know time flies, these days, and before I know it, friends have moved, kindred spirits have married, siblings have grown, loved ones have gone to God, and the world has changed around me, yet again. No matter how things change around me, however... no matter how much even I, myself, change within... God never changes. He looks down with the same faithful countenance of love that He has turned on humanity, through the centuries past... and the gaze that has granted mercy to millions still finds grace to lavish on even me. What a beautiful God. Farewell, my loves. Remember that I hold you dear, but--most of all--remember the love of One whose heart never falters, whose mercy never fails, whose goodness never changes. The name of that perfect One is Jesus... and He is utterly in love with you.

Hello, sweet friends! I realize it's far too late for me to be sitting here, enjoying the pleasures of conversation with you all, but I simply can't help myself. :) In just a few fleeting hours, I'll be boarding a flight bound for Luhansk, Ukraine. What wonders hath God wrought! While there, I will be greeted by two weeks' evangelism missions and music ministry. I'm entralled with the provision of such rich opportunities for the advancement of my beloved Lord's kingdom, and I can't wait to see all that He will do in the coming days. More than all else, I'm praying that this endeavor will bring great glory to His name; it's the highest calling I could ever hold--to bring Him pleasure and honor... God be with you, my dear friends! Lord willing, I'll hope to be soon rejoining you here. :)

Shalom!

Hello, my dear ones! I have been fair-weathering and have long since left you here. I am very sorry, loves... I always pray that none in my circle of influence judge my Father God too harshly by looking at me; it could never be fair. When I have forsaken, He remains faithful. When I have forgotten, He remembers. When I am failing, then is He victorious. All that is good in me is solely birthed of Him; all that is bad is simply a reflection of my failure to embrace His presence in my soul. So look on, my friend, and mark the measure of a man in looking at me, but know ever that my faults are mine alone to bear and that my merits are solely Christ's. I pray that my life may be lived in such a manner as to be worthy of His high calling; I desire that honor only would be brought to this Name most beloved by my heart... Good night, my dear ones... and thank you for continuing to stand beside me. All my love...

Hello, dear ones! For once, I've actually made a return visit here in under a month. Aren't you all so proud of me? I know it's a rather small accomplishment, but for a languishing blogger like myself, the progress isn't half-bad. :)

Life is going alright here. There are many things to fill my days, and I'm daily learning more and more about what's really important in life. These are good times for my soul..sometimes a little hard, but nonetheless, tremendously valuable.

I've just finished a full day of Sabbath worship services and activities, and I'm truly grateful for the opportunities to celebrate being a child of God. He's so very good to us, and each day just lets me fall more in love with His grace.

I'm writing with so much on the heart and yet so little to write. :) Such a fool am I! Let it suffice to say that life is rushing by me with lightning speed... so much can happen in such a short time. In the latest news, my mother and brother, Brent, returned from the mission field in Nicaragua, I sent off a hundred songs to the Library of Congress Copyright Office, I was blessed to serve as the maid-of-honor in my best friend's wedding, I saw her off at the airport for her honeymoon to Scotland and her following move to the Chinese mission field, our church worship ministry unexpectedly took a turn for a "rest period," I've found the company of old friends still as precious as ever and the company of present loved ones a refreshment to my soul, teaching lessons continues several days a week, I now know I'm a rather industrious warehouse worker when Dad's company has need of me, I have two remaining courses until my college is completed, and some nights, I sleep. :) God has been tremendously good to me. Whether in rain, shine, joy, or sorrow, He's simply so gracious, and I continue to stand in awe...

I love you all so much and pray that God is blessing each and every one of you. The Lord be with you, dear ones. I'll try to write again soon and leave behind me the apostasy of my wandering ways... You see, I never meant to "desert" any of you here, and I promise to come again, as soon as I can. All my love...

I just wanted to say...

"Yes, I'm still alive, and despite my shameful lack of words during these past many months, I love you all dearly."

...Truly, I do, dear ones.

God be with you!