Heaven came down and glory filled my soul

I'm filled with excitement and anticipation at the next few days. The last week has had ups and downs, and I've had to tell myself many times to be still in the midst of the excitement. Monday couldn't come any slower, but I've been having so much fun living out this week and making the most of every opportunity.

I've been in the gym every day this week, which is really nice. It's a good thing I love my job, because being so exhausted by Friday just wouldn't be worth it. I find myself trusting in God more toward the end of the week, so it seems my enthusiasm is richer by Friday. It's funny how that works. Makes me laugh every time. Also been working on a letter to the congressman and senators, requesting further contention on my behalf with the ss situation. That's been a little exciting. We ended up not moving to our new apartment, so Papa will have to do that without me. Not so good for him, as he is hella busy during the week and has to finish cleaning by next Saturday. Oh boy... my goal this weekend is to get things prepared for him to make a smooth transition, i.e. box up my books, take my bed down...etc.

The walls in my room are already bare. It makes me a little sad, but I'm excited to see what my new space will be like. I like spontaneous and unexpected change like this. It spices up my life.

The CrossFit Games are still going on and it psyches me up to be part of it. I did the 5th event of 6 this morning, and was effing destroyed. I laid out in middle of the parking lot for about 20 minutes afterward, like a puddle, letting the sun soak me up. There is one more workout that I will do on Monday morning before taking off to Vermont. Hopefully I'll get some good rest before that happens. I'm pretty physically and emotionally wrecked from this long, busy week.

On days like this, I thank God for his everlasting joy that I never seem to lose even in the midst of weariness. I think he's given that to me for a reason.

Last night I went to the Mars Hill Good Friday service with the Days. Lauren, Colin, Colin's sister Erin, and her fiance Jon (the latter two are living in Annapolis, and want to hang out sometime when I live there. I hope to introduce you Naptown folks to them. Really nice people.) The service was freaking INTENSE. It was dark, with red lights and smoke, heavy music and really upsetting. There was a film about Jesus' trial and execution with disturbing images. I realized how necessary it is to see those images to understand how he really did suffer. What does suffering sound like? What does it look like? That's really all that I deserved, and He took it upon himself.

By His stripes He paid our ransom
From His wounds we drink salvation.
He is the Lord!

At the end of the service the lights turned bright as we sang "This I know, He has paid my ransom!" I was floored. Every year Good Friday and Easter mean a little bit more than the last because I come into it on a different part of my journey, and have experienced Christ in incredible ways. How much He really cares!

"No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." John 10:18

I'm stoked for Easter tomorrow. I'll be spending the morning with the Days, going to Qwest Field for the Mars Hill service (They're hoping for 20,000 people and 500 baptisms!). I can't wait to hear everyone praising God in that stadium. It's going to be EPIC!

Then dinner at Salty's on Alki with the Days.