Today is a much more typical Norwegian day weather-wise - cool, spotty rain showers, cloudy, with a blustery wind... I love it. It's been a pretty laid-back day, we were doing some odd chores and tasks this morning but nothing is really on the schedule for this evening. It's been great getting to know Darrell Sr. and Sandy, and Adam and Renae better as the days go by. Every once in a while I feel a little awkward and out of place, being the only single person in the group (except for Dylan, but he hardly counts). It has nothing to do with anyone intentionally making me feel out of the loop or different or anything like that - it's just that sometimes I'll catch a look or a glance, hear a phrase or tone of voice, or observe some other audible, visual or physical cue that will expose just how much someone cares for their spouse, and I'll feel a twinge of longing for that kind of relationship. Don't get me wrong, I love my life - I love the freedom that being single affords me; the ability to go, work, and live wherever, whenever; I love the reliance on God for relationship and community that being single creates; the "vacare Deo," the vacancy for God, to do His will at a moment's notice without thoughts for wife and family...

All that being said, I think that it's only natural to have occasional feelings of loneliness, or to think that it might be nice to have someone to come home to at night, someone to share life's joys and pains and experiences with. I don't know what God's will is for me in that area... All I know is that for today (and in all likelihood, tomorrow), I plan on living life to the fullest, just as I am. All I need is God; I want to hunger and thirst after Him, to breathe Him in every moment of every day, to love Him more than life itself.

I've recently begun working on memorizing the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). As I was working on the Beatitudes this past week, I had this picture in my head of Jesus, sitting down amidst the crowds on the hillside, beginning to teach... but not to the group. To each individual. I could picture Him saying, "Blessed are the poor in spirit," and as he said it looking at someone who he knew fit that description, locking eyes with them, and then finishing by saying "...for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." The Word of God is powerful enough to move nations and stir souls at the same time.

God, fill me with your Word. Saturate me, so that I may be ready and willing to share your Word at all times, with all people. Help me to model servant leadership this summer. Keep me involved in the present while not forgetting the past or failing to look forward to the future.