Ketchup

So, the events of the last few weeks have been a whirlwind of something quite fantastic. Let's see, my Justin graduated Hope College in Michigan. My trip out there with Shaug and Amy was incredible. I watched with much pride as J accepted his pretend diploma ( a real one will be issued to him soon haha)

It was such gorgeous weather in Holland. We visited the "beach" there along Lake Michigan and enjoyed the quaint downtown Holland. Once we got Justin packed up we headed on the road, first stop Chicago! We made our way across the states, seeing awesome and very important landmarks like the U.S.'s only landlocked lighthouse...or the worlds largest thermometer. We got to visit out friends Steve and Shelly in Parker, Colorado and see downtown Denver. We did so much, it's hard to include everything, but it will be a trip we will never forget. The day before Justin's grad we found out his family had moved to Fresno, so he is living there now. It's hard, but we are working it out. Yesterday we celebrated our one year dating anniversary, since we were on the road for our real one back on the 10th. So, it was a day of shopping for new school clothes for J, dinner, a baseball game, and lots of wonderful conversation.
So, we could use some prayer, for some pretty big things coming up. Praise God Justin got his financial aid package from the Culinary Institute and it was much more than expected, but he still needs some money. So our prayers include, financial aid for Justin, a car for both of us, clarity on big future stuff, God's direction, our work situations, our families. Today was my final day of class so praise God for that! Also, Justin has likely landed a job at a restaurant in Fresno, so another big praise God for that. Amy is doing well and the baby is doing great, a very healthy and pretty spot on pregnancy so that is wonderful. My niece Amanda is graduating high school soon. Relay for Life turned out well, all the madness before hand paid off and it was a very healing time for me and I am sure many others.
Ok, time for some brutal honesty
I am stressed, I don't feel stressed, but my body says otherwise
I am praying about school in the fall, and just God's direction in general
I don't paint nearly as often as I used to
Shaugs heart for his family is humbling
Realizing my mom won't be around for the next few years of my life, including big things like my future wedding day, my kids, is sinking in now and it sucks
I am a huge fan travel, but a bigger fan of experiencing firsthand
Justin's ambition and willingness to do follow the Lord overwhelms me in all the right ways, I'm going to marry that man one day
I am certain now there are moments God shares with us, where we see ourselves as others do, and it can be wonderful, and it can be devastating, but in those moments I have to choose to see me as God does, despite what I now understand about myself
I am hungry for a deeper understanding of what I say I believe in
Relationships require more selflessness than I am usually willing to give
I am hungry for independence
Control over my life will paralyze me, love will make me move
Pray with the one you love, daily, it pays off
Alright, that was my random catch you up the life of Korina blog, nothing poetic for now. But I will cop out and leave you with a poetic quote

“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)”