waiting.

Have you ever waited on something?
...And your stomach began to hurt and your heart raced and the worst possible scenarios decided to replay themselves in your head over and over again?
Welcome.

I am a senior in college and during my finals week, on December 13th, I received a phone call from my parents that I was waiting on, but almost didn't want to answer -- as if to avoid the inevitable. While I was a home a few weeks before, my family and I were at lunch after church one Sunday when my dad chose to share the news with us. He had gone to the doctor and gotten some tests done...

So, here was the phone call. I could already hear it in my mom's voice. It's this tone she has when she has been crying. He had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. I can honestly say I had never imagined this happening. But in that moment I had to make a choice to not worry. God is in control. I thought we were over our big "obstacle" in the Berry household. I thought we had paid our dues in dealing with pain... Nope.

I don't say that to discount what God can do. I believe He will and is healing my dad. I believe He is in control and loves my family very much. He has not brought us this far to simply take my dad away now... Of course there are moments of weakness and feelings that this cannot be real. BUT, in the end, I know that there is a reason for everything. In Ecclesiastes it says,

Whatever was, is.
Whatever will be, is.
That's how it always is with God.

So, I trust Him. I have to daily give Him my thoughts and believe that He has a reason for everything... A season for everything.

wheel.

Because my beloved friend, Misty, felt the need to judge my last blog entry I wanted to write a more elaborate entry this time around.

Life has been absolutely insane the past month and a half -- hence the reason I haven't written in a while. I have had barely any time to do anything other than read and prepare for exams the last few weeks. Too many projects, papers, and the like. Thanksgiving break was a tease for me -- a week home, two weeks back in Florida, and then back home! But once I go home I won't have anything to worry about because next semester brings new classes.

I feel like I need to take a moment and reflect on what I've learned these past few months... My leadership classes have stretched me and have forced me to do a lot of self-examination. Although there have been a few rough spots in there, I have enjoyed my professors and what they have invested in my life. This semester has been the best of my college career. I've met some amazing people and many of my relationships have been brought full circle.

And that's the way this wheel keeps working now...

your love is strong.

Your Love Is Strong
:Jon Foreman:

Heavenly Father
You always amaze me
Let your kingdom come
In my world and in my life
You give me the food I need
To live through the day
And forgive me as I forgive
The people that wronged me
Lead me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one

I look out the window
The birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune
Or out of place
I look at the meadow
And stare at the flowers
Better dressed than any girl
On her wedding day

So why do I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need
You know what I need

Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong

The kingdom of the heavens
Is now advancing
Invade my heart
Invade this broken town
The kingdom of the heavens
Is buried treasure
Will you sell yourself
To buy the one you've found?

Two things you told me
That you are strong
And you love me
Yes, you love me

Our God in heaven
Hallowed be
Thy name above all names
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us wicked sinners
Lead us far away from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons