i'm back!

nashville was great - i learned so much from the meeting with the lawyer - i got to spend some time toward the very end of my trip songwriting with a couple friends, which was a complete blast! i can't wait to go back - these people are so flippin talented :)
fun times - anyway - thank you guys for your prayers! i also got to spend some time with some amazing folks who love the Lord - i saw the Lord completely use them in my life and perspective, and also me in theirs - that was cool to feel like i "fit" somewhere, even if just for a little while. It's cool when God does that. good to know you are being used - and you are where He wants you - i could be anywhere and with those gentle reminders that I am His and there is a reason He's placed me "here", I am content.
On a side note, I'll be open with you guys, I've felt such an intense need to be comforted by the Father. I've felt so broken, so ugly, so unrighteous, unworthy to come before Him, to be used in His plan - I say this knowing that if you walk with the Lord you can totally relate to this - so I am open, praying that in my weakness He will reveal His strength. It's been hard. But just tonight God reminded me of beautiful healing truth - He reminded me that He does not ask me to come pretty, or to come pure. He does not ask me to come worthy or with any righteousness I can count as my own before Him. He asks me to come repentant, not ready in my own worth, but ready to delight in the worth of His son - He asks me to come boasting in Him alone - He asks me to come at all times, delighting at all times - He does not ask me not to hurt - He says come all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. My Father does not ask of me what sometimes keeps me from coming before Him. Oh to delight consistently in such an amazing love! It is such a precious gift that I somehow figure out how to take for granted. But once again, here i am filled again by His mercy and grace with a contentment and satisfaction that He's allowed only by first allowing my brokenness.
What a gracious and loving King - His plan and continued work in and through my life is a mystery unfolding and yet His loving-kindness surpasses any I could ever know.

:)
so there it is. you're updated.