y. day 267 what to do once i reach z

It feels like I've been reading all the right parts of the right books at the right time. I always read 4 or 5 books at once and even though the topics are different, they sync together pretty well sometimes. At times, they connet with the sermons I hear or stuff I go through daily. Anyways, one thing I've come across recently was the idea of how fruit comes in seasons, not all the time. It talks about it in Psalm 1, about cultivating your heart and meditating day and night so that in season, you will produce fruit. We can't rely on intense spiritual experiences all the time to feel connected to God. There are times when they come, but our job is to be faithful and continue to obey and read His Word even if it may be dry at times.

Quick Updates:

--research has been somewhat better as i'm taking more control of the stuff i'm doing. also learning how to make use of any down time i have in research to do something productive or worthwhile

--life group with harvest for spring/summer term is joined with grad students, single adults, and married couples. it's quite exciting as i hear perspectives coming from parents who have kids and hearing older men share their wisdom and experiences. still in process of getting to know them.

--going through the book of Daniel for aiv sg. it's been good and i always look forward to seeing aiv ppl.

--got a 30 day rec pass to play vball at the ccrb. ppl who go now on fri and sat nights are the older grad students/working ppl so games are more fun. still trying my best to not focus too much on myself but try to help others improve. 

--started messing around with illustrator and love it greatly. really fun stuff.

x. day 243 hope i counted my days correctly

Such incoherent transitions:
     - from a week of finals, projects, and hecticness at umich
     - to a week of relationships, leadership, vision at cfw upstate mich
     - to a week of catching up, time with family and old friends, disconnection from michigan life, emotional and perhaps spiritual drainage back at nyc
     - and now to weeks of more intensive research, reestablishment of consistent quiet times, more intentional relationships and more serious study of the faith here in michigan.

To be honest, that's the extent to all I can write right now. I need rest.

w. 233 the pain of silence

finals week. taking only 3 class but somehow seems like the most hectic week. most other ppl were down with everything last week or have only a paper or one easy exam this week... I've still got 2 projects and 2 finals left. meanwhile, surprisingly many random negative little things popping out such as leaving my wallet at gym and locked out of my apartment til 2:15 am, light bulb died after less than a week of use, jammed finger, etc. I say all this not as a means to complain. I'm certainly learning what it means to not complain but to rejoice in all situations. Nonetheless, it is certainly quite challenging. Sometimes I wonder why can't God make things easier by being more strongly present. I wonder who much more I can be efficient and focused on doing His will than taking time to sit back and reflect and think about Him. but i suppose that is the more important thing- to seek Him rather than seek to do His work.

4/28-5/4 Chapter Focus Week (Basileia equivalent) with AIV
5/5-5/12 New York City
Late evening 5/12 Ann Arbor for rest of Summer