From My Journal--8/18/2007@11:35pm

So each summer just has its moments that make me say or think that THAT summer has been the best yet. Like the summer five or so years back when I released the grudge against Kerry and her family, and regained Kerry as a friend that year. I mean that year at camp. The one where I released the grudge and cried on Josh White's shoulder. Anyway, this year, early on in the summer, I decided to devote myself to more daily scripture reading. I don't know how well I've done with that. I would say not well for my own quiet time. But there were numerous people (besides Susan, Sydney, and Bryce) who were encouraged. And not just by the care packages. I'm just talking everyday stuff that made me feel drained and empty because I felt I was giving out so much encouragement for a while, but was getting none back. So I felt empty, and like I could give out no more. Because if I had none, where would I get it from? Then Susan came back, and gave me a wonderful 'thank you' card. Also, Bryce told me 'thank you' while they were while they were still in Jordan, which meant a lot to me to receive his words at that time, which were also refreshing and encouraging, because I had spent all of the time that I'd spent in getting the cards together, and the entire time they were gone, all I could think of was "I messed up. They didn't like them, and threw them away, and are being nice about it....they didn't like them." So, especially when I received Bryce's 'thank you,' that was a confirmation to me that the time in gathering the cards and gum and all was not wasted, and it meant a lot to me to hear that. Susan's card came at a perfect time also, when I was asking God where I was going to get more encouragement from, and several people needed it all around the same time. It's always great to see God work in your life, and both cards came when I needed them. =)