i stopped to watch the sunset tonight. perched on a ledge behind the museum of art, i sat, kind of patiently, to watch the clouds turn dark and the sun go down for as long as i could sit still. it was a good exercise in calmness for me, seeing as i rarely take time to just sit and be, especially when i’m on a run.

i watched the sky over the schulkyll river reflect back into the water and spew brightness and brilliance across my scenic view of the land (and traffic.)

metallic hues of luminescent lemon, tangerine, strawberry pink, swirled about behind  smoky periwinkle clouds that dusted the electric backdrop…it was breathtaking. i wished, at the time, i had a camera…but i think the attempt to describe the beauty of God’s artistic creation is more interesting to me right now…especially because it proves just how marvelous a God he is. my words could never do Him or his creations justice— not even his Wednesday evening sunset over Philadelphia. Not even that.

as i sat in wonder at his masterpiece, and then looked at the beautiful Philly museum of art, a great work of man, a tribute to history and art and expression, i laughed at our attempts at greatness. they are but a grain of sand on the beach of God’s creation.

my own attempts fall even shorter, often. my plans fail. my desires change. my wishes fade away. but God’s remain forever.

God says to us, Why do you fret? Why do you worry about tomorrow? To what end do you concern yourself with the future?

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (jER 29:11)

Oh. I get it. You’re on my side. And, in a way, you made this for me. This beautiful display of your love and creativity and passion for your creation, it’s all for me.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.” (Psalm 19:1,2)

But, my God, such knowledge is too great for me…such wisdom cannot be contained in my being, in this earthly form. I fall so short…

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” (Romans 11:33)

So, Lord, let it be enough for me. Let it be enough that you know, you care, you love me, you have a plan for me. You are on my side. You are my strength and my shield, and you are a warrior for me and my cause.

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14

God, still my inmost thoughts and concerns. Calm my heart. Make me still before you. Make me steadfast and faithful and unwavering in faith. Let me see the hope you have set before me, and let me run hard after you.

it’s been three weeks. i’m starting to feel more at home here…with every tuesday night and (sometimes) thursday night run with the philly runner’s club, i’m meeting new people, having more fun during my sometimes dragging weeks, and it’s good.

the weekends need no help improving. of course, if I could see joey, that would help…but we’ll see about that.

i’ve spent the last two weekends in DC exploring, having fun, making new friends and seeing some old ones too. that has been the highlight of my trip, no doubt. next weekend, i may go back, but might stay in philly if I find something worth staying for.

sights and sounds are only as great as the people you see them with. and great people is something i’m still working on finding. i know they are everywhere, but the problem is making a connection, finding a common ground, other than flat out walking up and asking what their interests are to see if there’s potential.

but i’m doing good. and work isn’t bad either, after a few cups of coffee to get me goin’…i last almost til 5. ha.

i am missing my favorite friend more than i have all summer. and i just want to be near him for a while. just a couple days. i don’t know if that will happen, but i’m going to pray hard that it does. my heart misses him a lot. lot.

but there has been growth and learning. and who can complain? not me.

weeks in the working world go by slower, but, luckily, so do the weekends…

these past two days, i managed to see a good amount of national and historic landmarks and iconic sites that evoke feelings of patriotism, gratitude and good, old-fashioned American pride. It’s been refreshing and exciting to see these sites for the very first time, to be in awe of the pure historic value of the city where i’m living… and to be the only one in a crows who wants to take a picture. i’m alright with it.

this is as much an adventure and a vacation of sorts as it is an internship — it’s a workventurecation.

I ran today along the Schukyll river, on Kelly Drive, with hundreds of other runners, bicyclists, roller bladers, sun-bathers — and loved it. The run, being part of the local community and feeling safe but still a part, helped me warm up even more to the city and my neighborhood. I decided to join the Philadelphia runner’s club so I could be inspired to get out more during the week and possiblly even make friends! They do Saturday and Tuesday evening runs, with meals out on Thursday nights, I think.

Next Sunday, I’m going to visit a local church, and see if I can’t find some like-minded individuals in this city. ( : Today, I just needed to sleep in and recoop from the last two weeks of NON-STOP. And sleep in I did (11 am, to be exact. Don’t hate- I’ll be waking up tomorrow at 6:30 am.)

I realized today that having a fulfilling weekend, whatever that may mean—work, play, rest, travel, good food—helps me be prepared and accepting of a new week. I love weekends, but I don’t think I could handle too many days with as little structure as today has had.

I love the people I work with- they are all so welcoming, friendly, helpful, and willing to answer any questions I have. Sarah (fellow intern) and I had lunch with the CEO/President of the company on Friday, and he was surprisingly down-to-earth and easy going. He even lived in KC for three years and was a Dow Jones intern himself, so we had common ground there.

I’m a little anxious to start seeing some familiar faces—but I know I just need to pray for patience. I miss my boyfriend immensely, my family, my friends, everyone! Being away is exponentially increasing my appreciation for who I know and what I have at home. My life is so good, so blessed, so perfect in so many ways.

I have so much. And this first of 10 weeks has added experiences to my reservoir of life as much as it has added richness to my life.

i’m here and it’s real. i really live here for the next 10 weeks. i don’t think it has quite hit me yet. it’s more like i am visiting this room with all my clothes and my down comforter and my shoes and books and perfume stashed messily on shelves and behind curtains. but somewhere between here and august 9, i’m sure i will realize… that this is my summer 2009. my last summer as a college student.

weird.

i got a little disappointed today, after leaving my first day of work, to realize that after this summer i only had 9 more months of collegiate bliss until days like today would fill the rest of my life. i will enter the working world. BUT it’s not all bad. because i quickly realized, that’s why i’m learning how to get paid to do what i love to do… (let me have a couple years to figure out exactly what that is, please and thank you).

i’m not sure about this neighborhood yet. it’s safe-esque enough in broad daylight, and there are some cute little shops i’d like to go in, some facades i want to photograph…but at night, it flat out worries me. i know i’m not a city girl. over the past week and a half, i’ve begun to realize that fact…but this is still a good exercise in faith and perserverance for me, either way.

i’m excited for this summer, despite some of my fears. maybe those will diminish once i get to know the area better. hope so…because who wants to look over their shoulder all the time? not me.

waht’s most important, though, is that i remember at every moment that i’m in his hands. and that nothing of this world can harm me without my father knowing. that is my true and only comfort. nothing will come to pass that he has not granted access to affect the annuls of history and happenings. and given that he is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-loving, that’s better than any 100% guarantee i could never truly receive.

this post is dedicated to modern art I find amusing and inspiring

the singing tree is creepy, but beautiful in its own way

kinetic sculptures, my favorite

anything can be used to create art

water looping as good an idea as any

not a good place to go trip on acid

i love art.