Hey guys, so my 1 post/week goal isn't working out so well eh? Well here's a quick update on my life since my last post ok?

Well I headed home, tired and disheartened, I have returned to Beautiful British Columbia... surrounded by the landscapes that I truly believe were kissed by God Himself... I reside with my grandparents currently. I've acquired a job waitressing at a place out here in the promised land. Keeping my eyes peeled for a job more relevant to the degree I recently graduated with. But you know I really do think God wants me where He's got me. I know many who will argue that point and thats alright, I don't mind. Honestly it's hard to trust myself and my faith when the world tells me I'm wrong... but hey, no where did God ever say the path He leads us down would be easy right? Everyone has their opinion and God's the only one who knows which one of us is right.

Anywho, one cool story we went through the other day in Sabbath School... was Esther... you all know the story right? The queen refuses to be shown off as a prized cow in front of the audience so she's banished, The king has to find a new queen so he invites all the eligible young ladies to be a part of the beauty pageant, the winner becomes his queen and then because Esther wins the title of fairest in the land she saves her people and is remembered for all eternity for her bravery...

Esther has always intrigued me... God made this woman to be incredibly beautiful, I'm sure inside and out, because He had for her a special purpose. Obviously outwardly beautiful since she captured the eyes of the king who had plenty of women to chose from...  God used that beauty to His glory... we hear so often people talk about someone's heart of gold, their kindness, their faithfulness... But how many are known for their physical beauty... Anyways I guess that was my side thought for the night, I guess I just like the idea that in a world with so many conflicting views about feminism, sexuality, appearance, etc... I like the idea that we should feel comfortable with who we are because God made us that way... beautiful or ugly... God molded our appearance just as much as He molds our heart. But I also like that we shouldn't feel ashamed of striving to be better. I mean don't focus our attention so much on our appearance that it takes away from the beauty within... but that doesn't mean we should neglect our appearance because it's the inside that counts...

But you know, Esther is such a gold mine of incredible truths. Truths we so often neglect. What do we usually learn from Esther???
- Stand for what you believe in no matter what the cost
- God puts us where He needs us though we may not always understand
Is there any other "normal" lessons that we usually hear from Esther??? Off the top of my head I'm coming up short...
But Here's a few lesson's I've gleaned from Esther this past little while...
- Keep your beliefs to yourself
- Do what it takes to be beautiful
- God leads you into controversial places

Seriously though... have you ever thought about the truths behind Esther??? Do you think Esther felt comfortable going into the kings house knowing what would happen. that she'd probably end up either concubine or wife? How about the wisdom of Mordecai to keep her heritage and beliefs a secret? It's hard to know whether Esther was scared of what would happen if she argued, or if she was so incredibly trusting of God that she followed Him places that I'm sure she thought she couldn't possibly make a difference. By the fact that she kept her heritage a secret you'd think it was fear... but by the fact that she was willing to stand before the king uninvited, it's hard to believe she was afraid of anything...

Psalm 23 if it was written by Esther

The Lord is my Chamberlain I shall not want
He maketh me to bath in rich ointments, He giveth me riches abundant.
He gives all I desire, He leadeth me in the paths of Kings for His name's sake
Yeah though I through the court room of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. thy love and thy will they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies, thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.