jungle rain

(photo taken by Jessica Jansma) Friends Some are grateful for books or school's end; I am thankful for family and friends.  Some doubt a friend's love stays forever; But friendship is a precious treasure.  A friend adds joyful times to our lives and is there when hard trouble arise. Whenever you need a listening ear, You can rely on them to be near. Even when hardships occur, don't worry. Your friendship doesn't have to turn blurry. So, please don't give up on your friendship Because life is only a short blip. eighteen more days until my best friend comes down to brasil for a visit!

"and people who do not know the Lord ask why in the world we waste our lives as missionaries. they forget that they too are expending their lives... and when the bubble has burst they will have nothing of eternal significance to show for the years they have wasted." -nate saint  

lying in my hammock, i treasured the moment, not wanting the night to end.  memorizing the sound of the frogs croaking and the the crickets chirping...feeling the sway of my hammock as I lay bundled up in my blanket...knowing my friend below me was finding a comfortable position in her hammock...hearing familiar voices in the distance which would be a topic of conversation the following day... going over all that happened  so the camping trip would be ingrained in my brain and would never be forgotten...wanting to stay awake so the day wouldn't have to end...thanking my precious and wondrous God for nature and the life I grew up in...i drifted off to sleep.

t here is something about jungle rain that is so perfect. m aybe it is the way it falls lightly on your head as you climb under the branches or the way all the leaves glisten with fresh rain drops. t he sunlight shining on the falling water gives a beauty above all else.  t he movement of trees caused from the cold wind above intrigues me. e ven the damp leaves under my feet that few have trodden on hold untold beauty. t he smell of rain and green plants is great. t he best  part though is how the wet jungle shows the power and creativity of the one true God. m y God. w hen i walk through the jungle rain i feel at peace knowing that my Creator is nearby and will never leave me. a fter a stressful day at school, i can walk under those huge trees that have been growing for years and suddenly all my problems and trials seem small and unimportant. h owever, sometimes that jungle rain turns into a storm. The thunder rumbling and lightening cracking makes me want to roll up in a...