Okay, I know it has been a loooong time since updating the blog! Jeff and I have had a whirlwind of a month. We traveled to 5 different countries. A doozy, I know! Canada, Germany, Uganda, Italy and England. (Just one step closer to reaching Jeff’s lifetime goal of becoming a platinum member on Delta!) Oh, and then the day we got back, we started packing, moving into another rental 30 minutes from where we were living. (When the Bethke’s go, we go hard!)

I am so glad to be back with you guys, writing and sharing about all that the Lord is teaching me, in hopes that it blesses your hearts as well. The next couple of weeks I’m hoping to share some of our stories from our travels- the good, the beautiful, and the ugly! Hopefully it will give you a little giggle, (ahem, or chuckle for you guys) as I share our crazy stories.

As I look back on our month, one theme runs through it all—God’s abundant and overflowing grace. I read a lot of books this past month (of which I am DYING to tell you all!), one of which was “Victims of Grace” by Robin Jones Gunn.

What a beautiful story of her journey with the Lord. She unfolds the truth of how our God is so gracious with us. We are not victims to circumstances, sickness, trials, or others. No, she flips that thought on its head and shares how we instead are victims of God’s unending grace. He never leaves. He never stops loving us. He never stops pursuing us. And all the hurt that comes into our lives, God allows for a good purpose-to draw us to Himself, and make us more like Him. He is involved in every moment of our lives, and is working for His glory and our good. Robin sees everything through God’s goodness, even if it takes some time to work through, and encourages us to do the same.

Jeff and I experienced amazing moments while we were gone- meeting other believers, beautiful architecture, stunning coastline, great food, sweet fellowship. But we also were deathly (not really, but man did it feel like it!) sick for awhile there. Each day though, I was overwhelmed by how God took care of us, and revealed His precious love to us. I could have been (okay, let’s be real. I was for a few days!) totally bummed and in despair that we had the flu during the one week we had off to enjoy Italy- the week I had hoped would be like a second honeymoon. But the Lord chose to use our sickness to show me His grace, in a way I would not have learned if we had been perfectly healthy. His grace is constantly pouring out upon us, come rain or shine. He does not change. He is faithful. And He is always at work in our lives.

I pray that this sweet truth buries itself deep within your heart and that you experience this same incredible grace that He gives freely. Be blessed today sister. How deep is His love for you!