God is good. . .all the time

Okay, just a quick post and one that needs to begin with the perspective that I am doing fine, by the grace of God, in spite of 2 of the most unexpectedly eventful days of my life thus far. So here's a brief rundown, followed by things I'm thankful for, and then prayer requests:

What has happened:
1. So, as you know I'm in Santa Monica for the summer helping to lead the summer project. As staff we just hit the half-way point of our time here at 2 1/2 weeks. Yesterday I was picking up one of my lovely students for a lunch/discipleship appointment. As I was turning into a parking lot I did not see a car coming and we got into an accident. The impact on the passenger side was quite hard and as a result I personally think it's a miracle that NO ONE, especially my passenger, got hurt. This experience was still very traumatic for us but praise God that the woman who hit us (though it was definitely my fault) was gracious and helpful in terms of what needed to be done next. Both cars were still drivable. Tomorrow I have an appointment to assess the damage and then we'll take things from there.
2. Well, today is a whole other story. I rode my bike to a discipleship appointment and on the way home I fell because of uneven pavement and got scrapped up pretty bad on the knee and elbow. Just a couple minutes of walking away was a bike rental shop along the beach bike path that I was trying to get to so I told myself, through tears and frustration, that I would go there to have them put the chain back on my bike and then bike home slowly to take care of the injuries before my next appointment. Well, the guy at the bike rental was very helpful and gave me paper towels and band aids but it wasn't really doing the trick. By the grace of God a man and his young daughter approached (wanting to rent a bike for her) us and told us that he was first aid certified and could help me get cleaned up. I took him up on this amazing offer but as I was sitting down (he had just finished bandaging my knee and moved on to the elbow) I passed out for about 30 seconds and when I came to they were yelling for the lifeguards and for someone to call 911. All this to say the paramedics thought I might have had a seizure and decided to take me to the ER for lots of tests and scans. Turns out that I did simply lose consciousness (not really sure why), all the tests came back clear. They were able to really clean out my injuries and bandage me up well. One of our project staff girls was with me at the hospital and since being home (around 4) I have already gotten flowers, dinner, and lots of loving from the amazing people in my life here. I am in some pain but think that I should be able to sleep fine and I've been given orders to rest up so that's what's on the agenda!

Things I'm thankful for:
. . .where to begin. . .
- God's protection and provision (could have all been a lot worse)
- the body of Christ being gracious and loving on me when I'm away from the comforts of home and family
- insurance and how helpful people have been via the phone
- the graciousness of my passenger and the other driver in the accident
- the God-send first-aid certified man at the bike rental shop
- very kind (and rather cute :)) paramedics and lifeguards and hospital staff of Santa Monica
- God's Word and the opportunity to soak in lots of it this afternoon (2 Corinthians is rocking my world) because the internet wasn't working
- my staff leadership team who value me and my rest over the success of my work
- getting to invite the paramedics in the ambulance to church. . .I didn't want to waste my time with them!
- for eternal perspective: "For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal" (2 Cor 4:17-18).

Ways to pray:
- continued eternal perspective and God's comfort and peace
- healing (pretty sore knee, scraps and bruises, and I've had a cold the past couple of days)
- a positive assessment of my car at the shop tomorrow and discernment as to what to do next
- wisdom for the weekend. . . I'm in my roommate's wedding in SLO (yay!) and now there's a lot to figure out in terms of transportation and what would be best for my health
- safety and protection for each and every student and staff for the duration of project
- that I, and all involved (family, friends, etc), would trust in the Lord with all our hearts, and not lean on our own understanding, but in all our ways acknowledge Him and He will make our paths straight.

Wow - and I'm thankful for each of you! :) Feel free to call me, although I don't get service in my apartment so it may be hard for me to answer/return your call.

"Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you" (2 Cor 13:11).