While occurrences were spattered throughout this week, I find them comparably insignificant to the sweet joy of today.

It all began at church.

Side note, church has been such a grounding part of my week for a very long time. In all my seasons, God has provided, through church, a place to meet and connect with people who love Him, want to serve Him, and through this, glorify Him in such an encouraging, convicting way.

In high school, He gave me a community that renewed my love for a church body. In college, He gave me a group that instructed me on the importance of, and how to practically, study the Bible. In working as a young professional, He has provided models of marriage, hospitality, courage, gentleness, and humility through many faces. All through His Church. Through His body of believers. Today was no different in His display of goodness and faithfulness.

After the morning service, I went out to lunch with a mixed group of new and familiar faces. We traipsed around the area, drinking coffee (shout out to Starbucks’ holiday drink BOGO), solving game store puzzles, learning each others’ Myers-Briggs personalities, and exploring bursting-at-the-seams bookstores.

We then trekked back to church for the evening service. After filling our minds with truth and our hearts with the sweet knowledge of the Gospel, we filled our stomachs with chili and cornbread at a potluck, hosted by women from the church. After conversing and laughing all the more, it was time to part.

I know that I came to DC to work, but God had so much more waiting for me here. I have been blessed by the generosity of family, the inclusion of co-workers, and the kinship of friends. I eagerly await what lies ahead for me and the good-and the glory-that lies within it.

(This week’s update is short, but I hope in it, you experience its sweetness)