I had the privilege of reuniting with the dear people at my college church Sunday. That was a wonderful day for me. I had the opportunity to share with the junior high and high school classes during the Sunday school hour. I was also able to share for a few minutes during the worship service.

It was a special moment I had been waiting for and so much looking forward to... the chance to thank this precious congregation for their friendship and partnership with me in the Gospel. In the past year, I have often thanked them through my letters, but now I could be with them and express my appreciation in person.

A highlight of the day was the Christmas open house, held at the home of the pastor and his wife. What a special time it was of fellowshipping with these much-loved brothers and sisters in Christ. Words could not express how thankful I am for each of them. :o) God has been so good to me and provided me with so many wonderful friends and supporters such as you all!

Today was such a good day. My first day back in the office since before Thanksgiving. I had been quite sick, and it's so refreshing to be back to normal again. And today was also my first day at the new building we're working in now, and I really like it! Our ministry here has expanded to keep up with the incredible things God is doing on the mission field. It's been such a joy to hear of the thousands who are coming to Christ. Still, there are millions more who have yet to hear of a Savior who loves them dearly.

Tonight at staff prayer meeting, a brother who works in our call center reminded us that 80,000 people die daily in Asia without ever having heard the Gospel. He challenged us to be continually gripped with this reality as we go about our daily lives. Each of these people are precious people, cherished by their Creator. Oh Lord, may my heart break each day for the things that break Yours. Thank You so much for the privilege we have to be part of the furtherance of Your kingdom in Asia.

From the bottom of my heart I want to thank you all who have chosen to link your lives with me or with a native missionary who is sharing the Good News on the field. Your life is impacting eternity more than you will know in this lifetime. Ten new church fellowships are being planted in Asia each day, among people previously unreached with the Gospel. This is a testimony of God's grace, made possible through your faithful partnership.

I haven't written in a while... it's good to be back. There is so much to be thankful for, and I am encouraged as I remember that. Thanksgiving week was a memorable one, as I spent it in the town where one of my roommates grew up. I enjoyed getting to know her family, and I was all ears as she told me stories about how a farm is run. With her help, I even got to feed the cows and drive a tractor! :o)

I wish I could say this past week was as fun. I was out of work all week with a combination of allergies and a bad cold, accompanied by a high fever. I'm on the road to recovery now and am so glad, but these past few days I've definitely had feelings of being overwhelmed... thinking of everything I need to do between now and next Saturday, and wondering how it will ever get done. I've also been a little homesick... I think you naturally get to feeling that way when you're sick. :o)

But I was encouraged tonight as I sat in the living room of our apartment, singing the wonderful words of Martin Luther's "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." How reassuring it is to know that God is in control and will work everything out, and His plan is best. (Jeremiah 29:11) He has called me here, and that is true in the good times as well as the bad. Besides, life is all about Him and His glory, and not about me. How comforting that is to me! God is so good.

One year. It's hard to believe I've been here that long, but I have. Boy, has it ever passed fast! To celebrate my "anniversary," my roommates and I enjoyed some tasty chicken enchilada soup at Chili's. We even shared yummy desserts consisting of sugary substances such as chocolate and caramel. :o) Our waitress took a picture of us. I hope it turns out, because it would be fun to put in my next prayer letter.

A year ago today, when I had been here just 24 hours, I wrote these words in my journal:

Thank you, Lord, for Your unmistakable call on my life (to be here).

I still feel that way, a year later. No matter what, there is no safer place to be than in the center of God's will. I thank Him for bringing me here. I never would've thought I could know beyond any doubt how to spend the rest of my life, but He seems to be bringing that about. Wow. There is no other place I'd rather be, because this is where He wants me. It still feels like a dream come true that I get to be here and link my life with the harvest in Asia ... that my life is being used to impact His kingdom for all eternity. It has nothing to do with me. It's all because of Him and His grace.

I've been so tired this week, so the arrival of Friday was a good thing for me. :o) I think the enemy would have us at times feel as Christians--and sometimes especially those of us in full-time ministry--that what we do is insignificant.

It is indeed true that I am nothing in myself. But by God's grace I have the incredible privilege of linking my life with those of thousands of native missionaries in Asia who are reaching untold multitudes with the Gospel. I don't want to ever forget this. Even from behind the scenes, my life is counting for eternity. Praise God!

I don't think I'll ever forget something that was shared during a prayer meeting at work. The speaker told the story of someone telling evangelist Billy Graham he would have many crowns in Heaven. Billy Graham turned around and said we might just be surprised... that the most crowns may go to some little elderly lady down on her knees in her closet where no one could see her. He said it could be that her prayers on his behalf helped him become who he was.

Today God knew just how I needed to be encouraged. Unbeknownst to me, my team leader had it on his heart to send me an e-card with this verse:

For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of[1] love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Hebrews 6:10

What a reminder that God loves His children more than we could ever imagine in our wildest dreams, and His ways are always best. He can be fully trusted. Thank You, Lord!

This quote from Martin Luther is so inspiring, because it shows us that even ordinary and at times seemingly mundane tasks--such as doing laundry and mopping the floor--can be fragrant offerings of worship to our Savior:

The farmer slinging dung in the middle of a field is in just as holy a profession as the priest in the church.

May all I do be done in Jesus' name, and for His glory and not mine own. His grace is sufficient for every discouragement we could ever face. With this comforting thought, my eyelids grow heavy and I must drift off to sleep. Yes, I know it's 1:32 on a Saturday morning... I still struggle a good bit with a lingering "night owl tendency" from my college days of staying up late in the dorms. :O)

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul's Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

The words of this song are so incredibly rich. I so much desire that they be my creed in life... that every moment be carried out as an expression of worship to my Savior, for He is indeed worthy. It's all about Him. And He is so gracious and kind.

The truths of this song are indeed comforting, for I know in my heart that when my focus is toward Heaven, everything else fades away in comparison. Isaiah 26:3 speaks of this unspeakable peace. What a delightful thing it is to sit in His presence. His joy knows no end!

Oh Dearest Lord, you are indeed so benevolent and compassionate toward those You created. Through the Cross of Calvary, You provided a way that all could come to You by trusting in You alone for salvation. Jesus, You didn't deserve to die .... to take on our sins and the punishment fo them... but yet You did. What wondrous love is this! Thank You... SO much. I love You dearly. Take my life, Dear Jesus. Let the world around me fade away, and just draw me ever closer to Thee.

In choosing the name for this blog, I thought of how the Lord in His incredible mercy has been showing me my utter wretchedness throughout this past year... often in the "little" things, such as a fleeting thought, wrong attitude or impetuous reaction.

Believe it or not, it has been a joyful experience... even if not always the easiest. How often as humans we forget that we are sinful (Romans 3:23) and deserve nothing but eternity in hell (Romans 6:23). Yet God in His mercy lavished His love on us: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) Even though He was blameless and didn't deserve to die, He took the punishment for all our sins at the hands of sinful man (although as part of God's perfect plan) and rose again on the third day (1 Corinthians 15)--so we could receive salvation in Him alone. Who would not want to receive this amazing love? Dear friend, if you are reading this and don't know Jesus, please run to Him for salvation and comfort.

Wow. Anyhow, I was saying... the Lord has been faithful lately to show me my shortcomings and wretchedness. Although I know I still have so far to go, this has helped me to be more broken and humble. I still have so much to learn. The attitude of Christ in Philippians 2:5-11 is incredible... And realizing how much God has forgiven me helps me to put things into perspective and be much more willing to forgive others for the small things they do to me. What a gracious God we have, and to think that we can know Him just for the asking. Amazing!