The closer it gets to my India trip, the more excited I become. And it feels like everything's been coming together for it. Tonight I went to Wal-mart and picked up things I would need. Tomorrow I'll probably try to start packing.

I'm so glad I got to go to church this morning, and the potluck dinner afterwards. I sure am enjoying the friendships I've been making there. It didn't look like I would get to attend today at first, because it was so stormy when I woke up, but then the rain stopped. This afternoon turned out to be gorgeous.

After work one of my roommates and I ate a yummy chicken caesar salad she'd made and looked at pictures from a trip she took to the field in India. It's hard to believe, but I will be going out there in less than two weeks. My desire is that the Lord use this trip to more and more break my heart for the things that break His. I long to be a willing and effective tool in His hands, sharing His compassion for the lost millions living in the 10/40 Window.

I was especially impacted tonight as I saw photo album pages of earnest people, sincerely seeking forgiveness of sins, yet in futile ways. People such as these need to hear of a Savior who loves them. I can't even imagine going my whole life on this earth without getting to hear about Jesus and His love for me. My heart goes out to each of these precious people for whom Christ died.

The Lord gave me renewed energy late this afternoon. I am so thankful! After work today, one of my roommates and I had some fun times together, and we also had our weekly staff prayer meeting at the office. I enjoyed catching up with people, as I had been out of town last week.

Aren't you glad God is so patient with us? I know I sure am! His goodness to me despite my utter wretchedness as a sinful human being absolutely amazes me. He is so faithful, no matter what we are going through. Psalm 138:8 tells us, "The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever..." (NKJV) What a comforting thought! And I was encouraged by reading Psalm 16:6 recently: "The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance" (NKJV). There is never a moment in our lives in which we can't say this. How exceedingly gracious is our God!

Well, I was going to make it to bed by 10:30. I see it won't be quite that early, but almost ... :o) My team leader sent me home early today to rest and work some from the apartment. Tomorrow morning I will do the same thing, and then probably go in to the office in the afternoon. I already feel quite a bit less tired than I had been. Please pray for my continued recovery. :c)

Isn't it comforting to know that we can trust God in any and every situation? Whatever struggle or trial you are going through, He is able to work it out for good--without exception! What a gracious and loving God we serve!

I write these things tonight out of a heart that realizes how desperately I need to trust Him in everything that comes my way. Yesterday I had to leave the work party I mentioned early because I wasn't feeling well. For several days now I've been having sinus problems (I'm guessing? It's not a cold or flu...) and have been weak and tired because of it.

A few days before that, I had a sore throat. I realize He is able to strengthen and invigorate me. There are also other things I am needing to trust God for. Lately I find that He has been constantly bringing me to a place where I realize I am nothing and He is everything. That I must depend on Him and Him alone.

Incredible! While in prison, the Apostle Paul prayed, not to be released, but rather that He would be able to boldly share the Gospel. How far from this I am! But oh, how I want to be there, even if my weak flesh craves comfort in its natural state. Tomorrow I've volunteered to be at the office for a few hours to stuff some boxes for an upcoming event. This is already a pretty busy weekend for me, as there are several things I hope to accomplish. But what a privilege it is to be able to give a little of my time for Christ's sake and hold up the arms of our Asian brothers and sisters as they devote their lives to reaching villages with the Gospel.

I'm back from my trip! Tonight's blog entry will be pretty short, as I'm quite tired. I had a great time getting to share at the college lunch program. It was so much fun talking to the students there, and they seemed interested in hearing about what the Lord has been doing in Asia. Last night was a covered dish supper at my hometown church. Even though I was tired and still recovering somewhat from my sore throat, the Lord went before me, and it was such a blessed time. I was so encouraged when several people came up to me afterwards to find out more about the ministry.

Truly, I am so thankful for the privilege to share about the harvest in Asia with precious brothers and sisters here in the West. Pray with me for much fruit for His kingdom ... for more laborers to be sent to share the Good News of Christ with those in the 10/40 Window.

These verses have been on my heart lately: "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!'" (Romans 10:14-15, NKJV)

My throat has been sore all day and I've felt really tired, but the Lord gave me energy tonight and showed me what I could share for a lunch presentation tomorrow. He is indeed so faithful.

As I sat Sunday in the church I attended while in college (an hour from home), I thought of how dear these people are to me and how I cherish the times of getting to be back with them. I told someone I would be there every Sunday if it weren't for it being a 10 hour drive. :o) (actually, 11 hours!)

Tears ran down my face during the service, but at the same time I rejoiced, by faith, at the sacrifice I could make for the Lord, to fulfill His calling on my life--a very small sacrifice indeed, compared to those of so many missionaries reaching their people in India. And an infinitely smaller sacrifice when compared with the ultimate one Jesus made for us!

Not to mention, it is such a privilege getting to do what the Lord has called me to do. I am so thrilled to get to be a voice for thousands of native missionaries not counting their lives dear to themselves, that they may reach people with the Gospel.

I will be talking about these things at the lunch program tomorrow. So often lately, I find the Lord bringing me through something so I can share it with others. This sharing truly comes from the heart, since it pertains to somewhere I have been already. The desire of my heart is that the Lord use me to speak into the lives of others on behalf of the lost world He has such compassion for. I know that He is the One who must be at work ... I am nothing in myself. He is such a gracious and faithful God.

Yesterday I had another invitation to eat at the Atlanta Bread Company ... this time with a dear couple back in my college town. A missionary couple staying with them joined us. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and laughter.

This weekend was such a delightful time of catching up with the dear people at my college church. I enjoyed getting to be a part of the missions conference and spending Saturday night with some precious supporters. It has been so encouraging to see how the Lord has totally gone before me and worked out each detail of this entire trip.

Tonight we celebrated our roommate's birthday at the Atlanta Bread Company. It only took me a few minutes to pack for my trip back home, which was a blessing! I can't believe I leave on Wednesday. I sure am looking forward to reuniting in fellowship with my dear supporters, family and friends back home. My biggest desire is that I be an encouragement to each person I come in contact with, and that each heart will be touched for the lost of Asia. I thank the Lord often for the privilege of being a part of His harvest in Asia.

I am so tired but did want to write in here a little before going to bed. Last night was extended prayer night at the ministry. There is so much going on in India that I couldn't even imagine going through. They really need our prayers. I am reminded so often of the spiritual warfare we're engaged in as we seek to reach Asia with the Gospel. Praise God that He is victorious and gives us the strength to press on even when it's tough!

Tonight I had the opportunity to hang out with some of the other young people on staff. We ate supper at someone's apartment and then all went bowling. Buy one game, get one free. Coupons are great! I had so much fun tonight. A "highlight" of the evening was the massive "volleyball" balloon contest/war we girls had against the guys. :o)

Everyone on staff had the opportunity to get up and give prayer requests at our service tonight. This was a special time. I asked for prayer that I will not count my life dear to myself--for the sake of Christ and the Gospel. The Apostle Paul is such an example of this. He rejoiced that the Gospel was being furthered, even if it meant personal hardship. May we be more like this in our daily lives!

I had some good time with the Lord during lunch break today! Tonight Jen and I joined some others at a rock climbing gym nearby. We had a nice time together... and it was even free. :o) Afterwards we both decided we'd, uh, burned enough calories to chat over vanilla ice cream at Chick-fila. Little did we know they would be out of cups and present us with these huge bowls for our ice cream! :o)

Tomorrow our staff is having a special time of prayer in the morning. I'm looking forward to that. It's truly been a blessing--especially the longer I've been here--to join with brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for each other and on behalf of the lost world. There is so much to pray about. Persecution continues to increase in Asia. But praise God, He is in control and has raised up thousands of native missionaries who, like the Apostle Paul, do not count their lives dear to themselves. What a privilege it is that you and I can link our lives with these precious brethren.

Whoa! I'm so excited. Today the Lord gave me the words to share at a missions conference I'm getting to participate in, at my college church. I've been seeking Him as to what He would have me say, and He showed me this morning! Several of you were praying ... Thank you very much!

Tonight I'm not nearly as tired as Friday. Yay! :o) Still, though, I think my pillow is calling my name. Tomorrow is the beginning of a new week ... yet another week to labor for His kingdom! Praise God that He uses frail vessels such as us! Please pray for a productive and focused week, filled with sweet times of resting in His presence.