Another nice weekend.

It was a very memorable 4th of July holiday!

On Friday I went to a pool party at my Sunday school teacher's house. We all had so much fun hanging out and laughing, and splashing in the water!

Saturday I slept in and did stuff around the apartment. Then Sunday I hung out again with my S.S. class.

And Monday? Some coworkers and I went to a church event complete with hot dogs, sno cones, cotton candy and an inflatable "waterslide". :o)

So it was a very nice weekend!

I had such a nice weekend.

Spent Saturday and Sunday with my sister and her family.

We did all of the below, plus more. :o)

Shopped at the mall and Old Navy
(My sister and I came out with on-sale shorts that we really liked, and I found some really cute striped flip-flops at Old Navy that, at $3.99, were a bargain! They'll be great to wear to work and church with my black skirts and other things.)

Celebrated my 2-year-old nephew's "half Birthday" with homemade (yes!) cake and Breyers oreo ice cream.

Ate at a really fun restaurant called HulaHut
(My sister and I split a salad :o))

Hung out with their neighbors
(They're so nice, and, as it turns out, ended up giving me one of their "extra" DVD players! Incredible how the Lord provides.)

Good times. :o) I so much am looking forward to going to see them again! I can't believe it had been nearly a year since I'd been down there. Boy, how time flies when you're having fun and serving the Lord. :o)

9:35 P.M.
I'm at Target, trying on a "fun" shirt. Translation? Fun, meaning I could definitely wear it around the house, and with just a few alterations, could probably also wear it out places.

It's on sale for $12.99.

Not a bad price, but not "super-duper" cheap, either. Trying on the shirt, I think about the family we just did a web story on, who were brutally hacked to death in Central India for their Christian faith and Gospel witness.

And suddenly I am struck by the contrast ... and finding myself transported to another world.

This dear, sweet little family probably didn't have much to their name. Let alone could even one family member be shopping "for fun". Say, for shirts at Target or its equivalent.

Yet exceedingly great is their reward in heaven.

I end up deciding on another piece of clothing -- will make a great skirt for the office and church. Even at $12.99, it's a bit more practical than the other thing.

Still, in this area I probably have a long way to go.

I get to the checkout. Turns out, the "skirt" is still $14.99, not on sale for $12.99. In keeping with what I already decided, I don't get it.

Hmmm ... maybe I am learning at least a little bit after all. :o)

I had a nice weekend.

Friday I stayed for Part One of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and a little bit of the second. :O)

Saturday morning I was tired and a little sad about something, but then that afternoon I had such a nice time with the Lord!

Then I took an hour and a half nap (much-needed! :o)) and my friend Christine and I went to a hot dog cookout they were having at our apartment complex. We sat by the pool for a while enjoying the nice breeze and talking. Then we went and had ice cream at her apartment. :oD It was a nice, relaxing time.

Sunday I introduced my friends from Sunday school to my black boot. Some of them teased that they couldn't believe I was wearing a big 'ole boot, just for a fractured toe. :oP We all had tacos in our classroom after church.

Then that night, four of us hung out playing games. That was fun!

Well, I'm about to go home for lunch, a nap and prayer. Well, that is, if I can squeeze all that in in an hour. ;o) We'll see ... I'm struggling a little with something, but I know God is good and He knows what He's doing. I find sometimes that even just a few minutes in His presence can so much change my perspective. How wonderful.

It's Friday. :o) I'm tired! But it's the weekend so I can catch up a little on my rest! Tonight I'm probably watching part of Lord of the Rings with some friends from the office. They're doing a Lord of the Rings marathon ... good for them! But as for me and my big black boot, we're pretty sleepy ... we'll probably just stay for part of the first one.

My foot is doing much better! But I'm told I'll still have to wear the ever-stylish big black boot through at least the 27th. But praise God! :o) We can rejoice always. He is good.

Tomorrow I'm going to a wedding shower for a good friend of mine who also serves here at the ministry. I'm so happy for her!! Then tomorrow night I may have an opportunity to share the ministry through having some friends for supper and then us going to hear Brother KP speak ... if the Lord wills!

Then Sunday is church and a taco dinner with my S.S. class in our classroom! :o)

I've had a headache this afternoon. ;o( Not fun! But I've had a relatively good week overall. Yay! :O)

Guess what? I fractured my left middle toe playing rugby with some pals from the office on Sunday. So I've been walking around with the ever-stylish big black boot all week. :oD And my toes are kind of bruised and I still can't bend my left middle toe that much at all. But I had so much fun! I would do it again in a heartbeat ... just this time I may wear shoes. : ) (we were ALL playing barefoot)

Well I am going home ... I will probably try to do laundry tonight. Doesn't sound all that appealing tonight, but it's gotta be done sometime. Then again I could always do something fun tonight and wait for the weekend to do laundry ... Hmmm. :o)

I think my headache is already getting bunches better.

I've had a good week. It's gone by fast with projects. I think I'm going home in a minute. :O)

It is beautiful outside. I will probably go walking at the preserve in a little bit. First, though, I need to pay a bill so it won't be late. Not fun, but must be done. :oD

Last night I went and saw a funny movie at the dollar theater. It wasn't my first time to see the movie and I'm sure won't be my last. : ) It was quite relaxing, a nice break!

Not sure what all I'm doing this weekend. I do want to have some good time with the Lord over the weekend. And I need to do laundry. I want to go walking. I'm also getting together with a girl from my S.S. class tomorrow night, most likely. And then on Sunday of course is church and our S.S. group all hanging out afterwards. And Sunday night is my ladies' Bible study.

Okay, so I take back what I said about not having weekend plans. :oP

(I'm taking off. Will be back later.)

Last week I struggled with some discouragement, but this week I've been feeling renewed and refreshed, almost like a new person. I've found in recent weeks and months I have maybe tended to struggle much more with discouragement than usual -- not sure exactly why.

I had a nice weekend. It was pretty restful. Most of the day Saturday it was raining, and I just hung around the apartment. Sunday our group went and ate after church -- We had such a nice time sitting outside at Chipotle, laughing and talking.

This week is going by pretty quickly, which I guess makes sense, considering we were off for Memorial Day. Work is going pretty well -- I have some new projects to work on and am encouraged about that. :o)

Well, I'm gonna go for now, but I will write more later!

The campout last week was a blast! I only wished it could have lasted longer. ;oD Here are some highlights of our time there:

Friday: I arrived at about 6:30. (still can't get over the fact it takes hardly over an hour to get to Oklahoma :o)) After getting just slightly lost (had the right general area), I navigated my way to our campsite, which was right on the shore of Lake Texoma. There were just a couple of us there (I actually thought I'd be late!) and we kind of hung out down by the water for a while. Then when people finally started arriving, we helped get supplies, etc. to the campsite. I had sausage for supper.And later on, of course, we all roasted smores by the campfire. :o)

Okay ... I know I haven't covered Saturday and Sunday yet, but I'll write later ... I promise? :o) I'm kind of ready to get home now.

Saturday: Rolled out of bed, went and took a shower, and had some time with the Lord by the beach. It was such a refreshing, peaceful time! Then I came back to the campsite and we all hung around eating breakfast. Then Rob and I went to Wal-mart and got water and ice. I got a volleyball since the leader of the campout had forgotten his and I'd kind of been wanting one anyhow. The big joke of the weekend was "What did Rob NOT bring?" :o) He had everything, from aluminum foil and graham crackers, to tweezers and a first aid kit. * Incredible. We lazed around in the shade most of the afternoon and then some of us swam out toward an island. That was fun! Trace and I walked around the island and talked, then we began the trip back. A couple of the guys went with us in a canoe, which was a huge blessing, especially since I got tired part of the way there and had to be towed by rope and lifejacket. :oD

*When Trace and I came across some quicksand on the island, I was walking some on it and we joked that if I got caught in it, she could just go get Rob and he would come to my rescue with "Pulley 646". :o)

Sunday: We had a short service with communion, and I took one last walk and had some time with the Lord. I looked out over the lake and thought of how nice the weekend was and how I wanted to stay. :o) Then when I came back, we all had breakfast and picked up everything from the campsite. Then we all pretty much headed home.

I'm doing MUCH better now. And SO thankful. :oD My shoulders were hurting quite a bit this morning, but that wasn't so bad -- I am just glad I've been doing better otherwise!

This weekend is a long-awaited camping trip with my S.S. class. I'm looking forward to that. I have a lot of peace about this trip and feel that this is such a good time for a change of pace. I hope to come back from the weekend refreshed, invigorated, and having had some good times with the Lord in His creation!

I know it's been a while. The last few days have been kind of hard for me. I feel discouraged ... not fun. I feel like the enemy has really been attacking. (Ephesians 6:12) I don't want to feel this way ... I want to focus on the wonderful promises in God's Word and glean encouragement that overcomes these dark times.

Lord God, I pray that I would feel Your arms around me during this time ... that soon You would bring me through this. By faith I thank You for not shrinking back from making me a little more like You through life's circumstances, even when they are painful. Help me feel Your love for me on a heart level. And go before me and give me Your words as I teach Kids Korner tonight, I pray. I love You, Lord.

On a bright note, I went to lunch today with my friend Christine. We had a good time of fellowship together. And, bright note #2, I enjoyed skating with friends over the weekend and going out afterwards with one for late-night icecream bars! (we tried two grocery stores and one Walgreens before settling on our fine delicacy :o))

God is SO GOOD.

If I were picking themes for this past week, that would definitely be one of them. I can't get over the way He has prepared my heart at just the right time for various circumstances ... Kind of a continuation of how He's been teaching me to gladly accept what is or isn't on my plate as from Him and something I can be fully content in and trust Him in.

That peace and presence of mind that He gives is indescribable. It's a wonderful place to be. And yet how often lately a piece of me, at least, has been proud of myself, as though I had achieved something! How silly we can be! :oD I mean, every breath comes from Him. I wouldn't even be here, let alone serving Him in any capacity, if it weren't for Him.

In my flesh dwells no good thing. He deserves ALL the glory. I was just thanking Him last night for the incredible privilege to serve Him here in this way -- I do not deserve it, yet He has seen fit to lavish it on me.

My heart feels so full right now. I am excited about what the Lord is doing and will continue to do in my life. How wonderful that He doesn't give up on me but is ever faithful to orchestrate events in my life in such as way that they drive me to His feet. He is an awesome God who thinks nothing but good thoughts toward His children, and truly, my times are in HIS hands. How comforting this is! :o)

Wow. Has it really been so long since I last posted?

Things are going quite well for me! In general, it feels like the Lord has been teaching me SO much, I think especially through life's events.

The last two weeks have been incredibly busy, in a good way. They have flown by because I've been working on projects. One is a 2,000-2,500 article about our radio ministry at GFA. I'll try to post the link in a few months when the article comes out in SEND!. I've SO much enjoyed working on these articles. :O)

And now it's the weekend and I plan to,
A) Continue working on another article that I just received feedback and edits back on, and
B) Do stuff around the apartment, and
C) Help my friend and co-worker Christine, as we colabor together in our free garden plots :o)
D) Hang out with my Sunday school class. Tonight us gals are getting together and someone's gonna put make-up on us. That should be interesting since I virtually NEVER wear make-up. :oD I can't wait to hang out and have girl time, though! Then tomorrow night, a group of us (everyone who can make it) will go eat supper together and go to this game place ... I hear it has laser tag. I've never played laser tag but often have thought it sounded like fun!

Beautiful weather yet again.

It's been a good week! I've been eating healthier and can noticed the difference.

And I've had a number of things I've been working on, and have really been enjoying that.

I can't BELIEVE how fast this week has passed; it's truly flown by.

Well, I'm going to go and enjoy being out in this pretty weather for a little bit before prayer meeting tonight. :o)

It is beautiful out there.

Tomorrow after I go to the chiropractor in the morning (we're off for Good Friday!) I will be scouting out parks in that area for my S.S. class to go to soon. That should be fun! I'll be sure to bring my tennis shoes so I can go walking. :o)

That night will be the Good Friday service at church, and then going to eat (hopefully at California Pizza Kitchen, but whereever we go it will be a nice time!) with my S.S. class afterwards.

Looking forward to that.

It was a good weekend.

Had lots of fun hanging out with my Sunday school class. How thankful I am for them! :c)

And I felt like the Lord used different events to bring me out of a hard time of spiritual dryness. Sunday night, driving home from a meeting with other full-time missionaries from the church, I prayed for some of the needs they had mentioned, as well as bringing some other things before the Lord. It was encouraging to fellowship with them and hear just a little of how the Lord is working in other parts of the world!

Yesterday morning when I came back to the office, I felt alive again. Refreshed. Renewed. I felt close to the Lord during our time of worship and prayer before work.

Today? I don't feel so refreshed. And in some ways I feel rather challenged. Just further proof of how desperately I need Him. He is the source for abundant life. I so much need to stay close to Him, moment by moment, day by day. Oh, Jesus, help me to this end, I pray!!

Now I plan to go home and spend some time with the Lord before tonight's prayer meeting. I also want to go over my lesson. I plan to share about children in India.

WOW. It's shaping up to be another beautiful weekend.

Blue skies, nice puffy clouds, warm and sunny ... need I say more? :o)

The Lord has been blessing us with such gorgeous weekends!

I had a good afternoon. Worked on quite a bit of correspondence with ministry supporters and staff, wrote Monday's web story, and did a few other "odds and ends" type things. It felt good to get those things done -- and it was mostly fun as well! :o)

It's refreshing to get back to posting after a long absence. Boy, I didn't even realize it'd been two weeks already?! How times passes! Of course, not having internet access at home makes it a little more challenging to write quite as often in here.

Tonight five or six of us from my S.S. class will be hanging out at someone's house and watching a movie. She's ordering pizza for us! She decided that if someone would come and fix her sound system, she would treat everyone to pizza. :oD

Tomorrow? More meeting up with friends, both from S.S. class and from work. And hopefully a nice, long walk in there somewhere. It's shaping up to be a nice weekend.

It's Friday.

And I'm glad. :o) Don't get me wrong -- I LOVE my job! In a big way, it's a dream come true.

But I do also so much look forward to weekends and the chance to relax, catch up on stuff around the apartment, etc. For one thing, I have a stack of newsletters I need to get ready for supporters. :o) Usually I'm able to work on that during the week, but this week has been loaded with projects. That's a good thing, though -- I like projects. :oD

It was really cool to see how the Lord went before me the other night on one. He reminded me of Gretcha and how she would be great to write about for this church-planting article. This morning some supporters had just gotten back from the field and were sharing with our staff.

One related the spiritual darkness there. They told of stepping off the airplane and seeing the rows of men lined up to give rides. They could totally see the emptiness and darkness in their eyes. In contrast, at the very end of the line were some GFA leaders. Their faces were radiant with the love of Jesus. What a privilege that we can be a part of bringing that love to people like Gretcha. She lives in poverty but yet is so joyful because of Jesus! Yet there are still so many to be reached.

Well, I'm going home soon. Have a blessed weekend!

Whew! Busy day and I'm still at the office. I don't really mind, though!

Just I was frustrated earlier when I couldn't seem to get a breakthrough in this one project I was working on. But it's completed and turned in. YAY! Now there's another project to work on. I'm looking forward to it. :o) I like projects! I'll be working on it for a while tonight and will hopefully make some good progress. I'd like to have a rough draft by the end of the evening, especially since it was due yesterday. :oD

Today has been such a good day. The Lord did something wonderful -- something that I have been praying for. I feel so encouraged. He is doing great things in my life and teaching me so much. It really helps to put the intensity of the battle into perspective -- it's worth it to me if I come through on the other side and can see how He is shaping me to be more like Him. His love -- and the love and grace He pours out to me through His people -- are mind boggling.

My left shoulder and lower neck area hurt quite a bit this afternoon. Not fun. It's feeling better now, though.

I think it's been a while since I've had a resident walker update! (You know -- the guy that enjoys walking by our building. We don't mind -- in fact, it's fun to watch -- we can practically tell time by his walks, they are often so regular! :o))

So here goes ...

I was taking a walk -- so was the resident walker! He waved in a very friendly manner from across the street, cupped his hands over his mouth, and bellowed out, "Beautiful day out, isn't it?!" I yelled back, "Yes, it's gorgeous!" He gave thumbs up signs with both hands, which I returned. Then he got out his keys and proceeded to enter the side of his building, and I continued on my walk. This all happened about 1:35 this afternoon.

We will continue to bring coverage of our resident walker as we remember.

On a more serious note, life has been going relatively well, and I feel like the Lord has really done a work in my heart. There are still things that don't make sense to me, but I am so thankful for how HE has been shaping me to have more of His perspective.

What a beautiful day.

I slept in today -- but not on purpose. I was pretty bummed out when I woke up and saw the light streaming in and then realized I'd missed Sunday school and the church service was about to start! :o( (My alarm was set but I never heard it go off?! Strange?!)

Despite that, I've had a very nice day! I met up with my S.S. class to eat at The Cornery Bakery after church got out. Soon after that, I headed out to the park and met up with a group of other young people at the ministry to play sand volleyball! That was such a blast. :o) We'll have to do that more often!

I brought Web Dog -- figured he would enjoy the fresh air. And I sure enjoyed driving him around with his big head and smiling face hanging out the passenger's side window, and seeing the really fun, surprised looks on people's faces. :o)

After we played bunches of sand volleyball (so much fun!), I went home and put on my tennies (sand volleyball is best with bare feet so I wore sandals there :o)), I went walking at the nice concrete trail down the street. There were quite a few people out there enjoying the beautiful day.

The weekend has been so very nice.

Wow.

Today was such a good day.

I needed that. :o) Or, at least, felt like I did! I am so thankful ... yet at the same time am trying to take each moment as it comes -- to take things in even stride and be prepared for whatever the next moment holds, whether good or bad.

It's good to be here. It's good to be alive. I'm so glad to have had a nice day after kind of a rough week, and at the same time I don't want to forget or waver in the things the Lord is teaching me.

Looking forward to the weekend.

Encouraging breakthroughs.

As I was driving last night to church, listening to a message shared by our ministry's president, the Lord gave me a breakthrough!

I was powerfully reminded that I can will (deliberately choose) to look at my hard times from the Lord's perspective and not let them faze me, even when my heart and emotions cry out otherwise. I want to be able to say like the Apostle Paul, "None of these things move me."

A devotional I read the other day mentioned an interesting fact -- The Apostle Paul said "None of these things move me." He never said "None of these things hurt me." He hurt deeply. Yet he had such an incredible perspective.

In my weak human flesh I would love for all suffering and struggle to come to an end tomorrow. No, today. : ) Yet I am learning one step at a time to seek His contentment and perspective for however long He chooses to have me go through such things.

And I am having a nice afternoon and feeling encouraged. So thankful for that! :o)

Rough times.

I really need to feel Jesus' arms around me. To know that He is here with me, holding Me. Of course I realize that on a purely objective level. How much harder it can be to feel that on a heart level -- especially in the valleys. Truly He loves His children SO much, though.

I have had little moments of feeling to some measure that He is carrying me. Last night He gave me a neat devotional from Streams in the Desert. Someone wrote of a dream involving three women. They all were praying. The first woman received tender words of love from her Savior as He walked by. The second woman received a pat of approval. The third? Nothing -- He simply passed her by.

As the story goes as told in the devotional, the Lord came to the person having the dream and explained that, contrary to what they were thinking, the third woman--the one He seemed to ignore--had not grieved Him. Rather, she had the deepest faith to where she could handle the silence -- "I am training her through quick and drastic ways for the highest and holiest of service. She knows Me so intimately, and trusts Me so completely, that she no longer depends on outward signs to know of My approval. She is not dismayed or discouraged by any circumstances I arrange for her to encounter. She trusts Me when common sense, reason, and even every subtle instinct of the natural heart would rebel, knowing that I am preparing her for eternity, and realizing that the understanding of what I do will come later."

That was reassuring to me as I thought of how these hard times and struggles are not necessarily a bad sign -- but rather evidence that I have grown in my Christian walk. At the same time, too, though, I found myself saying, "Lord! I am not worthy. I do not have the strength. Give me the feeling that Your arms are around me, carrying me."

(There are many more good devotions in Streams in the Desert about trials. I'll try to write some more in here soon.)

Whew! Almost another whole week has gone by, and not another posting from me. :o) I will try to do better next time, I promise? :oD It is kinda challenging, though, when the only computer I am able to post from now is at work.

Today is actually my first day back in the office after being sick Thursday and Friday of last week. And throughout the weekend. Though I don't look or sound quite my usual self, I feel SO much better today. What a nice feeling. :o)

It was SO good to see somewhere else other than the walls of my apartment. Don't get my wrong -- I love my apartment -- It's just, it is awfully nice to be able to finally get out again. ;oD To celebrate, for lunch I used one of my Chick-fila coupons for free chicken soup, and even got some waffle fries (and a Coke) to go with. :o)

Anyhow -- It truly does feel like the enemy has been attacking me in quite a few ways lately. Physically, in my thought life, spiritually, etc. Yet it is kind of comforting -- If I weren't headed in the right direction, he wouldn't bother trying to discourage me.

I was kind of sad I had to miss the Superbowl with my S.S. class yesterday. I had planned to go, but of course got sick. Yet I knew by faith that the Lord had to have a purpose in it. Saturday night I was reading in Psalm 84 and having some sweet time with the Lord. What a refreshing breeze in the middle of a spiritual dry spell!

It's incredible how the Lord does it -- I felt it on my heart to write something in my journal about nesting in Him (from Psalm 84). Of course, due to a combination of being sick, tired and just plain lazy, I didn't at first get up to go to the other side of the room and retrieve the aforesaid journal. But when I wanted to go to the kitchen for more food, I decided to also detour into the living room to grab the journal. And would you know? I never did get around to journaling about nesting -- but I journaled about a gazillion other things. As I read my last journal entry, from December 2004, I was reminded of something really encouraging the Lord had done in my life--of His provision. So I thanked Him for that and, well, you get the picture. :o) It was a refreshing and renewing time.

Well, I've been back in Texas for about a week now, and still trying to figure out how to get "back into the swing of things" -- or maybe "into the swing of things" in the first place? :o) Do you ever feel like you don't have enough time to do everything in your life that you would like to or needs to be done? I feel that way much of the time. LOL.

I think a big thing is priorities. Putting first those jewels--the things that are most important and needed. Then focus and discipline in spending my time more wisely. This past weekend in my Sunday school class, I was convicted of my need to be much more consistent in my times with the Lord. So, taking the advice our teacher gave us, I set appointments with the Lord. I must admit the first one was set rather tentatively, especially as I'm not a morning person in any shape or form. :o)

But sure enough, I popped out of bed and shuffled over to the living room at 6:50 yesterday morning -- then at 7:30 this morning. I didn't necessarily "feel" like I was in the Lord's presence, but seeking Him diligently is so much more than just a feeling--the feelings won't always come right away, but yet perseverance in seeking is so important. Oh, how I long to be so close to Him--to spend much time in His wonderful presence, just resting at His feet.

I catch glimpses of what that is like--I want it to be a constant in my life. Each day. Each moment. Through Him it is possible.

This was the last night of the conference. It is nice to be back home resting, but in a way it is sad that tonight was the last night. Even though busy at times, it has been a nice and refreshing past few days.

I have truly enjoyed getting to know the other missionaries--especially the dear, sweet couple who seem to have "adopted" me. :o) I have their email address and plan to keep in touch with them.

And I feel the Lord answered our prayers for tonight -- hearts seemed to be touched; I even had someone ask me how to give for tsunami relief. Yippee! :o) I've decided that in many ways there is just about nothing that thrills me more than getting to share with God's people what He is doing on behalf of those who have never heard His name. It is so encouraging to me when people want to be a part of that work.

The last several days have been a blur of yummy food, speaking engagements, fellowship, things to prepare for the children, yummy food, listening to other missionaries share, and more yummy food.

We have had luncheons and suppers. Now, we only have one session left -- a potluck supper tomorrow night, followed by a closing ceremony I have the privilege to share at. In a way, I'm sad it will be over.

It sure has been a nice time. There has been one missionary couple in particular that I have so much enjoyed getting to know better. They are really sweet and encouraging. So of course I wanted to sit by them at lunch yesterday. I have kind of "adopted" them. :o)

Yesterday I shared at the lunch program, and I think it went very well. Of course, that was the Lord! I was thrilled when a lady came up to me with $4 she and a friend had gathered between them -- She wanted it to go for Gospel tracts and said she wished it were more. I told her it meant 1,000 people hearing the Gospel and she was happy. : )

I was thinking again yesterday how there's nothing like getting to be with God's people, sharing about the work of His kingdom. It's one of the best feelings! I pray the Lord will touch hearts during tomorrow night's session -- and that I won't be nervous as I'm not naturally a public speaker -- and that there will be much fruit for the harvest. :o)

Today I had one of those moments where everything stops.

For the conference at my home church this coming week, I will be sharing several times with the "grown-ups" and children. My mom had the idea that I could have pictures of children from SEND! magazine on a posterboard, as a visual.

When I saw one of the pictures, the whole world seemed to stand still. I started to cry. It was a small picture of three little children --the youngest couldn't be more than 3 or 4 -- with round cheeks and big brown eyes. But what jumped out to me were the sweet (but in a way somber) looks on their faces and their mismatched, disproportionate clothes. I felt in a way that my heart was breaking for these precious children.

Even when I went back to the posterboard and looked at the picture again, I felt sad all over again for these little ones. Though it can be a little painful in a sense, I am so thankful for moments like these -- They show me that my heart isn't too hard yet -- that the Lord is giving me, even if in ever the tiniest measure, a piece of His heart and burden for a lost and perishing world.

Now I am about to get ready so I can attend a missions fellowship supper with my parents. But I know I won't soon forget what happened today.

Okay, so I haven't written here in a while. Guess I've been being a goober. :o) Nah, really, things truly have been quite busy ... been working on many writing projects related to the tsunami ... not to mention preparing for when I will be sharing at my home church missions conference. I am so thankful --the Lord has really been going before me these past couple days and giving me much grace -- I feel like things are beginning to come together for the conference, in a relatively short amount of time.

I haven't felt up to much these past couple weeks -- shoulder and neck pain off and on, and been unusually tired. But ... these past couple days, overall I haven't really had much pain at all and have felt pretty well physically -- and today I've had so much more energy than I've probably had at any other point in the past week or so. Very thankful for that!

I feel bombarded by the attack of the enemy (Ephesians 6) --but, yet, so encouraged at how the Lord is helping me in amazing ways as I prepare -- And excited about what He is going to do. I truly believe that the fact I have encountered so much spiritual warfare lately means He is going to move in incredible ways. Truly, what a privilege to be rendered His ambassador -- to beseech and encourage others to be a part of reaching precious souls on the other side of the world. Thank You, Lord. I so much don't deserve it.

I had an incredible moment as I was walking and praying just now. It felt like it was just me and the Lord -- nothing else mattered but Him. My circumstances, my desires, my uncertainties -- none of that mattered at that moment. It's all about Him. He is so good to us! We can trust Him. It was a wonderful moment, one that I don't want to forget. (The peace I felt was immense.) And I want to live that way throughout this year! Truly we can rest in Him. He is our dwelling place, our Rock. Thank You, Lord.

I joined my dad for worship at our home church this morning. A high schooler, the daughter of one of my supporters, sang a special. She has a beautiful voice. But more than that, the Lord used the song she sang, Breath of Heaven, to touch my heart.

I was quietly weeping as I was reminded of a sacrifice I may need to make, in view of God's unique calling on my life to serve on behalf of the unreached.

Even though any sacrifice I may make is puny compared to Christ's ultimate denial of self and the horrible pain He suffered for me-- AND I know that if He has me make the sacrifice in this particular instance it will likely mean something better in the future--it doesn't mean it's not still really hard at times.

O Lord, work in me, I pray, that I would cry tears, not of self pity, but rather of weeping for a lost world and people on the other side of it that still need to hear of Your precious gift for them.

Today I received word of a tremendous earthquake and resulting tidal wave, causing the deaths of thousands-- more than 10,000 people, and close to 2,500 in Sri Lanka alone, and 1,600 in India. It broke my heart to think of the many lives lost, just like that--precious souls that may not have had the opportunity to hear about Jesus before they died (Hebrews 9:23).

O, how I wish everyone on this earth would embrace Jesus and His salvation, so that not one person would suffer for eternity in hell. (2 Peter 3:9)

Christmas Day. To think, about 2,000 years ago today, Jesus came to be born in a manger and walk this earth and give His life to atone for sin so we could be saved by putting our trust in Him. How often do I truly grasp the wonder of this? Of His great love for me -- His great gift. How reassuring it is to know that I can trust Him -- no matter what. That His plan is always good and perfect. I love You, Lord. Thank you for coming to this earth ... for loving us so very much. Help me to more and more grasp this wondrous love and live my life in view of it.

Tonight we drove in from my grandmother's, where we were yesterday and today. I got together with my friend Heather and we exchanged gifts. We also went by and saw my cousins for a few minutes, at my aunt's and uncle's house. :o) And I got my combined birthday and Christmas gifts from my parents -- a food processor, a vacuum cleaner, and a crockpot, which I opened last night. I'm very excited about using these things in the new apartment!

Today I drove the nearly 600 miles back home to my parents. :o) It was a long drive, but around lunch time I stopped to see an old friend. We met up at Applebees and ate together. We even shared some yummy brownies and icecream. It was a blast! Too bad we don't live in the same town so we could hang out more. :o) The rest of the trip was pretty uneventful ... I did have some goofy photos taken to use up my roll of film. That was fun!

Tonight was our staff Christmas party. As I looked around at the faces of all the people sitting at round tables throughout the room, I realized just how much they had become like family to me. I was reminded of what a special thing I have.

There were some funny skits that I really enjoyed -- especially an interactive one where we would make donkey noises and say things like "gold, frankencince and myrh" and "no problem" at different points in the Christmas story.

On a more serious note, later in the program we dimmed the lights and were each challenged to think of what it would be like to go through our lives unreached with the Gospel. At first I couldn't grasp or feel this in my heart -- but then I imagined myself being married and then having a child, and that somehow that child was taken from me, and sent to a remote village where he or she would grow up and live to an old age and die, without ever hearing about Jesus. I can't imagine!

I had such a nice weekend. My friend from work and I had such a good lunch on Saturday afternoon. Without even knowing it, she said some things that were so encouraging to what I was specifically going through at the time. From then on, the weekend was great!

The message was good Sunday. The Lord really used last week's message in a powerful way in my life -- I look forward to how He will use this week's. After church, a group of us from our S.S. class went and ate together. Quite fun!

I can't believe it's Friday already. This week has gone by so fast! There have been some struggles throughout it, although some good times, such as really nice fellowship over lunch, as well. I'm sooo looking forward to the weekend.

I'm so thankful for the Lord ... and for friends. Last night I went to a Christmas production with my S.S. class, and we'll all be hanging out for a game night this Saturday. : ) I can't wait! And tomorrow I'm going to lunch with a friend from work. I am so thankful for this close friend and how the Lord provided her at just the right time in my life! What an answer to prayer.

Our move this past weekend went well. I never would have guessed there was so much to the moving process! Preparing and packing definitely involved some long nights with less sleep. But it all came together and my roommate and I could both so much see the Lord's hand at work in the whole process. We want this new season of our lives to glorify Him.

Saturday was the actual day of our move. More than 30 people on staff at the ministry showed up to help us. I noticed something I'd maybe never noticed before. Usually I help with other people's moves, and enjoy it so much, but this time I found myself standing and watching everyone as they got boxes together, made an assembly line out the balcony, and joked and laughed good-naturedly. It was quite fun ... and incredible to watch. Looking back, I felt like I was watching a well-orchestrated symphony. One that had been rehearsed in a general sense, but not the specific piece that was being played. Yet the notes seemed to just flow and come naturally and in their place. More than anything, I think, I so much felt how much people cared for me.

It was a nice time, even if my roommate and I were both pretty tired from staying up late the night before with extended prayer at the ministry and then last-minute packing. It was a pretty day out, and the fellowship was good. The Lord has really been watching out for me, because I very quickly caught up on my fatigue. He even woke me up this morning with an alertness uncharacteristic of me. :o) (especially considering how late I stayed up last night!)

I like the new apartment SO much! It's really cute. :o) It feels homey and peaceful, and there is a gorgeous view outside the back balcony! I'm so excited. :o)

This week has been good ... even if I've been a bit tired. ;o) Not too bad! This morning I have been so much having the Lord's peace ... and a sense of abiding with Him moment by moment. When I was driving in to work, I heard a worship song (Michael W. Smith) that starts out with really pretty instrumentals. I felt my heart fill with love for Jesus, yet at the same time a sadness that lately (past few weeks maybe?) I haven't been spending the time with Him that I know He would love us to spend together. Amazing, isn't it? That the All-Knowing, perfect and complete God of the universe would actually desire to spend time with us. Pinch me, I must be dreaming?

I'm having a good day today! I was kind of afraid it would be hard to get back into the "real world" after the nice holiday weekend, but it's been going so well! It's such a privilege getting to serve here.

I had an incredible Thanksgiving weekend. As I was telling my roommate today, "It felt surreal". (I think I'm using that word in the right context? If not, oh well, I just thought it'd be fun to use a big word on here. :o)) The weekend was filled with a yummy meal on Thanksgiving day, several nice times of fellowship with friends in my S.S. class, a walk each day at the park right down the road (beautiful days!) and ... SLEEP. :o)

I also made a "spur of the moment" turkey soup tonight, using leftovers that were sent home wtih me from Thanksgiving dinner! After tonight, I've decided I can somewhat do "ad lib" cooking after all ... several things I've tried in the past to be "creative" with, making up as I go, ended up not being that good. But the soup tonight turned out pretty well! :o) My roommate tried it and seemed to think so, too. We are moving this Saturday. Hard to believe! We're excited. I'm looking forward to this weekend ... even if it DOES end up being a lot of work. ;o) Hard to believe that a week from now, we will be all moved in!

I've been having such a good week! I think it all started with a nice weekend. :c) Sunday after church I went to eat at The Corner Bakery with a group from my S.S. class. Then I headed over to the mall to purchase a cell phone -- It will be my phone when I move. A blue and gray flip phone, it's a cutie ... but I keep telling it it will be grounded for life if it doesn't stop misbehaving. ;o) For starters, even when I change certain audio settings, they don't respond accordingly.

Tomorrow I eat Thanksgiving dinner with my S.S. class. And some of us (not me) will be watching football, while others will be watching movies (maybe me? or I may just hang out and talk with people!). I'm looking forward to that! I can't wait. :o) I will be making a salad to bring -- I hope it turns out well. It will have lettuce, dried cranberries, chicken, pecans, and mandarin oranges. The fun part is all the ingredients were either gotten free or almost free with a coupon, or given to me or offered for me to use.

Today was such a good day! :o) A friend came over to work on some bikes and grab her stuff, and we enjoyed chatting. Then I went walking and rollerblading at the park nearby.

I got together with Maggie, a new lady on staff, tonight. We had so much fun! :o)

Hi again! It's me. We had our staff ladies meeting tonight ... a much-needed reminder of how we can give thanks in ANY circumstance and also how we can thank God, by faith, for things we do not yet see. Amen.

This was a very timely reminder for me, and I'd imagine for many of us. For me, parts of the two weeks before this one were times of being "in the valley". And this week in some ways feels like the process of getting "back in the swing of things" after having been in the valley. Yet, overall, it's been a rather good week, I think, for which I am so glad! : ) The weekend was good and set a nice tone for the week, I think. There are still things I need to lay before the Lord and trust Him for by faith, but I am so thankful for the time I had after the meeting tonight of catching up/praying with a friend and then driving around on my own, talking with and singing to Him.

On a different note, things have looked bleak this week for us writers, as our "resident walker" is on vacation (must be?) and hasn't paid us our daily visits. We miss seeing him out the window! A coworker and I were joking that we should make a big sign to put in the window for when he passes by -- something like, "We missed you" or "Welcome back". :o)

Oh, the little joys of life!

The lunch went well. I had some opportunities to share the ministry. I enjoy getting to do that!

I enjoyed Sunday school as usual. We all are eating at our teacher's home for Thanksgiving! I can't wait. :o)

My room's been pretty clean lately -- that's a good feeling. :o) I think I've been able to get rid of quite a bit as far as papers I didn't need anymore, etc. And I have a little pile of things that can go "up for grabs".

When you serve at a ministry, those three words are special indeed. :o) I am so very thankful for all the nice furniture the Lord has provided for the new apartment. Hard to believe we're moving in less than a month. Wow.

Hello, dear blog. Do you remember me? :o) I know I haven't written since Tuesday. The rest of the week was kind of hard. Yesterday was especially rough ... quite a lot of crying. It's been quite a while since I've been emotional like this.

Today was a good day, though. I was given "a hot dog, a piece of cake and $10" to help out with a birthday party for fraternal 5-year-old twins! Can't beat that. :o) I had the trail mix "station", and it was the kids' favorite one! Probably because it involved food! We didn't stay for the "piece of cake", but it sure was a pleasant time!

I also spent a couple of hours at the home of a friend on staff, and met up with another friend for supper. We had buy-one-get-one-free coupons! Can't beat that. :o) Tomorrow after church is a lunch for all of us who are in full-time ministry.

God is so good to me! Though Friday was such a rough day, I felt that I emerged from the week with His perspective. Saturday morning when I was spending time with Him, I was filled with His supernatural love. Thank You, Lord. What a wonderful peace that brings!

And I've been having a good week so far. I enjoy looking out the window at the beautiful sky. :o) Thank You, Jesus!

Speaking of looking out the window, I think it would be fitting here to publish some updates on our "resident walker"!

Enjoy. :o) (for background, see last Thursday's entry)

Monday, November 8

Resident Walker Makes Second of Three Daily Appearances

At 11:40 a.m., our resident walker made his second daily debut in the GFA parking lot and even waved to one of our staff members who was pulling out. He was sporting his trademark, a faded jean jacket.

You have been listening to GFA News and Reports, stateside. Stay tuned to this channel for further developments and updates in the life of our "resident walker".
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We interrupt to report some unprecedented news about our resident walker.

At about 4 p.m. (CST), in a mode uncharacteristic of the avid walker, he was spotted driving a white Ford "enclosed" truck (maybe an early to mid 90s model?). It is very important to note that he waved at a GFA staff member as he pulled out from his workplace, before waiting for oncoming traffic and then making a left turn onto South Maple Lane (name changed).

We'll keep you posted on further developments. And as always, thank you for tuning in to GFA News and Reports stateside!

P.S. If you'd like to receive the REAL GFA News and Reports, with stories of the exciting things the Lord is doing on the field, click here. :o)

A rough day. I hope I don't have to repeat it for a while. I cried quite a bit. As I remarked to a coworker with a little chuckle, "I'm not good for much of anything today."

But, I emerged from the day with fun chats and laughter with roommates over a taco supper and prayer, a shoulder rub from a coworker, and some loving shoulders to cry on. Thank You, Lord. Thank You SO very much for the family here that loves me dearly. Thank you for each and every precious one. And thank You for my wonderful family back home and a few hours away.

Aren't you glad that for the Christian, we can't lose? That God loves us more than we could even imagine, and He is always bringing about a greater good in our lives, even through trials? That He hurts with us when we hurt? And, oh, I am so very encouraged to see how He has been working in me His perspective through it all. (It didn't start out that way, and wasn't that way for a while--and I still struggle somewhat--but He has been so faithful to keep working on me. How wonderful it is!) The other day someone remarked that I was "so brave" and they said I radiated the love and joy of Jesus. I needed to hear those words; they were life to my soul. Truly, God has been SO good to me. I love Him so very much!

My lunch with Sherri today was so nice. She is such a dear sister. We had a nice time chatting about the Scriptures, and it was fun sharing with her how the Lord has been providing furniture for me for my new apartment. We really connected and had such a good visit together. She was saying how the Lord always brings us through hard times. She said some really encouraging things. And ... today was much better. Praise the Lord! I am so thankful for that, so relieved.

This afternoon was busy, but good I think! :o) (I LOVE being busy at work--it helps me keep focused!) It was pretty hilarious -- at one point, while I was cleaning my bathroom (each of us on staff take turns helping to clean the restrooms here!), I was alternating between wiping the counter/door and peeking out into the hallway to see whether someone I needed to meet with was free yet. :o)

Helen was here this morning in the desk next to mine, working on some writing projects. We had some great laughs together, talking about our "resident walker". No joke, he literally walks through our office parking lot three times a day. It's too funny. :o) He's a very dedicated walker and an inspiration to me to take some time for a quick walk during the workday.

Anyhow, we both were laughing because Helen was talking on the phone to one of our coworkers and saying, "He's wearing a denim jacket today! And it looks like he's growing a beard." And I teased that I would have thought that was "beneath his dignity." (He always has his "scrubs" on; he works over at one of the medical offices down the street from us.) Anyhow, he used to walk around, looking "neither to the right or to the left," but we've noticed lately that he's actually quite friendly. I joked that he'd better not be snobbish to us if he's gonna walk through our parking lot. :o)

I am so very happy about the election results! When I heard about Bush's victory, I stood up in my cubicle and jumped for joy. :o) God is good ... and so very merciful to us, even though we so much don't deserve it.

Tonight at the midweek service at Calvary Chapel, I watched as a young woman came in a little late and sat by her brother. They looked so cute and homey as her brother leaned toward her and told her something. I got a little sad as I thought of how my brother is no longer here on this earth for me to do that with. Sitting in that pew, I imagined us sitting together like that as we grew older.

The Lord in His infinite wisdom and compassion has, for whatever reason, allowed--once again--a hard and somewhat painful situation in my life that I thought had finally ended. Yesterday I found myself thanking the Lord for this means to be made more like Him. I even recalled how I'd prayed just the day before for Him to make me more like Himself, whatever it takes. He sure does answer those prayers! I was rejoicing in that yesterday.

Today I wasn't so brave. But I try to continually remind myself that God is good, in any circumstance. And He is in control. Absolutely nothing takes Him by surprise. And He hurts when His children hurt--even if it's because of a trial He is allowing in their life for a greater good. He can be trusted! How comforting is that thought. Thank You, Lord. Thank You SO much.

Tomorrow I'm eating lunch with my friend Sherri from work. :o) I'm looking forward to it. She is such a sweetheart, and has such a servant's heart. She serves part-time with us, despite health-related problems, and would love to be here full-time if she could. I appreciate her!

Today was an overcast day. Great day for quick walking breaks. I took one this morning. For some reason I felt kind of sad and unsettled when I arrived home tonight. I think maybe part of it was not seeing the sun today, and then it getting dark so early.

I'm scheduled to share a little tomorrow night during prayer meeting -- to share some from the field. It's not easy for me to prepare and get in front of people, but yet I'm so thankful for the opportunity. My prayer is that the Lord give me His words, words that would touch and encourage hearts.

Truly, He is so faithful. So good to us, so loving and kind.

I had such a nice time today with the family who are my friends. I ate supper with them and we all chatted and prayed together before I left. They are already ministry supporters, but said after watching the Jaishri video tonight that they are going to pray about supporting another native missionary. Hallelujah! Praise God.

Like last week when I was at my S.S. teachers' home hanging out with them and others in our class, it was refreshing today getting to be "at home" with a family. I'm so thankful for the many blessings and special people that the Lord has brought into my life! He has been so good to me.

I had such a nice day today. It felt like I got so much done, and I had some really good time with the Lord. I enjoyed meditating on Philippians 1, the chapter (and book!) I'm memorizing.

Tonight was fun! I went over to Cici's pizza in the next town over, to meet up with people from my Bible study. We were seeing off Jonathon, as a surprise party. Except he spotted Edward in the window as he was walking up. :oP I very much enjoyed catching up with friends there. In fact, tomorrow afternoon after church I'll be going over to a family's house. I'll get to continue fellowshipping with them and show them The Call to Harvest and pictures from my India trip. :o) I look forward to it!

Then I also went to a game night at a staff family's home. That was neat--I played badmitton (sp?) outside with some gals, and then played some foosball with some buddies ... The phrase "It's been a while..." (since I'd played foosball without a teammate's help) became a catch phrase that my buddy Sean teased me about. :o)

Goodbye for now. I look forward to Sunday school and church in the morning. Nice to get an extra hour of sleep. ;-)

This was a such a good day. Like yesterday, the workday went by fast because I was working on a number of different things. Oh, and the projects are mostly finished, plus another one that came up. :o) A couple of stories were finished, and several were gathered for an email update, plus a "thank-you" paragraph was added. All that's left is "wrapping things up" on another story, and I hope to have that done before the end of tomorrow. Yay!

This weekend will be busy! I may be meeting up with my neighbor for lunch, and then Saturday night I have two things going on--I'll probably try to go to both. :o) One of them is a surprise going away party for someone at my Bible study. Another is a game night at a staff family's home. Then of course the next day is Sunday school and church ... AND, an extra hour of sleep. OR time with the Lord. :o) OR both. :c)

Today my friend Jasmine from last week came by the office for her tour. We also ate chili together downstairs at our Believers Cafe'. Jasmine really enjoyed the tour and was impacted and amazed at the vast number of unreached people and how the Lord is reaching Asia.

Over lunch today, she said how she feels like she's known me for a long time. She is such a sweetheart and loves the Lord and has such a heart for missions. I am so thankful for her and that the Lord has brought her into my life.

I went to the midweek service at Calvary Chapel tonight. I'd never been to that one, just the Sunday morning services. It was so good! The pastor went over Psalm 39-42 and made some good points -- about how our lives are fleeting and we are being prepared for heavenly bodies, etc. I also enjoyed the worship time.

Tomorrow I am meeting with several coworkers for our monthly lunch together. I look forward to that! I think tomorrow night my friend Lindi will call and we'll pray together. Then, Friday I might go to my Bible study, and Saturday night is a surprise gettogether to see off a friend from there. :o) I would really like to try to make it. Oh, and my projects from yesterday are going well! By the end of the workday tomorrow, Lord willing, I hope to have them finished.

Sunday afternoon was such a nice time ... A group of us from my S.S. class were over at the home of our teacher and his wife, hanging out and eating chili. And some people were out in the garage for a while, working on a game that they're having for the kids during the harvest festival. :o) I was in the kitchen helping Sammie and chatting with her, but did run out later, joking that I was "supervising". :o)

During part of the afternoon, I just kicked back and rested on one of their family room chairs while some others watched the football game, lamenting the impending loss of the Dallas Cowboys. We talked about us all maybe going over there for Thanksgiving, too. I felt so much at home ... It was a wonderful time. :o)

I got my SEND! articles back today and was given some changes to make and further research to do for sidebars and photos. That was fun! :o) Today I made the needed changes. During these next couple days, I need to try to gather all the information for my additions, as well as some source documentation for one of the stories.

Also, tomorrow I need to write a couple of web stories about our Bridge of Hope program. I was looking at the field reports, and they are touching! My hope is that the Lord would give me the words to convey the heart of these reports--that hearts would be moved as people read them. I know I am utterly inadequate--my words won't do. It must be the words He gives me--those I must write down. I am nothing without Him, and in my flesh dwells no good thing. What a privilege it is to be His ambassador on behalf of a lost world.

It was so pretty outside today! I went driving out in the country and walking--very late afternoon--at the nature preserve. Beautiful weather, especially as it neared sunset! It got cooler and was quite refreshing.

My lunch with Jasmine Friday was good! I showed her my India pictures and told her some of the stories behind them. She wants to come out to tour our office, and we've set a day for next week! : ) I hope it all works out ... We're going to eat a quick lunch first in the kitchen; I guess we will need to gulp down our food pretty fast so we can do the tour and still not have her traveling back to her office too late from lunch. ;o) She was talking about having me over sometime where she lives, on a lake. That would be nice. :o) She has such a love for the Lord and for missions. It so much looks like the Lord orchestrated us meeting and getting to be friends.

Auughh! I just composed a long post with some neat things that impacted me lately, and, alas, there were problems with the server and the post is nowhere to be found. I hate it when that happens. Thankfully, it doesn't happen very often.

Okay, so it's been a few days since I've posted. Guess I've been busy. Saturday was a nice day. And I enjoyed my S.S. class at Stonebriar again this week. I did get to eat lunch with my new friend, Lilly. We had a nice time together. I sure do look forward to getting to know her more in the days to come. Yesterday was a good day, too. I went to the dentist for a teeth cleaning and grabbed something to eat. On my way back to the office, I made a lunch appointment for Friday, with a really nice lady I met in the community, while apartment-hunting. She loves the Lord and has such a heart for missions. I gave her some ministry materials and, Lord willing, will be showing her pictures from my India trip on Friday. My prayer is that we will really connect and get to know each other and that she will be impacted for His kingdom being furthered in Asia.

Tonight we had the privilege of hearing some exciting reports from two of our leaders on the field. It's incredible what God is doing on behalf of those who have never heard His name. And the hunger He is putting in people's hearts to know Him. Praise the Lord! To Him be the glory.

Hearing from our field leaders tonight, I was given such a vivid reminder that the things we do here truly matter over there--that we are a significant part of amazing things that are happening on the other side of the world. The things we do here, sitting in an office building, make it possible for our brothers and sisters in Christ to reach their people in the 10/40 Window. Incredible. This is an unspeakable privilege. After being in India--and again, after hearing these reports tonight--I find myself so much motivated to do more and be more dedicated. Praise the Lord. May this fire burn bright within me and never die.

No ransom note today.

And ... no sight of Web Dog. Hmmm, the plot thickens ...

I just thought I'd let that be known tonight ... There was something really neat I wanted to share, but I'm tired now. I'll share more later ... I promise? :o)

Oh, I will say this, the Lord went before me today as I continued to work on the story I mentioned yesterday. (The day went by so fast! It does that when you're absorbed in a project.) Now I have what I think is my full "final rough draft". Only bad news? It's 758 words, needs to be cut down to 400. But God can do that. I'm also probably going to be working quite a bit on another 400-word article this weekend ... Thankfully, I have a rough draft on that one as well (about 400 words!), but I still need to do some research, tweaking, and maybe weaving in of some more relevant things. I've been enjoying this sooooo much!

Well, good night. :o)

I got off the phone not long ago with Lindi, my friend from church who moved to Utah. What a sweet time of fellowship we had sharing and praying together. We've been getting to do that about once a week.

We had such beautiful weather today. After work I went walking at the trail. No treadmill reading for me tonight, though. :o) But I was working for a while on one of my stories earlier, and I think the Lord gave me a breakthrough on an angle that would more effectively bring the missionary to life. I was excited!

Alas, our beloved Web Dog has been kidnapped yet again. The saga continues! And ... I do believe this calls for drastic measures. I'm not sure what, but, uh, something drastic. ;o)

I did get in touch with one of my suspects. However, he says he knows nothing.

Hmmm, we shall see if we get a ransom note tomorrow ...

25 more minutes on the treadmill, 170 more calories burned, 6 more pages of background material read for a second SEND! story I was given the opportunity to write. :OD

Hmmm ... I think this business of treadmill reading is becoming a habit. At least it's a productive habit. :o)

Work is busy, but going so well. My prayer is that the Lord give me His words as I write these stories. I know it is HIS words that will touch hearts. In my flesh is no good thing ... The Father must fill me with HIS thoughts, HIS perspective, HIS compassion for the lost. Only then will it truly flow through to the hearts of readers. It must all come from Him.

On another note, exciting things happened in the web room today, as our beloved Web Dog had been kidnapped and held. At least he was being productive. :o) I wrote this account to a friend this afternoon, names changed to protect the "innocent", and words very slightly altered for clarity:

Yes, yes ... it seems the web dog is getting around these days. Thomas kidnapped him and brought him to Sean's office Friday night, where he sat at his computer all weekend, working hard to help plant churches in Asia. (see attached pic) Today, tired from his labors for the kingdom, the web dog gazed out Sean's window at rabbits, while eating brownies and ice cream. (Yikes! We need to put the poor thing on an all fruits and veggies diet? [I'm sure he enjoyed the yummy morsels, though.]) The web dog made a brief appearance in the web room, before being whisked away for a long nap in Thomas's office. I rescued him (don't tell Thomas; I snuck in and grabbed him!) and now he is in our team leader's office, studying complicated documents.

As you can see, this is an exciting place to work, in more ways than one. :o) It's not everyday that there are dog kidnappings in the workplace ... even if it is just a stuffed animal. We have become quite attached to our little canine friend. (sniff, sniff) :oD

I woke up this morning at 6:30 feeling rested. I spent some time with the Lord and then made it to work a little before prayer meeting started.

Tonight I walked on the treadmill while doing some reading to prepare for a SEND! article I'm getting to work on. It sure made the time pass fast -- Before I knew it, I'd walked almost an hour on the treadmill, burning 350 calories! And I felt that the incredible story of a native missionary had been brought to life right before my eyes. His sacrifice, courage, and compassion for the precious children and their families around him--I was especially touched when I read that the parents of the children were so excited to find out that there exists a God named Jesus who loves them. That blew me away.

I only hope I can also bring the missionary to life for our readers. My desire is that the Lord give me HIS words. I know that is the only way there will be any life to what I write, anything of meaning. What a privilege that He would allow me to be His ambassador on behalf of His work among some of the most unreached in the 10/40 Window. It is only through the Lord's provision and because of Him that I can even write at all. That I can even be here, living and breathing. All glory to Him and Him alone.

A drizzling day today. Overcast with a light misty rain every so often. NOT a good day for our hiking outing (oh well!). We will reschedule--perhaps for a gorgeous, sunny day with fluffy, snow-colored clouds appearing in puffs across the sky.

It was a very nice day in spite of that. I tried out a S.S. class at Stonebriar--and really enjoyed it! I also made a new friend, Lilly. We hope to hang out together after church next week. :o)

Not an afternoon for hiking--but the perfect day for taking a nap. Yes, I took another nap today--this time not for quite as long though. Just 40 minutes. My roommate, Tara, took a nap today, too. This must have just been a nap-taking weekend. And now I'm tired still--but a good tired, a looking-forward-to-more-sleep tired.

So much for exercise today ... Does walking across the church parking lot and down two small flights of stairs count? :o)

I took a 3 1/2 hour nap today. I must have been tired. It sure felt good.

All in all, I think it's been a nice day. I went to my Bible study last night--Tara and I postponed our hiking and Baskin Robbins plans but may get to do that tomorrow. :o) I'm also meeting up with a friend for lunch. It will be fun to catch up with her.

And of course I'm lookin' forward to church.

Today was a good day. I feel that I've been brought through to the other side of something, having a little more of the Lord's perspective because of it. And that's a great feeling. As I drove home from Bible study tonight, I realized my desire is that I not shy away from hard times--that, rather, I allow the Lord to make me more like Himself during those times. There are so many times when I couldn't have said that.

I'm going to a ladies' breakfast tomorrow morning. We'll be learning things like time management and how we make that time to spend with the Lord, etc. I'm looking forward to it.

Today the Lord worked out something--the thing I had been asking prayer for. While there is still a related thing that I need the Lord to change in me, I have faith that He is able to do that. It's encouraging to see how He continues to work in me to shape my perspective and mold me to be a little more like Himself. And I have such a peace in my heart now. Thank You, Lord.

I feel excited about tomorrow and ready for whatever it may hold--by God's grace, of course. Tomorrow right after work my roommate Tara and I have made tenative plans to hike at some fun nature trails and then go for blueberry cheesecake yogurt at Baskin Robbins. Saturday is a ladies' breakfast -- and Sunday after church and Monday evening will be catching up with friends. I'm looking forward to all these times! I think fellowship is so important. :o)

I was eating at Chick-fila (yummy and fun! :o)) with a coupon after work today when I had "one of those moments"--those windows in time when you find yourself transported far beyond this mundane world with its treasures and sorrows. When you are filled with a sacred joy and reminded of all that truly matters. This world and its desires will pass away. But oh, how easy it is to forget that. Especially when we live in the "here and now". When the "here and now" is all around us, clamoring for our attention.

There I was sitting at a little table near the window, thoroughly enjoying my nuggets and waffle fries (and don't forget the barbeque sauce!)--and enjoying the chance to sit down and just relax at the end of the work day--when I got a precious glimpse of the Savior.

Christian music had been playing in the background for the last few minutes (had been loud and clear when I first entered the store) when suddenly words from "I Can Only Imagine" rang loud and clear through the ceiling speakers. And in that instant I was reminded in a vivid way that Jesus is all that truly matters. He--and He alone--is everything I could ever need or desire ...

For a moment in time, I found myself transported beyond the hustle and bustle of the world around me--cars speeding by outside--into a world with just my Savior and I, singing our own melody together.

We all need moments like this. They bring everything that much more into perspective.

As we labor here at the ministry to reach the unreached, the battle is not getting any easier. And yet we can have peace and joy in the midst of it. His peace and His joy, as we spend time in His presence. It is worth it, too -- People in Asia are coming "out of darkness into His marvelous light" and it is our privilege to be part of this! (1 Peter 2:9)

I'm back. :o) And doing MUCH better. Praise the Lord! I'm a little tired, but all things considered, doing well. There is still an unspoken that could very much use prayer -- that the Lord would grant me His peace (much better today, I think!) and work things out for His glory.

It has been nice to have my parents here. We have had such good times of fellowship -- Yesterday we went to Stonebriar church and then to eat at Schlotsky's Deli afterwards. That afternoon we went over to a staff family's home for a special time together. Then tonight we had a nice time of chatting with my roommate, Tara--and sharing prayer requests over mint chocolate chip ice cream. :o)

Tomorrow I'll be back at the office. It'll be a busy day, with work and then prayer meeting and then helping with clean-up afterwards. And my parents will be making the trip back home. Pray for the Lord's protection to be on them as they travel.

I am struggling. And slightly sad about something. And feeling stretched. And tired. By faith I thank the Lord for this, for through these things He is molding me more into the character of His dear Son. If I am to serve Jesus, should I not be willing to pay the price--to embrace the Cross? At the same time, I could use prayer ... to see things as Jesus sees them ... AND, for everything to work out for HIS glory and the furtherance of HIS kingdom.

I did get to see my parents tonight. That was really nice! :o) They're in town--well, in the next town over. Then I went to extended prayer at the ministry. I was so tired but at the same time the fellowship was kind of nice even so. Good night now.

I did a triatholon after work today. It was quite fun! Well, the most fun was the swimming part by far. First I walked a mile at a nearby nature trail. The weather was nice and cool. So pleasant!

Then I did 25 minutes on the treadmill at my apartment's fitness room. Then I swam for 30 minutes. A nice time!

I also spent an hour with the Lord. It was good! I would like to consistently spend an average of an hour with the Lord each day. This week, so far so good ... I would like to get to where spending time with Him is just like breathing -- something I don't even need to think about, but just naturally do.

I had some nice time with the Lord before lunch today. As I was singing and thinking of how I've experience some times of wonderful worship with the body of Christ, I was excited to think of how that's what Heaven will be like--except infinitely better. What an incredible thought.

This afternoon I was looking at some photos from the field and thought of the stories behind some of the various ones. I looked into the faces of desperation--men and women whose eyes told the despair they felt. A despair none but the living God can take away! On the other side, imagine with me the joy someone experiences when they hear for the first time of a loving God and Jesus who saves--after having spent their lives in bondage to angry, unresponsive deities. This, too, was reflected in many of the photos. Pictures of men and women earnestly worshipping Almighty God, their faces uplifted toward Him. It brought back memories of my experience in India--how the way they worshipped, you would think it was only them (each individual person, for instance) and Jesus in the small, concrete one-room church. I had never seen worship quite like that! Amazing.

It is my heart's desire that ALL come to know and worship the true and living God. That ALL experience the joy of a relationship with Him. So often I think of my grandmother who still needs Jesus. And tonight I got to witness to the cashier at a nearby drugstore. I had to stop by after prayer meeting to pick up a cassette tape for when I record an interview with a staff member. He remarked that every time I come in there, I'm always joyful. I said, "Praise the Lord" and told him it wasn't me, but the Lord--that I am a Christian and have a relationship with Jesus, and I would like everyone to know Him. I asked him if he knows Jesus. He said he does. (I find many people around here will say that to you when asked, but it's hard to say for sure whether they truly do.) I asked if he had trusted in Jesus to save him. He said he had a long time ago. (But it didn't sound like he considers it a part of his everyday life now? Hard to say positively...) I told him that Jesus is always there for us to come to him. Please stand in the gap in prayer for this young man. I hope I wasn't too bold in my witnessing. My desire (as well as for each time I witness to anyone) is that the Lord would filter out anything that was not of Him--and that this individual would just see Jesus and would think about the short conversation we had, in view of eternity.

Yesterday was a hard day. Saturday night as I was walking, it appeared that the Lord gave me a piece of His perspective on the unspoken I had sought His wisdom on the night before. And I knew it wouldn't be the easiest to live with that perspective because of a good thing (in some ways) that I would need to give up.

But the day was primarily hard because it felt like I was reaching out for the Lord, so desperately longing to experience His love on a heart level, but not getting there. I know He loves me--but knowing objectively and feeling it in your heart are two different things.

Today was nice--so much better than yesterday. I had lunch with a coworker, and we had a good time of fellowship and sharing about the things the Lord has called us to in the ministry. Then tonight I spent nearly an hour with the Lord. I am so thankful for that. At the same time, it seemed to take so much energy out of me. I think perhaps partly because of the battle we're in. And partly perhaps because I was tired. With that note, I think I'll go to bed now. :o) I'm so thankful for the good day the Lord gave me today!

Ever feel like you need heart surgery? Nope, I'm not talking about surgery for your physical heart--though surely many have needed that. Instead, I'm talking about your spiritual heart.

Tonight walking around my complex, I sensed the Lord revealing something in my heart--a perspective I had for a little bit--that in many ways I totally hadn't realized until that moment. It was a good thing--even if hard in some ways. How fragile we are in our fallen humanity--how prone to wander. I was a little sad as I reflected on my folly--my warped perspective. But oh, what a precious dialogue it was with the Lord.

I have emerged with a strong desire to be passionately in love with Him--to love Him so much that I am engulfed in His presense and everything else, good or bad, just fades away. Boy am I glad the Father is so patient with me. It seems like I would've given up on myself long ago. ;o) It's sure been encouraging to experience His working in my life. Philippians 2:13: "For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."

Well I'm tired. Even though we all left a little early from Six Flags, it felt like a full day. I think we were ALL tired by the time we pulled off to go to Steak 'n Shake (our tradition!). ;o) Maybe the rather muggy weather had something to do with it. And you KNOW it's muggy if this Mississippi gal says it is. :o)

Tomorrow a big group of us crazy season pass holders will be taking another trip to Six Flags. :o) I can't wait! It will be a nice end to the week. Great fun and fellowship!

I need a sensitive and discerning heart to hear the Lord's voice about something. In my spirit I want to know (and I have begun asking to know), but in my flesh I don't because I'm afraid it will be something I don't want to hear. ;o) Indeed I am reminded of the statement Jesus made in the Garden of Gethsamene--"The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." Thankfully, I have been at peace. Now I just need to hear His voice clearly and have His discipline to follow even if it's hard.

I am so thankful for the Lord -- Truly He is so good to me. (And it is so worth it to follow Him.) Oh that I would sense that on a heart level not only in the good times (like now), but also in the bad. I know it on an objective, intellectual level in those times, of course, but it can be pretty hard for it to travel down to my heart during those seasons. ; )

Two moving parties in one week.

Remember how we moved someone in on Monday? Well tonight, three days later, we all got together to help someone move out.

My team leader and his family. They love us (and we love them!!!) but have been sensing the Lord calling them to something else for this season in their lives.

Hard to believe still. I walked in his office today after he left with all the guys for one last meal together at their favorite spot. And it was pretty much empty. I felt like it began to hit me then. I cried just a little.

Yet I am content and have a settled peace about this. No matter what, I know the Lord will take care of us--and them! The desire of my heart is that the progress of the website as a tool for reaching the lost of Asia be in no way lessened throughout this--that the Lord's hand be upon it and we each be able to take up the slack.

And it also sounds like the Lord will be bringing someone else to join us soon. I don't know who ... but someone! Though for sure he will be missed--he was a dear brother, a competent leader and a humble, dedicated servant. I am so thankful for the chance to have gotten to know this family.

We got to help move a new staff couple and their 9-year-old son in today. That was fun! They're so nice! :o) I have been looking forward to their coming ever since they were here for their interview week.

Other than that, not much going on. Tomorrow I am meeting to catch up with friends for lunch (either at Chick-fila with our free food coupons or something like Wendy's 99-cent menu :o))--and Wednesday a really big group of us are going on what we affectionately refer to as the "Chinese Lunch Club". :o) It's been a while since we've done that, and I look forward to the fellowship (and yummy food!). Then Thursday I'm going to lunch with three friends for our monthly lunch together. It would usually be next week, but we moved it up--It's been two months since we were all together, and we miss it! ;o)

I'm looking forward to the fun and fellowship!

Tonight some buddies and I engaged in an all-out fight (okay, so not THAT bad) with crumpled pieces of straw. :o) Quite fun, I might add. The occasion? Suzi's 21st B-day, celebrated by a group outing to Braum's for ice cream.

Well that's about all I have to say tonight ... except, please pray about an unspoken, for Jesus to comfort me and give me peace and His perspective. Thank you! Love ya'll.

Whew! You sure get a good workout on that bike in our apartment complex fitness room. I don't really have much to write about tonight, but I just got to thinking lately, can you believe I've already been blogging for almost a year? Wow! It sure has passed fast.

Tonight I was feeling a little weary and scattered. But then I spent some time with the Lord and in prayer. Oh, how that ministered to my spirit. Thank You, Dear Jesus. There's nothing like Your peace. And ... isn't it incredible that though we are wretched sinners, Jesus died for us? He is All-Sufficient in the Trinity and lacking nothing; yet He loved us so much (and still does!) He would rather die for us than live without us. Incredible. What wondrous love is this! O, that everyone would know that divine love!

P.S. Tomorrow my friend (and roommate!) Tara and I are meeting up after work to eat at McAlisters Deli and go see Two Brothers at the dollar theater. I'm looking forward to the fun and fellowship. :o)

Wow. I retreated into the prayer room at 10:15 and spent time with Jesus until after 11:00, when my roommate got home and came in so we could pray together. I had gone in at 10:15 thinking, 'oh, I really should spend some time with the Lord today' but thinking it would end up being just a few minutes on this particular occasion. Little did I know ... Trust me, I'm NOT complaining. :o) It was such a refreshing time. Truly, there's nothing like sitting in His wonderful presence. I love Him so much! He is so good to me. I am sensing that perhaps He is putting ways on my heart that He would have me serve within the ministry. It's an exciting thing! At the same time, if His plans for me are to continue doing exactly what I am doing right now, I will be very content and happy with that. I consider it such a privilege that I am getting to write stories to encourage people to pray. It is an incredible thing; I am thrilled to get to be a voice for 14,000 native missionaries reaching their people on the other side of the world. I am so thankful the Lord in His undeserved merit upon me has given me this privilege. I want to be available for HOWEVER He would want to use me. I want to be His willing vessel, with nothing in me that would hinder the fulfillment of His eternal purposes through me.

Please pray for me.

I can't begin to express how encouraging today was. A good friend at work shared during staff prayer this morning about an incredible breakthrough in her mom's life last night. Well, last night the Lord put it on my heart to pray John 10:27,28 for her mom. Needless to say, I was on cloud nine. A little while into the workday, I found myself writing this email to my friend:

I can't begin to tell you how encouraged I was to hear your PTL about your mom. There's something I've GOT to tell you ...

I went on to ask if we could meet for lunch sometime. I didn't expect it would be today! A few minutes later, I received a reply asking, Could I go then? Of course I wrote back, YES! Probably 10 or 15 minutes later, I was sitting at a booth at Wendy's, telling her my story. Then she went on to relate other incredible events in her life that the Lord had orchestrated. What a wonderful time of sharing it was.

Also today, a coworker brought me feedback from a friend of the ministry who had been praying with her daughter for the release of the missionaries taken hostage last week. And she was overjoyed that the Lord provided for their release. And I got to thinking ... WOW. I was a part of that. Praise God. What a privilege! I forwarded it to the rest of the web team as encouragement to all of us that our labor is not in vain. Every keystroke, every phone call, every note written--every single bit of it is playing a significant role in advancing His kingdom in Asia.

There's so much more I could tell about today ... good things that happened, but for now it will suffice to say that after a postcard party where we wrote ministry supporters and then fellowshipped together over pizza, I went upstairs to finish "tweaking" a web update for tomorrow and then found myself walking outside in the nice evening breeze, rejoicing in the incredible privilege to be used in such a way.

How could I do anything else in life?

Tonight was so refreshing. I so much was reminded of God's goodness to me. Oh, how I needed that. Thank You, Lord. I love You. We aren't promised the way will be easy ... but we do know He will be with us every step of the journey. Amen! Hallelujah.

This is an excerpt from a prayer I wrote in my journal after I got up this morning:

Oh Lord, I believe You are so merciful that You are deliberately orchestrating my circumstances lately in such a way that I am driven to utter dependence on You and compelled to give up the "non-essentials". What I am going through is painful, but, oh, the end result, how glorious! Thank You, Lord. For loving me so much that You won't give up on me and dismiss me to my vain and selfish pursuits. Help me become more like You EACH DAY, Dear Jesus.

When I went walking yesterday after work, the Lord gave me such a good conversation with a lady I met on the trail. I was amazed at how God totally orchestrated it ... In response to something she asked me, I told her how my roommate and I had just got done praying together. She said, "That's interesting that you mention that, because I was walking around here earlier and seeing the fireflies and thinking, 'this is almost a spiritual experience.'" So that opened the door for me to ask her where she is spiritually, what she believes. We had such a good talk; I was able to bring out several times how Jesus is the only way. She said it wasn't by coincidence that we met--that she usually walks in the mornings ... AND that earlier that day she had been missing her deceased parents. She seemed so encouraged by our time together. Needless to say, I was kind of on cloud nine after our conversation. :o) Please pray for her and her family, that Jesus would become very real to them.

As for me? I'm doing okay. A little tired. One of our brothers on staff shared with us during prayer meeting this morning. He talked about the battle and how many have been struggling. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one. He mentioned a conversation he and his wife had (a few weeks back?). They each asked a serious question -- Am I willing to pay the price in order that billions could have the opportunity to know Christ? He shared how choosing to pay the price is a choice we must make. It was encouraging to me to hear that others are also struggling in the battle. One day it will all be worth it! It's worth it now; we just don't see the end result yet. Only what is eternal will truly matter. Yet it can be so easy to forget that in the "here and now".

Okay, it's another gorgeous day out there. Yay! :o) Thank You, Lord. It would be nice to just happen to have a road trip planned on a day like this. I left work a little early to make a much-needed bank deposit and grab some cheap food at Burger King. Today I didn't have lunch because I was working on a very urgent story for www.gfa.org. (Be sure to check it out so you can be praying!!) But I'm not complaining. Truly it is such a privilege to serve on behalf of these missionaries who are persecuted and in need of our prayers. As God's people all around the world have prayed, miracles have happened time and time again. People in captivity have been released or escaped. It's incredible! Praise the Lord.

I cried a little this afternoon. I know that humanly I don't have the strength or grace to handle what the Lord has allowed to come my way. (But HE does!) But tonight was nice -- Riding with Cindi and Jean, two good friends from work, in a convertible with the top down, on a beautiful night. :o) We were going to the Cheesecake Factory for a special birthday treat (for me). It was fun and we had some good laughs. I teased that the three of us are dangerous together. :o) (Watch out world, here we come!)

I had the Godiva chocolate cheesecake. Quite rich! Needless to say, I have plenty in a "to-go" box; I plan to partake of it throughout the week. :o) Last night at our prayer meeting we all had the opportunity to say encouraging things to each other. I was really ministered to by the things people said to me -- Many mentioned they were encouraged by my happiness, and some told me they appreciated my devotion to the Lord. Truly I am touched by the family here -- so many caring people that appreciate me and are kind to me.

Later this week I get to catch up with my good friend Jen, and early next week I'm having lunch with a really nice volunteer who used to be on staff with us. I really enjoy talking to her. She mentioned she wanted to get to know me better. Well, the feeling is mutual. :o) I'm looking forward to us chatting next week and having some special time together.

Last night and this morning I was missing my college town and the beloved church I attended there. And on another note, I was reminded of the thing the Lord has allowed--somehow in His infinite wisdom--that hasn't been easy. O Lord, help me be the person I need to be in this. Grant me YOUR perspective, I pray. If I am honest, in my finite, "tainted-with-sin" human perspective I would find it so much easier if the situation were nonexistent. (I realize the Lord has so much He can teach me through this, but so many times I don't see the visible fruit. I just need to seek His perspective and then trust by faith that the fruit is there.)

Yet as I drove my friend and roommate Tara to pick up her car and we talked about what a gorgeous day it was, I found myself looking eagerly outside and saying, "God is good. He is in control! I can trust Him." What a comforting thought! Hallelujah! :o) I love You, Lord. Have Your way in me, I pray. Fill me with Your grace and love.

I'm back from housesitting. And now I'm planning to go walking on the trail close to my apartment and enjoy that gorgeous weather. :o)

Yesterday morning the cat woke me up. Well, I had gotten up to put my clothes in the dryer and then thought I'd catch a few more ZZZZZ's. Would've been asleep for longer though, I'd imagine. ;o) I'm so not a morning person but am trying to be. ANYHOW, the cat started meowing to be given attention. I could tell it couldn't wait to spend time with me. Then I was gripped as I thought about how that's how Jesus is with me--He can't WAIT to spend time with me. So I got up and had such a good time with Jesus. (Praise the Lord!) During lunch I had some good time with Him too.

Now, one day later, I find myself struggling for His perspective. To keep believing in faith and having a Christlike attitude about something He has allowed in my life for quite some time now, for reasons I probably won't fully know until Heaven. But oh, He is so good. His thoughts toward His children are good, and He can be trusted. Always. Thank You, Lord. I'm looking forward to the rest of this day. Well, gotta get back to the house and play with those cats. :o)

The other day an evangelist came and shared with us. He had some good witnessing tips. Even as we have the incredible privilege to reach people on the other side of the world, so many of whom have not heard the Gospel even once, we still also should be witnessing to others as the Lord brings opportunities our way. Yesterday one of these came about.

I was at Wal-mart getting my tires rotated and my battery changed. It took longer than it should have because the attendant forgot to change the battery, hence I had more time in the waiting room where I shared about the Lord with a man sitting in there. Though he claimed to be a Christian, it's hard to say whether he was. He seemed to be agreeing with a lot of things in a noncommittal, polite way. At first I hadn't talked to him about spiritual things and felt bad. I sure am glad the Lord is so gracious to give us second chances, especially to goobers like me. :o)

So anyhow, the Lord gave me the opportunity to talk with him as I would to a fellow Christian--talking about my personal perspective and how I want to bring people to Heaven with me. I shared about Jesus and weaved in Heaven and Hell as real places that people will go to.

On another note, yesterday I found out some dear friends of mine from my college church have signed their high school S.S. class up to support a native missionary. I can't begin to tell you how thrilled I was. :o) I wrote back today and related that they will never know this side of Heaven just how many lives the Lord will eternally impact on the other side of the world through them. What a privilege we have! Thank you, Lord. :o) Oh, that Your wonderful Gospel of Your kindness and mercy would penetrate the hearts of each person in the 10/40 Window.